[CMoore416]

Well mynDr appt was ok. Of course I was doing well until I left there and went up a flight of stairs and been skipping since! Uuuuuuuggggghhhhhhh! Seriously Screw you skips!!! Sorry!!

Anyway the cardiologist was very nice today and spent time with me. Of course told me they were uncomfortable but they won't kill me and I need to start exercising again and try to focus less on them (yeah really?) he did say he knows they can be debilitating and reassured me i was good and said exercise might make them Better over time. It's going to be hard to exercise considering just the flight of stairs I did brought them on and now an hour later still going. Took half a Xanax since I was panicking. I almost went back to his office or drove to closer Urgent care to sit. But I forced myself to come home and deal. It sucks. I just don't know how I am going to be able to get my mind in a different spot. I mean heck I just left his office and the reassurance didn't even last me an hour!!

This is just so hard. But I have to keep repeating to myself I'm ok I guess

[dr461]

Christina, you can do it. I know you freak out when you feel the ectopics come on. If you can put your mind in another place--perhaps imagine a beautiful day in the country with your family? Work backwards from the worst case--the worst case with PVCs is that you might have them more frequently. Big deal, they are still harmless no matter what. SO work backwards from that--you won't have them all the time, so you will get them pretty often. So, you're still alive, with a lovely family and responsibilities, and people who love you. So, isn't it in your best interests to get control of them, and accept that they may not go away, but you will, in time, learn to live with them? I think so, and if you approach it that way, it really isn't so terrible.

[DaniRae]

I think it is hard for some cardios because they know these things are not dangerous to us. But then they have to try and help us through the psychological part of it (which I think is the toughest peice of the puzzle).

They are not equipped for that. So they reassure us as much as they can but really do not know what to do to help. You know, I have even thought of finding a psychologist who deals with long time illnesses. If anything just for coping skills etc. But even they may not see us.....

[jkfrench]

Christina I can so relate to your post. Years ago (15 years), I knew that seeing my cardiologist once a year would give me the reassurance I needed to last those 12 months. Two years ago, I needed to see him twice a year because of the increase. This is a hard condition to live with because just when we think we get a handle on it by having a few PVC free days, some new flutter happens or the PVCs increase and it starts over again. Claire Weeks books helped so much.
David is right.....this will not kill you. It just won't. My mom had a hole in her heart and lived in afib for two years before they repaired the hole. Hearts just don't give out that easily. Exercise is the best solution for these PVCs. Once you get your heart rate past the 120 beats a minute or so stage (like about where it would be going up stairs), then the PVC's do settle down. If your doctor said to work out, then do your best to try something aerobic for at least 20 minutes.
You are a beautiful woman (great to finally see your picture) and you can do this. Jodie

[dr461]

Yes, Christina, you can do it. As Jodie said, the heart is pretty damn strong, and it takes a lot of abuse and keeps on ticking. PVCs, while a pain in the posterior and frightening, simply won't kill or incapacitate you. You have a lovely family and as Jodie said, you are a knockout. Hey, between you, DaniRae, and Jodie, and a number of others, we should have a forum beauty contest.

[DaniRae]

pffffffft! No beauty contests for me... Toooo girly

[dr461]

Originally Posted by DaniRae

pffffffft! No beauty contests for me... Toooo girly

Oh, too girly, huh? Okay, natural beauty.

[DaniRae]

LOL!!!! I am not reallly the "fru fruie" kinda chick :p

[dr461]

Originally Posted by DaniRae

LOL!!!! I am not reallly the "fru fruie" kinda chick :p

Soo, that is rather nice not to be fru fru. Not high maintenance.

[CMoore416]

I took Xanax and it did nothing for my skips and I can barely stay awake! Lol that wasn't supposed go happen...