[dr461]

Found this on another website regarding PVCs. Thought it might be appropriate for most of us, and got a good laugh, as it had me down to a "T":


"I have lived with PVC's for over 20 years now. 100% med free. I did initially take beta blockers but the side effects were too much for me. (My hair was falling out and I turned into a zombie.)

One thing I have noticed is we all pretty much go through the same process when we realize there is something weird with our heart. We FREAK OUT! We try to learn as much as possible, research everything, we practically become better doctors than the docs we go to! How many of us have gone to the emergency ward telling the doctor something like:

"Doc, I'm having multiple PVCs, my heart rate is up to 130, im short of breath, etc,etc." Hell, the Doctor smiles and thanks us for saving him the time to diagnose us! LOL...

In a nutshell here's a table of events that we've all probably done or are going through right now...

Step 1 - The first encounters....

Watching tv, working out, whatever, you feel a thump in your chest. Or perhaps a small flutter. You really don't worry about it too much. But then either a few hours, days, later, you have another, perhaps a run of them. You have an episode of PVCs followed by shortness of breath, nervousness, etc. You decide to go to a doctor.

Step 2 - The dreaded 3 letter word!!

Your doctor gives you a stress test, heart monitor, etc, and tells you "there's one, another one, yep you're having... PVC's!!" WHAT!! PVC? What's a PVC!!! A PRE VENTRICULAR CONTRACTION!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! If you're like me this word initially scares the bejbas out of you! LOL.

Step 3 - Doc says your fine...

Your doc says, "no problem, they're normal, just don't worry about it. If they bother you we can put you on some meds to help control them.

Step 4 - You don't believe your doctor, time for research!!

At this point that 3 letter word is driving you nuts. You KNOW there has to be something more to this so you research PVC's. You learn so much about it you could diagnose others and possibly get a degree!!

Step 5 - Time to go nuts!!

At this point you have researched so much, tuned in to your heartbeat so much that you can actually SEE your chest beating, HEAR your heartbeat while resting, some of you (like me) may have to sleep with the tv or music on to drown out your heart beat! You ACTUALLY wait and anticipate each PVC and when it happens, BOOM THERE IT IS!! Some people will eventually cause themselves to have panic attacks, think they are going to die all the time, go to the emergency room at the first sign of a PVC, basically driving yourself mad!!

Step 6 - Learn to live with it. Focus on other things.

It's hard to get to this step, but we can skip steps 4-5 if we understand that PVC's are not going to kill you. They ARE normal and a high percentage of people have hundreds a day and never know it. I know for a FACT that stress plays a HUGE part in causing PVCs, or at the least making them worse. Remember, PVC's are 99.999% of the time caused by your internal electrical system being a bit out of whack. Here's what you can do to help yourself live with PVC's and not worry/freak out about them.

1) Give up caffine, smoking, excessive sugar, STIMULANTS right now. These are big factors in triggering PVC's.

2) If you have an epsiode and it is starting to freak you out, immediately go for a walk outside. Walk your dog, engage in a conversation with a friend or neighbor while you are walking. What this does is causes your brain to focus on something else, gives your heart/electrical system something to do with those extra beats. The idea is to focus your brain AWAY from the PVC's.

3) Lose extra pounds. Obesisty and PVC's don't mix. Lose the weight.

4) If you're still wrapped up in yourself, visit a hospital and visit the kids ward where they have cancer. Nothing like seeing a kid with cancer and then realizing how small your problem is compared to thiers. Again, the idea is to convince your mind "you're ok" and not to focus on "you" so much.

5) Try to get a full 6-8 hour sleep every night. Nothing better for our electrical system than to regulate our internal clock. You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel once you can sleep regularly. If you're focusing on your heart beat at night, do what I do and sleep with something like a tv, radio, storm sounds, rain, etc, playing in the background. And there's nothing wrong with taking a small glass of wine before going to bed.

6) NEVER eat a meal before going to bed. A freshly filled stomach can also cause pressure on your upper body and trigger PVC's.

7) Work out! The only way to get rid of stress is to work out. It doesn't have to be a huge workout. A 20 min walk 3 days a week will do wonders. A few crunches, light weight lifting (5-20lb weights) combined with walking and swimming is great for releaving stress. (And so is an active sex life!) For the record, panic attacks can be triggered by stored stress!!

PVC's can be mentally very stressful at first. But if you relax and focus on other things in your life, it's amazing how much they eventually don't bother you because you learn to accept this is how "your" heart works and it's nothing out of the ordinary, "for you".

I wish you all the best with learning how to "live" with your diagnosis. If anyone else has any advice for first timers with PVC's please share your thoughts. Thanks!"

[CMoore416]

Thanks for sharing that. It did make me smile and I needed that today since I'm been in anxiety worry mode! A lady in front of me in line today asked if I was ok because I had "sad eyes" I guess my sadness came through.

[Chaoticdopey]

Originally Posted by dr461

[b]1) Give up caffine, smoking, excessive sugar, STIMULANTS right now. These are big factors in triggering PVC's."

wow this is me in a friggen nutshell.. only thing is i gave up cafien, smoking, sugar, and stimulants and this seems to be getting worse not better which is making me fien for a smoke... whats wierd is when i was smoking i didnt see any difference from when i wasnt. only reason i stoped is because 1 night it felt like my heart was quivering which sent me into a massive panic and then to the ER, i dont know if it was the smoking, or maybe because this was my 4th day on Prozac and maybe that started it. i want a smoke so bad, but im scared as hell that center chest quiver will come back and not last 3-4 seconds and stay longer. thats why i quit smoking. for some odd reason it takes somthing bad happening for me to stop doing somthing, maybe its because im young and dumb, who knows. but this thread made me feel way better about these damn PACs or PVCs or esophigal spasm or whatever im feeling. thanks, and if possible CMoor416 could you give me a link to the site you found that thread on? Thanks in advance.. and hope you all feel pvcless today

[CMoore416]

I'm sorry you are feeling bad. Icant help you muh other than to give you support. Hang in there. Quittig smoking wikl be helpful in the long run. I too gave up caffeine and sugar and chocolate and while still have somePvcs they aren't nearly as bad. Sorry though, I didn't post that link so hopefully the original poster will post it. Hang in there

[Chaoticdopey]

Originally Posted by CMoore416

I'm sorry you are feeling bad. Icant help you muh other than to give you support. Hang in there. Quittig smoking wikl be helpful in the long run. I too gave up caffeine and sugar and chocolate and while still have somePvcs they aren't nearly as bad. Sorry though, I didn't post that link so hopefully the original poster will post it. Hang in there

i was looking at the wrong post when i mentioned your name cmoore416. i also havnt smoked in a month and a half and i cut caffien out cause it used to cause my hands to shake and cause panic attacks. im trying to to smoke plus its kinda saved me some $$.

dr461 could i get the link to this post if possible??.

[dr461]

I'd have to find it. It was on another health board, but by and large, the posts were fairly stupid--e.g PVCs are dangerous, run to the doctor, etc. This was the only intelligent post in a group of generalizations made by non-pros. Most of them were scaring each other silly.

[DaniRae]

LOL wow that was me in a nut shell. For the most part I have accepted these PVCs and moved on. Sure sometimes they still bother me but I find they piss me off more now. lol.

I sniffle and I get a PVC... so the other day I am doing dishes and I decide to KEEP SNIFFLING until I didn't get a PVC after each time. It took about 5 times.... But I guess I wanted to challenge myself and my heart to do it's worse!

I used to be so scared of dying, I used to fear living... and that is when I decided to pray, live each day for what it is, a blessing... Give my kids extra love, and be strong for my parents, both of which are going through medical issues atm.

I now drink decaf coffee, only have a sweet tea now and then, I quit smoking almost 3 years ago and I cut out stimulants (which diet pills made me have a short run of NSVT). I take my vitamins, I take mag., and fish oil. I treat myself to chocolate sometimes and I try not to let myself get stressed. Try to let it roll of my back if I get cut off on the road (even though sometimes that's easier said then done) lol.

I try to not check my pulse as much or sit still trying to feel my heart. I have made big strides which feels good. It feels like being free. Not that I don't worry about them still or obsess a bit at times but I don't let it rule my life.

You will see me post on here though, that sometimes I just have an off day and do the self pity of "why me" etc... but then I wake up and realize how truly blessed I am.

Much love my friends xoxox

[dr461]

That is a great post, Dani. I have tried to do the same stuff as you describe, and it works for the most part. That is why I posted the article in the first place, as I think it describes a common reaction to the situation that we all have. The huge idea in your response is "not to let it rule my life." That is what we all need to do, and accept things for what they are, and find peace.

[Chaoticdopey]

Originally Posted by dr461

I'd have to find it. It was on another health board, but by and large, the posts were fairly stupid--e.g PVCs are dangerous, run to the doctor, etc. This was the only intelligent post in a group of generalizations made by non-pros. Most of them were scaring each other silly.

well that sounds like a fun loving support group to join, lol. thank god i found this site and not that one.

[Susie]

I never did drink or take stimulants, but, I still have the damn things.

LOL, I did have to smile though, it sounded just like me, I have not had a stress test, but, I suspect that when I go to the ER my heart is faster than a stress test, so, the EKG must be right and my heart in good shape, sometimes my heart is 130 when I go in and it won't slow down until I leave.

I get so scared, I just cry, I try all the relaxation techniques, talk to friends, etc, it does not help. I am petrified to exercise if I have them, so I stay in all the time almost now. As to eating or drinking water, man, they really make the beats from hell act up. I am afraid to do anything and I notice EVERY little beat, blip, skip and even ones I don't have. I am a mess.

Anyway, thanks for posting, I am going to print it.

Have a nice day my friends.
Hugs
Susie