[chas]

This is kind of a long post...but i thought i would post it to give others some insperation!

I started getting PVCs earlier this year in january. I would have never known it but I guess after breaking up with a girlfriend of three years followed by getting booted out of the house by your step mom....well you can see were this is leading to. I was just under way to much stress.

Like most of you here that have these things i thought I had a serious heart problem and that my time was up. I walloed for months in deppression and fear and generally lost intrest in all my hobbies as well as spending time with family and friends.

I had been to one cardioligist who did a EKG followed by a holter monitor. They got the results back and apparently everything seemed normal. You would think this would be enough reasurance for me...but oh no the fear and anxiety persisted.

Then I contacted another cardioligist who did a full cardiac workup. This included a EKG,echocardiogram,and a stress test. Once again everything was diagnosed as normal...in short I had a healthy heart.

But I still continued to worry,convinced I was about to drop dead at any second. So off to the cardioligist I went again (who by this time Im sure was thinking I was a total nut job) This time they orderd a 21 day event monitor. When I went to this appointment the nurse practitioner assured me that they were not worried.

So during the time I was wearing this monitor I sort of had an ephiany, I got to thinking "hey these guys arent worried and they see the worst of the worst when it comes to heart conditions..why should I be?" So slowly but surely I started getting out of the house more,started taking intrest in my hobbies again,and started going out with friends again...and as my stress level started to drop,so did the number of PVCs.

Heres the kicker...the monitor only picked up 20 PVCs in the 21 days I was wearing it!



And with that everybody have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[Jeff]

Funny how that works, isn't it?

I'm glad you were able to come to this conclusion - I wonder if this should be the standard protocol for nut jobs like us.

Not once did a nurse ever even sound remotely concerned when I called in my event monitor recordings. They seemed bored. In retrospect, that probably helped me, too.

Glad you're feeling better. And a word to the wise - some day, those PVCs will probably return. Just remember what you've learned this time around and apply that, and you'll be fine.

Have a great Christmas.

Jeff

[chas]

Thanks Jeff! Im looking forward to some r&r,spending time with family and friends,and those nice christmas dinners!

I guess I should edit this abit,they arent totally gone.I still get them if im tired,excited,or extremely upset. But even during those times its usally only one...at the most two.

Thats a far cry from the 20 I recorded in one day!

Im telling you when they told me they only picked up 20 in the 21 days I was wearing the event monitor...i was shocked! I thought the number would surely be higher!

[Jeff]

Not to brag, heh, but I've had 20 in a single minute. If you're having 20 in a day, you're in fine shape. Nothing at all to worry about.

[chas]

Wow lisa I dont know how you did it...you must have been a nervous wreck( or at least i know I would have been!)

I was amazing to me that stress and anxiety could wreak havoc on your body like that! I would have never guessed it!

A question for you jeff or anybody that can answer it.
I noticed when I was having these things that a hot shower always seemed to make them worse,anybody have any idea what causes that?

[tachygirl]

Lisa,
I am with you... I get LOTS ( never count- makes me way to nervous) when I get angry or stressed!!
Hmmm, I am very German- could it be I am related to some germans in hx with a bad temper??? I really hope not!!
And then there are the times when my heart skips.. and skips.. every 2 or 3 beats for hours!! And dr says don't worry.. yes... so easy for him to say !!

Happy Holidays to all!

[jkfrench]

It is a delayed reaction for me. During the stressful time, I don't get them. A few hours after that stress, they start up. Also, yes a hot shower or bath or jacuzzi can start them up for me. Once about 15 years ago, after a hot bath I had them for days. None of it makes sense. BUt the good news is that it doesn't matter as long as we have been checked over by our doctor. If I were to tell my doctor that my heart skipped for hours after a hot bath he would say "well, that is normal for you". As much as I want to punch him (for a reason I can't explain) I just give it some time and let the comment sink in, and then go on with my day.
xo
Jodie

[greylady38]

Everytime iv had the holter test its always been good but the echo showed up more details and a slight leak i had massive flutters then that got picked up even tho i was told they wldnt kill me well wen i have them i really think my heart will stop and not return to normal rythem x happy new year to all and long livings

[greylady38]

ps my pvs can be set of buy a hot bath or shower too or even being in the very cold, heat does have an effect ppl think oh its just a fast heart beat but wen it quivers and flutters all over the place that isnt nice 4 the sufferer

[Susie]

I wish I could conquer mine. It seems that ANYTHING can set them off. I can bend down and as I raise up, I will have one or two, hot water doesn't seem to bother mine too much, but cold does.
I also don't seem to have them during the stressful event itself, it is when it is over they come in with a vengence.