[USMCSDI]

I am brand new to this site.

I just wanted to say that I am extremely happy I found some people that have been dealing with these PVC's, flutters, palpatations or whatever you want to call them like I have.

I was diagnosed with a heart murmer @ 5 yrs old. When I was 20 a Navy cardiologist @ Bethesda said I have mitra valve prolapse.

Seems I've lived with these flutters comfortably my whole life. My father died in his sleep in June and NOW.... my PVC's have taken on a new meaning in my life. That coupled with the anxiety I am dealing with have made these things UNBEARABLE!!!! I was out of shape when my dad passed and I got on a strict exercise regimen. I've since lost 50 lbs.... got my cholesterol down to 187 and am off BP medication with an average BP reading of 130/75. My pulse is about 52 bpm. Things in that department have been GREAT!!!!

However... seems these damn PVC's have been worse while I am exercising. I've had a few instances where it feels like an irregular heartbeat too!!!!! That scares the daylights out of me and induces anxiety big time. When you're jogging 3.5 miles and one sets in.. you are already out of breath and with the anxiety it's overwhelming.

I've yet to get results back on a recent ecocardiogram and halter monitor that I've worn but from what I am reading it's PVC's. Those skips... then a thud. Or sometimes just a *thud*. VERY unnerving!!!! Makes me want to fight them... I wish I could... just kick it's ass and be done with it.

How could there be NO medical cure for these things???

I welcome all input. Thanks for listening~~~

[Susie]

welcome to our group, you are in good company believe me.

I think the darned anxiety places a big part in mine at times, just let me get a little upset or more nervous than usual, and they take advantage of me big time. I have had the holtor monitor, echocardiogram, you name it, they are always "normal" I am in pretty good health, have low b/p and a good resting heart rate, so, I shouldn't worry, but, I do. I have had them off and on since I was 26 and now I am 53, but, for about a span of 20 years, I had none, then, after my dear mother got real ill, they started in again, so, I still mine are somewhat stress related.

You are so right, you would think there would be a "cure" for them, it makes me wonder at times.

[jkfrench]

I'm right there with you. My dog got sick back in October and we had to put her to sleep. Jan - Sept I just had the normal 10 or so a day.
But since October, every day and I know it is hundreds and it sucks. Really, it sets my mood and I don't care what the doctors say, they exhaust me.
I get echos, and stress tests every year. Heart is fine. My echo is scheduled for Tuesday and I can't wait because hopefully it will give me some peace of mind that I can't seem to accomplish myself. I am so used to being in control and I can't control these things and it makes me crazy!
Jodie

[gillespiefive]

First of all, congrats on your weight loss! WOO HOO! I do get them sometimes when I am exercising, and they freak the snot outta me!Ya know, My heart rate is high and I'm already feeling outta breath from exercising and them BOOM...I'll have one. Or what's worse is a couple. It makes me even more short of breath, and then the anxiety kicks in. I hate them too! I started a low dose of a beta blocker about a year or so ago, and I think it may help a bit. I mean, I still get them, but it gives me a sense of comfort. Some people say they really help decrease the frequency of them.

[USMCSDI]

Hi Gillespiefive~

They also prescribed me a low dose of beta blockers but they make me feel weird. Fuzzy & lightheaded so I've elected not to take them. My heartrate sits at about 48-50 as it is. With them... sometimes my heartrate shows *error* on my BP machine and that also scared the heck outta me.

I hear ya about the couple in a row. That's happened to me also and as you said... while exercising it's even a little more scary then when you are just sitting there and they decide to harrass you.

[Susie]

So far, no one has prescribed any drugs for mine, but, then again, whenever I wear the holtor, it only shows about 11 at the max for 24 hours, it is when it comes off that they start with a vengence again, wonder why? I doubt if I would take any thing anyway, gosh, my dog gone blood pressure is low as it is, usually around 107/77 with a heart rate in the 70's, but, let me have the PAC's and those numbers change, big time.

Chris, my machine one time showed my heart "skipping" talk about scary, you know you are having one, but, when it shows on a machine, well, that really adds fuel to the fire.

Jodie, I am so sorry about your dog, when we had to put ours to sleep a few years back, it just about killed me, they are such a part of us.

I wish I could get another echo, but, I have no insurance, and they cost so much here, it has been a little over two years since I had mine, it was not a stress test, just the resting echo. It was "fine" however. Let us know how yours turns out, I am sure it will be fine.

[USMCSDI]

It's been 3 full weeks since I've worn the holter monitor and had my echo done. I've called the VA clinic several times with no response on the results. It's also adding to my anxiety and I am NOT digging that whatsoever.

They are doing a nuclear stress test on my on Jan 5th. That is where they put dye in your blood and take pictures to make sure your heart is getting enough oxygen??? I get all these done for free @ the clinic so I just go with the flow.... but like you Susie... if not for the VA I'd have NO health insurance and be stuck like you are. Who can afford out of pocket specialty tests like this????

[Susie]

That is not right for them to keep you waiting like this, of course it is causing you extra anxiety, I know it would for me for sure. I guess they just do not realize how these things upset us, to them, it is just an everyday occurrence, well, it is not and they should be more understanding.

You are fortunate to have the VA clinic and have them pay for it, with insurance like it is, it is highly unlikely that I will ever have it. Those darn tests are EXPENSIVE.

[jkfrench]

I am just so sick and tired of these skips.
I had my echo today. It was completely normal. No changes since the last one. I watched the moniter and saw every PVC. I had tons! My tech was so sweet and just said that it wasn't a big deal. She sees them all day long. She did mention that I was having a lot (thanks, add to my anxiety) but still did not seem to care. As a matter of fact, she wanted to know where I got my hair done and started talking to me about her issues with the last hair salons she went to. Funny, she wasn't worried one bit, and I was freaking out. She also told me that she had PVC's every minute for a month and knows exactly how I feel. I can't seem to get them under control. I had this same problem last February of 2009. Went and had a holter put on, had 288 PVC's in 24 hours. I guess this isn't that many but when it changes from 10 PVC's in 24 hours to 288 it is extremely noticable. I feel every singe one. I had almost a year of PVC freedom (meaning maybe a handful a day) after my doctors reassurance that I was fine. Why can't I continue to believe him?????
Sometimes I feel them in the top of my stomach like where the vagus nerve is. Sometimes I feel them right smack in my chest. Amazing how many different sensations the same PVC can feel. Part of the reason why I don't "get it". When I feel them in my stomach is when I feel the pause. When I feel them in my chest, is when I feel the hard thump.
I went running tonight and that is the only time I felt normal. They started up about an hour after I was done. I'm not feeling any right now, but I did drink a glass of wine and I'm sure I will pay the price.
It sucks not to be able to lead the normal life I had prior to the heart issues. When my doctor calls with my echo results, I think I will talk to him about some type of anxiety pill other than Xanax. I tried Xanax, thought I liked it but it did NOTHING to help me today.
Sucks...Sucks...Sucks....
Sorry, just feeling so sick and tired of this.
Jodie

[Susie]

You were lucky to have a tech who was nice, it sounds like she was asking you questions to try to distract you from the PVC's and calm you down. She sounds like she was a caring person, some aren't and that can make matters so much worse. I guess being a tech, you would see a lot everyday. Gosh, knowing me, if I was a tech and saw a lot, I would probably have more too. LOL.

I know what you mean about not being less nervous after the doc's reassurance when you were before. I am that way now too. In the beginning, if the doc said my holter reading was good, I believed it and was fine for awhile, now, no amount of reassurance calms me down and it really irritates me, I want to be the way I was before when what they told me helped me.

Yes, it is so weird how heart feelings can be felt in so many different places, you would think it was actually moving to different spots, but, I know it isn't. I feel the thump the hardest in my chest too, when I feel it other places, it is more like a "blip" or a bubble feeling.

You said you had none while running, well, that is like me, when I shovel snow, I don't have any, but, when I come in and relax or eat, then they start. it does SUCK, big time.

Rant all you want, I am sure none of us mind, that is why we are here.

Susie