[Kate]

Hey, I was just wondering what a stronger PAC or PVC feels like. I have been told I have PAC's, from wearing the monitor, which to me just feel like a small jump or catch. But when I haven't had a monitor on... On occasion, about eight time in the last few months, I get these sensations like I have been hit in the chest. Like my wind gets knocked out on me, briefly, and maybe one or two times consecutively. I usually cough and sputter for awhile then afterword. Almost like a little seizure type feeling in my chest, that sends my into an instant panic, my heart races afterword and pounds seeminly twice as hard. And on one occasion, after the weird sensation for a few seconds in felt like my heart was gone, chest void and I couldn't pick up a pulse in my wrist for a few seconds. Anyone else experience this- I know there's other post on things like this, but I'm still a little lost. Are these PVC's, something worse? ANY info would be greatly appreciated! I'm so scared of doing anything these days, I get scared that the next time it happens my hearts going to stop for good! This is the first place, that it seems like there's a chance to talk to people that experience what I experience.

[Susie]

I can certainly relate to your fears. I have these feelings too, and, I , too, have been diagnosed with PAC's. Mine feel different all the time, sometimes, they feel like little "blips" and others, they feel like my tummy is dropping, sometimes, I get a weird feeling in my tummy, then, my heart will beat real fast for about 10 beats or so, then, it skips a beat and goes back to normal, I seem to get this kind when I am really nervous.

These irregular beats can come in all forms, but, as long as you have been checked out by a doctor, and it looks like you have as you have worn a monitor, and he says all is well, then they are nothing. I know it is easy to say and hard to do, but try not to worry too much, worry only makes them worse, I know, I speak from experience.

This is a great group and there are many folks to help, all of us have and are going through what you are.

Hugs
Susie

[gillespiefive]

I posted something about this very thing a month or so ago. I get the same thing too! It seems like the majority of mine are the little fluttery, pause feeling. But then I get those B-I-G ones that still scare me half to death! It literally feels like the wind gets knocked out of you, and at the same time feels like your heart just stops or something. If I am talking when this happens, I feel like I need to catch my breath before I can continue talking. Also with mine, I can almost feel a flushing sensation come over me with an adrenaline rush sort of feeling. I also will feel woozy for a second or so. Yes, these are freaky....very much so. I hate them with a passion. Do you notice if you get more of these with stress or anxiety? I get them more often with stress & anxiety, but I can also be completely mellow and then BOOM! Have a few.

[Susie]

I notice mine act more when I am under stress or anxiety. I hate when I can feel them starting, most of the time, as I have said, my tummy drops, then the weird fluttering and it feels like it will go on forever. I get short winded and can not even think straight when this happens. I have been talking when they happen, and I feel like I will collapse, but, I try to keep on; I tell you, afterwards, I am a bundle of nerves. I have had to cancel school numerous times because of these things. UGH!!

[Kate]

Thanks to both of you- although I don't want anyone to go through this, it's so nice to have someone to relate too! I get the little blips sometimes too- and although they shake me a bit, I can usually handle them quite well. But when I have the BIG ones it leaves me terrified for days. I kind of shut down in fear that the next time it happens I won't get through it. Anxiety really does make matters worse for me. But, it seems like through the stressful situation I might do okay (maybe a couple of tach moments or some dizziness) but these big ones seem to happen when I am trying to unwind. Like as soon as I think I can actually relax I get hit with one. Any ideas what they are, just a stronger PAC? Or something else, I think not finding my pulse freaks me the most... does indigestion ever make these worse for you guys? Or positioning? I'm trying to find a pattern...

[gillespiefive]

I have worn a monitor when I have had these, and was told they were PVC's. Switching positions can trigger mine, definately. If I flip to lying on my side, that will sometimes bring them on. Also, if I get full of gas ( sorry! TMI) I've noticed those big ones flare up too. It's all so wierd!

[Kate]

Thanks for the info! That what I noticed too... if I flip to my left side or twist that way they'll get me! Not always... but more likely. Lol... and not TMI... its the information I wanted! It's nice to know you had them, or something like them with the monitor on... since mine wasn't! I still might get a second opinion just (my primary dr recommends it). But your information helps! Do you ever wake up with something like this at night? On occasion I wake up feeling like I got hit in the chest, then my pulse races and I feel disorientated... any ideas?

[gillespiefive]

I was going through some weird symptoms that would wake me , especially as I was drifting off to sleep. I went to the ER with these on 2 different occaisions. I don't know if it's what you experience, but I would all of the sudden wake up feeling like I couldn't breath. Like the air was forced out of me. My heart was racing crazy and I would be gasping. All the while, feeling disoriented. Went to the ER, they did all the tests on me because I was sure it was either my heart or maybe apnea. They watched me for awhile, my tests were all normal. They ruled it as anxiety attacks while I was sleeping! I couldn't believe them! How does one have an anxiety attack while they are sleeping? But, from what they said, and doing my own research, my symptoms fit a nocturnal anxiety attack to a T!!! Now years later, it rarely happens, but if they do, I notice that I'm either under a ton of stress or really worried about something. I know this sounds ridiculous, because I thought the same thing. Is it possible that this is what you're experiencing? Especially since your heart looks great. I don't know if this info helps or not. Just something to think about....

[Kate]

I'll have to look into that more.. but it sounds really close. And I am not a stranger to panic attacks. And for me it does seem to happen when I am about ready to drift off. With one's that occassional comes later. These are really creepy... about exactly like you decribed them! Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate it!

[jsuter69]

I hate waking up BECAUSE I'm feeling my PVC's/PAC's...or whatever it is...I can be sound asleep and I can feel them in my DREAMS...I can be dreaming and in my dreams I can feel my heart beating funny/scary/weird so I wake up, kind of in a panic...and my heart will continue to act up..that's when I realize that I wasn't just dreaming..it was really happening