[jkfrench]

I usually can feel a few when I first wake up in the morning. T his is very normal.

[Strat_Attack]

i have had them in my sleep to. they get incorporated into my dreams but i think i usually wake up pretty quickly after that.

[Casper664]

Hey!! just catchign up on these!!! regarding your BIG crazy ones....they sound exactly like what you describe, and I get them when I work out or right after cool down in a workout...scares me half to death everytime...but the electrophysiologist and cardio. are sure these are just PVCs still. just happen to be stronger for whatever reason. I completely understand why we all wonder if they REALLY are PVCs or PACs bc they feel sooooo intense and kinda shocking to your body....but from what I know, and what the doctors say, it is still just a PVC.....

[jphilly76]

Fortunately, I haven't had anything wake me up in the night, but I totally understand how nuts that would be. I have PVC's and a lot of them, and for some reason they really vary in sensation. Sometimes I just feel a flutter in my chest, sometimes I feel like something lightly tugged on my throat, other times it's like something is tugging at my stomach. Sometimes they are negligible, other times they are really, REALLY strong.

I have recently been handling these things really well, and have noticed that they are really effected by stress. I play darts for a league (I know, a little strange) and am one of the better shooters in my division. Last week I was shot in an all-star shoot where I was expected to win, and there was prize money for the winner. I sailed through the tournament with almost no effort - until the last match for first place. I got SO nervous about everyone watching, cheering me on, and possibly losing that my PVC's kicked in BIG TIME. I had a panic attack at the shooting line and could barely see the board. All I wanted was for the match to be over so I could leave! Needless to say, I lost, and as soon as it was over, my PVC's subsided and all that was left was disappointment at my choking.

Although this kind of thing is really difficult at the time, it really serves to point out that these things are seriously pretty stress related - either perceived or not. I'm seeing a therapist and she recommended a workbook that I get to better understand anxiety, panic attacks, and their effects. The book was EXTREMELY helpful, as it completely outlined my symptoms, and made sense of some things. An example of something learned is that panic attacks are not necessarily connected to immediate stress of anxiety. A lot of people - myself included - suffer panic attacks that are brought on for seemingly no reason. It's just the way certain brains and sympathetic nervous systems are wired.

I think the real key to fighting these things is education. Kate, I think that seeing a cardiologist will really help you out. Talking with my cardio really helped mentally, as the cardio is a heart specialist, and a specialist's "seal of approval" was really helpful with regards to mental reassurance.

Hang in there, this stuff gets easier! (at least a little )

[Susie]

Yes, indigestion can sure make them act up, so does changing positions. Another thing, having a hiatal hernia can cause them as well. I have all of these, so, unfortunately, I speak from experience

[Kate]

Thanks for all the replies! The ones at night are crazy scary, but they do seem to be realated to stress. It's comforting to hear I'm not alone in all of this. I go in for a second cardio work up on Wed. My primary Dr. though it might be benificial, the one I will be seeing looks more into the electrical part of the heart... if she doesn't find anything... hopefully I can just get a greater understanding.

Jphilly- I understand the anxiety thing completely. If I have one bad episode like I first mentioned, I usually spend the next day or two sick, with generalized anxiety and a couple panic attacks! I'm planning on hopefully started the Midwest Centers for Anxiety take home program, anyone heard of that?

Thanks again everyone!

[poohbear2026]

I have the older version of the Midwest Anxiety cassette tape series. My husband bought it for me years ago. Personally I think it was a waste of money....it really didn't talk about health anxiety like I have or the heart PVCs and PACs. The only part that helped me was the relaxation tape.

Anita