[jphilly76]

Hello all!

Well, as I've posted intermittently, the last few weeks have been really tough. I've had what I now believe to be several pretty serious panic attacks associated with these PVC's in the last few weeks that have been really putting a damper on day to day life. I have to admit that there have been more times than not where I wonder about dealing with PVC's for the rest of my life. The fact that I've not died from these yet seems to offer little mental relief...

So, intent on somehow moving forward, I've employed a number of strategies that seem to be helping some. First, I went to the cardio again and he assured me I was fine. He said that my nuclear stress test was fine (though I did have some PVC's) and that my heart function was good. My initial Holter study, while having 2,200 PVC's, looked good, but I've been feeling nauseous in the morning and having a hard time eating early in the day - so I just completed another Holter Study and am waiting on the results.

One thing that bothers me is my echo. The results yeilded an ejection fraction of 52% (which I'm not sure what that means) and a "slightly enlarged" right heart. The cardio feels that it is most likely observer error, but none the less, I feel a little weird about it. The cardio said we will repeat the test in six months to get a better feel for the right heart situation. Also, I really want to excersise and join the "Skippers Getting Skinny" group as I'm 6'3" and 238lbs., but am concerned (as I'm sure everyone is) about excersising with this condition. My cardio is going to give me another stress test personally so that he can "without doubt" give me the all clear to excersise.

SO, my approach to hopefully overcome these bastards includes reassurance from the cardio (check...ish), and I've started seeing a therapist to better deal with the anxiety that both worsens my PVC's and cripples progress in my life. She suggested that since I appeared to be having such severe and frequent panic attacks, that I get a low-dose Ativan prescription from my primary care physician - which I did immediately.

Additionally, she suggested I pick up a book - and this is the real point of this long-winded post - to help my understanding of anxiety and panic attacks, and it really has. The book is called The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook: Fourth Edition by Edmund J. Bourne, PH.D. I picked it up at Borders for $25 and it was the best money I've spent in a while. The thing about the book is that it is written to help people learn to deal with panic, anxiety, and social phobias through knowledge, understanding, and step-by-step therapies. So far I've read but the first chapter and I can't even recount how many "Ah ha!" moments I had. It's really helped me to better talk myself down and keep out of the emergency room!

I've also started exercising via walking. While this behavior started as a result of my panic attacks (I wanted to be on the street in case I suddenly died to increase my chances of being discovered and possibly saved), I've lost 17lbs. in the last three weeks due to walking in addition to cutting alcohol and caffeine (soda) from my diet. I now mostly drink sparkling water and I seem to deal well with it. The carbonation, in conjunction with a splash of lime, sort of tricks you into thinking it's soda, but there are no calories! So, I now walk regularly, both theraputically and for excersise, about 45min. a day.

So I'm cleared by the cardio, slightly medicated, seeing a therapist, reading a great book, modifying diet, excersising, and then there's Facebook. I'll start another thread on that one as this is getting pretty long.

In any case, I just wanted to get that book out here, as well as some of the steps I've been taking in case anyone else has any thoughts or it is helpful. Regretfully, I still have frequent PVC's, but I'm seeing my friends again, so I think I'm just dealing with it a little better. Sorry this was so long, but it helps me to write here and isn't that what it's really all about?!? I hope you all are well, and coping as well as one can!

[Casper664]

Great post! I'm so happy your getting the help that appears to be working!!! I have found that my anxiety 'help group' has worked wonders as well and am also reading a book!!! it funny in this anxiety class...theres lots of people who are nervous and anxious doing just simple day to day things...like driving even...and when its my turn to talk, I tell them all about my heart issue and its kinda like they all look at me like im on my death bed or something lol....not to belittle thier issues by any means, but I think they all look at me and think 'wow...if she can get past this, I should be able to'..and for us with this condition, I think thats the truth...we are getting past this in our own way over timie, and that is such a huge accomplishment!!! im so happy for you!

[jkfrench]

Great news. I don't know if I mentioned this book to you but Hope and Help for your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weeks is also a wonderful book. Easy to read and relates directly to our anxiety problems. I bought it 20 years ago and it is still in my drawer by my bed.
Amazon sells it. That book seriously helped me through my panic attacks back in my 20's.
Jodie

[Casper664]

haha Jodie!! THATS the one I just got!!!

[jkfrench]

I love that book!

[Susie]

I love Hope and Help for your Nerves, it is the best, now, if I can just follow what it says, I will have it made. Her other book, Peace from Nervous Suffering" is great as well.

I am so happy that you have lost some weight and that you are seeing your friends, that is a positive step. I take a walk, when weather permits, I live in snow country, but, I am nervous the entire time.

Maybe if I saw a regular Cardiologist and had his reassurance, I would be better, just regular docs have taken care of me for the echo, holter, etc, they send the results to a cardiologist, but, I have never seen on in person.

Keep up the good work Philly.