[suziqheart]

First I would like to thank all of you for the support you so unknowingly provided me during a very difficult time. I started experiencing PVC's while away on vacation on a tiny tropical island with few resources. My PVC's went from a few to 10,000+ within 4 weeks. I did manage to see a electrophysiologist on the island who did several echos and a stress test. I was told my heart is structurally normal. He thinks the PVC's are exacerbated by stress (going through a lot of personal changes and a big move) and dehydration. I have had all the blood tests and have no electrolyte or thyroid imbalance.

I have been really scared but took great solice from reading the posts on this website. Jeff, the fact that you had so many PVC's but were able to deal with them and move on, and have them settle down was what has kept me going. I am back in North America now and close to my doctor. Will have a holter monitor on this Monday. I am having terrible trouble sleeping because I seem to panic over these PVC's and experience adrenaline rushes. I have always been a very together person but feel like I am falling apart. I have a beautiful 6 year old son that needs me and I am scared of letting him down and being sick. Can anyone please provide me some advise on how to not let these PVC's consume me mentally. I am finding it difficult to move on with life.

I am also reluctant to take any meds. Jeff, when you had your severe bouts did they ever try to get you to take Beta Blocker's? I am getting desperate and would like my life back. Thank you everyone for sharing all of your stories. You have no idea how much support you have provided me. Thanks everyone!!! Hope everyone is having an awesome weekend!

[bypeep]

Suzi,

I hope that this message finds you peaceful and well. PVC's, or any heart rhythm issue for that matter, can be terribly stressful on us. I can only imagine how difficult this sudden increase in ectopics has been for you and I do sympathize.

When you say you're having a holter monitor, do you mean the 24-48 hour kind or the 30-day kind? I recently wore a 30-day monitor and I'm very glad because it picked up an issue I've been having. I will warn you however, that if you are wearing those pads for any length of time, be proactive and get the hypoallergenic ones. By the end of my 30-days my skin had worn down into meat and I was bleeding an oozing non-stop. Even ruined my wedding dress (worn on 3rd to last day of monitoring, LOL) because my skin was so irritated. Well, irritated isn't really cutting it, it looked like I had been de-fleshed.

When I get PVC's/PAC's (I can't really tell the difference) I always get scared. My heart will race and I'll get all anxious momentarily, particularly when I have several that pop up close together.

Beta-blockers are awesome in my opinion. I can't live without mine. Actually have been ordered off them 3 days prior to my EP study scheduled for 9/9/10 and I'm terrified about those four days without them. They soothe my heart in a way that nothing else does. I have an irritable ANS too, so little things trigger a sinus tachycardia in me - standing up, showering, etc. and the Beta Blocker's quiet it down most of the time. I'm not sure I'd worry about them because they just might do the trick. I take 20-40mg of Nadolol a day and have since I was a teenager.

The fact that you've had several normal echos and other tests is good. Just to give you a tiny bit of reassurance...

My monitor turned up NSVT and even after seeing a cardio 2 days later and an emergency appt with an electrophysiologist doc, the electrophysiologist doc felt comfortable sending me home with no meds other than my nadolol. I asked him if he needed to put me on something and he said no. If you're just having single PVC's, then this should say something and hopefully give you peace of mind.

I do have one distraction technique that I have used for years. When I started getting these at 14, I would notice they'd flare up at night and it was worse then because they were pretty much the only thing I had to concentrate on. I started doing this thing where I'd tap my chest and by doing so, it would take my focus off the sensation of the extra beats - drowning them out in essence.

You need to occupy your mind before bed. Try watching something that you have to pay attention to or that interests you greatly - my choice is the Science Channel (193 on Dish). Once I'm into something, my heart fades into the background and I'm no longer focusing on it and it alone.

If you don't have peace of mind with your GP, ask for a referral to an electrophysiologist. I first saw my GP and she was useless, my cardio wasn't exactly convincing either, but once I'd seen the electrophysiologist doc I did feel a little better. He also decided to do an EP study because I have multiple arrhythmia's. Maybe this would settle the issue for you for once and all as well? Just tossing that thought out there.

Good luck with your holter and know that we are all here to listen in case you feel like venting. I stalk this site and medhelp.org because they're the only two places that I find people who have similar issues/fears.

You are going to be just fine!

[suziqheart]

Bypeep,

Thank you so much for replying so quickly! You have no idea how much it means to me.

I managed to fall asleep on my own last night without the help of .125 Xanax the electrophysiologist gave me. I felt awful using it, and frankly it didn't really help me to stay asleep. My mind eventually took over after 4 hours anyway. I just wish that I could get more then 5-6 hours every night. I would probably get me further along in quelling these annoying palps :-)

Thanks for the suggestion of tapping my chest when they are occuring. That was very helpful. I thudded all night long with a vengence. Sometimes I had 2 palps in a row and alternating skip, beat, skip, beat. I didn't let it freak me out. I think I have thought of every possible worse case scenario and have emotionally worn myself out to the point that what will be will be.

I have a 24 hour holter monitor scheduled for tomorrow. Yah, I know what you mean about the adhesive. While on holiday the electrophysiologist had me on a 24 hour monitor (that didn't work in the end because of a falut with the memory card, ugh!) and I had a rash for several days. Wow, I can't believe you had a 30 day monitor. I can't imagine how annoying that must have been. Especially since you had to wear it with your wedding dress!! You are one brave and strong woman to have gone through what you have. I firmly now believe that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
I just went through 4 months of bad ulcerative colitis attack and was looking forward to good health and getting back to lots of physical exercise which keeps me sane. The electrophysiologist told me that I could go back to working out just like any athlete in training for competition. Somehow I am still freaked out and don't quite believe I can do that even though he recommended it. I have just been doing light exercise for now to keep me sane.

I still keep thinking this is just a bad dream and I will wake up and all will be normal. My emotions are up and down like a rollercoaster depending on how much the palps are acting up. I suppose one day I will get beyond this and start living life to the fullest. For now I am still trying to dig myself out of my own pity party. Thanks again for being there for me!! It means so much. For now I will go back to sipping my lemon balm tea and get my butt out the door for a hike in the mountains. Hope you are enjoying a beautiful Sunday.

[suziqheart]

Bypeep,

Just me again. I wanted to ask you how many palps yo are experiencing at the moment. Is it something that you experience on a constant basis or is it episodic?

Thanks for reassuring me about the beta-blockers. I still am concerned about side-effects as I have low blood pressure to begin with. The electrophysiologist told me to eat more salt to bring it up. For now I am sipping my Lemon Balm tea and trying to make sure I get some exercise so that the endorphins kick in.

What is your electrophysiologist appointment on 9/9/10 for? Have you ever considered an ablation? The first thing out of my GP's mouth was that I would need beta-blockers and possibly an ablation. This was even before I had seen an electrophysiologist. Scared me to death!! I swear it contributed to my palps skyrocketing in number. I wish people would think before they say things so off the cuff.

Have a great day!

[jayone]

Originally Posted by suziqheart

I wish people would think before they say things so off the cuff.

Doctors have no consideration. I could understand if he said "You WILL need one", but "might" is a very loose word.

I remember my doctor said "you might have a heart problem". I was so freaked out I went and seen him the next day to up my anxiety meds and asked him to explain.

He said "Its not a condition that will kill you, just a condition people live with for the rest of their lives" .... WELL WHY DIDNT YOU SAY THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!

</rant> :p

Keep plodding on.

[bypeep]

You can call me Stacy.

My palp thing is really quite predicable.

I get the NSVT around ovulation and menstruation along with several hundred single/double palps a day during that time.

The week after ovulation is very quiet (that's when I had my holter in June done showing only 1 PAC). The week after it's usually pretty good too and I primarily have bradycardia.

When I get clusters of palps they seem to occur from 10am to 6pm and are tied to eating. Ya, go figure. I can't eat anything with too many carbs or I suffer for hours afterward. Lean meats and vegetables and very small portions alleviate this to an extent.

My electrophysiologist appointment on the 9th is to do a study to determine the origin and nature of my NSVT. He's also going to try to provoke some of the other rhythms I've been having. He suspects an SVT and A-fib as well since I have a few very distinct sensations.

If he decides he can ablate, I'll have to go back in a few weeks for the actual procedure. Not sure why, but I went with it because at the very least this EP study will give some much needed answers.

[jayone]

Originally Posted by bypeep

You can call me Stacy.

My palp thing is really quite predicable.

I get the NSVT around ovulation and menstruation along with several hundred single/double palps a day during that time.

The week after ovulation is very quiet (that's when I had my holter in June done showing only 1 PAC). The week after it's usually pretty good too and I primarily have bradycardia.

When I get clusters of palps they seem to occur from 10am to 6pm and are tied to eating. Ya, go figure. I can't eat anything with too many carbs or I suffer for hours afterward. Lean meats and vegetables and very small portions alleviate this to an extent.

My electrophysiologist appointment on the 9th is to do a study to determine the origin and nature of my NSVT. He's also going to try to provoke some of the other rhythms I've been having. He suspects an SVT and A-fib as well since I have a few very distinct sensations.

If he decides he can ablate, I'll have to go back in a few weeks for the actual procedure. Not sure why, but I went with it because at the very least this EP study will give some much needed answers.

Is ablation dangerous?

[bypeep]

There are risks involved, but to be honest, I'm willing to deal with that in return for a "cure". These things are ruling my life and it's either go for an ablation or become a depressed recluse (which is pretty much where I've been at for 2 years now).

They terrify me and I can't get past all the what-if's.