Pvcs. Help

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Tebori
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:55 pm

Post by Tebori » Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:00 pm

Hello,
I started having what I think and every doctor I've been to to be palpitations of some sort which sometimes are quite bothersome. I have felt my pulse when I have them and my heart actually stops for a beat and then a harder thump then resumes. Sometimes twice in a row. Aren't pvcs and extra beat? I've been trying to recognize a pattern and seems to be when I have lack of sleep....anyone have this?

jamief
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:05 pm

Post by jamief » Mon Jun 21, 2010 3:09 pm

im with u ,i have them also..they scare me i have been getting them for 10yrs now!!

SimpleTruths
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 6:36 pm

Post by SimpleTruths » Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:53 am

Hi Terbori,

I've had them for about 5 years or so but they greatly increased when I was going through a time of extreme stress last year. They have gotten alot better these past few months but sometimes will kick up again if I'm stressed, having PMS, lack of sleep, etc. Lots of things can trigger them. I've seen various cardiologists, including an EP doctor, which is one that specializes in the beats of the heart. Once you are checked out and given the all clear, it is just learning to deal with them when they come that is the challenging part! Hope you get better soon.

Tebori
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:55 pm

Post by Tebori » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:58 pm

So is that what I'm having is pvcs? I went a month with none then wham they just started again and I've been having them for like six months....I've had so many tests it's ridiculous. It's so nice to meet others with the same problem. I'm thinking lack of sleep is a major one for me. When you have the lack of sleep how long do you get them for and how many days does it take to make them go away with proper sleep? I've really been working on staying relaxed about them and that seems to help! What a scary feeling! I'm 33 by the way!

SimpleTruths
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 6:36 pm

Post by SimpleTruths » Tue Jun 22, 2010 1:25 pm

Hi Tebori,

I know I've had all the work ups - EKG, treadmill test, Echo, and what I have is called Benign Pvcs and it sounds like what you said - a pause then a hard thump. I have had them as often as every other beat for hours or days at a time. I have different triggers - lack of sleep being only one. It may take a few days to get them to calm down from that.

I'm 44 - so I got you beat by ll years ;) but I started having them probably around 38. I know that for me personally, they are perimenopause related, as well as stress, not eating right, lack of sleep, etc. And honestly, sometimes when I am doing everything right, I still get them. They have greatly reduced though from what they were before. The last few days, they have been bad BUT I am ready to start my cycle any day, I've had lack of sleep for various reasons these past few days, increased stress and haven't been eating well either. So, any one of those things have been a trigger in the past and I've been dealing with them all at once!

One thing that really helps me is to know that I've been checked over and given the all clear. I've been offered meds for them but the side effects can be bad and I prefer to do without the meds.

Also, going on the internet and hearing other peoples stories and knowing that you are not alone helps alot.

I enjoy doing the deep breathing and the relaxation CD. Listening to worship music really helps me too.

Even my EP doctor (the heart specialist) wife has them. Hope yours continue to get better as your stress level goes down. :)

Flyer99
Posts: 132
Joined: Sun Nov 19, 2006 2:40 pm

Post by Flyer99 » Tue Jun 22, 2010 5:37 pm

Hi there,

I beat all of you. I'm in my 50's and I have had PVC's for more years than I can remember. I just wanted to chime in and say that I have had all the tests as well and everything was fine. I get these benign PVC's on occasion but especially when I'm under stress.

Sometimes they will last a few minutes, a few hours or even a few days, but then they go away until the next time. I know what they are and they are annoying to me but not harmful in any way.

I use distraction and relaxation to calm them down.

If you haven't, you could discuss this with your doctor and get checked out however I would wager that you will be like the rest of us and just have benign PVC's. Even my doctor has them from time to time.

Good luck!

Tebori
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:55 pm

Post by Tebori » Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:32 am

wow...long time to have them. I have had many tests however everytime im hooked to an ekg or when i did the 24 hour monito I didnt have any pvcs. The doc still says benign pvcs even though he didnt see any! Should i continue testing or go with his assumption? Simple truths...what would be considered lack of sleep for you...even an hour short?

SimpleTruths
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 6:36 pm

Post by SimpleTruths » Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:38 am

Hi Tebori,

Sorry to hear you are having the pvcs - they are not fun! :(

For me, they were frequent enough that I had a treadmill stress test done with an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). Everything checked out OK. But I still freak out sometimes when I get them - I'm learning...

I was having them alot this past week and ended up sitting outside the ER of my local hospital. I called my cardiologist and told him what was going on - aka panic attack, :roll: lots of skipping around of my heart. He said as long as I don't have any chest pain and it feels like before, that he wasn't concerned. BUT if it would make me feel better to go in and be put on a monitor that was ok too. Well, by that time, they went away and I was feeling much better.

In answer to the lack of sleep - it can be anything that may disrupt my sleep. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and it takes me awhile to get back to sleep. Sometimes I can't get to sleep until late and then wake up early - kind of tired but wired!

Unfortunately, I am in perimenopause, and that can also cause heart palpitations. I can go for awhile without any then they can wham me! :eek:

Honestly, I am learning to deal with them most of the time. ;) Sometimes they get me down but most of the time I try to have a sense of humor about them.

If you are comfortable with the amount of testing that you have had, then I wouldn't pursue it. Your doctor would probably have recommended a stress test or echo if he/she had any concerns about your heart.

Here's to having a pvc free day!

Tebori
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:55 pm

Post by Tebori » Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:33 am

Thanks for all the responses....my doctor has me hooked up to an event monitor now....all of this stresses me out so bad. Now the monitor stresses me out it starts beeping when it records and freaks me out lol. I'm really trying to relax about the pvcs. Why can't doctors tell me why I have them or what is causing them? Frustrating! I will be going to Germany soon to seek help there since doctors are much better than this country!

SRC 95
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:17 am

Post by SRC 95 » Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:43 am

What is pvcs? Is it something like mitral valve prolapse? This is what I have and it sounds the same as all of your symptoms. It is uncomfortable when it flares up, especially when its constant for a while. I was told this is nothing to worry about and can not cause any harm. Just hard to deal with at times.

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