Posted 1/25/2015 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
I've been a long-time lurker around here, but never posted. I've been struggling with PVCs for awhile, with my last holter showing over 10,000 in a day. I bounced between doctors for awhile with no real solution other than some beta blockers that didn't work. A few months ago, I visited a local clinic for an unrelated issue, and saw a doctor who was an older gentleman that I hadn't met before. I mentioned my PVC issue, and his response was surprising. He told me "ah, that's easy to solve" -- and he prescribed me two medications that he said would essentially have a good anti-arrhythmic effect but without the major issues associated with the actual heavy-duty anti-arrhythmic drugs.
The first was an older beta blocker called Acebutolol (200 mg, brand: Sectral) that he said isn't really used much anymore for blood pressure, but does have a fairly good effect on ventricular (but not other types) pre-mature contractions. The other drug was a low dose of Nortriptyline (50 mg), which is a very old style anti-depressant that apparently also has some anti-arrhythmic effects. So armed with both, I gave it a try and lo and behold... within just a few weeks, my PVCs have completely vanished. And I don't just mean reduced... vanished, poof... gone. The side effect profile was pretty minimal.
Obviously though, this is just my experience... your mileage may vary. But for those really suffering from this, it's worth investigating. It may work, it may not.