I am very tired from these palpitaions

 Hi fellow palp sufferers.   I am really not feeling very happy these day. For the last 8 weeks or so, I have been having these palps every day. I am getting really tired of them and just how long can you ignore something so annoying! It started out that they would start up within a couple of hours of waking. Then they would stop for some reason in the afternoons while I was busy. I am not having so many during the day now. An occasional 'heart hiccup' here and there. However they have started in at night! For the last two nights they are woken me up and I can't get back into a deep sleep because I feel them pounding away every 4th, then. 7th then whatever beat.....over and over until I have to get up. Needless to say I am not really waking very well rested. Today I thought I would lay down on the couch for a minute in the afternoon to try to rest a bit before my daughter came home. They STARTED UP AGAIN! Now I can't even rest a second without them thump, thumping! I am aggravated! Can anyone relate? Does this happen to anyone else? When will this pass? I could scream!!! Thanks for listening and I am open to any words of encouragement here!

Hey there Hopes,

I know how incredibly frustrating these episodes can be, I just had a weekend full of 'em (PACs or PVCs every other beat, round the clock!).  And I can't even take a beta blocker for them because that would cause my heart rate to drop too low (my resting pulse is normally around 55 and drops into the high 30's with a beta blocker - not so good).

So, I have a system to try to stop them in their tracks with other methods.  Sometimes they work, sometimes not, but I'll give anything a go when I'm feeling that bad.

1) Taking a brisk walk or jog around the block a few times.  Getting the heart rate up can often relieve symptoms.

2) Splash some ice water on your face.  This can trigger a vagal response and your heart rate may temporarily increase, but then may simmer down and regulate!

3) Try coughing very forcefully.

You feel them when you are resting simply because you are more aware of them and your heart slows down enough that you really feel (and possibly hear!) the thump that comes after a PVC.  For the nights that it's really bad, maybe taking something like a Tylenol PM or some Benadryl or something with diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in those drugs) might help you fall asleep.

Thank You Everyone!

 

Elisha, You are so sweet as always! Hope that you are feeling well these days!

 

Sarita, Getting up and walking around is really helpful these last few days. The problem is I'm addicted to my sleep LOL! Sometimes the hard coughing works for me and sometimes it won't.

 

Maxx, It is really funny but this morning was my yearly check-up with my cardiologist. I told him. He just isn't concerned. He says that I'm the healthiest person that he has seen all week. Good for me I know but I still hate the palps!

 

Yesterday I had a couple of episodes where it felt like my heart was quivery. That was REALLY SCARY but I've felt that before. I just don't know what those are. It is not a thump or thud, but a shaking or quivering deep, deep in my chest and it feels like it is coming from the bottom part of my heart although I know you can't feel that.

 

I asked the cardiologist today but he said it is probably still just palps. ??? He just isn't concerned because after all my testing even if it was worse, it is unlikely to hurt me. So life goes on and all this stuff will settle down and pass too. I just hope it settles down SOON!

 

 

I have had multiple EKGs, nuclear stress tests, echos, 24hr monitors and month long holters as well as a 64slice CT scan last year. I have also had 2-3 abdominal scans and finally a HIDA scan. Gallbladder was removed last September. Chest pains and palps both decreased drastically after recovering from surgery as well as the overall roving pain throughout my body which the doctors thought was fibro. All in all it has been a very good 6 months.

Hey, Maxx! In fact, things are better today! I am so thankful! Hope it holds out for awhile! Here's wishing you a Palp Free Day!

I'll second that...I have Graves disease (overactive thyroid) and it was the heart palpitations that got me into see the doc for bloodwork.  I'd had palps for years but nothing like I felt a couple months ago (constant PVCs and tachycardia).  Now that I'm on anti-thyroid meds, I feel quite a bit better.  You should definitely have your thyroid tested!

Hi Everyone:
I have lived with palpitations for a long time. I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Proplapse as well. Been through the typical tests - ekg, heart monitor and nuclear stress test.
I find they come in waves of course stress adds to them.
I take beta blocker, dr recently added ld aspirin. Ialso take low dose of xanax as needed. Be careful it can be addictive so I only take it when I need it - helps at night. Has the same affect as a glass of wine and takes the edge off.
They are bothersome, scary and I don't like them either. But, just hang in there. I would try getting something from the dr to help you sleep. Not getting enough sleep doesn't help.