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PVC's and how to control them

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Posted 4/3/2012 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Fatherof2,

I made you a thread of your own - just click on the following link and you will find your own post.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=42&m=2384819

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 4/4/2012 9:20:07 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/12/2012 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All. I too have suffered from PVC's for years and like many others, no matter how many times the doctors say everything is ok, it is VERY scary. Interestingly, when the PVC's are at their peak, I now take note of my breathing. For some reason, on days that the PVC's are really bad, my breathing pattern is completely different - it is very shallow with much longer period of time between breaths. I try my best to be cognizant of it, and have to consciously tell myself to BREATHE. It doesn't stop the PVC's but seems to help a little bit and also seems to keep it from getting worse. Not sure if anybody else has noticed this as well?
Posted 4/22/2012 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. I am new to this site, but have suffered from PVCs for a couple years now. Like the rest of you, it comes in waves. Just seems that lately, it seems I have a few spells of getting light headed now. Only happens for a split second, but it is enough to scare the heck out of me. I made an appointment with my Cardiologist for the 10th of May, but has anyone else had this before? As to your post Tikah, I have noever notied that with the breathing. It is nice to see everyone in here talking about experiences. It really has made me feel better. Thank you all -
Posted 5/2/2012 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have been dealing with palpitations for about 18 years! They were diagnosed in 95 as Mitral Valve Prolapse, But back in 2009 they labeled them as PVC's. Did the full on Stress test Echo and Halter. Lately they have been holding me at ransom and my Panic Attacks have been terrible. I have been to the Doctor and the Cardiologist who both say I am Healthier now than when I came to them in 2009 and I believe that due to the fact I had just quit smoking and Drinking like a fish. I try to find the cause of the Panic disorder the PVCS are annoying but what are ya gonna do live at the hospital. My cardiologist assures me they are benign. But these last few weeks have just kicked me around. I go to the gym at least 4 times a week and they never bother while i am there but when i get home, Hey here i am hope ya missed me. I know I have gotten stuck in a vicious cycle now i just want to get out of it.
Posted 5/22/2012 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I posted awhile back about my PVCs and that I was going to go to my cardiologist.  I was already taking Coreg 6.25 2 and 1/2 a day.  He increased my dosage to 12.5 twice a day.  So I started taking them and for awhile it worked great, but now today and for the past 2 days I've been having alot of PVCs.  So far, it has not kept me from sleeping or taking a nap, thank God, but when I get up and get to moving around they come back.  I missed work yesterday and came back today, but I think they are worse today than yesterday.  It's just so frustrating, scary and depressing.  I have been making changes to my diet and trying to eat healthier and eat less calories so I can lose weight.  I'm hoping that losing weight will help all this.  I also have high bp, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and afib.  I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I don't know what else to do.
Posted 5/22/2012 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Evelynrose,

Sorry to read this and I suspect that the medication is not working for you.  There are other medications available so I would strongly encourage you to talk with your Dr. about your ectopy to see if switching meds may be an idea ?

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 7/12/2012 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have have SVT for 20 years, had 2 ablations and have had a quiet life for 17 years until Feb this year when the PAC's and PVC's started with a vengence. I have been on Sotalol for 20 years and my carodiologist has just said they will change me to Bisoprosol, then wean me off and put me on something beginning with V but can't remember the name. My heart is fine, but I am up for another echo and halter monitor (3rd this year) just to check...

They are a pain, they are scary, they are annoying and they get me down when they are frequent...but we are all having them...and we are all still here.

I don't like the thuds and the gaps when you feel like you have no breath... mine happen for all kinds of reasons and can happen just because I move, hiccup, cough, or do absolutely nothing... Woke me up with a boom, boom, boom last night when 3-4 came in quick sucession.

Mine too are less when I am relaxed, occupied or busy...are they really less? Or am I not concentrating on them so much?? Maybe this is why nearly everyone gets them but only some of us feel them... or is it that we all feel them 'We' just pay attention to them because we are stressed in other areas of life? My mum recently told me that she feels them when/after she eats...in 20 years of my heart problems she has never mentioned it before...she said " I thought everyone got it"

Mine are always worse when I am anxious and I know that a good row can bring them on...lol :o)

I just hope that if I was in danger my health professionals would tell me...after all, if they say I am fine then I drop dead of these things, they could face a law suit and none of them want that....so I assume they are telling the truth and we are all ok :o)

It is nice to be among friends
Kirsten x
Posted 7/12/2012 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Kirsten,

Welcome to HealingWell.   Every person with PACS/PVCs wonders why ? It is also true not everyone feels their ectopy.  You will hear cardiologists say that 20 % of the population has PACS and PVCS although I would venture to guess that the percent is much higher than that.

The treatment for PVCs and PACs depends on the cause. In many cases all that is required are lifestyle changes such as the avoidance of stimulants  as caffeine containing products or over-the-counter decongestants. Many individuals notice a marked improvement with stress management and other lifestyle changes such as an exercise program and adequate rest.

In your case you were also having SVT - Supraventricular tachycardia is a general term that describes a number of different arrhythmias of the heart, each with a different mechanism of impulse maintenance. If your SVT has not returned after your second ablation then let us hope it is simple ectopy that you are dealing with now and the change in medication will help you.

Sounds like your Dr. is following you closely so do keep followqing up with your appointments and tests. 

I have had PACS/PVCS for years but never to the point where I had any reason to need any testing other than a EKG.

Be well,

Kitt 

 

Posted 7/25/2012 8:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have been suffering from pvc's for five years now, they have ruined my life almost completely. They have effected every aspect of my life from work, relationships, and any enjoyment life brings. There were times I wanted to rip my heart from my chest and stomp on it and yes I even thought of suicide to make them stop, I was completely miserable.
I laugh when I hear people complaining about a few skips a day if I could only be so lucky because I'd get thousands a day. It'd skip every other beat at times. Doctors were no help tests came back normal and I was utterly hopeless.
However I believe I found something that stopped them for me and you won't believe it.
V8 juice!
That's right v8 juice, I have no idea why and I mean I tried everything anyone ever suggested, exercise, sleep, vitamins and mineral supplements, honey, lemons, grapes, salt, and all kinds of different things but nothing helped.
Some how I thought of v8 juice and I think it was divine intervention and I give God all the glory and praise and thanks because I bought a 2 dollar can of v8 juice at walmart when I was having a bad couple months and after the first glass I felt like my old self. No skips and a lot of energy. I feel like I'm 25 again before all this started.
Please try this cheap solution to all out there suffering with heart skips. What do you have to lose?
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I just hope this helps one other person who reads this to get some relief and please don't give up on life even if this remedy doesn't work because something has to because God did not make our hearts to skip this much despite what all the Doctors say. It is not normal!
One last thing I have pvc's that are not life threatening so if you have not yet seen a doctor you should to rule out serious heart problems.
Posted 7/25/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
jmoore,

Thanks for sharing what worked for you and I am a firm believer in if it works  - Great !

Posted 7/29/2012 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone,

I wanted to let everyone know of my success and remedy to the PVC's that I have been experienceing for the past year or so. My PVC's usually have came on for about two weeks at a time and occur about every 5th to 7th beat; sometimes occuring right after another. They slow down in my sleep according to the Holter Monitor and speed up when any stressful situation comes about that causes my body to send a burst of Adrenaline. I found this out while driving and wearing the holter monitor and some nice young gentelman cut ME off then gave ME the finger.

First, I have had EKG's, Holter Monitor's, Echo's, Stress Test......all are normal.

Second, I have been prescribed a beta Blocker (Toprol), It seemed to make them worse. So, I have scratched taking that.

Third and most important.....the remedy that works for me. See below:

Prilosec - One pill, Twice a day, everyday
Antacid - A swig of Antacid Liquid directly before bed. (CVS Brand)
Do not lay down directly after eating. I give myself atleast an hour or so after I eat before I lay down.
Smaller portion sized meals: Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner, Small snack
Brisk walk 2 miles when episodes occur. They go away instantly during and after the walk; they usually stay gone for a while.
NO: Red meat, Caffiene, Nicotine, limit the Acidic foods
Water, Water and more water
Last but not least and probably the best, I have never been a big drinker, but for some reason it seems that when I drink a good craft
beer they go away. No JOKE.

Please everyone, I am no Doctor, but I have had all of the test and have completed a ton of research on this and found what works for me. I still have the occasional palp from time to time, but nothing like they were before. I used to be a smoker, but quite before the first bout actually started (I always thought that was intersting) Anyway, I hope this helps some of you who are experiencing these annoying things. Even though the doctors have cleared me and said that my palps are not harmful, they can still worry me from time to time when they occur, but this combination of diet, exersice, proton pump inhibitors (prilosec) and Liquid Antacid seems to help me.
Posted 8/27/2012 4:38 AM (GMT 0)

My name is LAVonne In have had PVC'S since 1992 they started as a result of Diarrhea from my Crohns disease.  For awhile they were controlled with oral tablet potassium just 20 MEQ each day.  But by 2003 they lead to AFIB with rapid vent response and my heart rate would be in the 160 and up and jumping all over the place.  I have since had to be whacked with the paddles 9  times to put my heart back in sync. 

For anyone out there that has GI/stomach intestine or colon disease or trouble please consider this as a possiable cause of your PVc's.  Potassium needs to live in your body in your muscles and in your blood.  Your heart muscle needs the right amount of potsasium to function and you to live.  But here is the deal.  If you loose potassium from vomiting or diarrhea or poor absorbtion  and the level in your BLOOD starts to get low.................well it is greedy and will steal it from the muscles.  and soon your muscles are low and they start to have trouble like leg cramps or your heat having PVC's.  The Doctor can run a blood test to check the level of potassium in your blood and it may read normal but that doesnt mean that everything is OK because remember that it steals from the muscles!!! and there is no test to see how much is in the muscle.  The first cardiologist I saw that dx the cause of my PVCS stated that you need to consider the All the symptoms to make the dx not just blow it off because the lab value was normal which is what the ER doc had done.  And frankly because of my long standing problem I have to remind EVERY MD THAT I SEE THAT A NORMAL LAB VALUE FOR POTASSIUM DOESNT MEAN I HAVE ENOUGH IN MY BLOOD.  after I say it they know I am right but they get so use to just look at a lab report for the value and moving on.  POTASSIUM IS VERY DANGEROUS.  THE RAGE IS 3.5-5.1  A LITTLE TOO LITTLE OR A LITTLE TOO MUCH CAN KILL YOU.  NO JOKE.  YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LITTLE AT A TIME AND VERY SLOWLY AND YOU MUST BE UNDER DOCTORS CARE.  DONT TRY TAKING SUPPLEMENTS ON YOUR OWN.  IT IS TOO DANGEROUS I CAN NOT OVERSTATE THAT. 

but please talke to your doctor if you have a reason to believe that you are loosing potassium.  Good luck to you all 

Posted 8/30/2012 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I am new as well. Have had Pvcs for 5 years. Halter showed 11,000 a day.
Stress test showed Pvcs every third beat at rest as my pulse increased they went to ever fourth then every fifth then gone after rate of 100 plus.
I have found just eating causes attacks. I'm 36 years old have 9 children from 4 months to 18 years. Some days i don't have any I've never smoked have little to no caffeine. I find a few drinks at night and a light dinner let me rest PVC free.
Posted 8/30/2012 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am new as well. Have had Pvcs for 5 years. Halter showed 11,000 a day.
Stress test showed Pvcs every third beat at rest as my pulse increased they went to ever fourth then every fifth then gone after rate of 100 plus.
I have found just eating causes attacks. I'm a 36 year old male have 9 children from 4 months to 18 years. Some days i don't have any pvcs.I've never smoked have little to no caffeine. I find a few drinks at night and a light dinner lets me rest PVC free. When i have a bad attack. .5 mg of xanax makes them go away in 15 minutes. I hate taking any meds but it works for emergency's. I only experience bad attacks at rest time usually after a meal. All the reading helps thanks for the input . :)
Posted 9/1/2012 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all I'm new here and after reading all your questions and advise I feel a bit better, like I'm not so alone in this. I’m a 41 year old, widowed mother of 2 teenage boys and a bit overweight with asthma but no other significant health issues. I even go to the gym 3-4 times a week trying to lose this weight. I started having flutters, thumps and wacky   beats just this past Sunday. This is not my first go around with heartbeat issues as I had SVT (Super Ventricular Tachycardia) in 2005 and 2008 and had an ablation in late 08 and have not had anymore problems in that area. So this was surprising and worrisome when it began. I went to the ER on Tuesday and I was definitely throwing PVCs. Blood work revealed my potassium and magnesium were just a smidge low so they gave me oral potassium and IV magnesium and while the PVCs did not resolve they sent me on my way saying to give the minerals some time to be absorbed. Next day same stuff so I went to see my PCP. She did more blood work and ordered a holter. Blood work came back fine and they can’t get me in a holter till the 10 th . In the mean time I’m feeling the PVCs all day, some are worse than others and those cause some pressure and make me lightheaded for a few seconds. I do smoke cig and some pot, and have drinks a couple times a week. I don’t do coffee but sometimes pick up a Coke during the day. So as of today I have given it all up, no caffeine, smoke of any kind or alcohol and I feel exactly the same. While it doesn’t hurt it can be uncomfortable and I just hate the way it feels. I was much more worried until I found this site and now I’m just wondering if I should go on with my life as it is and just learn to live with it. I haven’t seen a cardiologist this time, I have no insurance, but guess it’s not going to hurt to wait for the holter for 10 days is so many of you have been living with this for years. I didn’t fully understand how benign this was even though the Drs explained it to me, until I got here, but I’m still a little worried and definitely uncomfortable and I hate being equally worried about the money and my heart, that just seems absurd!
Posted 9/1/2012 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Do not take PVC's to lightly. 2 years into a 4 year enlistment in the Navy, I started having PVC's. I went to Medical a few occasions, and was told it was just dehydration. I passed out on one occasion while serving in Iraq(Indian Ocean), was carried to medical where I was told you guessed it dehydration. Well, within 5 years of discharge I had to have open Heart surgery to repair a leaking Mitral Valve.  I was 28 at the time of my heart surgery, I'm now 40 and was told recently by Cardiologist that another surgery is needed. Your body tells you when things are not right, do not let people tell you anything different. I'm the fool for not listening to my Heart, and trusting Military Doctors. God Speed!!
Posted 3/13/2013 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have just been told i am having pvc's. Had stress test and wore heart monitor for 24 hour period. Go back in two weeks. Have stopped smoking and drinking soft drinks. One cause is excess caffeine. So i hope to find out more soon and will report back after seeing dr...... Dwayne
Posted 3/14/2013 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, so happy I found this site.

2 years ago I had SVT. For several weeks prior I had been getting a flutter in my chest. Of course all tests showed everything was ok. Then 3 day prior to Christmas 2011 I felt like someone had poured a warm liquid over my whole body. It was like a flutter that went from my stomach to my head. I felt like I was in a dream, nothing looked normal. My wife said I was having a panic attack. I went outside and leaned against a wall. My heart was beating so fast I was literally bouncing off the wall. Went to the ER. My heart rate was 180 bpm in triage, by the time they got me to a room it was at 250 bpm. They gave me two shots of something that caused a heavy burning sensation in my head, then my heart calmed down. One week later I had an ablation.

Now recently I have been having flutters in my chest again. No racing heart beat. My pulse usually runs 75 to 85 bpm. I was taking my pulse at my neck when a flutter came over me. I felt like my heart stopped. Needless to say this scared the crap out of me. I went to my Cardio Dr, and he put me on a 24 halter monitor. Here is the crazy thing and I know it is not related. 2 hours after having the halter put on, I got the worse case of stomach cramps. I felt so sick, I went home and went strait to bed. My head was hurting so back, and I was nauseated and had diareaha. By the next morning I was fine. I recorded on paper probably 20 flutters. My heart rate at one time was 114, this was when I was sick.

My wife will turn the monitor in to the Dr today. I don't really know what to expect.

I use to think this flutter was associated with acid reflux, but the cardio doc says no. I take 10 mg lisonopril for BP, protonix for stomach acid and a patch for motion sickness.

I have read a lot of posts here, and I think I am going to start drinking a V8 everyday and see if the extra potassium and magnesium will help.
Posted 3/14/2013 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Evelynrose

I have just started having these skipped beats or pvc's. I thought they were from acid reflux. It was not until I actually felt the skipped beat while taking my pulse in my neck and felt the flutter in my chest did I know it was not that. I just wore a 24 halter. It goes back to my cardio today. I usually do not have the pounding or skipped beats at night that wake me up. I am going to try taking a V8 everyday. It might not help, but it really can't hurt. I smoked a pack a day unilt 6 weeks ago, and quit. Believe it or not, this is when all my problems started. I know that the anxiety was the worse part and I was making it worse by dwelling on it. I guess I am fortunate, I read where people have skipped beats every 3 or 4 beat. Mine is more like a dozen all day.

I will pray for you and your peace of mind. Try not to worry.
Posted 3/14/2013 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Great conversation going here. 

Just Livin' It Up

After reading your post I thought immediately of the common sx of GERD which seemed to fit you to a T. as well as you life style changes that have helped decrease the PVCs.

Remember each of you is different and PVCs have many causes so n=make thos appointments with your Drs. and than take his advice.  Look at your lifestyle and see how you might improve it and remember all this worrying is a waste of time on a good day.  You will feel much better if you get out and do something you enjoy.

Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 3/19/2013 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
I have been having PVC's for a few months now. They started out once every couple of weeks and gradually increased to several times per day to an episode that lasted about three hours. I have had several EKG's, a Cat scan, an x-ray, blood tests, an echo cardiogram, a 48 hour holter monitor and a 30 day holter monitor. All tests came back normal. A holistic MD suggested a magnesium and potassium deficiency and I started taking "Calm" a magnesium supplement from the local health food store and I have had immediate results. I am still having a couple of palpitations per day, but nothing compared to what I was experiencing. I am still not feeling 100%, so am still researching and making diet modifications. PVC's can be so scary and would not wish them on my worst enemy.
Posted 3/19/2013 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MontanaMauiGirl,

PVCs are so scary and so hard to believe that everything is normal with your heart.  The Drs try to assure you that everything is ok.  How can it be ok when you feel your pulse in your neck with your fingers and feel your heart stop when the awful flutter comes along.  Ok, that is the anxiety talking and I believe the anxiety is the worse part of it.  I have felt like any moment I am going to drop dead and thats when the anxiety hits.

I am so happy that you found this Calm.  Is this the full name of the supplement?  Please keep us informed on how this is helping.

 

Posted 3/19/2013 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Reminder to all members,  information posted in the forums should be taken with a grain of salt- in other words do check with  your own physician.

Thanks,

Kitt

Posted 3/25/2013 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
*sigh*, I wish I'd know a cure! I've had these PVC for a year and they recently have been frequent (ALL DAY!) It freaked me out with the recent headache, light headedness, short breathing, dizzy spells, so I finally saw a specialist. He just said it was PVC, benign, and prescribed me some beta blockers at 20mg.

So far, they made me feel sick so I been taking only 10mg lol. But it doesn't seem to do much. I still get dizzy spells and I get scared.
Posted 3/25/2013 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
michelle21689

I am sorry to hear of your continued problems with the ectopic beats however with the dizzy spells it may be wise for you to see an ENT or another Dr. that deals with interal medicine.

Be well,

Kitt

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