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Posted 8/1/2006 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
 

Maxx-

I don't know if low blood sugar can cause palpitations... but it makes sense that it can.  Do you have a cardiologist or electrophysiologist?  Have you ever fainted or felt like you were going to pass out during your palps?  Keep us posted on how you're feeling.  I have been having a few palps on and off today, but nothing too awful (so far!).  Its great that you exercise, maybe you were overly tired and thats what caused the palps.  When I am tired, I get LOTS of them.  Take care Maxx

Posted 8/1/2006 1:21 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Bria, thanks for the info.  I have a cardio.  I asked to be referred to a specialist in the electrical funtion of the heart and the cardio said that unless there was a diagnosed arrythmia (not pvc's), there was nothing for them to work with.  I sometimes feel dizzy during them, it is kind of like an electric shock (that's the best way I can describe them).

I also notice that I get a lot more palpitations when I am tired.  Wonder why that is? Has anyones cardiologist said that "if palpitations happen in a healthy heart, they are nothing to worry about"; and if so, do they believe it?  Today was a little scary.  Take care.

Maxx

Posted 8/1/2006 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
scool  Reference low blood sugar, I am more likely to get pvcs just before lunch, especially if lunch is late.  I found that a Snickers bar or M&Ms can stave off a bad hunger induced episode.  I woke up today with no pvcs.  I stopped by Mickey D's and got a 32 ounce unsweet tea.  It made me quite jittery until lunch, so at lunch, I drank water with my meal.  For supper, I grilled a T-bone and drank a 9 ounce bottled coke.  I am very awake right now, but feeling OK.  I am signing on to Bama to turn in a project.  I should be sleepy when I finish.  Yes, it is very frustrating to feel like you're dropping off a roller coaster 20 times a minute, and then have your cardiologist blow it off with his "most people can't feel those harmless pvcs".  For me, I know beta blockers don't work.  I know stress, too much caffeine, not enough caffeine, too little exercise bring them on.  In the back of my mind, I know that once they completely go away, it could be months and months before they come back.  I was thinking today, each of my last three major episodes of pvcs started immediately after one of my diets.  I lost 22 pounds in April, and the pvcs soon followed.  Maybe coincidence, but the body could be protecting its weight setpoint.  I'm trying not to overanalyze it, but if it were easy, someone would have a book out about how to cure pvcs.  Goodnight my fellow pvcers.  Rocky
Posted 8/1/2006 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know if low blood sugar can cause palps either; but I know if I get too hungry, I might have a few. Then again, if I get too stuffed after a meal, I might have some. If I bend or twist or stoop down in a crouched position, I might have some. At other times, all is calm and none of that seems to matter except the too hungry thing. I can even take chocolate to a certain point. However when I cross the chocolate line, I'm in BIG TROUBLE for days. Problem is I don't really know where that chocolate line is and I really love chocolate!....LOL...Stress and being really tired is a definate trigger for me also.


My cardiologist gives me that heathy heart line. I guess I do believe it but I still HATE these things and they are still capable of scaring me BADLY. I must drive him nuts because he referred me to an EP for these 'mysterious episodes' that he really couldn't catch on a holter or monitor. (My heart behaves beautifully when it is hooked up to one of those 24hr things. Does this happen to anyone else? It makes me think that the doctor probably thinks I'm nuts!) Anyway the EP wasn't interested in me-no EP study or holter or monitor from him. He said my heart is structurally fine and to try to fix these short episodes which are benign would be more risky than beneficial. He won't do anything. However if I have a long episode, he said go to the ER and have them run an EKG strip for him. Then he'll see if that could be something he might do something for.
Posted 8/1/2006 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hope-

My Doctors told me the EXACT same thing!!  So what do we do?

Posted 8/1/2006 4:13 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you for being so informative and giving of your experience'!

Okay, if everything is fine and the heart is healthy, and everyone seems to be getting these - maybe we do just "feel" them more than the average person.  Just a thought.

Rocky, your diet relation was interesting.  It makes sense that the pvc's could start when your body is trying to tell you something e.g I am hungry, tired, etc.

I think we have to reassure ourselves that we have done everything that we can, and wait them out.  And if there are a long string of them (as you said Hopes), document them. 

HOpes and Bria, why did your cardio refer you?  Mine would not, unless he found something that was not benign.  My heart also behaves very well when monitored (I feel like a hypochondriac) - "honest they were there".  Then you get the "take some magnesium, you will be fine".  I could scream.

Talk soon,

MAXX

Posted 8/1/2006 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Maxx, I truly think my cardio referred me because I was driving him nuts!
Posted 8/1/2006 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bria.

Do you really think that it is worth going to one?  Do they do anything diff than a cardio?  You thought he was kind of dissinterested in your stuff, right?  Let me know.  I don't want to waste any more time on these@#@'s. 

Have a great day.
MAXX

Posted 8/1/2006 1:29 PM (GMT 0)

Mine referred me because a) I was driving her nuts  B)  I ended up in the ER twice in one day  (but nothing really showed up except sinus tach)   and C)  I had a previous heart conditon (WPW) that I had ablated back in 96.  I felt alot better going to an EP because arrythmias are their specialty.   Of course, mine just told me don't worry about them, blah blah, but he seemed more knowledgable, and more understanding than my regular cardio.  Plus, if anything does happen, now I have a great EP doc. (I kow thats a bad way to to think though!! )

I know everyone get PVC;s.  The problem i have is that i get really long runs of them, when I am laying down flat.  It seriously feels like my heart isnt beeating right at all, and its fluttering around.  Sometimes it feels like its not going to stop.  Then I will get up, walk around a little, take my Xanax, and USUALLY it goes away.  But thats what scares the *$#& out of me!!

 

Posted 8/1/2006 3:00 PM (GMT 0)

Bria, what is WPW and is it related to pvc's?  Why do they go away when you take a sedative?  I guess we get so worked up, they increase in intesity.  I actually feel like me heart is stopping, then restarting - they said is extra beats.  Do you feel that?

I have to stop myself from going to Emerg as I would be there daily!  I have asked for a referall from 3 different docs to an arrythmia spec; not one would give me one.  Maybe that would make me feel better?  Thanks again Bria.

MAXX

Posted 8/1/2006 9:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Maxx-

My cardio had collaborated with this particular EP about my case previously.  Perhaps this is why she referred, plus there was nothing else she could do for me at that point.  WPW is Wolff Parkinson White. Its a condition where you have an extrra pathway on your heart and when blood flows through it, will cause SVT.  My heart would beat like 300 times a minute when I would have an episode.  Ive been ablated twice (they burn the pathway off) and the second time was successful. 

If after 2 years your EKGS are "normal" and you dont have any more SVT, than there is virtually no way the pathway will grow back.  So, my docs are still very careful to evaluate me, in CASE it came back, but no, pvc's are really associated with it.  My EP told me mine didnt grow back and WON't either.  I think that because of my history, they referred me to him. 

Are you the person that said they experienced v tach, or was that rocky?  Because Im pretty sure that they would refer to an EP for something like that. 

still, if you WANT to go to an arrthymia specialist, they shouldnt REFUSE to write you a referral!  I disagree with that. Hope today you felt better and NO PVC's!  I don;t know why (or If) xanax stops them, but it prevents me from getting all worked up about them.  I wonder if we could take a beta blocker PRN?  You said they don;t help you anyways?  I like the xanax, it helps keep my adenaline under control.  The last 2 times I have had BAD runs of PVC's, they have been after very stressful days, when I finally relax and lay down.  Then they start and don;t stop.  Its VERY scary and Im glad for all of your support guys!!!

Posted 8/2/2006 1:34 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Bria, thanks!

Yes, I did experience v-tach (3 years ago).  It was during a stress test for seconds then it resolved.  They repeated it around 4 times and nothing showed up.  I am going to ask for a referall anyway.  It worrys me that the pvc's could be v-tach episodes (though on holters they show as pvc's).  I wish this would stop.

Last night I had a glass of wine - it was the first in ages.  I find that alchol sets them off (though everything does).  Any info anyone has would be appreciated.

yeah

Once  again, thanks!

Maxx

Posted 8/5/2006 3:21 AM (GMT 0)

To everyone here,

  I'm 59 yrs old---w Mitral Valve Prolapse.   Been getting these irregular beats for 30 yrs.   Lat 15 yrs been getting them more often & scarier.   I've been on an "event monitor" a bout 4 times..   the  "beats" have been caught---PACs   and "runs" of 3 , 4 or 5 at a time.....& runs of "supraventricular tachycardia"---scary as hell--like i'm gonna die---i do everything i'm told--hold my breath--breathe out slowly.    I , too, get them more often when I'm tired/  I cut out caffeine--but they come in "Streaks;---   Talked to my cardiologist about that "ablation" procedure---same thing others have said--he said--my heart is structurally fine----& since i don't get them that often AND...they are.."harmless",,,it's NOT recvommended.

 But i'm telling you---they scare the living  daylites outta me.   But--again..I get them in streaks ---good wweks or good days & bad days & weeks  ---Terribkl                                         Hope this helps---Regards--Robert                                    e2l                                     sre

Posted 8/5/2006 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Even though I'm not totally satisfied that what I have is PVC's... I've heard the "your heart is fine, they won't hurt you" line. I asked my doc could they be a digestive issue, or muscle spasm.. he says "yep". So I get these feelings in my chest, and had them on a Holter twice... and both times not a darn thing showed up but some serious sinus tach.. and that was just my reaction to the feeling, scares the dog mess out of me.
I don't get runs though. If mine are PVC's, then they are odd ones. I get a little hitch in my chest, may get three in an hour, but normally just one here, two there..etc. I never get dizzy with them, no pain..etc.
Everytime my doc says "don't worry" I want to scream. When you feel something odd in your chest area, it is going to scare you. I'd say that's fairly normal. And a pat on the head does nothing for me..lol. I'd like to KNOW what it is, and I'd like them to STOP.
Sarah
Posted 8/5/2006 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Wotan-I get the runs and they are HORRIBLE. They really scare me. That is what always makes me want to RUn straight to the ER or doctor for another monitor because I can't believe something so scary can just be a run of benign PACs. For me the runs are worse than the single PVC thumps and they are scary enough, especialy the really hard ones right in the center of my chest that kicks my stomach into tomorrow. I can totally relate!
Posted 8/5/2006 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hopes-  So true!    These things are terrible.  The thing that makes them so scary is they come with NO warning!    they are impacting my life in that i ALWAYS want to be nea

r my bedroom or A bedroom.  When me & my wife go on vacationv---I like to be close to the hotel.      I'm sure you're like me, hopes & many others w this terrible condition..it is scary as all heck & it impacts my life.

  I'm taking a 25mg Tenormin each morning (my cardiac nurse says if they get bad I can always take an extra one ion the evening! )   again, I am afraid to go ANYWhere!   Especially when i go on an airline flight so---SCARY!   Do you--or others--have this fear of going places  ....KNOWING these things can come at ANY time?

  I'm at my wits end!  I've had so many other problems with sleep etc (IF you read the other boards)----but--i've had tghis for many years   and it's ALWAYS there...ready to "pop in"!   get back---any others that have this---btw---TOO many people "LABEL" them incorrectly "PVCs"--often they are PACs   "Atrial" in origin--but--Ohhh--those "RUNS" of 5, 6, 7 or more beats...like your gonna die and nothing you can do----ONE things seems to work (& I read this on internet & my Dr. & cardiac nurse tell me same thing)---WHEN a run occurs--take a DEEP BREATH IN...hold it--& SLOWLY let air out...it seems to "break" the run.     All the best & get bavk--Robert  (PS--RIGHT NOW---i am trying acupuncture......3 sessions so far....notice no change)  

Posted 8/5/2006 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
You're right about many people labeling PACs as PVCs. People seem to know that term better. It is my understanding that you can only tell the difference if you are hooked up to a monitor although some people swear they feel differently. I'm not really sure that I can. I definately have many more PACs recorded on monitor than PVCs. The little thumps I feel on my left side or even my neck I typically associate with PACs in my head. The HUGE Bunny KICKS I get in the center of my chest that sends me into tomorrow I think of as PVCs. They can take my breath away and even make me feel dizzy. The flutters and runs, I think, are mainly PAC runs but I can't know for certain.

I remember the very first time it happened. My husband and I had taken our little girl to Disney World for the very first time. She was 5. I was operating on very little sleep and getting up very early. It started one morning and lasted until the afternoon. We were going to that animal kingdom theme park-can't remember what it is called. We were having one of those character breakfast's at the park and I did not want to ruin anyone's day. So I did not say anything. I figured that I could breath all right and wasn't dizzy so I'd survive. I kept feeling my pulse. It would beat regularly and then seem to 'reset' after every 5th or 7th beat. It almost became comical to me. Finally it just stopped that afternoon and every thing was 'normal'. That was 5 long years ago!! I wish I could say it still seemed comical. However the PVC kicks and the runs of beats are AWFUL!

I'm going to try the deep breath in-hold-slow exhale. I've never heard that. My doctor did tell me to try to bear down hard like I'm having a bowel movement or try a hard, deep cough. Both seem to work well for me.

Also I understand not liking to go on vacation. (I hate that!) I want to be home near the hospital that I know how to get to fast. It is so stupid but it makes me feel secure. You would think that I am always running to the hospital BUT I DON'T. In fact I have NEVER been for these weird beats. I just like the idea that I could go if I really needed to. STUPID, Uh? It makes me mad that I even consider letting these things hold my life hostage.

I DO go on vacation when my husband plans one for us BUT I HATE going. I never suggest one and I am secretly pleased if it doesn't work out. I never say anything to my husband about hating it though because I don't want to disappoint him over something that should not be holding me back anyway! Does anyone else understand how I feel? It makes me feel ashamed to even feel this way. I wish these weird beats and rhythms would just go AWAY for good!!!!
Posted 8/5/2006 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
 Thanks for the post Hopes.  Yes, better than a Holter monitor is an "EVENT MONITOR".    It's like a small beeper that you can attach to your belt & it stasy

with you for a week or so.   Whenever you feel the "strange beats" you press the red buttion & then it "captures it" on the tape.   (It's a rewinding tape---it actually goes BACK 3 or 4 seconds--so it catches the beats leading UP to it ANd..the entire run.)

  after you call in...a tech then tells you tou hit another button & it plays back & it's RECORED on an EKG so the tech sees it & faxes it to your cardiologists office.  It's GREAT----i actually felt BETTER wearing it---like saying to those "irregular beats"..."OK. you little devil...c'mon now---we'll catch you for sure"  First time i wore the "EVENT MONITOR" for three days...NOTHING...then---the 4th day---a "WOPPER"....i quickly hit the button---caught in & phoned it in-----it was a "7 beat run" of PACs or a "supraventular tachycardia".......it's a really good feeling to CATCH the bad beats...& then SEE what they are!   So, i HIGHLY recommend an "EVENT MONITOR"....much smaller--convenient & IF those little devils disappear--as the often do when wearing the holter --sure enough --they will "pop up". 

  Still---when i see the cardiologist--he reassures me---"nothing to worry about".    But, like you, I don't like going on vacation---& when i am away--want to be close to my hotel AND know where the hospital is.

 I live in Philly--big city----BEST ER i was ever in was in South Dakota----ER looked liked a Holiday Inn lounge--fireplace--etc----panneling....not filled up with unisured people using the ER as a primary care physician-----the HOTEL manager DROVE me there--i was SEEN in 10 mins---tests take & released within ONE hour!  they even called a taxi to take me back to the hotel.

Re: techniques---Yes, pressing down...called "Valsalva manuver"...works as well as deep inhalation---IF it lasts REAL long (like minutes --which i never had)---COLD WATER ON FACE...also breaks the cycle!   Lots of strange things.

  One woman told me she was in the ER for 1 hr w a tachycardia--the Drs...could NOT convert back to normal----they were wheeling her w her husband to another room to inject her w something & needed to take elevator--on way out of elevator...wheel chair hit BIG BUMP----"BOOM"!   Her tachycadria stopped!   Seriously-----strange things like that----anyway---good to hear i'm not alone--but--try NOT to worry--they will NOT kill you----just scary!   Robert    

Posted 8/5/2006 8:53 PM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone,

Wotan, it is kind of reassuring that you have had these things for 30 years!  I would guess that if they have not knocked you down by now - they won't.  I need to travel soon and I am really unsure.  I went to Scotland and took them with me!!!  I am starting to feel p@@d off that the first thing I do is look for the Emergency.  How can we stop?  Take care all

MAXX

Posted 8/8/2006 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I am new tot his site. I went to google and put in the search engine, "can laying on your left side cause pvc's?" It took me straight to this site. After reading all the entries, I had to join. I had my first flutters around 5 years ago. I thought they were palpatations. I am 32 years old now. I am in a very stressful industry. My Doctor told me it was my nerves. He then decided to put a monitor on me for 30 days and then did blood work. The blood work showed that I was Hypothyroid and the monitor showed that my normal resting heart rate was in the low 50 's (which is not a concern) and some pac's and pvc's showed up as well. Mine come and go whenever they want. I can not seem to figure out what causes them. I do notice however, if I lay down on my left side with my left arm extended, I immediatley get them. It always scares me. I do not seem to get the running type I hear in this forum. When I get mine, they induce me to cough. It usually goes away. I am now taking 20 mg celexa for anxiety as well as 2mg lorazapan for anxiety that becomes overwhelming, and I am on my third stage of synthroid for my hypothyroid condition. I have been on the thryoid medecine for 5 months now and my TSH level went from 10.9 to 1.53. I lost almost 38 pounds and have changed my eating habits as well as exercise habits. I will say, I am a very anxious person by nature, but these weird tickle thump missed beats do get the best of me. I travel alot for my business, and I always get so scared that something bad is going to happen while I am 42,000 feet in the air with no place to go. I just went to the doctor last week for reassurance. He showed my the cardiologist report from my monitor and said that most people get them and do not feel them. That really does not help assure me. I feel like my heart is just going to slow down and completely stop some times. This works me into a panic and then I start feeling my pulse and monitoring my blood pressure. I get all worked up. Reading these entries had made me feel assured that this is more common than I thought. I hope that everyone feels better and that if anyone has advice for me , please share.

Be healthy and safe,

Craig4444
Posted 8/8/2006 1:48 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Craig,

I also feel that my heart iwll stop.  These are so common!!  I can't believe the number of people on this site that get them.  It helps to know that you are not alone.  When I get them, I talk myself down  - they are harmless, they will stop, blah, blah, blah.  I also get reassurance from my cardio before I go anywhere.  I have no idea what differece it makes!  Take care.

MAXX

Posted 8/9/2006 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Maxx,

Thanks for the reassurance.

Craig4444
Posted 8/12/2006 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Craig4444,  I just wanted to take a moment to welcome you to Healing Well forum.  We are happy to have you and hope you continue to us this site for information and support.  Take care
Posted 8/12/2006 5:47 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you so much. I hope everyone stays positive and continues to be at peace when we all can.

Thanks,

Craig4444

Posted 8/18/2006 3:51 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Folks,

I just recently had a second ablation for SVT (AVNRT) on July 25th.  The first ablation failed and the episodes started happening very frequently at about 55 days after the first ablation.  My SVT was "triggered" by me having frequent PVCs at that time.  My PVCs seem to be related to digestion in some way... I have reflux, gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers.  I am taking nexium twice a day and have been for almost 4 weeks... hopefully the pvcs will start to diminish.  I know that my anxiety causes more of them... but there definately is a difference now than before I had any of these svt problems or ablations.  I also don't know if an ablation can make these pvcs worse during the healing period (hopefully scaring period for me so it will be successful)?

Anyway, I know how tough it is to deal with them... I usually get one at a time...as many as 7 or 8 a minute at their worst... and even get couplets every now an then.  The docs tell me my heart is ok and the pvcs are benign.   All EP docs and cardiologists easily say do not worry about them, but we all know how difficult that can be.  I hope that there are medical trials - procedures they are testing or something to help to cure pvcs despite the way they are downplayed.  Heart problems are the worst, and boy do I miss the days I could have a few chocolate chip cookies and a good cup of mojo. 

Best wishes and prayers to all that deal with these... I pray we all get some relief from this monster!

-gismatrix

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