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Ectopic heart beats taking over :(

Posted , 41 users are following.

Jamie88
Jamie88

HI all,

I'm a 25 year old 6ft 15st male I've suffered with Ectopic heart beats for about 4 years now, I've had 24 hour 48 hour and 7 day ECGS  and told everything is normal and it's just ectopics it just feels awful when they happen. Lately it has just taken over I've lost my job because of all my sick days, I have a one year old son who I'm struggling to provide for its all just going down hill.  I'd really like to talk to someone who has ectopic beats to see how they feel and if they feel the same I do. Or anyone who knows a way to settle them down I'm 25 and can't live the normal life all my friends have, I don't drink or smoke and when I do have a drink I will be fine whilst drinking but the next few days after its just ectopic after ectopic. When I was younger I was a heavy cannabis user and even dabbled in some cocaine so I can't help but think I've ruined my own life. For the past 3 years I've been taking 40mg propanalol 3 times a day I was coping ok then I saw a specialist cardiac doctor about 2 weeks ago who told me this wasn't very good for long term and didn't seam very happy my doctor had let me take them for this long so he changed my medication to 1.25 bisoprolol and it feels like it doesn't do anything to help my ectopics. If anyone can relate to this I would love to hear back 

Thanks 

 

0 likes, 63 replies

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  • bassbob54
    bassbob54 Jamie88

    Posted

    Hello  people,,ive had ectopics for ovr 15 years now,and they have become a real nuisance lately so ive started to take Flecainide 50 mgs twice daily, and it has made a huge difference i still get the odd breakthrough but flec has definately improved my life. woth no side effects, was given Bisoprolol to take as a pip, but wont take it due to how tired etc it makes you feel and i am pretty active swimming long walks etc

    I reluctantly went on meds, but the alternative was even worse, and unless your heart is structurally unsound flec is fine, ive heard of some people who have been on it for over 20 years with no probs.

    For me its the wonder drug, and if you are advised to take them dont be afraid, they are definately worth a try.

    cheers,, Rob

  • stacy12734
    stacy12734 Jamie88

    Posted

    Hi Jamie. I had to comment as i am currently laying in bed after having a big ectopic attack. Just laying watching tele and i was getting them wvery 3/4 beats for about 10min, i took 10mg of propranolol and also a 2ngbof diazipam and it didnt work for a while but luckally has now oicked in. I previously had an abnormal electrical pathway which i had ablated, i also have mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation and believed this was all due to drug takin whilst young but have been assured it isnt. I am currently suffering from awful anxiety sue to the heart problems, I constantly feel something ia wrong and am reliant on propranolol and diazipam which is obviously not good. I have 2 childrem to look aftwr ao dont want to be drugged up all the time 😟I am defo going to look into another ablation if this can stop them, it is literally ruling my life now and i cant get passed even 5mins without thinking about them xx
    • Jamie88
      Jamie88 stacy12734

      Posted

      Hi Stacy,

      Sorry to hear about your problems I haven't been on this forum in so long because I've been feeling great and have been able to control nearly all my symptoms I really understand where your coming from and would like to try and help you and anyone else who is suffering do you have an email address and we can have a chat? Maybe I can help

  • k3rivers
    k3rivers Jamie88

    Posted

    Dear Jamie,

    I also am a ectopic sufferer.  Mine also started about 4 years ago and I thought my life was over too.  I use to stay up all night with them and they were all day somedays also.  This forum helped alot. They will not kill you and it is not because of your past drug use! Having a little one only adds to the stress.  You must try to live your old life and ignore them. It will take some time but it will get better.  Your diet and when and how much you eat is important along with proper sleep and stress control. Hang in there.  Oh by the way.  I get them everyday and night but I get my mind elsewhere.  We are here for you.

  • Pam143
    Pam143 Jamie88

    Posted

    I have started taking magnesium in powder form (you make it into a drink) and it has worked wonders for me.  Ectopics have all but disappeared and episodes of tachycardia are now rare.  A friend with the same problem is also finding the magnesium really helpful.  Apparently heart arrythmias can cause magnesium deficiency. Worth a try?  The one I have is called Calm.
    • Jamie88
      Jamie88 Pam143

      Posted

      That's for the tip but magnesium didn't seem to work for me! But I've managed to figure out my triggers and I'm off all my tablets loving life smile if anyone on this forum needs to talk to someone because they feel like they can't live there life as I did I would like to try and help because i really know how awful this condition is.

    • jowi0586
      jowi0586 Pam143

      Posted

      Hey Pam. I tried calm with minimal success. How often and how much are you taking? Also how long have you been taking it?
    • Pam143
      Pam143 jowi0586

      Posted

      I started with half the daily recommended dose, ie. one tsp a day, then slowly worked up to 2 tsp, one after breakfast, then one in the evening,  the beneficial effects took a while to build up but I found there was some relief almost immediately.  I have been taking Calm for about six months and I reckon it is only in the last couple of months that I've noticed a major improvement.  

      I think we are all different and people may need different doses or not feel any benefit at all but it has worked for me (at least so far!).  I believe stress takes magnesium out of the body (I get stressed easily at times!) so this may have something to do with it, as does heart arrythmia.  

      Life you decide to try it again, make sure you have a good daily input of calcium too or you can have an imbalance that may give unpleasant symptoms.

      Let us know how it goes!

  • jowi0586
    jowi0586 Jamie88

    Posted

    Hey Jamie. I've been dealing with these things for a long time but have recently been getting them much worse. I was hoping to find a pen pal of sorts to share stories, as I think this will help tremendously. Any interest? If so I'll get you my email and we can chat a little.

    • glynis21184
      glynis21184 jowi0586

      Posted

      Hi Jamie, I was so pleased to read about your improvement, it gives hope to the rest of the "ectopic family". I had a virus at Christmas that has damaged my heart, this has caused abnormal rythems including ectopics. I take amiodarone and 12.5 bisoprolol to control the Arrythmias, I thought the ectopics has gone away but I walked slowly and on the flat for about 2 miles last Monday and I have had ectopics ever since. This has knocked me for six. I am so frightened that my heart failure is going worse.

  • trefor95386
    trefor95386 Jamie88

    Posted

    You should ask for a referral To get an EP study Done this will show your tachycardia Asked to be referred for electrophysiology we can do more in depth studies then cardiology
  • leslie32189
    leslie32189 Jamie88

    Posted

    Hi Jamie sorry to here about your heart complaint , I have what I think eptopic heartbeat , I only know this from reading all of the posts as the consultants don't explain anything in great depth , I read all the acronyms and never heard of them

    I had a heart attack last year and had stents fitted and more ditties this year

    I had what I thought was an erratic heartbeat so got another angio gram the consultant was concerned in may be AF

    Atrial Fibliration and by all accounts that's want it is, they increased bisoporol from 2.5 to 3.75 and now seems to have gone however I can feel or sense it running in the back ground so to speak without kicking off

    It's an aweful feeling so my heart goes out to you so to speak

    Unfortunately for me the stents arnt working and arteries are narrowing again in a short space of time , some people are luckier than me and get many years so now trying to pluck up courage for major surgery heart bypass

    I hope you can get sorted out this side has given me more information than the consultants

    Good luck

  • robert_16855
    robert_16855 Jamie88

    Posted

    How did u get rid of them
    • Jamie88
      Jamie88 robert_16855

      Posted

      Hi,

      I was on beta blockers mainly propanalol for many years but have been off them nearly 2 years and everything is better. One doctor told me that taking beta blockers would reduce them while you're on them but when they wear off he said they could give you more! And he recommended exercise, I play football for an hour once a week then 3-4 days of weight lifting. My job as an electrician is quite active aswel I think this helps. I remember at first trying to become more active was very difficult with the ectopics but you just need to fight through it. Just try be active everyday no sitting around for hours or extra long layings in the morning which I find hard not todo haha. Hope this helps you abit.

    • Chalky1991
      Chalky1991 Jamie88

      Posted

      when you started exercise did you get bigger palps and lightheadedness? im trying at the moment but mentally getting knocked back with each exercise session.
    • Gatvol
      Gatvol Jamie88

      Posted

      Hi Jamie

      I'm interested to note that exercise has helped you. Ive had these ectopic beats for well over a decade, and during both my pregnancies - they went through the roof, even alarming the anaesthetist! My problem is that I suffer from low blood pressure, and this is why Drs had been reluctant to prescribe propranolol. A dr eventually relented, but I'm on a low, max 10mg dose as needed & they're monitoring my blood pressure carefully. I'm so keen to get back into exercise, as when I was fairly fit before I did notice a marked decline in the frequency of ectopics, BUT long-term exercise further lowers the blood pressure. 😣 I'm I'm a bit of a catch-22. Are you getting them as frequently as before?

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