PVCS/Heart flutterings
Posted , 3 users are following.
Have developed PVCS, heart flutterings over the last 8 months and it's having a very negative impact on my day to day life. Went to my GP initially who told me to give up coffee, which I did, and made no difference. Done blood tests for irregular heart beats and everything came back ok. Had ecgs, and 24 hr holter, diagnosed it was PVCs. Was prescribed propranolol which didn't do anything except made me feel awful and made my blood pressure too low so ditched them. GP keeps telling me it's anxiety and I keep telling him it's the ectopics that's causing my anxiety. Paid to see a Cardiologist who again thinks it's ectopics and prescribed Flecinade to be used only when having a run of them. Have used a few and they do work, but don't want to be on them all the time., and also read that they should not be prescribed if you have heart disease, how do I know, have not had any tests offered to me. The anxiety and panic is making me feel worse and probably not helping. I notice my blood pressure goes right up when I have several in a day, also feel very heady and sometimes feel a need to cough. I'm back to my GP tomorrow and requesting an echocardiogram. Not been offered any scans etc. Just pills and telling me they're nothing to worry about, that lots of people get them. Had ectopics a few years ago and they always went away after a few weeks. Very rarely get them when exercising and don't get out of breath, I think because I told the doctors this, they're not worried. Would appreciate any helpful information from anyone that suffers same. Thanks
0 likes, 6 replies
charles61038 Dervla50
Posted
I have the same type of situation. The palpatation cause me anxiety. I go for long periods without them, then they start up. I try to figure out what causes them. I've been reading alot about different causes. I know stress and anxiety will trigger them, and when they happen, the stress and anxiety get much worse... and I think keep them going. I found that when I have a few days where they are happening frequently, I will take a low dose xanax that I was prescribed a couple of years ago when I was going through a dificult time. I didn't take but a few back then... and I have them left over. When I have taken one, it helps relieve the anxiety. I have only taken 3 or 4 in the last couple of months. Another thing that I have noticed is when I eat too much, or too late at night, it will trigger the irregular beats. I know your anxiety - but at least your doctor and also mine have told me that mine are nothing to worry about - but still you do worry. And they are disruptive to your life. Good luck to you.
Dumodal Dervla50
Posted
Hi Addie, I can relate ectopics are terrible I even get them while stretching and yes they make me feel breathless and choke sensation. First thing first you should have an echocardiogram to evaluate if you have an structurally normal heart, if that's the case PVCs are not a concern more like a nuisance.
Other thing your doctor should evaluate is any family history with heart disease or sudden death in a relative before the age of 40, this is to rule out some heart conditions that can be inherited but not to worry if that's the case you just need more monitoring.
If your PVCs are more than 15 to 20 thousands per day then your doctor or cardiologist should give you proper treatment and monitoring.
Otherwise you can discuss with your doctor about magnesium supplements that for some people work like a charm for ectopics.
Dervla50
Posted
Thank you Dumodal and Charles for your replies. Saw a GP this morning, see a different one every time, no such thing as your own GP these days! A young thirty something woman who I found patronising, because I saw a Cardiologist privately and he confirmed that they were ectopics as picked up on the 24 hour heart monitor, there was no way she was going to refer me for an Echocardiogram, even though I said to her the Cardiologist can't actually see inside my body. He's only going by what I've told him, the 24 hour monitor and ecgs I've had. Although I hope he's right and they are only just PVCs, there's a bit of me concerned that it may be more serious and it's not being picked up. Asked her to check my blood pressure and she said I'm a bit rushed with a smirk on her face, so in a hurry to get me out of the room. Putting it all down to anxiety and panic making it worse, and she maybe be right. However did ask her for a full blood test, to check for anemia and kidney function because I know anemia and kidney disease can cause irregular heartbeats, as I do go to the loo a lot, at least this may rule out others underlying conditions that may be causing the ectopics. I'm now considering having an Echocardiogram privately, so will probably ring the Cardiologist tomorrow to arrange. Know it's expensive, but it doesn't look like I'm going to get one on the NHS, unless I collapse on the floor in the surgery!! Just goes to show how the NHS are tightening up on diagnostics that cost money, can see many people being misdiagnosed, that will cause unnecessary deaths, quite frightening. Love Dr Gupta, seen a lot of his videos, and he does stipulate about how a Echocardiogram is necessary to rule out anything serious. Tried the Magnesium but I didn't find it helpful for me. Have ordered some more, as maybe I need to take them all the time. Another thing she said to me was don't look at the Internet, not everything is genuine on there! They don't like us to be too knowledgeable, lol.
Dervla50
Posted
Just wondered if not having coffee helped either of you. I still have two cups a day, as I didn't notice it making any difference for me, only tried it for a month initially though, interesting to see if not having caffeine has helped other people.
linda98654 Dervla50
Posted
Dear Addie, I know how you feel when having these benign Ventricular Ectopics. Every ectopic is a stab of anxiety.and you feel TERRIBLE . I asked my GP if there
were any pills for it and he said Yes....but they had serious side effects. I think those were Flecanide and he wouldn't prescribe them. My Echocardiogram was normal (which means the chambers of your heart are filling and emptying properly and valves OK) Now when I get the ectopics all I want to do is lay down on the sofa or go to bed. Its a real Bummer.They arent related to position/food/exercise or anything. Because you are not in danger of dropping dead any minute the Drs lose interest in you....Ha Ha. It would be funny if it werent so awful. Best of luck with whatever.
Linda
Dervla50 linda98654
Posted
Thanks for your input Linda. I'ts very reassuring to know you're not alone. Flecinade is what the Cardiologist recommended only to be taken when having a bad day, they're called 'a pill in the pocket'. They do work and it was lovely to not have ectopics for a day, but have no intention of taking them all the time, only if I'm desperate, more interested in finding alternative therapies so I don't feel so stressed. Strange that I rarely get them when exercising, or maybe I do but don't notice them. Will be happier when I have the Echocardiogram done and know everything is ok, feeling anxious because I don't know is not helping at all.