PVCS AND STRANGE SLEEP DISTURBANCE

[amn1998]

I have been having PVCs daily for over a month.  Saw a cardiologist and was given an event monitor and echo.  Echo was normal, event montitor showed benign single PVCs.  The thing he could not explain is a sensation that I have upon falling asleep.  It feel like I am fainting/dizzy along with strong heart beat and or rapid beats.  It happens almost every night just as I am drifting off to sleep. sometimes if feels as though I exhale really hard.  Needless to say, it wakes me up several times and then I become anxious and cant go back to sleep.  Have any of you ever experienced anything like this?  Also, do you think I need more testing?  My cardio asked me if I thought I could live with the symptoms.  At this point, with no sleep, my answer is NO.
Help if you can.

[charabeln]

I am 46 years old, normal BMI, healthy female.  No smoking, drinking, and I am a vegan.I have been diagnosed with "idiopathic PVC"S", been worked up 24 hour holter, echo and stress test. All negative except holter showed PVC's, (lots). In the absence of symptoms, chest pain, short of breath , light headed etc. no further intervention needed. i take Toprol 50 mg q day. It seems to help.  I also notice that the PVC's increase about 10 days before the start of menstration. Then when menses starts pvc's decrease dramatically.  there is no scientific research  on a hormonal relationship to PVC's (there should be) but it seems to be a complaint many women have.
My doc doesnt want me to have a cardiac cath to rule out coronary artery disease, and neither do I. (risks outweigh the benefit) There is a noninvasive ct scan which I will get that does the exact same as cath. ( will start the battle with insurance co. to have this done, as they would rather pay for cath). So I think a journal for a few months, documenting menstrral cycle and and frequency of pvc's might be helpful. But they should always be investigated and worked up by a cardiologist to rule out coronary artery disease.  

[redwinger]

Hi! It is so good to see that others have this same symptom!  This feeling really sucks and how anyone can ignore it and just go to sleep is beyond me! I am now on a 30 day monitor to see what the deal is. I have been diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia,not pvcs in the past, but this may change after the 30 day monitor. I have taken a sleeping pill (lunesta) for 2 nights to get some sleep. Not getting any sleep is just making things worse!  have you had any more info on your case. Are you getting any relief and if so, how?

Hope you are feeling better!

[Kellygirl6]

I had the exact same thing about 10 years ago.  Always when falling off to sleep. I did a halter monitor and captured the racing heart at the time of dizziness.  Don't remember the details, but the heartbeat did jump from normal racing within a few seconds, but it turned out to be nothing abnormal.   My dr. prescribed a low dose of xanax to take before bed.  That solved it right away.  I only needed to take it for about a week -- tapered myself off and never had it again.  My dr. determined that it was anxiety related.

[amn1998]

Thank you so much for responding.  It helps so much to know I'm not the only one going thru all this junk and I'm not CRAZY!  Ive had pvcs on and off for many years but not like this.  They have been daily now for about two months and terrible if I drink caffeine or alcohol!  I have  appt. next week with a cardio and I'm holding out hope that I may get some relief!  Until then, I'll be reading this site knowing I'm not alone.  Thanks again for posting and i wish you all the best!

[sickofpvcs]

I have had these same feelings while falling asleep. I feel like my heart has taken a pause and I jump out of my sleep and have to take a deep breath. I had these when I had a 24 hour monitor and the Cardio said they were just PVC's nothing to worry about. When I get them I actually will lay on my right side and count my heart beats until I fall asleep. For some reason if I concentrate on them it regulates them and I am able to get to sleep. I feel for you because no matter how many times I go through this I get scared. I am also having these during the day now...That really bites! I hope this helps.