Hello everyone,
I am here not exactly posting a question but giving my story/advice. I see so many people out there living with PAC/PVC's and let me start with, you are not alone. I am an 20 year old HEALTHY 6'1 195 male, currently in college and serving in the United States Army. I want to just simply give some comfort to all the healthy individuals out there living with this condition. I would like to start with the things I have noticed after reading through all the forums and conversations about this condition, I see the connection!!! Roughly 90 percent of these people with this condition are somewhat healthy, fit, young (or old) people who almost all suffer from ANXIETY. It has been noticed by myself that nearly all the people feeling this condition (usually at night) are the same sort of people, probably high strung, clean freaks, or just simply worry about everything, like myself. I have noticed that many of you go to the Cardiologist and get the same answer as always "you're okay and nothing to worry about" thinking in your head "yeah right, okay".. some have more then others (up to 30,000 a day its nuts!) while I myself recorded roughly 800 per 24 hours while on my last 24hr holter. I have put so much thought into this condition that I think I have really found out what causes benign "hic-ups" in people like us. While sitting here in my bed thinking about it more and more as I feel my heart driving me CRAZY I think back to why suddenly these were not noticed the past year for me and suddenly came up again.
ANXIETY! -this is something nearly all people feeling this have, some worse then others..myself having a decent amount but can tolerate it with words and comfort to myself (and reading this forum ofcourse) haha..but learn to CONTROL your anxiety and you will see over a period of time these hic-ups subside..I have a bottle of lorazepam which I take ONLY if needed, but the best way to conquor anxiety is to beat it naturally with small steps at a time. You can control your worries but it takes some serious dedication and mental strength, even if it seems impossible you can do it..trust me I have been there and still am from time to time.
REST- while on occasion i feel these when I am doing physical activity it mostly feel them when resting (usually on my back)...I believe it is not that I don't have them when i'm active it's just that i'm not so in-tuned with my body, thus I don't notice them...which should bring comfort to ALL of you, why worry? If its not physically effecting you when you are up and active then apparently there is nothing to worry about!! You are just freaking yourself out when you rest cause you are now noticing it (and have nothing better to do, except..well blog about it like me!) So next time you're in bed, just laugh when you feel that little thud, and smile knowing you are OKAY!!! nothing will happen!! and not to mention getting that worry away will bring down the number of these PVC's drastically (for me)
STRESS- I find myself being stressed out in certain time's of the year, just like everyone else out there. But looking at my past I think my stress/frustration can tend to be higher then it needs to be...So please all you short-fused folks out there, work on that stress!!! and it will bring you happyness, and well.. less episodes!
DIET- STAY AWAY FROM THE SH*TTY PRESERVATIVES!! That you can find in fast food, try to keep it somewhat healthy but don't over do it, enjoy your meals ofcourse. Try to cut the cokes aswell. Find a way to enjoy healthy food; after a week or so of it you will! trust me! Also just do what feels right when you diet and what makes you most satisfied in a healthy manner ofcourse. HYDRATE!
SLEEP- some get less then others, but we all suffer from sleep deprevation mainly from these PVC's too! It's a vicious cycle I know...i wake up at 5 am for PT everyday..but really try to take naps and get some sleep when you can.
Well Ladies, and Gentlemen I know this has been a bit long but I know how much this condition can impact your life, as it has done with mine. But we can all beat it, and we will ALL be just fine...we will live with this condition and die with this condition and NOT from it..just think positive!! :)
Anyways, remember. Beat anxiety, Control Stress, Eat right, Sleep well, and ignore those thuds!! And soon enough you will find them giving you much less of a hastle. If not subside COMPLETELY!
I hope this brought some comfort and help to atleast one of you guys out there!
And remember, YOU WILL BE OKAY!!! This isn't words from a doctor who doesn't care, it's words from a person just like yourself, who has layed in bed just like yourself freaking out thinking just like yourself!
Give it a thought, look at your past episodes of PVCs/PACs and think long and hard about what you have done in your life that may have caused this and give it your all to try and fix it, don't ever give up. Always smile and say "i'm going to be just fine and I know it". If you have constantly had "jumps" your whole life or up to date, look at what you are doing and try to change it up and look for a reaction...try not to keep your heart on your mind all day though, it will drive you nuts..just live your life and try to ignore it. Anyways, This has gone on a bit too long!!
Best of luck,
Michael
2LT US ARMY
This is just my advice, my attempt to help those out there who feel the mental pain and worry brought to them by this condition. I am not a Medical Doctor, but I have put much time and thought into this subject and deal with it myself. Hope this helped!