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Asking This Again (PVCs/Anxiety)
Yes, it's me again, the guy asking question after questions about this heart condition brought on by anxiety. I know it's not a heart condition. It's the Premature Ventricular Contractions.
I'm 19 years old. I have had PVCs off and on for years, but I never had runs of them. It was always one once in a blue moon after intense exertion, like a 30 minute power walk or something. Or I'd get a faint one, and just brush it off and didn't think nothin of it.
Now. I've been dealing with health anxiety as a result of a friend suddenly dropping dead from a massive heart attack, and the most aggravating symptom is these friggen ectopic heartbeats/pvcs/pacs, that seemed to trigger after my first panic attack, which occurred in my chest.
The original source of my anxiety is gone, and now it is THESE that keep causing me anxiety. I can NOT relax anymore because of these friggen things. The minute I get calm and start to get deep into relaxation, I get that random unwarranted adrenaline surge, then I get the beat, then I'm left with more fear and adrenaline after it, although my heart rate never goes up.
Now, of course, after posting my story, I get the "go to the doctor...yada yada." I've been at this for 3 months. You don't think the doctor would have been my first resource? Doctors, therapist, medication. I've been through it.
I was reluctant with the medication, and now am to the point where I pretty much refuse to take it, considering the side effects and addiction possibilities.
My doctor prescribed a Beta Blocker, but I'm reluctant to take that, because like anti-anxiety medication, it seems like that quick fix, that just masks the symptoms but doesn't really get to the root of getting rid of them.
I want to GET RID OF these effing things, or AT LEAST get back to having them randomly, or so faint, that I can just shrug them off again.
What confuses me the most is why I get that adrenaline rush feeling with every one, even if it's a light one. It's like a wave of fear. I'm not panicking, nor doing anything to bring it on. It just happens. Wave of fear brings the beat. If it's a strong one, a wave of fear lingers. If it's a weak one, the wave of fear goes away after the beat.
I'm trying to figure out the connection, and am looking for that reassurance that yes, these are transitional heart activities that will subside after it's had time to run its course once my anxiety has subsided.
Many who have these ectopic heart beats, seem to report getting them randomly, for no apparent reason, like they just come on one day and never leave. They wake those individuals up at night, and many of them get tachycardia afterwards.
I'm not one of those cases. Mine seem to have been brought on by that first panic attack, then a second one triggered even stronger ones after the first bout had almost subsided. I mean they were STRONG after that second panic attack. It literally felt like the whole inside of my chest was sucking itself in everytime I got one, and the thud afterwards was hard.
It seems like they slowly weaken over time, the less anxious I try to be over them. I'm trying to find out i that means anything. Is this truly transitory?
My ectopic beats have so far never waken me up in sleep, and they come on about a half hour after waking. If I lay there, they start off faint, then gradually grow in strength. If I get up and start my day, it takes my focus off of them somewhat, and they're not as bad, or I don't get them as bad.
Nobody has been able to answer my questions or take any of the input I'm giving them any thought, and it's frustrating.
"Talk to your doctor, see a cardiologist, see a therapist. blah blah blah."
It's a never ending frustrating broken record, because I HAVE DONE THAT ALREADY! Nothing is physically wrong with me. I'm just living with a never ending annoyance. It's kinda like torture some times, because I can rarely relax with this condition.
I'm like a detective, trying to find out the reason for this crime, and I'm on the case alone. I don't want medication to mask the symptoms that could potentially give me effed up side effects or do damage if used long term. I want an answer.
If I get the answer that "Yes, these are transitory, and they will go away in time," and it's genuinely true, then they won't bother me so much, because I'll have something to look forward to.
People just don't realize how frustrating this is, to be told the same things over and over again, avoid caffeine, yada yada. I'm doing that. No chocolate, no caffeine, no soda, I don't smoke or drink.
I'm simply looking for a connection, because this didn't start out of the blue. Something brought it on. I wanna know how, and if it will go away.
I'm 19 years old. I have had PVCs off and on for years, but I never had runs of them. It was always one once in a blue moon after intense exertion, like a 30 minute power walk or something. Or I'd get a faint one, and just brush it off and didn't think nothin of it.
Now. I've been dealing with health anxiety as a result of a friend suddenly dropping dead from a massive heart attack, and the most aggravating symptom is these friggen ectopic heartbeats/pvcs/pacs, that seemed to trigger after my first panic attack, which occurred in my chest.
The original source of my anxiety is gone, and now it is THESE that keep causing me anxiety. I can NOT relax anymore because of these friggen things. The minute I get calm and start to get deep into relaxation, I get that random unwarranted adrenaline surge, then I get the beat, then I'm left with more fear and adrenaline after it, although my heart rate never goes up.
Now, of course, after posting my story, I get the "go to the doctor...yada yada." I've been at this for 3 months. You don't think the doctor would have been my first resource? Doctors, therapist, medication. I've been through it.
I was reluctant with the medication, and now am to the point where I pretty much refuse to take it, considering the side effects and addiction possibilities.
My doctor prescribed a Beta Blocker, but I'm reluctant to take that, because like anti-anxiety medication, it seems like that quick fix, that just masks the symptoms but doesn't really get to the root of getting rid of them.
I want to GET RID OF these effing things, or AT LEAST get back to having them randomly, or so faint, that I can just shrug them off again.
What confuses me the most is why I get that adrenaline rush feeling with every one, even if it's a light one. It's like a wave of fear. I'm not panicking, nor doing anything to bring it on. It just happens. Wave of fear brings the beat. If it's a strong one, a wave of fear lingers. If it's a weak one, the wave of fear goes away after the beat.
I'm trying to figure out the connection, and am looking for that reassurance that yes, these are transitional heart activities that will subside after it's had time to run its course once my anxiety has subsided.
Many who have these ectopic heart beats, seem to report getting them randomly, for no apparent reason, like they just come on one day and never leave. They wake those individuals up at night, and many of them get tachycardia afterwards.
I'm not one of those cases. Mine seem to have been brought on by that first panic attack, then a second one triggered even stronger ones after the first bout had almost subsided. I mean they were STRONG after that second panic attack. It literally felt like the whole inside of my chest was sucking itself in everytime I got one, and the thud afterwards was hard.
It seems like they slowly weaken over time, the less anxious I try to be over them. I'm trying to find out i that means anything. Is this truly transitory?
My ectopic beats have so far never waken me up in sleep, and they come on about a half hour after waking. If I lay there, they start off faint, then gradually grow in strength. If I get up and start my day, it takes my focus off of them somewhat, and they're not as bad, or I don't get them as bad.
Nobody has been able to answer my questions or take any of the input I'm giving them any thought, and it's frustrating.
"Talk to your doctor, see a cardiologist, see a therapist. blah blah blah."
It's a never ending frustrating broken record, because I HAVE DONE THAT ALREADY! Nothing is physically wrong with me. I'm just living with a never ending annoyance. It's kinda like torture some times, because I can rarely relax with this condition.
I'm like a detective, trying to find out the reason for this crime, and I'm on the case alone. I don't want medication to mask the symptoms that could potentially give me effed up side effects or do damage if used long term. I want an answer.
If I get the answer that "Yes, these are transitory, and they will go away in time," and it's genuinely true, then they won't bother me so much, because I'll have something to look forward to.
People just don't realize how frustrating this is, to be told the same things over and over again, avoid caffeine, yada yada. I'm doing that. No chocolate, no caffeine, no soda, I don't smoke or drink.
I'm simply looking for a connection, because this didn't start out of the blue. Something brought it on. I wanna know how, and if it will go away.
I'm about sick of all this.
Not only do I get the pvcs, but EVERY TIME I eat something, I feel like **** afterwards. I have a headache, pressure in my chest, etc. Doesn't matter what it is.
All of this crap because of anxiety!
I'M SICK OF IT!!!!
Why is my body doing this to me?
Not only do I get the pvcs, but EVERY TIME I eat something, I feel like **** afterwards. I have a headache, pressure in my chest, etc. Doesn't matter what it is.
All of this crap because of anxiety!
I'M SICK OF IT!!!!
Why is my body doing this to me?
RnRita and I have them just about exactly the same, so what she says, I totally agree with.
These fricking SUCK. Thats the bottom line. I hope I havent offended anyone, but that is the honest to god truth. We all have kept lists, cut our favorite foods and drinks out of our life, tried one thing, tried a second thing, and it just doesnt seem to matter. They come back no matter what. Mine, like Ritas, come AFTER a stressful event. NOT during. (which is rather convenient..at least during the stressful moment I dont have them to deal with). But I am also like you, more so a few years ago than now. I would have that horrid rush of adreneline...it IS exactly like a rush of fear--so much so that it would almost CHOKE me---and it would come on so fast...that I could almost feel a FLUSH of something as it moved up my chest to my neck...throat...it happens so quickly that I felt as if I couldnt breathe right. It scared the daylights out of me when it would happen. I would think " this is it...Im going to die right now". But I didnt.
My dr told me thats exactly what it was....a surge, rush, whatever, of adreneline, brought on WITHOUT my doing anything to provoke it. It was a panic attack. The finest most memorable panic attacks. My god, they are horrid. Mine always came out as you are describing. And you are right, when the palpitations come, its YOUR body, reacting, negatively, to what just happened to you. Think of this--that excess adreneline thats surging through your body, has to go somewhere. You have a "flippy" heart. ( cant think of a better word) your heart is just acting out...releasing some of that.
How did I stop those horrible surges?
I did give in...i am on Xanax. I had to, because i couldnt stand it. I absolutly wouldve taken ANYthing when I was going through those. Xanax now pretty much prevents me from getting that far into anxiety that I move from anxiety to a full blown panic attack. Its been about 3 years since Ive had one. I still have anxiety, but the xanax keeps that "surge" under control. Im just left with the palpitations now, daily..probably thousands a day.
I cant say I have a solution for you, because I dont. But I can say that ive experienced what you are experiencing, and its totally miserable. But...I didnt die from it...and lived through it, but at the time, you just have to wonder.
Good luck to you and come back with any questions!!
These fricking SUCK. Thats the bottom line. I hope I havent offended anyone, but that is the honest to god truth. We all have kept lists, cut our favorite foods and drinks out of our life, tried one thing, tried a second thing, and it just doesnt seem to matter. They come back no matter what. Mine, like Ritas, come AFTER a stressful event. NOT during. (which is rather convenient..at least during the stressful moment I dont have them to deal with). But I am also like you, more so a few years ago than now. I would have that horrid rush of adreneline...it IS exactly like a rush of fear--so much so that it would almost CHOKE me---and it would come on so fast...that I could almost feel a FLUSH of something as it moved up my chest to my neck...throat...it happens so quickly that I felt as if I couldnt breathe right. It scared the daylights out of me when it would happen. I would think " this is it...Im going to die right now". But I didnt.
My dr told me thats exactly what it was....a surge, rush, whatever, of adreneline, brought on WITHOUT my doing anything to provoke it. It was a panic attack. The finest most memorable panic attacks. My god, they are horrid. Mine always came out as you are describing. And you are right, when the palpitations come, its YOUR body, reacting, negatively, to what just happened to you. Think of this--that excess adreneline thats surging through your body, has to go somewhere. You have a "flippy" heart. ( cant think of a better word) your heart is just acting out...releasing some of that.
How did I stop those horrible surges?
I did give in...i am on Xanax. I had to, because i couldnt stand it. I absolutly wouldve taken ANYthing when I was going through those. Xanax now pretty much prevents me from getting that far into anxiety that I move from anxiety to a full blown panic attack. Its been about 3 years since Ive had one. I still have anxiety, but the xanax keeps that "surge" under control. Im just left with the palpitations now, daily..probably thousands a day.
I cant say I have a solution for you, because I dont. But I can say that ive experienced what you are experiencing, and its totally miserable. But...I didnt die from it...and lived through it, but at the time, you just have to wonder.
Good luck to you and come back with any questions!!
I just need some advice on how to get over the discomfort in my chest all the time. I realize I'm in no danger but the general uneasiness as well as the sensitivity to food and the random heart squeezing.
It's either a squeezing feeling or a feeling of a sudden rush of fear I didn't provoke.
It's either a squeezing feeling or a feeling of a sudden rush of fear I didn't provoke.
These things are still driving me crazy.
There is nothing else I can do. I've been through it all already. :(
At least they are slowly weakening.
Key word is "SLOWLY"
any other advice?
There is nothing else I can do. I've been through it all already. :(
At least they are slowly weakening.
Key word is "SLOWLY"
any other advice?
I can understand your frustration, I woke up 6 years ago with them and had them ever since. Mine come and go. I have had them every minute of the day to barely having any. I have never been able to pinpoint a cause. I am sensitive to adrenaline. I take Atenolol to keep things at bay and it works great. It has taken me a long time to accept that they are not dangerous. I think of other people that are sick and would love to just deal with benign palpitations. They still get to me but when you put them into perspective you can move on. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to figure them out they have a mind of their own.
For some, will they go away completely?
Am I supposed to feel doomed by these dis-heartening things knowing that I will have them for the rest of my life, or might they go back to me just feeling one every few weeks or months like before?
Am I supposed to feel doomed by these dis-heartening things knowing that I will have them for the rest of my life, or might they go back to me just feeling one every few weeks or months like before?
Well, they do cause anxiety and, once you start getting them, they are exacerbated by anxiety. However, in my experience, when I am going through the worst times in my life, they generally do NOT kick in until after the worst is over and I am ready to go back to normal. Then they start up more and can last weeks or months. Since most of them come from an irritable few cells in the heart (why ablation works for some) I think that once these cells become irritable at any given time, they will be that way until they stop being fed adrenaline. That may make sense or not, but after 30 some years of trying to figure this out, that is something I have come up with.
To add: Yes, for me they are positional. Lying back, or crunched in any way can bring them on.
To add: Yes, for me they are positional. Lying back, or crunched in any way can bring them on.
Thankfully, they're not that chronic. They happen about every 5 to ten minutes, sometimes every 30 minutes to an hour. It depends, sometimes on the position I'm laying in.
I still don't get what the adrenaline rushes are all about, and why I always get one before or after the palp, and if finding the correlation between that and the pvcs could mean there is a way to stop them.
Caffiene, chocolate, food, there's no connection like that.
It doesn't matter if I avoid certain foods or not, because they're still there, so I don't bother. Eating these foods never brought them on in the past.
This is directly linked to anxiety. I just don't know how, and why I still have them after the anxiety has practically diminished, unless it's just my body trying to catch up.
I don't know.
I still don't get what the adrenaline rushes are all about, and why I always get one before or after the palp, and if finding the correlation between that and the pvcs could mean there is a way to stop them.
Caffiene, chocolate, food, there's no connection like that.
It doesn't matter if I avoid certain foods or not, because they're still there, so I don't bother. Eating these foods never brought them on in the past.
This is directly linked to anxiety. I just don't know how, and why I still have them after the anxiety has practically diminished, unless it's just my body trying to catch up.
I don't know.
Hey mate u r not alone. My story is almost same as yours. Have u ever counted these strange beats i.e how many u get in a minute???? I get plenty of them like 6 to 7 per min all day almost. Hope u get better.
Sorry forgot to mention to use the net for anxiety control. You probably are already aware, but I found many resources for stress reduction. Helped me greatly.
Again, good luckl.
Again, good luckl.
Hi and sorry for your discomfort.
I found that keeping a diary helped me find the source of my issues. If you havent kept records, be precise in recording food, sleep, liquid, alcohol, stressors, physical activity (lifting vs cardio), etc. In the end, my "heart issues" were not heart issues at all. I had a hiatal hernia, which impacted the vegus nerve, which triggered the extra beats. (also causes anxiety due to nerve involvement) Without the diary and the net, I would be without a diagnosis. Study up, doctors dont seem to give heart rhythm issues much attention.
Good luck.
I found that keeping a diary helped me find the source of my issues. If you havent kept records, be precise in recording food, sleep, liquid, alcohol, stressors, physical activity (lifting vs cardio), etc. In the end, my "heart issues" were not heart issues at all. I had a hiatal hernia, which impacted the vegus nerve, which triggered the extra beats. (also causes anxiety due to nerve involvement) Without the diary and the net, I would be without a diagnosis. Study up, doctors dont seem to give heart rhythm issues much attention.
Good luck.
I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. They are not easy to live with. We all have our stories of how they started and sometimes gone away (we would think for good) but they come back....and, you said it best, "Yada, yada, yada." I have had this since I was 19. I am 53 now. I can go for months with the occasional PVCs. Then, usually after a stressful period, they come back. Each time I have to get used to the feeling all over again. They can get worked up to a point where I'm in bigeminy for weeks....then one day they will stop. I won't even notice, because I had gotten used to it and didn't know it.
I take a beta blocker that I started at about 30 y/o because my resting heart rate was 96 and it was uncomfortable. I don't think the BB has helped with the PVCs at all unless you count less heart beats, therefore, less PVCs.....always look at the bright side.
They feel awful. There is no doubt. However, that being said, I will tell you that I have had periods in my life where they felt like an old friend. Can you imagine that? Just when you REALLY don't care anymore.....they let up. Sometimes.
Try taking magnesium. I have found a lot of relief taking 400 mg of liquid gel caps daily. I drink coffee, I used to eat chocolate....I stopped smoking....it doesn't matter with me. I stopped everything the doctors said caused them and they kept right on coming. During the times when they were almost non-existent, I was drinking coffee, alcohol...doing fun things and I couldn't BRING them on. I really don't think it matters. A trigger is a trigger and mine is definitely STRESS!
I take a beta blocker that I started at about 30 y/o because my resting heart rate was 96 and it was uncomfortable. I don't think the BB has helped with the PVCs at all unless you count less heart beats, therefore, less PVCs.....always look at the bright side.
They feel awful. There is no doubt. However, that being said, I will tell you that I have had periods in my life where they felt like an old friend. Can you imagine that? Just when you REALLY don't care anymore.....they let up. Sometimes.
Try taking magnesium. I have found a lot of relief taking 400 mg of liquid gel caps daily. I drink coffee, I used to eat chocolate....I stopped smoking....it doesn't matter with me. I stopped everything the doctors said caused them and they kept right on coming. During the times when they were almost non-existent, I was drinking coffee, alcohol...doing fun things and I couldn't BRING them on. I really don't think it matters. A trigger is a trigger and mine is definitely STRESS!
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