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GABA and L-Theanine supplements for treating benign PVCs

I was diagnosed over a year ago by my cardiologist with benign PVCs. But anything as annoying as PVCs that occur constantly hour after hour and day after day into weeks and months and even years...it is no longer a benign condition...and if you don't have anxiety when this deal starts, you're going to have it before too long. I'm a critical care nurse with years of experience strong in cardiac background. I knew that my PVCs were somehow linked to a GI problem and that I it was somehow due to an esophageal issue. Connecting the dots and figuring in certain triggers, I deduced that the problem involved my vagus nerve. Now that I've read enough from posters on the Internet, I've decided that there is a thus far unnamed syndrome that needs to be made a study of. The most significant symptom of this syndrome is PVCs.  Other symptoms are a feeling of GI discomfort after eating or drinking with an inability but extreme need to belch..then when the belch does finally come, it comes with a reflux of acid. Slumping while sitting and lying on the left side (and other postures) may aggravate it. Eating large, fatty, spicy or hot meals aggravates it. Drinking large quantities or hot liquids or iced liquids aggravates it. Caffeine aggravates it. I now believe (and hope a daring cardiologist will endeavor to prove) that this syndrome is caused by a deficient parasympathetic nervous system resulting in a problem with vagus nerve stimulation of epigastric GI function. I have been taking GABA 750mg and L-Theanine 100mg every morning and I am convinced that this has been the most important reason that my PVCs have resolved. I started this therapy a month ago and have gone from 6 to 10 PVCs per minute to maybe a few per hour if that many. I am also following the suggestions of many others as well as my cardiologist. I don't take any caffeine...not even "caffeine free" products, as they still contain caffeine. I only eat and drink lukewarm drinks and food...small meals and amts of drinks..nothing spicy and no chocolate. I take 2 tums before bed time and a cup of Passion flower tea (nighty night tea). I exercise moderately almost every day.  I have read many suggestions for posters on line and have taken tips from doctors... I did everything that was suggested and then came up with the GABA and L-Theanine on my own. I think the supplements have helped more than everything else but since I have had such success so far, I will continue all the components for now.
It is my understanding that GABA is a neurotransmitter that occurs naturally in the body and is a precursor of seratonin. As well, it inner ages the parasympathetic nervous system which is the "peace maker" system and reduces anxiety while it also has to do with the function of the vagus nerve. I don't have it all worked out yet but I know the dots all connect and I know that some sharp cardiologist can do a study to support this and come out with a therapy to help a lot of people suffering as I have with this "benign" condition. When my doctor tried to comfort me as she explained that the PVCs wouldn't hurt me, I explained to her that hiccups were benign too, but how would she like to wake up with the hiccups every day and try to go to sleep with them every night... Night after night, week after week, month after month. Year after year...with no end in sight?    ...benign?  Please, someone... Do a study.... GABA and L-Theanine.
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Avatar universal
Like You,  I have had a history of PVC's.   First one occurred in 1965.  They have  been slowly getting worse as the years go by.   Now a Halter study says I have about 1500 daily.   I've tried everything and, I mean everything.   I descovered the Gaba connection by accident.   I purchased what I thought was a sleeping aid but, it was actually labled "good bye stress".   Made by Olly.    The PVC's dropped radically.    I then obtained OTC Gaba at 500 mg and they have dropped about 98 percent.  
I'm really  happy but, angry at the same time.   Could it possibly be that I've suffered for almost 60 years when a fix was only
a drug store purchase away?    BTW,  I'm so tired of Doctors telling Me that these little horrors are benign.    

Peter
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Avatar universal
I like your response to the doctor about benign pvc's. I've dealt with them for years and they SUCK! I also suffer from anxiety and gastrointestinal issues. Had 8 inches of my colon removed, heartburn, indigestion, everything. I to believe it has something to do with the vagus nerve. I may try your treatment and see what happens. My pvc's have subsided but now I recently had a SVT for the first time, and they are lovely as well.  Good luck and wish you the best.
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Avatar universal
I don't know the answer but I'm a 67 year old female who started having virtually the same issue you have described for yourself in the last 10 months. I was taking Lisinopril for my blood pressure at the time which can do that and drank coffee every day. My doctor changed me to amlodapine and I switched to decaf coffee but they still occur. I'm going back to my doctor tomorrow and almost expext an EKG and possibly be put on a holter monitor. I'm a former cardiac intensive care nurse myself. However, over 30 years ago I went through this same thing while going through a divorce which was very stressful and working night shifts. My doctor then gave me a tranquilizer which helped. I changed jobs as well and the PVC's eventually stopped. I had been under alot of stress before this current episode started but it has ramped down quite a bit in the last two months. But, I still don't think I get the sleep I should. I gave been taking an OTC sleep aid that has melantonin, L-Theanine, and Passionflower and Lemon Balm in it and it helps. The nights that I sleep well I wake up with no PVC's. I'm going to get some Passionflower and Lemon Balm and see how that works. But, maybe my current doctor will give me something else.
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Update-am now off amlodopine and now taking a thiazide diurectic (low dose) and metoprolol which has resolved my issue for now (fingers crossed). Have been referred to a cardiologist as well. Just want to note that I have had GERD since my gallbladder was removed in 1993. And, a day ago when I drank regular caffeinated coffee the palpitations started up again some. So, looks like no caffeine for me for awhile. Am not taking the OTC sleep aid much as am getting sleep without it. But, I do have the Nighty Night tea Heartitis mentioned on hand.
Avatar universal
Don't have an answer but I would love to follow this information more I serve him PVCs bad at night time I've tried melatonin magnesium and a bunch of things but not the Gaba I'm going to look into this Gaba because I have them terribly and also chronic anxiety and acid reflux just want to let you know you're not alone I'm looking for an answer to thanks God bless
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Avatar universal
Your post is excellent. I agree with all you say.  Cardiologists seem uncaring. As long as the heart is "structurally" fine, they ignore the fact that there is a problem with the electrical activity of the heart. They easily dismiss your concerns and the terrible discomfort you are feeling. I wish all cardiologists would experience a week of episodes like we in this heart rhythm community experience. Just a week. They would then surely sympathize and do studies on this problem.  I have had PVCs (and maybe PACs) for the last 40 years since I was 27. Out of the blue they started after an episode of tachycardia, also out of the blue. I've had all the tests, been on several beta blockers, none of which helped much, but did contribute to my depression and inability to lose weight.  A year ago, I was getting 10,000, 15,000 and more PVCs per day.  Then I read a study about Acebutolol and its effect on reducing PVCs in patients. In the study, 8 out of 14 participants experienced at least a 70% decrease in the number of PVCs they had.  I asked my cardiologist about trying this drug, which he said was an "older" drug, and he said, why not? I felt like I was the cardiologist researching and controlling my own treatment!  I have been on 400mg twice a day of Acebutolol for the past year, and the result has been miraculous.  In all that time, the PVCs virtually stopped.  It was so strange to feel what a normal heart rhythm felt like, mine had been abnormal for 40 years. I am now 67 and so happy that this drug has helped me. I was probably a candidate for ablation, but my cardiologist warned me that 1 in 1,000 patients have died from this procedure. In fact, one of his own patients, a young woman with three kids, died during the procedure. Needless to say, I would make that a last resort.  Anyhow, thank you so much for the info on GABBA and L-Theanine. I do take Magnesium, but I will check into these two supplements.  Thanks and God bless.
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Avatar universal
Heartitis i have a question for you on this. I have a very similar situation with myself and PVCs that began 4 years ago out of nowhere. I am. 31 years old male and always been in good shape ate healthy etc. My question to you is does anything else other than thr PVCs occur in terms of like an attack or an episode?

Im asking because my situation that deals with benign PVCs causes me to have these episodes thst result in shortness of breath and dizziness.. However i am certain they are not anxiety attacks because they happen in response to physical movements that i have narrowed down. My post can be found here

https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Rhythm/Mystery-heart-issue--anyone-have-ideas-/show/3028736
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Avatar universal
Both GABA and theanine antagonize histamine. The key may be in controlling  the amount of histamine you are generating. Histamine does play a role in arrythmias.
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18757197 tn?1467648980
Hello!

thanks for sharing your situation, I just want to clarify, does your PVCs happen while resting or sleeping or they happen when you have higher HR?

Mine's happen while resting and sleeping, so I guess my vagal tone over reacts and I have more parasympathetic estimulation. Is your case like that, or the inverse?
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Avatar universal
thanks for the tip! I will try it. How much GABA and how much L-Theanine? I have tried various forms of Magnesium and still can't tell if it helps or not; I am also in a process of trying the Hawthorn root,....possibilities seem endless, yet which one will work??!!
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Avatar universal
My e
Mail
Is s w b Jordan
At g mail
(I hope that makes sense!)
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Avatar universal
We are positive this is my husband's issue- thank the Lord I found this post!

What diet do you follow?  We are already transitioning to gluten-free, eliminating dairy, eating smaller amounts, getting rid of greasy foods.  But I'm wondering if even some healthy foods- certain fruits and vegetables need to go?  Is there a food plan that has worked for you?
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Avatar universal
... just a comment & a question ... excellent info & a confirmation for one of my secondary plans of attack ... I am  not a cardiologist, i just think like one on occasions ... i am dealing with an OVER-stimulated vagus, or at least a 'confused' vagus, in addition to a few other things ... this is most likely stemming from a rare condition, imo, namely (chiari/syringomyelia/hydrocephalus - heard of it?), & it definitely feels like my vagus is doing way too much, for many reasons, brachardia being one ... whatever is going on, my biochemist/geneticist butt (couple bss (sic) & lotsa lab and research) ... i will be emulating the sound suggestion you shared as another avenue of attack ... also, do you watch your 'simple' carbo intake ... i too came up with gaba & theanine in my research on the above, & now i am going to get 'em & try 'em ... i will letcha know what transpires ... what is going on with me is complex and idefinitely feel unique and frustrated, & i've only BEGUN ... you might want to check out mmy only other post (so far)
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