Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
221122 tn?1323011265

Petrified today.......

Some of you know me from posting here for a long time.  I have been having issues again, but a few days ago started taking magnesium again regularly and my PVCs have calmed down a lot.  Today, on our way to my mother in law's, we stopped at a store and I waited in the car.  I started looking through my wallet pictures and all of a sudden my heart started going whacky.  This happens at times, and usually it's positional.  All I do is arch my back and it usually goes back to normal.  Today it didn't.  No matter what I did it was skipping, or vibrating, or I don't even KNOW how to explain it and I though I felt it all.  I knew I needed to get to my husband because I felt like I was going to pass out.  I left the car open and started running for the store, sure I was going to die on the way.  Of course it stopped by the time I got there, but I have been feeling weird.  Now I am back to thinking I may not make it through the night.  Anyone here who has read my posts, knows I rarely let this stuff bother me since I've had it for 22 years.  This was the worst thing I've ever felt.  I JUST DON'T GET IT!  Now I have to go to bed....fun.
30 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Wisconsin,
Yes, I had thought that too. I'm almost certain that this is what's happening in the video. Mine are a bit more irregular but in makes sense that some sort of vagal response would cause a pause and then the heart somehow corrects itself by throwing off rapid beats. Just wish I understood the mechanism for that 'catching up'.
Helpful - 0
267401 tn?1251852496
Re: the video - if you listen to the person's respiration, it sounds like the odd rhythm is tied to the respiration rate, which would lead me to believe it's something of a vagal response.  Just lying in bed, if it's been a stressful few days, my HR will jump from the low 60's to the 90's and back down again on every respiratory cycle.
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
Thanks for posting!!!  Jess, that helped.  It is all thinks I know but "forget" when my heart goes haywire.  I have not had another crazy episode since, just my normal PVCs, PACs...weird chest feelings.  Nothing I can't get through right now.  My life has always been, and probably always will be, high stress.  I know I can't take it much longer.  Just looking for a new job that I can call home........one that will appreciate what I do. Is that too much to ask?  Anyway, I'll say it again, "This forum rocks!"
Helpful - 0
899454 tn?1295583938
Hi RNRita,

It is a week now that you had your "whacky" heart episode. Can you tell us how are you feeling now?

I had not read anything from you in 2 days.

I hope you are well. Pls keep posting.

Amethyst
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My PVC's started w/my 1st pregnancy @ 21. I'm now 62. I've gone thru what you all have, basically, and here I am, living proof you will survive! I've had the "whacky" episodes--felt like my heart was absolutely writhing--couldn't take my pulse because I was so caught off guard, like I didn't know what was happening. And then I was fine, except for being scared witless. I did have an ablation for SVT 13 years ago and have been free of that ever since. But for nearly a year I was plagued by APC's--Holter showed about 1100 per day. No anti-arrhythmics worked. But then I quit my job because the senior partner was such a boob--I'd been managing his office for 6 years. And you know what? Within 4 weeks I had no problems at all. My EP said he'd never seen anything like that. So Rita, my ears perked up when you talked briefly about your job and said YUK. I think sometimes prolonged, "under the radar stress" exacerbates those foci for those of us with this kind of wiring. Try some biofeedback and relaxation exercises. It may be very beneficial. I feel for you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi RNRita.  

I am sorry to hear what you went through.  That must of been scary.  I hope it hasn't returned and that you are feeling better now.  

You are a blessing to us...I sure hope we can be of some help and comfort to you in return.

Blessings and Pleasant thoughts to you always.
Bon-Bon  
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
Okay, now it makes sense.  The only reason I was going to have someone look at it is because I had no idea how that rhythm would make you feel all kinds of flutters or weird feelings.  The rhythm I see on YouTube shouldn't make anyone feel funny.  Except, if they feel the slower rhythm as pauses.  PACs and PVCs look different on an EKG then what you see here.  If your heart is speeding up as to how you say, it would look different than this one.  We'll keep trying.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks. This is not my rhythm. I came accross it on youtube. But while I have no idea if the QRST comples looks anything like mine, I am certain that the rythm is very similar.
The frustrating thing has been that all the ECG strips I look at are classic examples of a certain type of rhythm problem and I could never find an example or name for what happens to me with the characteristic block > hypotension and filling of ventricles > burst of tachy. The only difference is that I get it a bit worse and it can degenerate into 350bpm sustained for 3-5 minutes with no syncope.
Thanks,
aDam
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
I was so busy today that I didn't get a chance to show it.  Maybe tomorrow.  I'll text the one guy and see if he'll remind me.  Was this actually YOUR rhythm?  Did you show it to the doctor?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Rita,
Thanks for watching. This pattern happens about 1/3 of the time when I lift something heavy or carry stuff up stairs. I explained to two electrophysiologists that I get these in the recovery period of exercise (lifting or walking up stairs but not so much from jogging). I tapped out the rhythm on their desk. They didn't seem too concerned but it just feels too awkward for me to accept that it is normal without understanding what is causing it and what the self limiting mechanism is that supposedly always gets you out of it is.
PVC's (I'm guessing that's what it is when I get that 'pauuuuuuse BLIP' thump in my chest) came back last night after a week off.
This morning though, I was sitting in the subway station and when I stood up from the bench, my vision went about 1/2 way to blackout. This happens some times but it didn't go away immediately and felt like it was getting worse. Then I got really anxious and felt a couple jolts in my chest. Probably a good chance that anxiety triggered a dose of adrenaline to my heart and caused the irregularity but it worries me that it is the first time I've had pre-syncope and arrhythmia at the same time.
Rita, if you could show this vid to some of your heart tech or doctor friends, I'd appreciate it. Again, I've had a complete workup of dozens of ecg, holter, echo, stress echo, and EP study and aside from the EP study being able to trigger SVT and noticing a Wenchebach (and ablating the dual pathway to eliminate AVnode reentry tachychardia), everything seems to be in place.
My rythm is a bit less 'regular in it's irregularity' but pretty similar. Is yours the same? Luckily (knock on wood) I have not yet had these symptoms at rest.
Thanks much,
ADam
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
Okay.  I watched the video.  Thanks so much for posting. I'm going to work today and there is a nurse that just came from the ER.  I'm going to ask him what he thinks as well.  This showed absolutely NO PVCs, but was uncomfortable to watch due to the irregularity of the regular beats.  Were you just sitting through this?  Also, I saw regularity of the irregular beats...hahahahaah  It looks like nothing weird, unless you're one of us.  What did you feel like during this?  This could very well be what I get when the flutter starts but I don't feel the usual PVCs.  Did the doc see this and what did HE say?
Helpful - 0
450439 tn?1249233238
What's so crazy is that when I'm by myself and I get these darned ol stupid skippy ,fluttery,pausy beats, I just want to break down and cry, I'm scared, I get all shaky, I really don't know where else to turn, nobody really understands how frightening these arrhythmias are.....EXCEPT you guys, I turn to you...my fellow "comrades"...and I feel some what comforted, literally, writing calms me down, but in the morning when I'm on my way to work....sometimes "they" come back...lol, freaks me out and I don't even want to go to work....AND I work in a hospital for Gosh sakes!!
If only there was a miracle....I'd love to go on vacation, go shopping, go to work, exercise, do ANYTHING without fear.....but my "lovely" heart has a mind of it's own, it decides where AND when it'll strike next! If it would just last a second or two, I think I'd be okay but it doesn't, some last longer than others, like Rita said, IF they are the same PVC's,PAC's and SVT's, than why do they NEVER feel quite the same?? And why do some feel more deadlier than other's??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi all,
I finally found a sample ecg that is about how my heart feels when I have those scary episodes post exercise (not so scared of one-off pvc's any more). It's that feeling of your heart stopping, filling up with blood so it feels really full, a drop in blood pressure and then a burst of a few beats. So it goes, skip, double rhythm, normal, skip, double rhythm normal, almost exactly as in this person.
Please view and see if this is similar to what you have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrSOoHWvM44&feature=related

One study showed that PVC's in the recovery phase of exercise can lead to a slight increased risk of a cardiac event. But it is uncertain to me how much of an increased risk it is and how much causual ambiguity there is in the data as it is presented.

Looking forward to input.
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
First I want to say to Jerry that you may have hit something.  It was Mother's Day and I was looking at pics of my mom, my two daughters and me and feeling sad.  Maybe I triggered anxiety and didn't even realize it.  Very probable.  

I was totally fine yesterday but forgot my magnesium this AM.  If I get something today, I will have to say that mag is a big part of it all for me.

Thanks for listening!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi JK.
It looks like there are 4 of us now that have the same exact presentation. I need to get answers for this: it's driving me nuts. But the occurances are so rare and the percentage of population that present like we do, even within the sub-catagory of population with arrhythmia, is so small that it seems unlikely it's been studied before. I'd say an electrophysiologist might have a half dozen patients like us over the course of his or her practice so a focused group cannot be studied.
I'm going to ask some of my friends who just graduated Columbia Med School to contribute to this post and hopefuly they can get someone from the faculty to contribute as well. And it's not at all unlikely that the cardio department would sponsor a test if we get a dozen people or so...free trip to manhattan if nothing else.
So it seems that we all have PVC's/ectopic beats that kind-of-sort-of bother us but that the real issue is those long pauses followed by tach followed by sinus followed by pause etc...
If you are tired of the doctor saying "you should be fine" but then not feeling fine, please post their exact diagnosis. I think that by understanding what is going on, we can either become more comfortable with a benign condition or  learn of the potential hazards and get a cure. Limbo land is not fun.
Helpful - 0
177337 tn?1310059899
Those types of episodes are exactly what I get maybe 2 or 3 times a year and they are the worst.  My heart feels starts beating really wierd, then  it pauses extra long and I feel like I will pass out, then it races so fast that I can't even really feel it.  Plus it is all over the place.    And yes, it always seems to happen when I'm sitting relaxed NOT thinking about it.  I get the pvc's, svt's, pat's...all that.  This is different.  My doctor always said to me, if you can jump up and run to get help then it is really doubful that it is anything life threatening.  That helps me put it into perspective...sometimes  lol
I hope your day is going better.  It does take time to get over it.  After these episodes, I'm left weak and shaky for a while.
Frenchie
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
Keep the "faith"... we're all pulling with you on the imaginary rope connecting our minds and hopes.

I know some pictures can cause me anxiety, not that I have any real problem with anxiety.. just the "normal" amount I think...never been analyzed.  But, pictures form the past at least give me a surge of nostalgia, which if left unchecked can lead to anxiety (I'll call it).  Is it possible that a picture that brings a conscious sense of happiness can trigger the same subconscious stimulus?

Just "fishing" for answers, no real experience or study for my source.  
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
Listen.  I didn't want to make any of you scare of the little "blips" and such.  Even every other beat for a long time doesn't mean anything if you have a normal heart.  I've had a few skips in a row without any normal beats in between and, although no fun, I've gotten through it.  I've had svt, and paroxysmal tach....I thought i had it all.  This was different and I cannot figure it out.  And WHY do the supposed same beats feel different anyway?  And WHAT was sitting in a car looking at pictures doing that was so anxiety provoking, as we all know that is what they tell us.  Was okay through the night.  We'll see how today goes.  I know I have to give it time so I'm not afraid again.  I thought I was past the really bad stuff.
Helpful - 0
363281 tn?1643235611
Any kind of PAC or PVC scares me, I mean, it only has to be a little "blip" and I am ruined for the day. Of course, having high anxiety does not help either. Everytime I feel an irregular beat, I think it is the "end" and I just can not shake that feeling. I really hate it if I am trying to take a walk. A few weeks back, I was walking on the marina with my friend, and they started, well, I tired to ignore them, but, inside I was in pure panic, I was no where near the car, so, I kept walking and tried "small talk" to distract myself. They DID finally stop, but the rest of the evening I was a mess. Oh, I hate that. My finace` can always tell when I have had them, even though I don't tell him, he can tell by my facial expression and how moody I get. They are the PITS.
Helpful - 0
899454 tn?1295583938
Hi stutterheart,

I agree with you.

I have high BP and take Attacand 8 mg daily. Normaly I feel one "skipped" heart beat and my heart continues to beat normal. About 4 days ago, out of the blue, I felt my heart making a lot of mistakes in a row. It was like my heart didn't want to fall in its normal rythm. I thought I would pass out or even die. It was a very scary moment. It was the first time I got so much in a row.

I have no medications for these yet because I am scheduled for an echocardiogram on june 18th 2009.

But like RNRita I am very scared and anxious.

Thanks,
Amethyst1974
Helpful - 0
899454 tn?1295583938
Hi again,

I read your profile. Is it possible that you can comment on my case?

Is my heart making mistakes?
by Amethyst1974, May 09, 2009 09:50AM

Thanks,
Amethyst1974
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi All,
It seems that we all have the same exact issues. Let's get an electrophysiologist involved to tell us what could be going on. Looks like we have 3 so far and I'd like to aggregate our symptoms and our diagnoses in one post. I'll aggregate and put a header like: "Cardiologists and or Electrophysiologists Help with Accute Concern"

Me first:
Diagnosed with ectopic beats and AV node reentry tachychardia for which I had a cavotricuspid isthmus ablation last summer. Pre procedure presentation was a few dropped beats in a row after exercise or drinking heavily that would make me feel like the heart stopped and bunched up...then 5-8 rapid beats, then normal sinus rhythm then the conduction seemed to stop again, release in a stream of rapid beats, normal and so on for about 4 cycles and ended up in rapid tachycardia of about 280bpm before phasing out after 3 minutes. Symptoms were more nighttime events, perhaps PVC's until recently I had a similar event to before that was exercise induced. I have a top elecrophysiologist that says it is not something that will kill me. But why do these symptoms continue? Why does the heart seem to just stop for 3-5 beats? Is that a more serious problem than just Wenchebach? What makes a Mobitz 1 degenerate to Mobitz 2 and Type 3 block?
Let's get a doc to comment.
Helpful - 0
899454 tn?1295583938
Hi RNRita,

I read what happened to you and I understand you completely. About 2 day ago I posted what happened to me:

About two days ago I was helping my sister painting her room. Everything was ok. No anxiety, stress etc. We took a break and we were having something to eat. During eating I was chatting with her. Out of nowhere I felt my heart making mistakes I mean not the usual single beat mistake but a couple of them in a row. I was as if my heart didn’t want to fall in its normal rythm. I got pretty scared. I thought I was going to die. Since then I am very anxious and nervous. What’s going on?

I am also very scared too. I don't sleep well at night because I think I will die in my sleep. It is an horrible feeling. But keep it up Rita you are not alone and I also know that I am not alone. Keep posting pls.

Amethyst1974
Helpful - 0
221122 tn?1323011265
Well, I was doing okay and my heart did a little flutter and the anxiety has set in again.  For many years I was convinced that, no matter how bad it felt, it wouldn't kill me. After yesterday's episode, I no longer have that assurance and that makes me really angry and scared.  I read in the papers about people who are young and "died suddenly, or unexpectedly" and wonder if that will be me.  Now, I'm a wreck again.  
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community

Top Arrhythmias Answerers
1807132 tn?1318743597
Chicago, IL
1423357 tn?1511085442
Central, MA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.