epipens safe for those with PVCs?

[Madge270]

I have some serious allergies and often they close my throat. I live 20 minutes from the nearest doctor or hospital. Until recently I always felt safe because I could use an epipen and that would give me time to get help.  But now I have been diagnosed with about 8000 PVCs a day, and was told by another sufferer that I shouldn't use an epipen anymore, that it's not a good idea for those with PVCs.  I did know that Sudafed (also contains epinephrine) isn't good to take when you have aaa heart arrhythmia, but I never thought about how maybe I'm not so safe anymore if I couldn't use an epipen.

Do any of you with PVCs or other heart arrhythmias use epipens?  I'll ask my doctor when I have myn next appointment, but that's not until July. I'd really like an answer to this one.

[DoulosLael]

I know I am very late, and found your question looking for information for someone else in a similar predicament.

Not sure how well PVCs were explained to you or the causes of PVCs.  The heart is regulated by nodes, the SA node is the primary pacemaker for our hearts, and when it is regulating things our hearts beat the best.  Sometimes the SA node stops, fires rapidly/irregularly.  Other times other nodes fire causing erratic, or quivering like v-fib.

Epipens will increase your heart rate for a short while, which means the number of PVCs will increase in proportion.  But to put this in a like perspective. At an average of 80bpm, our hearts beat 4800 a minute or 115,200 a day. At 8000 PVCs a day that is 1 every 14.4 beats, and 5000= 1 every 24.04 beats.

While on medication, I know someone who does quite well with a 1:2 ratio.

Across the board when dealing with assessing casualties, patients, etc the order of priority is Airway, Breathing, Circulation.  Epinephrine is something or bodies make, so I would not think it is likely to cause permanent changes to heart rhythm...  though I would not say it is impossible under the right circumstances to contribute to causing changes to the hearts electrical system, but it in and of itself should not.

Between the two maintaining your airway is the priority to any EMS or other medical professional, if it was me, I would not hesitate to use an epipen.  It takes effect fast and it's effects wear off just as fast, long enough for a dose benadryl or a longer acting antihistamine or steroid...

Hope this helps.

[Madge270]

Thanks so much for your replies!  I was thinking that maybe the epipen would cause me to have a heart attack or a serious arrhythmia before I could get to the ER after using the epipen. (Jondsam, I'm told my heart is okay despite the many PVCs each day, and I have a hard time believing it too.) I also wondered whether use of the epipen could cause permanent changes in the kind of PVCs a person has, and now I feel better about that too.

I have a friend who says she uses Benadryl for her allergies to ants and bees rather than an epipen because of the cost. I don't think I'd feel safe doing that, though.
Again, thanks a bunch!

[cindy707]

I totally agree with both posts.  You need to stop the reaction in its tracks before it progresses and your airway closes among other things and that is where the stic will save your life and if and the big word is IF PVC's pop up they can be dealt with at that time.  It is a simple matter of prioritizing your situation .  The stic is just sending an adreneline rush thru your body to speed things thru and keep your airway open and the PVC's are definately the lesser of the two evils here.  You need to keep the epi stic with you at all times its your safety net.

[jondsam]

Hello I have severe reactions from insect stings especially bee stings.  Its so bad that 1 or 2 stings will put me into anaphylactic shock.  I have over 5000+ PVC's a day and the docs say it is a supposed benign condition. (which I do not believe).  My wife has never had a pvc or palpitations. Anyways, I have to carry around a epipen everywhere I go.  Last year I was working in my back yard and was stung twice, once in the face under the eye and once in my arm.  I was swollen within seconds and was confused and turned pale.  I stuck myself with the epipen and called the ambulance.  I was in the hospital for two days while they worked on me.  The doctor said the epipen saved my life.  He also said if you have pvc's the epipen poses little threat as the allergic reaction is much more serious.  When I stuck myself my heart rate shot up and i could feel the pvc's jumping.  Most of the time in some situations epinephrine is used to save people from arrhythmia.  I would go with the epipen and feel safe with it.

[rilesnic]

I've heard that as well, but if your throat is closing, would there be another option?  I would think the benefit of the epi-pen by stopping airway constriction would  outweigh the risks of the epi-pen causing problems from the PVC's.  I am certainly no medical expert and just happened upon your post and thought I would chime in, but I would definitely see my dr. ASAP to get this all straightened out..you could even call a pharmacist on the weekend and get in touch with your doctor's nurse if it's too difficult to get in right away...This is certainly a question that needs to be answered without delay...Please keep us posted on how you are doing and let us know what the dr. has to say...Best to you!