What works for eliminating PVCs?

[mzak69]

I'm a 41 yr old male in reasonably good health other than mild hypertension that I take 20mg Lisinpril daily. I've had occasional heart palps all my life, but recently they've increased dramatically. I don't smoke, drink very moderately (if at all), stay away from all caffeine products, drugs, etc. I also exercise regularly, play sports, maintain a good weight, (5' 10", 220lbs) try to eat well, etc.

I've been seeing a cardiologist and have had all the standard tests (echo, stress test, Holter, event monitor, EKG, bloodwork, etc). He tells me that I have benign PVCs and they are not life threatening. He put me on 25mg metaprolol about 2 months ago. That seemed to work for a few weeks, but the PVCs seem to be increasing again.

Over the weekend I had so many that I couldn't sleep and wound up in the emergency room all night. I saw the PVCs on the monitor, sometimes several a minute. This lasted for almost 8 hrs until they subsided on their own.

The PVCs increase after I engage in physical activity such as long periods on the treadmill, dancing, and even sex. The worst part is I really feel them at night when trying to sleep. I can ignore them during the day, but the nights have been horrible. Unfortunately I'm one of the people who feel them (I understand some of you don't feel it).

I'm asking anybody out there, do beta blockers really take away the sensation, and how much does it usually take to work? They just upped my dose to 50mg.  Is ablation an option?

I'm meeting with another specialist soon. In the meantime, I dread going to bed. I hope I can get this resolved.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jdaveca]

I'm a 47 year old male who has been dealing with PVC's off and on for years. Recently they've become increasingly stronger and more frequent. I've had every test done that can be thought of... Holter, Event Monitor, Echo, MRI, Stress, Tilt Table, Angiogram, EP study, blood work, etc. I've spoken with two Cardiologists and have been told that my heart is structurally normal and that the PVC's are benign. Fine, they're benign to you, but they're not benign to me!! I'm the one that has to deal with them. When I get them two, three, four times in a row, I feel like it's time to "check out". Hard to get to sleep when you're not sure if your heart is going to continue to beat erratically or at all.
I do try to keep in mind what the Cardiologists say as they see cases like mine each and every day, so they have more real life experience to draw on, however I still freak out slightly when it feels like there's a soccer game going on in my chest.
Anyone else share my concerns or have similar stories?

[sleepless13]

The nighttime problem you have is related to digestion (vagus nerve is in the intestines too). I find what helps me is to eat something, a piece of fruit like a banana or a glass of warm milk.  They generally stop in a few minutes after eating.

[riley1628]

I understand what you are going through. I've had them for over ten years and have been on practically every med available for them. I also wake up at night, which is frustrating and then find it difficult to go back to sleep. I have some other issues too which led me to have an ablation last Fall. Unfortunately it didn't work for me as they were multifocal and in a difficult area of the heart. I'm glad I tried it though otherwise I would have always wondered if it would help. Usually they do work, I am just an unusual case! I usually have over 20,000 a day so that causes other problems. I have found the BB's can help, for me in the past they would work for a few months or a year, then have to change to another type. It's not that I am worried about dying from them, they just keep me awake! It sounds like that is what you are experiencing.
I hope you find a med that works for you and I think it is a great idea to see an EP dr. They should be able to help you and if they do suggest a BB, stick with it as it takes a little time to get adjusted to the side effects. Of course if they recommend an ablation I would do that instead as I don't like being on meds either. Best of luck to you!!

[mzak69]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I am really bummed out. The BB seems to be working, but I feel like I have the flu. It's like a bad dream that I want to be over with.  

I meet with the EP next week. Can you think of any good questions I should be asking?

Thanks again.  

[itdood]

I went through a similar bout back in 2009.  I was about your age at the time.  I averaged 2-3 hours of sleep per night for about 7 months.  It started to get slowly better on its own.  I haven't gotten them at night in a  while.  I was very healthy, 5'9", 160.

I tried all sorts of stuff.  

I tried benzodiazapenes like xanax and klonopin.  that didn't really help.

I tried stuff with magnesium in it, that seemed to help.  I was taking magnesium glycenate.  I also took Maalox maximum strength right before bed.  that seemed to help sometimes.  When I would get a really bad swarm in the middle of the night I would sometimes take a bath.  That would sometimes make the swarm stop.

I also started a statin at that time, called zochor.  There's a chance that this helped me as well if I was having reversable ischemia.  I have significiant family history of MI in my family starting in the 40s.

For me this was the worst thing I ever went through, I started to get depression over it.  When I stated to get better it was amazing.  When I do physical things I couldn't do back then I feel 19 again.

I never did find out what was wrong.  I had every test you can imagine, including a cardiac MRI.  I saw 2 different cardiologsts and an EP.   I tried BBs and CCBs.   I was considered for ablation because mine were unifocal orginating in the RVOT which has a higher success rate for ablation.  The EP wanted to wait it out to see what happens.  He was right.    If he was wrong I would have ablated.

[dolphin8808]

The EP Doctor will put you at ease I am sure. They see many kinds of irregular heart beats and probably look at ours as just little blips. But they are very disruptive to our lives. My Primary Care also has PVCs. She also suffers from an increased heart rate, and when I told her it scared me that I had them, she looked at me like I was nuts lol..... She said they are so very common and very benign, we are just some of the lucky folks who actually get to feel the annoying beats.  

My EP doctor did say Beta Blockers were an option to not only help with the PVCs but with the Anxiety as well... should it get out of hand. He did also say that Albation was an option as well but he really doesn't feel the need to do either.

So maybe we should feel blessed that these annoying little buggers are just that, annoying and nothing more :)

Would love to know how your EP appointment goes!

[IMFletcher]

I have been woken several times in the middle of the night with brutal PVCs...The problem is, when you are relaxing, your heart rate slows, and PVCs are more likely to occur. When I get them at night, I have actually got up out of bed, and run on the spot to increase my heart rate...Sometimes it works...definitely not always! Sounds like you are seeing an EP specialist? You can certainly get more information about the ablation procedure and it's effectiveness with respect to eliminating PVCs. I have had episodes EXACTLY like yours, lasting for hours on end, wondering if it will ever stop...Teaching yourself to avoid the urge to hyper focus on the problem is a very effective coping tool. You have to accept that the PVCs are benign, despite the fact that they will stop you in your tracks when the occur!! Try to stay positive, and take comfort in the fact that there are many who suffer from the identical problem..It is far more common then you may think. BTW - I have spoken to a few doctors who actually claim to have PVCs on a regular basis...they have just trained their minds not to worry, and dismiss the problem. I am trying hard to implement that same response to PVCs myself!!

"IMFletcher" - YES!! Nice call...Fletch was one of the classic comedies of all time...and not surprisingly, the name was available when I became a member on this site! Cheers.