Hello, Please help if you know anyone that can help, I feel very few can. My symptoms are very different than many listed here. You may also be surprised to hear I'm 29 years old, and may find my symptoms are very unlike most problems.
I am currently seeing a cardiologist, I won't go into details, but I've had a chest x ray, an echocardiogram, a halter monitor, an event monitor, and a nuculear stress test. Although my Dr. hasn't talked to me about the event monitor yet (upcoming appointment) he has diagnosed me with premature atrial contractions, which although can be minor, the question remains, why is it there?
Currently I get heart palpitations, sparattically, without an increased heart rate. I dont smoke, and rarely drink. I had a small run in with a drug ecstacy 6 months ago, but dont have much heart problems in my family.
Currently im on clonazepam, which helps but doesnt solve the problem. I was told my heart is relatively healthy. But i still get these very serious palpitations that feel like a 9 volt battery is being stuck to me chest. It only lasts a beat, but is VERY deep. It feels like an electrical problem. Sometimes it subsides for a week or 2, and like tonight it just happened 4 times. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's not necessarily painfull in the usual sence, but it rates an 11 on the uncomfortability scale. This has been going on about 6 months since I did the x, but not sure if thats whats even causing it. I am relatively healthy, 29, dont smoke, rarely drink, never did hardcore drugs. I do have a high stress job im not willing to leave, 2 kids a wife, i dont eat as well as i should in terms of as much, i weigh 130lbs. My family Dr. put me on clonazepam which is a mild narcotic sedative which helps, but doesn;t resolve the issue. I had sever panic attacks and anxiety disorders (none diagnosed) one of which included a 4 hour terror binge to the ER after my doctor perscribed exffexor.
I feel as if I might seriously die, but i dont show any signs of heart attack or any heart conditions other than a possible arrythmia, and the pre mature atrial contractions, which is very vague. These symptoms are very strange, I of course haven't touched any illegal drugs since, and avoid excessive caffeine.
In a sence it's very annoying, extremely scared, uncomfortable, in a state of pain and although I'm told it's rather benign and a nuscience, im convinced it has either signifigantly shortened my natural lifespan, or simply I'll keel over at any moment and die.
I dont have much faith in modern medicine, the dr's haven't told me much of anything, took a bunch of tests that appear to be normal. But this condition, if im the first of its kind, is extremely serious to me a sive never felt anything like this before and have always been a good healer, my lineage is relatively healthy as well with no known immediate heart problems. Well, just my moms mom who died when i was 3 but she was an excessive alcoholic and smoker. My mom too smoked and drank heavily but stopped when i was 4 25 years ago. She had an anyurism and brain surgery 5 years ago, but they found it and shes fine. I dont drink rarely, and have never smoked.
Please help if theres any cardio vascular surgeon or cardiologist out there that knows what this is. It's basically my heart feels like its getting a shock, a strong electrical shock very sparratically. But oddly enough, they mostly happen at night when im tired and possibly malnutritished.
Ok this may sound harsh but YOU are not going to die. The doctors have told you what is worng which is PACs which is a type of arrhythmia. This is not a very serious condition and alot of times it happens to very healthy people for no reason. YOU are not the only one with this problem read throught the threads on this board. You will not be the last one to be diagnosed with this problem either.Your nutrition could be part of your problem and I can tell you your high stress job is apart of the problem.
PACs are annoying and eventually you will learn to live with them and with medication that will help control them. If you are seeing a Cardiologist that is good listen to them they know what they are talking about. A Cardiovascular WILL NOT do anything for you cause there is nothing to be fixed.
I am not sure what clonazepam is but maybe it needs to be upped.
I don't know where you live, but Dr G R Reddy in Weatherford, Texas is wonderful. He has been treating me since 2002 when the other dr gave up on me and thanks to the good Lord and his skill I am still able to work to help pay for my medicine and insurance.
Ok this may sound harsh but YOU are not going to die. The doctors have told you what is worng which is PACs which is a type of arrhythmia. This is not a very serious condition and alot of times it happens to very healthy people for no reason. YOU are not the only one with this problem read throught the threads on this board. You will not be the last one to be diagnosed with this problem either.Your nutrition could be part of your problem and I can tell you your high stress job is apart of the problem.
PACs are annoying and eventually you will learn to live with them and with medication that will help control them. If you are seeing a Cardiologist that is good listen to them they know what they are talking about. A Cardiovascular WILL NOT do anything for you cause there is nothing to be fixed.
I am not sure what clonazepam is but maybe it needs to be upped.
Hi, thanks for your help. If it's *just* pac's, then they're very serious, like I explained, a 9 volt battery sticking to your chest. I understand it may not be life threatening, but how long has this diagnosis been around? I understand i appear to be in no immediate danger, but the question is will it get worse? I'm generally an EXCELLENT HEALER, But these haven't gone away for 6 months. Sometimes they go away for 2 weeks, other times like last night it comes back. But I NEVER had 4 in an hour like last night. It's so scarry, these stupid arrythmia's... Sometimes I pound my chest in anger. It's weird, my heart feels strong, my muscles desire to be worked (more so i should because i have a sitting job) but im always tired. I'm young, not even 30 yet. At this point, I dont know if it was the drug or not (many tell me its not) but i dont even care, i just want to be me again this christmas, thats all I want.
The clonazepam is just a mild sedative. Last time the dr. perscribed me something it was that effexor, after 2 doses, cause or not, it sent me on a 4 hour terror attack to the er that I was thoroughly convinced was a heart attack. With the drug xtc, alot is involved in terms of side effects, panic, anxiety, emotional problems, mood swings, and now heart palps.
I can agree with the nutrition and the stress, but get this. I am quite happy with my job. I have made twice as much money in my line of work as I ever did anywhere else, never once have I said "I can't handle this, I want to quit, or I don't want to do this line of work anymore". If it is stress, it's built up and not on a conscious level.
Please tell me more about these PAC's, I've heard of them, read about them, but what do they mean? Unfortunately, they are there for a reason when they're not suposed to be. I can handle the fact they are benign, but I can't yet handle the fact I have to live with them the rest of my life. At the same time, my heart feels young and strong, and then again at times it just seems ****ed up.
I am a 29 year old mother of 5 and I have PACs. Yes...it feels like there is a 9-volt battery attached to my chest sometimes. My arms get tingly, I get light-headed, I have pressure/pulling in my chest and have trouble breathing. It has been 2 years since they started and they've gotten progressively noticeable. I do not smoke, drink or take in excessive amounts of caffeine. I have found that exercise improves them, magnesium supplements decrease their frequency, maintaining a good sleep cycle, drinking plenty of water and eating small meals every few hours has also helped me. I avoid caffeine/stimulants including sugar as much as possible. I also try to keep my stress level to a minimum by staying organized and saying "no" to many unnecessary activities.
You are by far not alone. Sometimes a couple big deep breaths or forcing yourself to cough can help stop the discomfort during an episode.
I'm uncertain why you feel so strongly that you're situation is unique. PACs are a very common finding on EKG and holter monitoring. It's basically a variation of normal for most people. The treatment is to alleviate troublesome symptoms. If you do not feel your symptoms are being adequately treated then speak with your dr about other options.
If you're concerned that there is some underlying pathology then talk with the cardio about it...he may be able to run more tests to alleviate your concerns.
I'm sorry you're feeling somewhat isolated and fearful. I hope this post is reassuring and encouraging as it's intended to be.
When I first posted here someone suggested magnesium supplements. Do some research on dosages and go from there. I started a supplement about a week ago and it seems to have decreased the frequency some...
Keep posting here for any needed support. We're happy to offer it. PACs can be alarming and at times very scary. Let us know how you're doing!
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