PVC's, PAC's and Chest Pain Getting the Best of Me, mentally - Heart Disorders Message Board

zosolizard · 10-08-2007, 11:28 AM

I've had almost every test available with the exception of the traditional angiogram (I've had nuclear stress, echo, CT Angio, holter, chest CT, head MRI, Tilt Table...).

I am a 41 year old female - no known health problems based upon checkups; healthy weight; former smoker; mild exerciser; healthy cholesterol levels; optimal blood pressure.

I'm having "benign" PVC's, PAC's, and chest pain. I use the word benign loosely, because after 2.5 years of daily symptoms - I'm starting to lose it. These are not benign to my mental health, for sure.

Not a day goes by that I don't have the very forceful PVC's (the PAC's are not such a big deal in comparison).. as well as various chest pains.

It is so disconcerting, I can't take it anymore! I feel as though I am dying at times throughout the day... literally.

At times (1x per week or so) I've resorted to drinking quite a bit of alcohol because being drunk is the only time I don't feel it & I just want a break

I've tried abstaining from alcohol, sugar, preservatives, meditating, no caffeine, beta blockers, extra magnesium, calcium, water - I've tried everything I've heard folks here mention... nothing has helped.

I know this subject has been on this board many, many times. I just am starting to become very depressed because of this. It is now affecting my ability to work, socialize, and live a normal life.

I'm wondering if I just now need to turn to a psychiatrist & antidepressants, which I am kind of against in this situation - but geeez, this really sucks.

I have to stoically go through each day with people not knowing how I am feeling, because I "look fine!"

(A couple of things that I notice bring on even more palps - Taking a chewable Fiber tablet containing Inulin and other ingredients; swimming; going from standing to laying down in a rapid fashion. Otherwise, they are super random.)

I will seriously listen to and take suggestions from anyone here. Thank you so much for your help, or just for listening. Julie

tomah · 10-09-2007, 07:45 AM

I wish I could help you. I have been having those things for 20 years! I've had all the tests, too - but they did find that I have 100% blocked RCA - but my heart made new vessels to go around it. I know exactly how you feel! If I wake up in the morning and get a couple - I know my whole day is going to be shot. I just saw my cardiologist again on Wed - and he assures me they aren't dangerous --- well, they may not be dangerous - but they certainly can affect the quality of your life. You might want to talk to your dr. about taking a small dose of xanax or klonopin (although they don't like to prescribe them because they can be addicting). I don't drink alcholol - seems like that made them worse. If someone could come up with a cure for these -- they could make a fortune. Please hang in there - I know it's hard.

zosolizard · 10-09-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomah

I wish I could help you. I have been having those things for 20 years! I've had all the tests, too - but they did find that I have 100% blocked RCA - but my heart made new vessels to go around it. I know exactly how you feel! If I wake up in the morning and get a couple - I know my whole day is going to be shot. I just saw my cardiologist again on Wed - and he assures me they aren't dangerous --- well, they may not be dangerous - but they certainly can affect the quality of your life. You might want to talk to your dr. about taking a small dose of xanax or klonopin (although they don't like to prescribe them because they can be addicting). I don't drink alcholol - seems like that made them worse. If someone could come up with a cure for these -- they could make a fortune. Please hang in there - I know it's hard.

Hi tomah,
Thanks for taking the time to read & write back to me. Yeah - it stinks, and no matter how many times I am told they are not dangerous, it FEELS dangerous as heck!

Last night I was reading "More" magazine, and there was a study done on 14,000 postmenopausal women (I'm pre, though) & it said that mild abnormalities such as a premature heartbeat were signs of future trouble! This study was completed just this year - I probably am not allowed to provide any links or anything, but the doctor who did the study is Pablo Denes.

I made an appt with my cardiologist for my annual check up, and I'll be sure to bring this article with me.

I was given Xanax when these things first started - and yep, I became physically dependent on it very quickly. They said to take it any time the palps were very bad. Well, that is every day!! I finally stopped taking it - it was a terrible withdrawal, even though I tapered off pretty slowly - so I have to stay away from that stuff.

Again, thanks for just being here & I hope you are feeling better too.
Take care!

linda1962 · 10-09-2007, 04:13 PM

Gosh! I know all to well how you're feeling. The ONLY thing I could ever associate mine with (and I've only had them for the last year and a half - I'm 45) is my menstrual cycle and stress. After making my Cardiologist swear I wouldn't die from them he put me on Toporal XL which has helped, or at least I think so. Last month I switched to the generic version of the Toporal and my PVC's started all over again. The Pharmacist said I must be sensitive to it and put me back on the Toporal which after 3 days my PVC's have stopped again. I think the Toporal keeps them at bay but I still have a few here and there depending on my stress level and monthly cycle. I'm always afraid to go to sleep when they occur - and they almost always seem to occur more at night than in the day.......hmmmm. Anyway, I'm assuming the Toporal is what helps otherwise, like you, I've tried everything else and still seem to get them.

tomah · 10-10-2007, 06:18 AM

Linda - I posted about generic Toprol. There are A LOT of people that say it doesn't work. I was on it for a week, and my heart rate was up in the 80/90 range (usually 55 - 60). I am now taking atenolol - and am going to ask my dr. to provide a rx for "dispense as written" so I can go back on the Toprol XL.