Sigh. PVC’s have me desperate. How to cope?

Posted by mattb4295 @mattb4295, Oct 16, 2022

First off, thank you for reading. I know from reading posts that people have it worse than I do and I offer my utmost respect for those of you who do.

Briefly-

39 yo/m
Reasonably healthy. Non smoker. Stressful job.

So, a few years ago I started to have an occasional (painful) pvc that always got my attention. Once it hit 3-4 a day, I did like everyone else, and sound of the alarm and got the full gamut of testing.

Benign. Low dose Metoprolol.

Ok great.

Fast forward to these last two months, and the amount of PVCs I am having has increased 100 fold. They are all day. I went from a few a month to one a minute.

Panic. Doctor. Here we go again.

Once again, they are telling me that they are unifocal and harmless. These. Don’t. Feel. Harmless.

They absolutely stop me mid sentence every time. Each one is like a jump scare. My stomach drops like a roller coaster and I have a brief adrenaline shot. Like you’re scaring the heck out of me over and over. Just a Deep painful fear each time.

The doctors don’t seem very concerned. They recommended a magnesium supplement, which I am taking religiously.

No caffeine. No smoking. No alcohols.

Nothing.

This has destroyed my quality of live almost overnight. I wake up in anticipation. I go to sleep in fear.

Does it get better? Is this my life now? Even as I type this, I’m having one about every 30 seconds. I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t want to do anything. I’m just petrified.

Wonder if switching from a beta to a calcium channel would work? Is this my life now?

The sad thing is… I “know” it’s supposed to be fine but why doesn’t it feel fine? Every shot of adrenaline warns me that I won’t be around much longer.

Just terrible.

Any input is appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

PVCs can be treated with ablation.

REPLY

Acupuncture! Try acupuncture. I am sorry you are going through such a difficult time. Although I have never experienced pain with mine, I had reached a point of desperation. I am retired and had never had PVC’s until 10 years ago when I went through a period of tremendous stress leading to exhaustion. Three years ago I had an ablation that helped tremendously for a few months until I went through a very stressful period. A year later my doctor scheduled another one. Before and during the 3 months I was waiting, I was almost completely dabilitated by the arrhythmias. I would get weak, and out of breath requiring me to lie down if I was up longer than 20 minutes. My primary doctor suggested acupuncture and I was willing to try anything. It worked! I began having a little relief immediately. Initially, I went every 2 weeks for a session and felt better with each visit. I reached the point that the reduction in my PVC’s enabled me to resume a rather normal life. The month before my ablation I stopped the acupuncture treatment as I knew my EP could resolve only what he detected during the ablation. Interestingly, the PVC’s did not increase. The results of my EKG during the pre-op registered my PVC’s down to 3% from the 18% when my ablation was scheduled! I had the ablation, as neither my acupuncturist nor my EP cardiologist expected the reduction to last. That was January of this year. During the ablation he was able to identify 2 areas for treatment and was able to get one successfully. In my 3 month follow-up we discussed the acupuncture and he was amazed! I continue with acupuncture once a month as it has helped with other health issues I have. I do still have a few PVC’s, but really am not bothered in the least by them.

REPLY
@dld2

Acupuncture! Try acupuncture. I am sorry you are going through such a difficult time. Although I have never experienced pain with mine, I had reached a point of desperation. I am retired and had never had PVC’s until 10 years ago when I went through a period of tremendous stress leading to exhaustion. Three years ago I had an ablation that helped tremendously for a few months until I went through a very stressful period. A year later my doctor scheduled another one. Before and during the 3 months I was waiting, I was almost completely dabilitated by the arrhythmias. I would get weak, and out of breath requiring me to lie down if I was up longer than 20 minutes. My primary doctor suggested acupuncture and I was willing to try anything. It worked! I began having a little relief immediately. Initially, I went every 2 weeks for a session and felt better with each visit. I reached the point that the reduction in my PVC’s enabled me to resume a rather normal life. The month before my ablation I stopped the acupuncture treatment as I knew my EP could resolve only what he detected during the ablation. Interestingly, the PVC’s did not increase. The results of my EKG during the pre-op registered my PVC’s down to 3% from the 18% when my ablation was scheduled! I had the ablation, as neither my acupuncturist nor my EP cardiologist expected the reduction to last. That was January of this year. During the ablation he was able to identify 2 areas for treatment and was able to get one successfully. In my 3 month follow-up we discussed the acupuncture and he was amazed! I continue with acupuncture once a month as it has helped with other health issues I have. I do still have a few PVC’s, but really am not bothered in the least by them.

Jump to this post

I am so encouraged by your story . I just made an appt for acupuncture because I am desperate for relief.

REPLY

How are you doing now Matt ? This was 2 years ago , so I’m praying 🙏 you saw EP Cardiologist and they helped you ? I’ve had so many bad runs of PVC’s and wore halter monitor many times for 14 days in last 35 plus years. Even went to ER many times .
I have an Apple Watch and record if I have any runs . I had two bad episodes of A- Fib like a year ago . I saw EP but my percentage is very low even though like you I feel every one so hard . 10 years ago I found Heart Calm ( google it ), supplement by Vital Biologics . I take 2 ( can take 3) when I start getting them .
That’s the only product they make . Made in USA and 90 capsules for $30 free shipping.
It’s saved me so many trips to ER !
The EP gave me Flecidine to use as pill in pocket approach . I’ve only used 1 in 6 months .
I have 7 very chronic digestive disorders that ruin my life last 10 years . It’s unbelievable how it completely halts your life .
Nothing and no one has been able to help me . I’ve tried it all .
Let us know how you are doing now .
God Bless …

REPLY
@vcernok

I am so encouraged by your story . I just made an appt for acupuncture because I am desperate for relief.

Jump to this post

That’s great! I hope you have the same results that I did and can finally have some relief.

REPLY
@rozy288

How are you doing now Matt ? This was 2 years ago , so I’m praying 🙏 you saw EP Cardiologist and they helped you ? I’ve had so many bad runs of PVC’s and wore halter monitor many times for 14 days in last 35 plus years. Even went to ER many times .
I have an Apple Watch and record if I have any runs . I had two bad episodes of A- Fib like a year ago . I saw EP but my percentage is very low even though like you I feel every one so hard . 10 years ago I found Heart Calm ( google it ), supplement by Vital Biologics . I take 2 ( can take 3) when I start getting them .
That’s the only product they make . Made in USA and 90 capsules for $30 free shipping.
It’s saved me so many trips to ER !
The EP gave me Flecidine to use as pill in pocket approach . I’ve only used 1 in 6 months .
I have 7 very chronic digestive disorders that ruin my life last 10 years . It’s unbelievable how it completely halts your life .
Nothing and no one has been able to help me . I’ve tried it all .
Let us know how you are doing now .
God Bless …

Jump to this post

Regarding your digestive disorders, I used to have them when I was young. The problem was baked potatoes, colas, cheese and ice cream. Bread. Too much meat?

REPLY
@lindy9

Regarding your digestive disorders, I used to have them when I was young. The problem was baked potatoes, colas, cheese and ice cream. Bread. Too much meat?

Jump to this post

I don’t do any of those foods . I barely eat and when I finally can eat , it’s only super healthy dinners we make fresh at home .

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@rozy288

I don’t do any of those foods . I barely eat and when I finally can eat , it’s only super healthy dinners we make fresh at home .

Jump to this post

"I barely eat and when I finally can eat..."
Is it possible you are waiting too long to eat, and then your stomach has a hard time handling even a medium sized dinner? Maybe better to have a couple small meals or healthy snacks at least during the day??? Just a thought.

REPLY
@lindy9

"I barely eat and when I finally can eat..."
Is it possible you are waiting too long to eat, and then your stomach has a hard time handling even a medium sized dinner? Maybe better to have a couple small meals or healthy snacks at least during the day??? Just a thought.

Jump to this post

I try , but it’s hard … there aren’t many foods I can eat . I usually have a banana and a single moz cheese stick for lunch .
A pc of sourdough toast and decaf ginger tea for breakfast. So I’m pretty hungry all rest of day , we eat a healthy dinner at 5:30 pm here . I’ve had a lot of nausea last 8 weeks and even throwing up the little I try to eat .
Now last 9 days intense tooth pain because my dental hygienist did something under my implant crown, called lasso with the floss and hurt me very badly. I’ve been taking Motrin which I never take cause my gut issues for 9 days 2x a day and last night at 2 am !
I see the dentist today about it .
Can’t chew on that side at all .
I’m just a mess here .
Chronic for 10 years.
Very fatigued too .
Thanks for your suggestions. I wish I could eat like a normal human being. ;(

REPLY
@rozy288

I try , but it’s hard … there aren’t many foods I can eat . I usually have a banana and a single moz cheese stick for lunch .
A pc of sourdough toast and decaf ginger tea for breakfast. So I’m pretty hungry all rest of day , we eat a healthy dinner at 5:30 pm here . I’ve had a lot of nausea last 8 weeks and even throwing up the little I try to eat .
Now last 9 days intense tooth pain because my dental hygienist did something under my implant crown, called lasso with the floss and hurt me very badly. I’ve been taking Motrin which I never take cause my gut issues for 9 days 2x a day and last night at 2 am !
I see the dentist today about it .
Can’t chew on that side at all .
I’m just a mess here .
Chronic for 10 years.
Very fatigued too .
Thanks for your suggestions. I wish I could eat like a normal human being. ;(

Jump to this post

Wow! I am so sorry you are having so many battles for so long a time.
I have challenges also, but yours are worse than mine. I pray that God
can give you some relief and the help you need.

REPLY
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