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

I’ve read the problem can be ablated. Have you looked into an ablation procedure. Google it. Then get in touch with a electrophysiology doctor.

Get an appointment with a electrophysiology physician. Ask about ablation for your condition m.

Hi Matt. I’m
Going through the same exact thing. I was wondering if you found anything that helped you overcome these?

Sounds like you have a great understanding of these horrible rhythm issues. I was wondering what triggered yours? Do you have ischemic issues? Heart attack?
I’m asking because I had an MI last October caused by a vasospasm most likely. No CAD. Since the MI my PVCs have been getting worse. Currently I’m getting about 3k to 5k a day. Not fun. I’m curious to hear more of you story. This is not easy to deal with. I’m 48 and before this ordeal I was in great shape. Now I feel lost.

@kreteman
Glad to share my story and experience with you.
I was always an exerciser. Doing 10Ks, snow skiing, tennis, and was member of a SWAT team. Never had a chest pain, shortness of breath.

Once a year had to have physical stress test for SWAT. Had just got back from skiing in Austria where I came down with a terrible virus. During my stress test it was discovered I had LBBB. So I had catherization of heart but not a sign of any cardiovascular problems at all.

Diagnozed that virus caused scar tissue in heart (called cardimopathy) and that is why got the LBB. Not much done back then as no symptoms at all. As I got older and around 2001 had some more tests after my BP was getting high. Test revealed enlarged heart, heart failure with lowered EF. Again other than BP staying high no symptoms.

I had occasional PVCs but not drastic. But they kept getting worse and worse. My HF required me to leave my career on disability. My cardioloigst then had me on medications but PVCs were getting worse and worse. When my EF got around 30 and PVCs were so high my cardiolgist wanted me to see a EP. At that point which was in 2006 I went to Mayo Jackonville for second opinion. I saw a HF specialist and EP that wanted to change my medications and implant a AICD/Pacemaker. I chose to have Mayo Jacksonville now be my medical provider and treatments.

My PVCs continued to rise and had ablation on RV. Stop that one but the ones on RV but LVs continued. My electrical system in heart was really screw up. Years later I had several episodes of ICD shocks when my heart went into VFIB.

The PVCs were getting really bad. MY EP did not want to do another ablation on LV until we tried medications and fine tuning my ICD/Pacemaker progamming and the way my heart was getting electrial pulsing.

It worked. The ICDs stopped (knocking on wood) and was put on a drug that help heart to stay in rympthm and reduce PVCs. That worked also (knocking on wood again).

I learned along with way that weight can affect both PVCs and PACs. Stress and axniety a contributing factor, EP suggeting takin supplements to help and not taking others, limiting caffiene, and adopting a lifestyle that provided reduction of anxiety and stress along with medical treatments.

I have a great medical team and mental healh psychiatric medications specialist at Mayo. The all worked together and we have worked through the medical and mental issues to the point now that my HF, EP, and PSY medication specialist are saying things are working and for me to keep up my exercising, hobbies, and taking my medciations.

One of the new medications I was put on about 2 years ago was to help reduce PVCs and arrythmias. The only draw back is has to be taken every 8 hours as does not stay in body very long which is good as has a very low toxity level. It has really worked to lower my PVCs from every 3-4 beats to not being able to give number as has gone to rare. My VFIB on my pacemaker history checks now started showing none.

I honestly think that mental outlook has tremendous influence on PVCs and PACs. Stress and anxiety per my HF and EP play a tremendous influences on causes of PVCs and PACs. So by exercising (those that I like and approve by my doctors), my hobbies, have gone a long way to helping me with my my medical isssues along with some great heart medicaions. I also take a anti-depressant that really helped also.

Wow! What an inspiring story. Thanks for that. The mental aspect of all of this is definitely the worst part. I’m seeing a therapist and they are trying very hard to get me right but I’m a hard case. The fear and worry about my future or lack of future is constant. Every PVC is a reminder that there’s something wrong with my heart. I worry constantly about sudden cardiac arrest. I’m currently being treated at the Cleveland Clinic AND the University of Michigan. So between the two I’m hoping I can get in the right path. My 12 year old daughter needs me so bad and I have failed her this past year. Prayers to you

@kreteman
We are among many. It is quite common to feel the way you are. I could have posted so much more but I am not known for my brevity. That is good you are seeing a therapist. Doing things for your mental health are just as important as doing something for physical help.

Have you had any VFIB that caused medical attention? If so, was a AICD discussed? Has any of your cardiologist and or EP mentioned supplements?

If you do research and talk to many cardiologist, they will tell you that PVCs are quite normal and almost everyone has them. The problem comes when to many come which then puts a burden on hard and can lead to arrythmia.

That comes from my EP. Now some have PVCs and don't feel them or so minor to them not an issue. Some of the feelings are a lot stronger for others and does affect them drastically.

My EP states the anxiety and stress of worring can add to more PVCs. I know hard not to worry but I do a lot to minimize my fear and anxiety.

You are going ot Cleveland Clinic. I think I read the most oustanding heart treatment clinic in the nation. You are in good hands. Make sure they know about your fears and anxiety. It is hard for other posters and doctors to say PVCs are going to happen even to healthy hearts. So just work on what you can do to lesson them and a big thing there is mental stress reducers whether that be activities, yoga, deep breathing, etc.

Please talk with your daughter and tell her your fears and that you want to be there for her. I wish my mother had had your attitude of being there for me.

I very much appreciate your response on this. Yes, the CC is considered the top heart hospital in the world. I am blessed to be within driving distance. The U of M is also a superb heart hospital that I’m only 15 minutes from. You’re absolutely right about PVCs not being a huge deal to most Cardiologists. But feeling every thud multiple times a minute isn’t conducive to good quality of life.
I haven’t had any Vfib yet thank God. I do get runs of NSVT at times but not super often. When I had my EP study done they couldn’t induce any Vtach so they didn’t put in an ICD. They did however implant a loop recorder to keep an eye on things. My EF is 55% so that’s another reason why they didn’t implant the ICD. They didn’t mention any supplements although I have tried a few without any luck. Currently on Metoprolol Amlodipene and Eloquis. Which don’t seem to help much with the PVCs either. They do have some rotten side effects though.
I’m sorry to here your mother wasn’t there for you. I don’t ever want my daughter to feel that way. Doing every can.

@kreteman
Asked your cardiologist about using magnesium.

It was recommended to me by my EP. I do take it per their instructions of 400 mg a day. Seems to be a supplement recommended to try by many cardiologists.

I did not see you mention having a EP (Electrophysiologist) whose specific specialty is electrical functions of heart. If you don't have one, I would suggest trying to see one. I would have thought Cleveland Clinic, and your UM would have had you seeing one.

I might have missed you already seeing one so forgive if I missed that.

I appreciate your candor. Am having some of the same challenges. You are fortunate to have access to two outstanding medical facilities working with you and expect you know that. Would like to know how you manage working with two health facilities, if even possible to explain, let alone getting timely initial appointments with one. I am a patient with a reputable health facility but have concerns about the next steps -- not only "the what" but so little explained about test results and the like. I know from talking with other patients, friends, etc. that I am not alone by any means per the experience of some of these places being very territorial. Mayo Connect has been extremely valuable as a result.