PVC nightmare

I truly hear you! I also don't know what to tell you except that you have my empathy. I was diagnosed with A-fib about 15 months ago. I had a cardioversion after one month on Eliquis. I was placed on meds, they worked fine for a few months, then three episodes of A-fib (a few hours duration with each one) and I asked for an ablation. P.S. I left out a dozen lifestyle changes that sort of work, but age is the one I can't change. I tried an anti-arrhythymic for a few days and decided an ablation was the answer for me. I waited for several weeks to finish tests, get scheduled and then had the ablation on Nov. 24 of last year. Three weeks of heaven, then I started having "skipped beats" and when I went in for 6 week follow-up was told that I now have premature supraventricular complex--a different kind of arrhythymia! No A-fib so far, but just another version of annoying heart rhythm that "isn't going to kill me!" I had to ask to get my blood pressure medication restarted since it was discontinued after the ablation. I have had to seek my own information about this condition because the APRN who saw me said (and I quote) "well, we have to wait for 3 months before we can call the ablation a failure!" Needless to say, I am truly bummed, angry and pretty much fed up with this condition, as I can see that you are! I have to say that, like you, I don't have shortness of breath, weakness or severe discomfort, but after a big $100,000 procedure, one could hope for a little more "success" and a whole lot more consideration from the EP team. I have made up my mind that I will see my regular cardiologist to adjust my meds, hopefully give me some more info on the condition and then insist that I see the real EP for the final checkup--not an APRN. If I were you, I guess I would be on the phone either getting the cardiologist to help you ASAP or else find a new one! I'm a nurse and I can tell you, unless you advocate for yourself and forcefully, you won't get any attention! I do hope you can find something that will alieviate the sensations; mine are usually worse at night too! When all else fails, I take two extra strength Tylenol and usually it will block out the discomfort so at least I can get 2 to 4 hours of decent sleep. Good luck and keep searching for answers!

I truly hear you! I also don't know what to tell you except that you have my empathy. I was diagnosed with A-fib about 15 months ago. I had a cardioversion after one month on Eliquis. I was placed on meds, they worked fine for a few months, then three episodes of A-fib (a few hours duration with each one) and I asked for an ablation. P.S. I left out a dozen lifestyle changes that sort of work, but age is the one I can't change. I tried an anti-arrhythymic for a few days and decided an ablation was the answer for me. I waited for several weeks to finish tests, get scheduled and then had the ablation on Nov. 24 of last year. Three weeks of heaven, then I started having "skipped beats" and when I went in for 6 week follow-up was told that I now have premature supraventricular complex--a different kind of arrhythymia! No A-fib so far, but just another version of annoying heart rhythm that "isn't going to kill me!" I had to ask to get my blood pressure medication restarted since it was discontinued after the ablation. I have had to seek my own information about this condition because the APRN who saw me said (and I quote) "well, we have to wait for 3 months before we can call the ablation a failure!" Needless to say, I am truly bummed, angry and pretty much fed up with this condition, as I can see that you are! I have to say that, like you, I don't have shortness of breath, weakness or severe discomfort, but after a big $100,000 procedure, one could hope for a little more "success" and a whole lot more consideration from the EP team. I have made up my mind that I will see my regular cardiologist to adjust my meds, hopefully give me some more info on the condition and then insist that I see the real EP for the final checkup--not an APRN. If I were you, I guess I would be on the phone either getting the cardiologist to help you ASAP or else find a new one! I'm a nurse and I can tell you, unless you advocate for yourself and forcefully, you won't get any attention! I do hope you can find something that will alieviate the sensations; mine are usually worse at night too! When all else fails, I take two extra strength Tylenol and usually it will block out the discomfort so at least I can get 2 to 4 hours of decent sleep. Good luck and keep searching for answers!

@sjm46 I sympathize with you because it’s terrible. I’ve been dealing with PVCs my whole life, but they’ve progressively gotten worse and I’m on medication for it. I have an electrophysiologist a cardiologist psychiatrist a psychologist a therapist a PCP I’ve had all of the test plus I demanded a cardiac MRI a couple of years ago because my panic disorder would not let me let it go and of course everything was perfect and they laughed at me for wanting it done, but my mind doesn’t stop thinking the worst once they start up and I’m trying to be a Mom and work two jobs and it’s just you would think by this time with all of the breakthroughs in the medical world that we would have some kind of answer for these arrhythmias and PVCs, besides telling somebody they are benign. you’re fine. You. have to learn to live with them“

Is 7PM before, during, or after dinner?
There can be relationships between eating and arrhythmias, probably more related to vagus nerve activity, and more.
Are you active or resting when they occur?
Whichever you're doing - try the other!

@kpryor1982 I so agree with you! It just "eats" at you after awhile. You do all the right things--lifestyle changes that they "accuse" you of having to "explain" why you are the one with these arrhythymias: high blood pressure (treated and controlled), caffeine (one lousy cup of 1/2 caf every morning!), no alcohol ever!, no sleep apnea, lost 12 pounds and I wasn't overweight to begin with!, no salty/processed foods (we live on veggies and I never eat red meat--oh excuse me, a lousy hamburger once in a while--oh and Cheetos occasionally LOL), never smoked, no heart disease, WHAT? Oh, I am old! I can't fix that! So I send you my deepest empathy. I agree with you! It drives me nuts. I think you have made me feel better than any of the docs! 🙂 We just have to hang in there I guess. We "live with it" until we don't!

@carbcounter it just picks up so much at or around 7pm. I’m not eating much due to being on glp1. Which yes I believe is contributing. But my EP says the PVCs are benign and suggests I continue on with the weight loss as that is more debilitating further down the road. I don’t know what to do. I don’t usually have them while exercising but lately it’s hit or miss. Definitely notice them more at night due to quiet and not go go go like during the day.

@sjm46 I sympathize with you because it’s terrible. I’ve been dealing with PVCs my whole life, but they’ve progressively gotten worse and I’m on medication for it. I have an electrophysiologist a cardiologist psychiatrist a psychologist a therapist a PCP I’ve had all of the test plus I demanded a cardiac MRI a couple of years ago because my panic disorder would not let me let it go and of course everything was perfect and they laughed at me for wanting it done, but my mind doesn’t stop thinking the worst once they start up and I’m trying to be a Mom and work two jobs and it’s just you would think by this time with all of the breakthroughs in the medical world that we would have some kind of answer for these arrhythmias and PVCs, besides telling somebody they are benign. you’re fine. You. have to learn to live with them“