Ectopics?

[DIB69]

Over the last couple of weeks I've been experiencing what I think are ectopics causing me to feel anxious which then make sit worse. I cough down into my diaphragm which sometimes help. My legs start to feel weak and fatigue sets in. Had a successful ablation 6 years ago but over the last few months there's been a bit of a deterioration. On a good day I can swim and do aquafit but I seem to be having less and less of those 'good days'. Currently taking rivaroxaban and have propananol as a 'pill in the pocket' whenever I feel the heart rate needs some help to regulate. I'm 65 but sometimes this makes me feel ten years older. I also think my emotional state and worry play there part in all this too. I shall see my GP but in the meantime wonder if anyone else experiences similar and has any tips.

[Hidden]

Probably the best thing to do is take a look at Dr Sanjay Gupta’s videos on YouTube. I think there are at least 2 there but make sure you add York when you search as there are 2 Dr S Gupta’s! Generally, ectopics whilst unpleasant, are harmless and deep breathing exercises often help. Also, some find Magnesium Taurate helpful and he has some videos on that as well.....

[DIB69 in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your speedy reply, it really helps to be able to share these horrible experiences with people who know and can offer some reassurance. (A bit of calm in a storm)

[Bob56]

Hi I have "suffered" from ectopics for about 12 years now, after a long history of AFIB. I did help the latter significantly with an ablation 4 years plus ago, but the ectopics have stayed with me stubbornly off and on since then. I did often feel much older than my years, more insecure and less confident, which had a bad effect on my quality of life.

I am not sure you can ever get them completely under control. Unlike AF there is no known medication or procedure which is designed to get rid of them. Lifestyle does play a part I think, and the usually triggers for AF are the same I believe for ectopics, namely caffeine, alcohol, poor diet, lack of exercise etc.

A beta blocker can take the edge off them a bit, and I definitely support the use of magnesium, but I have found the best way of handling ectopics is to learn how to live with them, and lessen their impact.

I can hear you saying "easier said than done" but unlike AF I have always felt that the stress and worry of ectopics was guaranteed to make them worse so learning, or re learning how to relax is essential. I did a mindfulness course ( on a phone app) subscribed to a book on ectopics and deep slow breathing, and over a period of time began to reduce their impact. It's a slow process, and I still have bad days, but they don't rule my life anymore.

Obviously, the fact that ectopics are generally considered benign is a double edged sword. The medical profession don't prioritise treatment for ectopics and, as a result, few ( Dr Gupta aside) know an awful lot about them. On the other hand if they are benign, then the main task for us all is to try and get them under control mentally.

One point you make is that you think what you are feeling is ectopics. It might be worth recording them, or getting a holter test just to make sure. It may also tell you, and the doctor, something more about their frequency and character.

You are very definitely not alone in being badly affected by ectopics, but there is hope I can assure you!

Good luck.

[cbsrbpm]

I have been suffering from ectopics 24/7 every few beats for 2 months now. I had a 24 hour holter which showed these up as ectopics although often feels like AF. They do not seem concerned and stated at the bottom of the letter ‘this is a very reassuring holter’ but not very reassuring when it’s you that has them. So I read this as put up and shut up 🤐. So sorry I have no advice for getting rid of them unfortunately. I do take magnesium taurate daily which I felt helped with my AF, I have had 3 ablations. The only thing I can say for you is that no one is overly concerned so try not to get too stressed about them (look who’s talking 😂). If you find a cure please do let me know🤗

[KMRobbo]

I agree best thing to do with ectopics is to ignore them if you can

To ignore them you have to believe they are ectopics and therefore harmless. i have done this for months at a time since my ablation in Jan 2018.

However the last few weeks have seen a recurrence that I am struggling to ignore as I have the fluttery feeling like afib , but I am doing 71 beats per minute and seem regular apart from missing beats which can be any thing from 3 beats apart to 45 beats apart. Or periods with no missing beats at all. It woke me up last night and so I went downstairs put my hr monitor on and took my BP 3 times. Hr 71 on both devices and no arrhythmia shown on the BP MONITOR. BP 110/80 DESPITE the situation. Went back to bed and sleep and then late this morning they are back and I still have them now at 1700!

Will now go begin to ignore them, and see if they will stop!

[Theoboc]

I have atrial ectopics up to 15000 in 24 hrs. They kept me awake at night as I was aware of every missed beat! I have been prescribed Flecanaide 50 mgs bd. This keeps them under control but I am not keen on taking that medication. My heart beat is 50 _60 bpm so I would not want to take Beta blockers as my heart rate is quite slow. I was told initially by a Heart specialist that I probably had Pulmonary vein cuff arteritis!! He said most ectopics were caused by Pulmonary triggers. Has any one else been told that?? It's extremely difficult to ignore them as they are so frequent and very uncomfortable.