PVCS and bigeminy

[Bec2610]

Hello, new here. Not sure if I’ve posted on the right thread but I was just looking for anyone going through the same thing. I’ve suffered with PVCS since about 2014, had 2 normal echos in the past, numerous ECG and Holter monitors and blood tests. Everything was normal apart from these PVCS which they said was normal and due to anxiety as I’m an anxious person and when I get one I panic which generally generates more. I was on propranolol for 9 years until last week. I’m currently 20 weeks pregnant and the PVCS are constant with runs of bigeminy, again I went the hospital had 3 ECG and blood tests and everything was normal apart from the PVCS. They don’t seem worried but I’m living in constant fear I don’t want to leave the house because they feel so abnormal it’s constant 😭 I’ve just been changed to bisoprolol so I’m hoping it makes a difference soon. I also take, heart supplements, magnesium, potassium, omega 3, no caffeine, no alcohol and I eat healthy. All my electrolytes were spot on. Am I just really unlucky here? Terrified of having a cardiac arrest.

[AAJJTt]

Hi, welcome. You are definitely in the right place here.

Ectopics!! They can be miserable and with a real effect on QoL.

I cannot comment on how pregnancy may affect them but I imagine it could so. Before my formal PAF diagnosis and treatment, ectopics were the pre cursor to an Afib episode; every time. As such, I was always very wary and conscious of them. I can totally empathise how you feel. With the constant bumps and runs of them, you can wonder if your heart will stop.

Despite my Afib being well controlled with medication, ectopics did trouble me. I suffered badly from ‘ectopic storms’, which went on for weeks, driving me ‘mad’, robbing me of sleep. Anxiety just enforced a negative feedback loop that descended into more ectopics. They were investigated by my cardiologist, the burden was actually not that high and he wasn’t overly concerned but it was affecting my QoL. In his opinion, the anxiety was the catalyst. I turned to a course of cognitive behaviour therapy and for a period, an evening sedative. This worked for me, it broke the cycle and it all settled down.

Admittedly, I was always a bit sceptical about this whole area - talking therapies/mindfulness but it did help; don’t ask me how though 😀 The sessions covered how to spot unhelpful patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours and techniques on how to deal with them.

I still have ectopics, even runs of them but they don’t bother me the same. Using the techniques I learned, i literally give myself a good talking to - Ok, ignore it, breathe in, carry on (or in bed, rollover), my heart is not going to stop. As I mentioned previously , it just breaks the cycle of catastrophic thinking (especially at night ) which descends into anxiety and promotes more ectopics and storms. Yes, there was the sedative for a few months initially but that was a number years ago now and I’m still coping. Coping, is not the right word …. Just getting on with life really.

This time of year is the worst time too and just before Christmas I was feeling more bumps but again, I avoided being anxious and talked myself around within a few days.

It sounds like from your comments you’ve had investigations and physically there is nothing untoward, which is good. I would certainly try to explore some therapies that can help with anxiety.

[Bec2610 in reply to AAJJTt]

Thank you for your reply! You are absolutely right! I definitely do think I need some sort of therapy to break the cycle. I know they are caused by anxiety and it’s just like a vicious circle, the more anxiety the more PVCS and the more PVCS the more anxiety! I’ve been put on duloxetine for my anxiety and given a diazepam low dose for when I’m feeling really bad. Yet to use the diazepam yet as I’m really trying to break the cycle without them. They sure are horrible and annoying! I wish I was one of those people who didn’t feel them but unfortunately I’m so in tune with my body due to anxiety I feel every little thing 😣

[Sixtychick in reply to Bec2610]

I have suffered with anxiety on and off. It’s usually the result of something stressful I’ve been through. I also suffered badly with it, during my menopause. I have tried all sorts of things in the past, like talking therapies etc, but the only thing I’ve found to be helpful to me, was Hypnotherapy. Don’t ask me why it worked, but it did. I suppose we all find different ways of coping with anxiety, you just have to find the right thing for you. I haven’t seen many people on here, mention they’ve had hypnotherapy. You are always in complete control and can stop it at any time , it’s not like you see on TV sometimes, where they hypnotise people make them do silly things. Might be worth trying, if you don’t find anything else to help you. I even managed to go through with a catheter ablation in September, not sure I’d have been able to do that before I’d been through those Hypnotherapy sessions.

[Qualipop in reply to Sixtychick]

Yes I hadthem bad for years. It took a year to de tect wheret hey were ocming from and to be told they were harmless. That did help but didn't stop me worrying. Hypnotherapy was really good. I was taught self h ypnosis to use when they did start and, although it took over 6 months for me to accept them , I eventually did and they gradually reduced and stopped once I could believe they were harmless and stopped getting anxious. I've only had 3 single ones this year. Once you can stop worrying, they do stop happening.

[ETHEL103 in reply to AAJJTt]

Fantastic reply and is absolutely the same for me.

[OzJames]

hi Bec one very important thing I did before starting supplements was to check my bloods and see where everything was sitting. My Magnesium and CoQ10 were both low and Vitd3 just below middle range. Some supplements including Magnesium have side effects one of which is palpitations. Have you checked your levels for these things?

[Bec2610 in reply to OzJames]

Had all my bloods checked, magnesium etc. was all normal range, echo was clear, stress test was fine, holter picked up frequent PVCS around 6 every minute for a couple of hours then they completely stop then come back a few hours later. The worst in the morning. I’ve made an appointment for CBT in January so hoping it helps calm my anxiety so eventually the PVCS will at least calm down. Not sure if being pregnant has anything to do with them but apparently hormones play a big factor. It’s just horrible when I get them nothing makes them stop they stop when they want and start when they want, very annoying but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one and it’s nice being able to get advice from other people, the doctors don’t really explain much apart from there not dangerous then that’s it.

[OzJames in reply to Bec2610]

Ok that’s good you’ve checked, if you haven’t ask for CoQ10 to be checked next time, mine was low. It’s always difficult to know what works for each person. I also increased my vitD3 to 2000iu a day and my ectopics seem to have only become a blip and noticeable maybe a couple of times a week. As someone else said take charge of your breathing this may help. After someone mentioned it here I read a book called Breath by James Nestor it was an eye opener. I feel more in control of my HR as a result, especially in stressful situations

[MummyLuv]

hi Bec, I get ectopic runs, PVCs every so often and suffered with bigeminy post mini maze surgery. Whilst I am aware of the PVCs often deep breathing restores sinus rhythm when they happen. Personally bigeminy was more bothersome as I felt I was going to faint with it and had no way of controlling it apart from to sit down, relax and deep breathe then out. It was triggered by adrenaline for me. I was given metroprolol as a pill in the pocket, it’s short lasting. It’s a while since I had bigeminy so I’ve not used it.

You have my sympathy as bigeminy can stop you in your tracks. Take care lovely

[Bec2610 in reply to MummyLuv]

Hello, thanks for your reply 😊 agree it also makes me feel dizzy and breathless, because it sets my anxiety off it’s hard to come out of it 😣 I have bisoprolol, think it’s very similar to metoprolol, both cardio selective. I take it once in the morning it’s enough the keep my heart rate down but unfortunately I still feel all the PVCS 😣

[MikeThePike]

Hi there, I'm not a doctor but I think that pregnancy and hormones have a lot to do with it. On this forum I have read many experiences of women who say their PVCs started when they were pregnant or after giving birth. I don't why cardiologists won't look into this further because there must be a link. I believe it has a lot to do with the vagus nerve and hormones.

Have you been told which part of your heart they are coming from and your ectopic burden? That's always useful to know. Best wishes.

[Bec2610 in reply to MikeThePike]

Hello, yes I agree, I’ve always had PVCS maybe 10 a day at max. But since becoming pregnant I’ve had them constantly since the second trimester. Not sure they seem to come on for 2-3 hours stop for a while and then start again! It just says on my ECG unifocal premature ventricular contractions, runs of bigeminy, QTC 420ms, sinus tachycardia, heart rate was 97bpm. They never mentioned which part of the heart, not sure of the burden either they didn’t say and they didn’t seem bothered. I think that’s what makes it worse, I feel like it’s so abnormal but the doctor just says it’s normal 😣

[Buffafly]

I agree that bigeminy makes you feel awful. There was a report recently that Omega 3 can cause arrhythmias. Although that only applied to high doses pregnancy affects your body in many ways. I would not take any supplements while pregnant unless prescribed or approved by a doctor. I know you are only 20 weeks pregnant but pregnancy puts physical pressure on your body in places that aren’t used to it so I suggest you be careful how you sit and lie down and eat small frequent meals rather than a couple of large ones and if ‘eating healthy’ involves foods that cause bloating avoid them even if you have to take laxatives instead.

Best wishes 💕

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

PS I just remembered your last comment - when I started having frequent ectopics I also feared a cardiac arrest but I have since learned that there is no connection even though that little ‘brakes slammed on’ feeling is so disturbing 💕

[Bec2610 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you for your reply. I might stop taking that then, I just carried on as I’ve always taken it. Doctor said magnesium, vit D, folic acid, iron and potassium was fine to take in pregnancy so I’ve carried on with that. None of it seems to make a difference really. I don’t drink coffee or alcohol. I’ve tried everything and it just seem like if they want to come they will. Suppose I will just have to live with them and how they go away when baby’s born 😂

[Buffafly in reply to Bec2610]

You won’t have time to notice them 🤣

[Fibby55 in reply to Bec2610]

Hi, I had PVC's when I was pregnant. My Doctor ordered a Holter monitor, he said all was normal. He never ordered labs on me. When my Son was born, I went to my G.P. it turned out I had hyperthyroidism. Maybe your Doctor should check how your Thyroid function levels are if he hasn't already.