Ectopics

[Sandych55]

I am having increased ectopic beats which are really uncomfortable. They have gone from a handful an hour to the same amount in a minute, sometimes more. My cardiologist upped my Tildium from 90mg twice a day to 120mg twice a day which I started yesterday but today I feel worse if anything. Do you know how long an increase would take to have any effect? I have flecainide for a PIP for my AFib. Does it work for ectopics as well? They are really bad today and I feel thoroughly miserable and can't concentrate on anything

[Cavalierrubie]

l find ectopic beats worse than AF. I have recently had a few weeks of them, just out of the blue. Strangely enough they have just stopped, so don’t have a clue as to why. I think this can sometimes happen, that they just stop. The more tense they make you, the worse they seem to get. Deep breathing excercises and trying to relax is key, but difficult when they make you feel so wretched. They are only advantageous in that they can stop an attack of AF. My arrhythmia nurse informed me of that. I don’t know of any medication that stops them, but perhaps someone else will be able to help you on that. They don’t get much attention because they are harmless, but are absolutely horrible for some of us.

[Sandych55 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Yes, I find them worse than AF and at least I know my PIP will stop that normally in a couple of hours. This came out of the blue too so I hope it will stop for me soon. I have tried breathing in a 4,7,8 format but that didnt seem to help. I have just taken a diazepam which I have prescribed for occasional use so hoping that might help. I don't think the medical profession realise how utterly debilitating they are.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Sandych55]

The diazepam should help you relax, but don’t take too many as they are addictive. I have vagal AF., and the stomach and digestion have a lot to answer for. Keep to small meals. Make sure your electrolytes are in sync. as this can cause problems and keep hydrated. They are truly miserable.

[Sandych55 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Yes I am very cautious with them but have them because mine is vagal and stress. I probably take one on average every couple of weeks and they are only 2mg.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Sandych55]

Take care and hope they go away soon. X

[Alphakiwi in reply to Cavalierrubie]

They are not harmless to me, in fact they give me headaches and memory loss and i get quite distressfull and annoyed that docs consider them harmless. Ive had a a very good memory and brain that is quickly going down hill. Im down for av node ablation which i am hoping will stop the thumps and headaches etc.

[Duckey in reply to Alphakiwi]

My doctor wants to do save node ablation. Does a pacemaker take over your heart after a av ablation.???

[Karendeena in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Can you tell me what ectopics feel like please? I am unsure if I get them or not! I had an ablation in March and as far as I am aware no episodes since. I had a holter monitor on in August and the report said there were occasional premature atrial beats which I didn't feel, are these ectopics?

[doneblowedup]

Taurine has severely reduced my pacs and pvc - see here

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/167...

and my daily mix/amounts is on reddit/afib

reddit.com/r/AFIB/comments/...

[Sandych55 in reply to doneblowedup]

I have been taking them but my blood test on Tuesday showed I was at maximum for magnesium and should stop taking them!

[doneblowedup in reply to Sandych55]

Taurine limits pacs and pvc's

see article

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/167...

[Cavalierrubie in reply to doneblowedup]

I think this is ok for some, but for me on Warfarin it would interact with the medication. I think you need to check with GP or Pharmacist before taking supplements. It was an interesting read though. Thanks.

[doneblowedup in reply to Cavalierrubie]

If I'm not in afib for coming up on a full year, then I don't have to worry about blood thinners as much. Please see my post on Reddit/AFIB

reddit.com/r/AFIB/comments/...

[Alphakiwi in reply to doneblowedup]

The wise thing to do is keep taking them, then you are covered against that stroke causing clot that is lurking around the corner, eh.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to doneblowedup]

I never had AF for 18 months until it came back. I still took an anticoagulant because you can have AF in your sleep. It can rear its ugly head anytime.

[kliving]

Mine get to the point that they happen every beat. My EP finally switched me to propafenone which is a lot like flecainide in what it does. It works for me. If you have taken it before with no adverse effects, I would give it a try. Keep in mind, I am not a doctor and only speaking from experience. I would also ask/inform your doctor that you want to give it a try. You are correct that most doctors don't realize the effects of ectopic beats, or that they can be just as bad if not worse than AFIB.

[sdweller]

I was on Flec after my ablation 5 years ago… cut the dose down over time. Haven’t had Afib since. Now for me the Flecainide works wonderfully for ectopics… I’m on the lowest dose possible, 50mg twice daily… and while I could probably go off completely, staying on this dose keeps the ectopics away, my electrophysiologist says no problem stay on the low dose since it is more comfortable. So might want to ask your EP about this.

[JezzaJezza]

Hi Sandy sorry to hear this and I agree that personally I find the ectopics horrible. This is what works very well for me:

Bisoprolol 2.5mg once per day

Meditative breathing

Use of the Calm app - available on Apple and Google

Avoid large meals and eating too quickly

Try to avoid stress. I deliberately stepped it back at work - you have to be selfish

Exercise - I use steady state power walking over a distance of 9km. Feels good to raise the HR and any ectopics seem to stop

Hydration - drink a minimum of 2 litres of water a day

Cut out ALL forms of caffeine

Cut out all alcohol - I now drink 0-0 versions

I know the above sounds strict and disciplined but for me it has been extremely effective at minimising ectopics.

Best wishes

Jezza

[kkatz]

See how you go with the increase but stopping Diltiazem stopped my ectopics which got worse 12 months after ablation.

[Sandych55]

All who say talk to your EP - I don't think we have one in Derby. I doneven have a consultant- only the one I paid to see who is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist.

[Crumbling]

hi Sandych55 I really do sympathise as I too have gone into permanent ectopics at the moment, they are very troubling aren’t they. I’ve no idea why this has happened, I spoke to my doctor on Friday and she said to up my Bisoprolol from 1.25 to 2.50. I’ll try it for a week and see if they’re any better. It’s the most horrible feeling and I’m not looking forward to Christmas feeling like this. I hope you find a solution.

[Sandych55 in reply to Crumbling]

I had an afib episode brought on by stress, four days before but sorted with flecainide and I though I was fine again. Not sure if it's related. I hope the extra Bisoprolol works for you x

[Ppiman]

I was given 50mg flecainide for both ectopics and AF. Actually, I haven't started it yet, fearing side effects! For regular ectopics, I was told to take it daily not as PIP.

I sympathise over the ectopics and, all I can say, is that eventually you do get used to the increased frequency even if they are wearing and worrying.

I attach a recent trace of mine. Do you get more even than this?

Steve

Contec PM20 ECG showing multiple ectopic beats

[Visigoth]

I too found ectopics worse than AF - I don’t think I’ve ever felt so bad as the months when I had them constantly. Fortunately, for me, amiodarone has put a stop to them as well as the AF, although of course this is not a drug that suits everyone and can cause serious ill effects in some.

[Qualipop]

If they've been investigated as yours must have been if you also have AF, ectopics are harmless but are very strongly affected by stress and anxiety. The more you worry the more you get. I had them really bad for several years but after they were finally seen and I was told they were harmless I slowly stopped worrying and the ectopics reduced them stopped. Haven't had any now for over 6 years.

[Bunkular]

I know exactly how you feel Sandy. I've been having pounding ectopics for over 15 years which go from 10 X a day to 2 episodes a year where they are every 5 seconds that last for 6 weeks. After I had spasms that brought me to emerge I was given perindopril and metoprolol which has kept my ectopics down in severity and number. Whether it's the beta blocker or BP meds that are keeping the horrific arrhythmias under control I can't say but I am sticking with them.

[Jetcat]

hi sandy, yes they are horrible. I’m on my second day with them so far!! They definitely affect me more than my Afib does too, they start playing with my mind after a few days and I feel every single one unfortunately. I’v had them since my late teens on and off so around 40 years. I had a lot this morning but as soon as I had a bite to eat at 10.30 mackerel sandwich with onions and tomatoes they have really decreased so I don’t know wether it’s anything to do eating or not.??