How to come to terms and let go of fear with PVCs?

[mmedina2395]

I am a 25 year old female and have had PVCs since I was in middle school. They were always very few and far between and would only get worse with stressed (like crying) or when I was sick (such as bronchitis). I was always told by my PCP that they were harmless. Unfortunately, they have increased in frequency. I do want to preface this with saying I suffer from SOCD, a more rare form of OCD that focuses on bodily sensations. This makes me very aware of my PVCs and causes anxiety and panic attacks which only worsen the PVCS.

Last year I went through a really rough moving out situation, extremely stressful work environment, multiple panic attacks, and ending a few friendships that I ended up getting an all day run of PVCs. All of a sudden I went from 1 pvc a day to 1 a minute. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and it was miserable. I got an echo, Holter monitor, multiple ecgs, and nothing was found. I was told less than 1% Of my beats are composed of PVCs and PACs. Of course There’s days where I get more than normal due to anxiety and physical stress (lack of sleep). I do have a stress ecg coming up because I have been experiencing shortness of breath and ocasional PVCs on exertion. Ever since last year I have been in a terrible place physically and mentally.

How have you come to terms with the ectopics and allow yourself to surrender to them? Sometimes they just trigger massive panic attacks where I seek medical attention. I just want to be able to not be fearful. I know they’re benign but the sensation and the randomness is so jarring. Sometimes they feel like small skips, sometimes like flutters, other times very hard pronounced thuds. This whole thing has given me terrible anxiety and I developed agoraphobia and haven’t visited my family in over a year out of fear. I barely leave the house and when I do it’s not for longer than a few minutes.

[meadfoot]

I am so sorry to hear your story. It is so hard and I empathise. Because ectopic beats are meant to be benign doctors seem to think we can just get on with dealing with them, the “ they won’t harm you “message in their eyes is the end of it.

Well to be honest I am tired of that, PACs and PVCs are troublesome, they keep us focussed on our hearts and knock us for six. Mine are so harsh they are like a donkey kicking me. The other week I had one so hard I dropped to my knees, not because I was loosing consciousness but because it was like a boxer hitting me centre chest.

Who in their right mind would choose to be scared by them, well none of us would but life isn’t that simple is it. They can be really distressing and make us focus on the very organ, our hearts, which we would much prefer to just jog along with rather than be reminded of every few minutes.

It’s good you are having more tests. Please look on you tube at Dr Sanjay Gupta’s words of wisdom on ectopics it may well help you. Also it’s worth asking for a referral for psychological support. Does your hospital run a cardiac support clinic or a forum, some do and they can be really helpful. We are all here to support you and understand your situation fully. Best wishes, sending you a big virtual hug, you are amongst friends here.

[mmedina2395 in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I completely agree that although its nice to be told its nothing to worry about, the sensations are so uncomfortable and anxiety inducing. I can completely relate to those donkey kick PVCs. You just never know what you're going to get and when sometimes. Is it going to be a donkey kick, or a flutter, or a string of them. I will look to see if those types of programs are offered, but i believe they are not. I am currently on a waitlist to begin therapy to manage my OCD and anxiety. At the moment I have just begun some self instructed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy journaling.

I absolutely love Dr Sanjay Gupta and have found him such a great resource to help me manage some of the anxiety with my PVCS. I also love his segments in the DARE app as well.

I am sending us all love and well wishes.

[kingsnorth]

I’m sorry you are suffering I’m going through the same thing, in 2014 l was diagnosed with ectopic beats a cardiologist said they were mild l was offered beta blockers if l wanted but I decided not to as they were mild. Fast forward they are now very bothersome and like you l can have a thud high up in my chest which can hurt, I’m in the process of having an ECG and seeing a cardiologist I’m really worried if I’m honest and scared to leave the house in case my heart thuds I’m thinking that now l will need a valve replacement. I hope you get some answers, keep us posted x

[mmedina2395 in reply to kingsnorth]

I hope you get some answers as well! It is truly scary because they always feel so different and come on at different moments. Just like you I get so scared to leave my house because of the fear of them. Here’s to all of us healing and finding the courage to move forward.

[kingsnorth in reply to mmedina2395]

Thanks I must say it’s taking over my life l used to go to the gym but don’t know in case l get a thump. Are yours high up in your chest

[mmedina2395 in reply to kingsnorth]

I feel almost all of mine in my chest, sometimes in my throat. Sometimes I get a flutter, or two quick little beats and a tiny thud, or a huge thud in my chest that feels like my heart just sucker punched me from the inside. The ones in the chest feel TERRIBLE

[kingsnorth in reply to mmedina2395]

I suppose it depends on which valve is playing up. I’m 70 and scared of a valve replacement, but l better not overthink. Keep us posted x

[Zemer in reply to mmedina2395]

I always got those ectopic beats and flutters on occasions and went to consultant years ago. He said it was caused by a gap after one beat and the next beat coming in quickly which I felt as a thud. It still happens to me and sometimes a long flutter even after having stent last year. I feel it under my left rib mostly but I know it is my heart doing the skip or flutter. I hate when it happens but when it does I breathe in a few times really quickly to increase oxygen and get it back on normal beat. No pain really but it is very disturbing when it happens. Hope you get some answers. Make sure also you are not dehydrated to keep everything flowing and pumping. Another thing I always felt could cause it was leaky gut, sluggish movement in the Colon and release of toxins so again check any food intolerances and also the consultant at that time told me to cut down on caffeine drinks. Do get checked out though with Cardiology. Heather

[not2worry]

Have you ever tried some of the breathing/relaxation/meditation apps?

I have found several apps that have helped me with anxiety as well as sleep.

A few are Calm, Headspace and Breathe.

Stress is a real trigger for me and I don't have heart disease. My husband has CHF and AF and he finds these relaxation apps helpful as well. You are not alone.

All the Best From Across the Pond