![]() ![]() My story – I am 56 years old and have suffered with ectopic beats/palpitations since my mid 20’s. You're obviously having a rough time so don't feel bad about asking for help.I am writing you regarding your facebook post related to all that is not shared is lost.įirst, I would like to thank you for your awareness of heart palpitations and the vagus nerve/stomach. I'm sure that it would be worth discussing this with your own GP and I'm glad that you're keeping in contact. ![]() I know that you've already seen counsellors and cognitive therapists, but perhaps you need to get even more help with anxiety management. However, if – as it seems – all serious causes have been ruled-out, then you need to consider whether you can lower your stress levels. It might just be worth checking with your doctor that you've had a blood test to make sure that your thyroid gland is not over-active, because that too can lead to symptoms like those you describe. It's reassuring that you've had your heart examined by a specialist and that your heart tracing (ECG) looks healthy during an episode. This too can be useful, but can't unfortunately be offered to those who suffer asthma. Sometimes medication known as a beta-blockers (propranolol, atenolol) are used to inhibit the effect on the heart of the body's own natural stimulant (adrenaline). So cutting down on stimulants and taking more physical exercise can really make you feel better. It is worth remembering that artificial stimulants, such as tobacco and caffeine in drinks (tea, coffee and coke), will also make any ectopic heartbeat more frequent. It is possible to find yourself in a bit of a vicious cycle with the ectopic beats adding to your anxiety and causing more palpitations.Īny additional unpleasant stress, such as period problems, is likely to add to your symptoms for the same reason. The difficulty with ectopic beats is that they tend to be more frequent and more noticeable when you're stressed or worried. Everyone, even athletes, get them occasionally. They can be very disconcerting, but they are quite harmless and not indicative of anything seriously wrong with your heart. Since you have already been investigated by a specialist, I would guess that we can be fairly confident that this is the diagnosis.Įctopic heartbeats are really just extra beats that make the heart 'bump' irregularly from time to time. You sound very worried about your 'benign ectopic heartbeats'. Is it possible that these are just nothing to worry about and I just have to learn to live with them? Please answer this question as I am desperate and I just don't know what to do. Yesterday I started Zyban to hopefully stop smoking, but I know that won't stop them as I have stopped before for a couple of years. I have been told that they realise that I am getting them, but they are at a loss how to treat them, as beta-blockers are not that much help. I had a baby at 39 and during my pregnancy I don't recall getting that many palpitations or any that troubled me. I know I must be driving my GP round the bend, but I have never known anything so distressing as these. When I got home an hour later I had started my period – I get the ectopic beats occasionally through the month, but mostly the 10 days before my period. I was told it was fine, although the nurse who did the test said she saw a couple on the monitor. I had a really bad episode yesterday and had to have another ECG. My doctor has recently noticed a possible link between my worst episodes and my monthly period, so he is trying me on oestrogen 1.25mg a day, which does not seem to be helping. I have seen counsellors, cognitive behavioural specialists – I have tried everything. I am 42 and for the last seven years I have suffered with benign ectopic heartbeats.Ī specialist, who gave me a 24-hour machine to wear, has examined me at my hospital. ![]()
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