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????Ectopics????? (Read 16455 times)
angiebaby
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????Ectopics?????
Jan 27th, 2007, 1:05pm
 
Hello, i have read and understood information on ectopics for years.  I have been experiencing them for 11 years but the past year they have got much worse.  This, i presume, is because i have developed PTSD since an operation i encountered two years ago.  So i am now a totally different person, anxious, panicky, over sensitized etc, etc.  
Anyway, today i have had 15 ectopics which is a lot for me and i have been quite relaxed.  On a very scary and stressfull day i have had 25 but that was just a one off!!
Earlier i had just done the dishes from tea time and came to sit back down, still quite relaxed, and the ectopics started again.  I quickly checked my pulse just to 'feel' what was happening and something different happened.  My chest felt like i was having the 'normal' ectopic, skipped beats, but my pulse was different.  It went fast for 4 beats then went back to normal again.  This has really scared me as now i do not know if i have been experiencing just ectopics or something more sinister.  Afterwards my heart was normal again and i had more ectopic beats as ususal.  Could someone please tell me that this is ok.  I have had numerous ECG's all of which have been fine and am waiting for the results of a 48 hour holter monitor that i had on last week.  The cardiologist said that he let me have the holter monitor just for peace of mind and does not think there is anything wrong at all.  There is no history of heart disease and i do not take any medication at all.  I have done nothing different, can not drink any alcohol anymore as my heart rate goes up to 130 which frightens me and i get more ectopics.  Please tell me this is something usual and not to be scared by it.
Thanks, Angiebaby.
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Angiebaby.x
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saab
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #1 - Jan 28th, 2007, 2:27am
 
I can totally sympathise with you, Angie. My ectopics also began after an operation, two and  half years ago. I was quite ill after the op and then when it was discovered I had ectopics I became very health anxious. The first six months I simply was paralysed by anxiety, in a state of panic if I had to go to supermarkets, generally felt detached from eveything/one, afraid to go to sleep because I thought I would die in the night. Although I'm having a bad spell at the moment, I am generally a lot better.  My GP thought I had PTSS too. All I can say is that it is a vicious circle - the more anxious you get, the more ectopics you get. I know that lack of sleep, being hungry, stress, all make me more anxious, ectopics or not. It may be worth you going back to the old forum (http://www.resonancedirect.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=X5;action=messageindex;start=200) and reading RLR's responses to some of the posts. (The old forum had to be abandoned due to porn spam unfortunately, but that link should take you back to the sensible questions).

I think I am right in saying that RLR would say that if the structure of your heart is fine - an ecg would be able to find this out - then the ectopics are being caused by something outside the heart (eg the vagus nerve, stress, indigestion) and are not harmful. However unpleasant the sensation, they are not harming us and will not lead to a heart attack/heart failure.

I too feel like a totally different person to whom I was a few years ago - I have lost confidence, I am more anxious about everything, lost motivation. I would give anything to be like I was before the operation. Reading this site and RLR's advice is very helpful. And Claire Weekes' book 'Self Help for Your Nerves' really helped with the anxiety.

If there was anything seriously amiss with the holter test they would have contacted you directly immediately - the fact that you are still waiting suggests it will be ok. I am getting a bit jealous of you and Rich - you have had all these tests, whereas I've only had ecg's I think. Sometimes my anxiety makes me want to run back to the doctors for another test, but I guess I am just looking for reassurance. Hope you feel better soon.
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cazza
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #2 - Jan 28th, 2007, 3:52am
 
Hi saab
Beleive me dont be jealous i have had ecgs  24 hour tapes echocardiogram and still find it so hard to cope with them i have had them every day for 8 months now   they say they are not sinister and thats it!   But god its so hard to deal with them isnt it....after all its your heart!!!!
take care  carol
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angiebaby
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #3 - Jan 28th, 2007, 4:07am
 
Thanks for the results guys. It is much appreciated.  Yesterday i had such a lot, 26 in total and that is the most i have ever had in all the 11 years that i have had them.  It does scare me and when it flip flops and goes out of synch etc, etc.  I just can't help being scared, maybe i will feel better when i get my results, i just don't know.  These are my main concern at the moment, and the unreality of course.  Thanks again for the reassurance. Angiebaby.x
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Beanie
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #4 - Jan 28th, 2007, 7:34am
 
Try not to focus too much on the number of times you get them. When I had my 24 hr tape I had 1,450 of them.  Basically was feeling each one of them- one a minute about. So you're doing good!!!  The fact that you are counting them keeps you focused on them.  Don't let them take control of you. I always try and think that I am not going to let them win and get to me.  I am stronger then they are. My little pep talk!!  Smiley
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angiebaby
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #5 - Jan 28th, 2007, 8:31am
 
Thankyou for your words of encouragement.  I did not have that many, i don't think anyway, when i had my holter monitor on, will have to wait for results though.  26 was the most for me but by your standards that is good.  I do feel everyone too, and when i am busy and bend down my heart does all sorts of tricks and it feels awful.  I have been counting them purely because i am keeping a diary for the cardiologist, never used to count them.  Will have to get out of that habit after i stop the diary though eh. LOL.  That will be a good one now i've got used to doing it.  Been keeping the diary since April 06, so a habit now i suppose.  Thanks again. Angiebaby.x
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Kathryn
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #6 - Jan 29th, 2007, 4:42am
 
Hi

Try to stop counting after you've finished your diary as this isn't helping just making you more worried, which in turn will cause more.

When I went to hospital once the doctor there told me they only ever count missed beats as an irregular heart beat, when someone has over 20 in a minute and you only had 26 in a day thats just over 1 an hour.

Relax

Kath x
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angiebaby
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #7 - Jan 29th, 2007, 10:40am
 
Thankyou, i know i probably make them worse without even knowing it.  Just really don't like them at all and it does stop me doing things that i want to do which is not good.
Angiebaby.x
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rosekay
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #8 - Feb 16th, 2007, 3:59am
 
Hi everyone  just want to say I've had a great reply from RLR which has really helped me - but I still have to say, I really HATE feeling in the middle of my chest!  I think if you don't have them yourself it's hard to know just how horrible it feels.  But I'm trying to cope, and this site is such a help!
Rose
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angiebaby
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #9 - Feb 24th, 2007, 11:23am
 
Hi all, just after a little reassurance again.  I am dealing with the single ectopic beats and even the flutterings, but the multiple bouts are getting to me.  It feels, in my chest, like my heart is doing the cha cha, flip flops, for a while.  Lasts about as long as five ectopic beats would but non stop.  Not singular flips, joint and hard.  I am hoping other people know what this is and what this feels like.  Please can i have some feed back on these.  They just feel so severe.  I did not check my pulse, so i don't really know what my heart was doing at the time, i only know what it felt like in my chest.  I could also see my chest jumping away, completely out of beat.  I know this probably only lasted for about 20 seconds in reality but felt like longer than that.  I have had this before many times, but people don't mention this type of ectopic, just the single ones or the single ones that happen inbetween normal beats. This was a bunch, with no normal heart beat at all,  just going wild, cha cha ing about on it's own with no synchronisity at all.  I was relaxing in the bath reading my book at the time, so there was no explaination for it either.  Please help.  Thanks, Ang.
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cazza
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #10 - Feb 25th, 2007, 2:06am
 
Hi Angie
All i can say is i have had these ones and they scare the hell out of me! Like you say it feels like they go on forever and that your heart is not going to get back into sync  but it is probanly no more than 30 seconds.  My cardiologist says this is just a run of ectopic beats together and still nothing to worry about!  which i know is so so hard    i also to get them usually when im relaxing  it just doesnt make sense does it?    So your not on your own    take care carol x
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angiebaby
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Re: ????Ectopics?????
Reply #11 - Feb 25th, 2007, 7:38am
 
Thankyou Carol, i know we take things too seriously perhaps.LOL.  Maybe we will be back to normal again one day, we can but hope.  Thanks again.x
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