Sorry for the slightly crude title. I'm new here, though have been helped much already by the superb information on this site, but there is something I would like to know about and wondered if anyone could help?
I started getting 'thumps' about 2 years ago when I was working out, but didn't think anything of it at the time. They are more frequent these days but something I almost always get after is the need to burp - lots!
I've not seen this mentioned much before and wondered if i'm the only one? My doctor says they must be ectopic beats and has listened and says things sound fine, but i'm booked in for a 24 hr holter test tomorrow to make sure. I've only ever 'caught' them twice when feeling my pulse and have never felt the 'pause' that a lot of people refer to, nor do I ever feel this pause in my chest (in fact there doesn't seem to be any change in the beats). Sometimes the thumps are very faint and I take no notice, but occasionally they are huge and seem to come in waves, like 3 in a row, though I never feel light-headed or sick, just terrified.
I often feel like my chest is 'full of air' until the burps finish, this often eases them but doesn't necassarily stop them. Sometimes I can go days without one, then get days on end with them, but is it normal that I do not feel the pause and get lots of wind?
I'm guessing it's Vagus nerve stimulation from excess air in the stomach, I guess i'm just looking for reassurance.
I've been affraid to exercise because they feel worse if I do, but I love to and can't live a life without it. Please can someone reassure me? I have to grab my chest when these happen sometimes due to the shock and size of them, how come I don't see others doing this if they are as common as my GP tells me?

Thanks for listening, sorry if it's all been said before

Clare