The Ectopics won the day

[edwardthebear]

Hello everyone

Feel really down this morning. I spent three hours last night at Accident and emergency after experiencing the worst bout of ectopic heartbeats I have had in my life. I know I have had them many times before but this particular episode went on for hours and made me feel physically weak.

During my time there I had two ECG's and spent some time on a heart monitor. The Doctor was quite dismissive saying they are ONLY ectopics and referred me back to my own GP. Sadly some people who have never experienced these things themselves don't seem to appreciate how frightening they really are.
I have had to phone in sick to work this morning as the ectopics are still going on as I type this. Now I am starting to worry about losing my job because as much as I know I shouldn't I am beginning to obsess about them to the extent that I can't concentrate on anything else.
I really hate these things :( and feel angry with myself for letting them get the upper hand.

[rosebud]

Hi

Ican really sympathise with you. I have the same problem with these horrid heartbeats, have done for nearly a year.
I have let them take over my life. I worry about them coming on constantly which i am sure brings them on !!! Its a viscious circle. I am having them at the moment. Been going on for the last 2 hours. They do scare me no matter how hard i try not to let them. I keep telling myself they probably feel worse than they actually are. I think the key is not to be afraid of them but i haven't managed to do that yet. They are the scariest thing that has ever happened to me, just wish they would go away and let me get on with my life. Sorry i haven't been much help but i do know how you feel and what your going through.
Take care
Traceyxxx

[cazza]

Hi Edward
I know exactly how you are feeling I have had ectopic beats every day now for 9 months they are the most frightening thing ever! I like you also went to emergency when they got so bad but like you say the doctors just dismiss them. I have had all the tests lately and they are all fine just i am having missed beats all the time and thats it!!
I had to give my job up because of these it has been a struggle financially but now months down the line i think it has helped ina way because i have not got that added stress. The key to all this is anxiety the more we worry about these the more they will come i am just gradually now becoming able to just ignore them and carry on but beleive me its taken a very long time and im not out of the woods yet!
My advice is keep talking to people about them really tell yourself they will not kill you or damage your heart and try your best to ignore them
take care carol

[Stu M]

Hi Edward,

Sorry to hear you had a bad night. I understand what your going through, Ive been there before, even had ambulances outside my house on a really bad night [:I]

I think your right about doctors sometimes being dismissive about ectopic beats, but I beleive its because they really do think they are nothing to worry about, rather than just bad manners. Although I know thinking this doesnt make them feel any better to the patient at the time [V]

I think you should not be so down on yourself for having a bad time last night, I used to get so angry with myself for letting them get to me AGAIN!!! but I have come to realise, that anger just fuels the anxiety even more. Also obsessing will make your anxiety levels rise through the roof, which in turn makes the ectopics worse.

Dont get me wrong I have been having these for some time now, but I have recently begun to realise, they cant hurt you, and you need to try and accept them and move on rather than battle them and get angry. So try and float through them, your heart will still be beating through it all.

Easier said than done, I know, but we are all here to help if need be.

Hope today is a better day for you.

Stu

[edwardthebear]

Thank you rosebud, cazza and stu for you kind comments. This site really has been a godsend. Just to know that others have had exactly the same kind of experiences is comforting in itself. I really wouldn't wish ectopics upon my worst enemy, so it saddening that so many of the great bunch of people who come on here have to endure such misery.

[Stu M]

Anytime Edward,

I hope things have been easier for you today.

I have been told by too many people too many times thats its anxiety and for me not to take any notice.

But as you say just knowing your not alone in this can help loads :D

PM me anytime if you need to talk more, otherwise try and keep smiling and ignore them as best you can.

Stu

[lin]

Hi Edward

Sorry to hear your having as bad time with ectopics. I've had them for 6yrs now when i first got them i too was in A&E with them and was told the same thing.

I still have them i'm having them a lot at the moment i don't think they will ever go away you have to learn to live with them the best way you can. Some people manage to geet rid of them altogether but i haven't been that lucky. Are you stressed at all as that can cause them?

Hope you feel better soon

linda x

[kittykat]

Hi edward,

Etopics are really scarey, i've had them on and off for years and when I do get them I stress even more, which as you'll know makes it worse. Honestly though an ECG would show up anything unusual, if they were as serious as we thought i can guarantee you i wouldn't be sitting here typing this!!
I think its just one of the many symtoms tht we get with having anxiety , it seems to go hand in hand.
Try not to worry too much (easier said than done) they will settle down, watch your diet not too much alcohol or caffeine as ive found tht this can make mine worse. I really hope you start to feel better soon and they settle down.

Take care

shirley xx

[debbsi]

Hi

I too have been at A&E only to be told that they cant find anything wrong with me, I'm currently waiting to get my results from the cardiologist, but I'm really not worried (which is unheard of for me) as he said he didnt expect to find anything other than ectopics which are perfectly normal. I hear what your saying though they are really unpleasant and frightening but I have found that they affect me more when I worry and think about them.
Someone on this site did me a huge favour by recommending another discussion forum that specialises in palpitations, check it out, its full of easy to understand excellent explanations of what ectopics are and why we get them:
http://rlr.qersys.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl

Take care,

[Jaco45er]

Hi Edward

Yip mate they suck bigtime, I hate the little beggars myself. I tell you what I found makes them go away, a brisk walk or light exercise. I found too many coffee's sets them off (or a bad anxiety day).

I think I read on here, coughing might counteract them too.

But be rest assured, Ectopic beats are very common, even athletes get them.
If you are really stressed over them, have a chat to your GP. I know certain therapy's can help you come to terms with them, and if they are really troublesome (troublesome as in you are stressing over them, they are not troublesome to your health), then I believe maybe beta-blockers can help but I really would discuss with a GP with regards to any medication.

Good Luck mate

[joolee]

hi edward i have been having a very bad night with ectopics i have not had them for about 2 weeks and tonight they have came on really bad making me freak out about them again its soooo annoying just when i thought that i was getting rid of them i had to come on here to reassure myself that i will be ok i have been very moody at my hubby and oldest daughter tonight because of these and its so not fair on them or ME. Hope you are feeling better hope iam too soon as these buggers are so frightening eh take care love julie xx

[beadbabe]

I so sympathise. Ectopic heartbeat is ruling and ruining my life at the moment. they have been getting worse and worse over the last few months and now I have them constantly. In fact I have about four - six in a minute, in runs together. They are worse in the mornings and at night so I hardly get to sleep any more. I can't believe they are nothing even though everyone I have seen about them so far says not to worry.

I am waiting for lots of tests because I am also having episodes of tachycardia which comes on out of the blue. I wish they would go away because I have two little boys to look after and they need me so much

[Rachey poos]

Hi Edward I too have the same..had them 13 yrs ago and since may ive had them again.... i get them in runs of one every other beat at times for about 20 mins (basically an irregular heart beat)..... some times just the odd one.... i find the best cure is TRY to reduce stres in ur life...except them....and do as much relaxin as u can...no caffine...plenty of veg...magnisium tablets are fab for them....water....natural remedies! all this is helping mine xxx good luck xxxx