I have had panic attacks for 14 years now. About 2 years ago I had a terrrible afternoon where I had thumping and skipping in my chest. Dr did EKG, caught the PVCS and just told me not to worry. They went away a few hours later, back to one once in awhile which was normal for me.
Well In June I was hospitalised for Cellulitis in my lower leg, was in for 5 days and took antibiotics for almost 2 months. During that time i was dehydrated and taking potassium pills from the fever.
Many other stresses involved as well during this time.... August 6th i was in bed and they started up out of the blue. I was too freaked out to sleep, so i stayed awake until I couldn't stay awake any longer. I figured the would be gone by morning. I was wrong. I saw my Dr. who listened to my heart with a stethescope and said it sounded normal to him, of course it decided to behave for a few minutes. He didn't think an EKG would catch it. He did bloodwork for thyroid, electrolyte, magnesium, potassium, kidney. Then I pushed for a Holter Moniter because he said two years ago that if they were bothersome he would do one. Bloodwork came back good.
The day I wore the Holter, I tried to do everything I normally would, towards the end of the day a few of the leads sticker things started coming off and I had to tape them down. Found out that the machine affected my telephone. Everytime I used it it died. then about an hour before i was to get it taken off, i got a phone call and it shut the machine off somehow. Sorry to get off track.
That day I had an appointment with my Dr. He hadn't had a chance to look over the paperwork from the holter so he looked while I sat there. He said the leads slipping and the phone wouldn't mess with the results, that he could tell the difference. Is this true?
Also he said my heart beats a little fast, though it was quite a busy day and I was on the go. He said not to worry about that, just to cut out salt, eat healthier and try to lose weight and exercise. I caught a glimpse at the paper and it said I had around 7000 pvcs out of 133,000 beats. It also said they were all isolated. I asked him if that was safe and he said yes, that they were most likely benign and that they were all isolated, no multiples.
For a few days after that they seemed to lessen in severity but it has been since august 6th and i still get them every day. they are ruling my life. When I move around or concentrate hard on something either they go away or i dont notice them, but after eating or laying down to sleep they are awful. They are running my life, and I am only 30. I have a 7 year old that needs me. Can a Family Dr read results from a holter and be able to tell if they are benign? Should they go on for this many days? Some days I dont have many and others a lot! Please help, I have no one to talk to and I didn't think they would last for over 3 weeks. Help!! Thanks
I don't know if this is important but he feels it is all the stress I have been dealing with long term, bottled up seeping out.... not sure if that is relevant... ty for taking the time to read!
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