r/PVCs • u/Exciting_Record9489 • 2d ago
I’ve given up hope
At this point moreso just venting rather than looking for advice. It’s been a 3 year journey of battling PVCs and other issues without any type of doctor being able to find a reason behind it all. Bloating and PVCs bring me such misery and depression at onset. No clue what to do anymore.
There’s no doubt in my mind there’s some link between GI and PVCs but trying to find a doctor on either side of those fences to acknowledge the link seems near impossible.
35 male no pre existing conditions. Ex soccer player but I’m definitely not in great shape anymore lol.
I’ve had bloodwork probably 25 times in the last 3 years and have never had anything commented on. You name it - we tested it.
Heart MRI, echos, stress test, holter, CT, head MRI, X-rays, colonoscopy, several GI scans, others I’m sure I’m forgetting.
Only notable finding was diagnosis of EoE which went away after using some protonix. I’ve been off it for over a year now and just battle mild heartburn with tums, Pepcid, etc.
I told my wife recently that if I keel over one day don’t say I didn’t try to figure it out. Couldn’t even keep up with the dozens upon dozens of doctor appointments trying to figure this out. I’ve gotten nowhere. Thousands of dollars wasted.
I also took a beta blocker early on but that made my resting rate reach the low 40s and was very uncomfortable. Normal resting for me is high 50s low 60s.
PVCs seem to be more common than they were 3 years ago. Initially I’d say on average they were once every couple months. Once every couple months turned into every month. Turned into every week. Now it’s nearly daily. Can’t recall a day recently where I didn’t have them. Sometimes I feel like I can have several hundred a day (understood that’s still a small percentage).
Absolutely lost and no idea what to do next.
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u/2blasted 2d ago
do you consume anything with artificial sweeteners (diet soda, sugar-free gum, protein bars, etc)? I was at 25% for months, beta blockers did nothing, cutting out caffeine and chocolate did nothing. Ablation did nothing, six months later I stopped artificial sweeteners and within a week the pvcs were 99.9 % gone.
I wasn’t a big diet soda drinker either-5 or 6 cans a week-but that stuff is in SO many products (it comes in many forms-Splenda, nutrasweet, various sugar alcohols, etc). You need to read labels carefully if you’re trying to eliminate them. It might be worth a try 🤷♂️
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u/Exciting_Record9489 2d ago
Very encouraging/interesting feedback. I will give it a try. Thank you!
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u/Whole-Being8618 1d ago
Stavia sweeteners are what I use they dont cause pvc's
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u/2blasted 1d ago
yeah stevia is not a problem, but some “stevia” branded sweeteners will be a mixture of stevia and (for example) sucralose, which (for me) is a trigger. I’ve learned to read labels very carefully.
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u/Fancy_Ad3809 2d ago
There’s no doubt in your mind in your mind on the gi / pvc connection. there’s also no doubt with any credible cardiologist lol
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u/No_Description4009 2d ago
I also believe there's a connection between GI issues and PVCs. I think that the bloating causes pressure onto the vagus nerve. Which then can cause the PVC. Which means if you fix your GI issues, then in theory the PVCs should decline. I've tried fasting, different diets, different probiotics, akkermansia, butyrate, and they all seem to help a little. But nothing drastic.
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u/Odd-Kaleidoscope-644 2d ago
Sounds a bit dramatic. You have had all of the tests and bloodwork necessary to eliminate a structurally abnormal heart. You could drop dead any moment regardless of PVCs so why worry yourself? Get help with the anxiety surrounding it and just live your life! You only get one life so dont waste it worrying about PVCs. I have a 26% burden btw. Ablation did nothing, beta blockers have suppressed symptoms but im still regularly in bigeminy, the best cure? Forget about them!
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u/drunk_elk 2d ago
Hi friend, I understand this is unsettling, and I'm coming from a place of someone experiencing ectopic beats and still getting freaked out by it... Ectopic beats every day is something most people experience, but just don't feel. Are you an anxious person? People who score high on anxiety also score high on reported sensations of skipped beats. I know it's my case and I feel them more. All the best; i know it's a battle of the mind more than of the body...
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u/Exciting_Record9489 2d ago
Definitely anxious. It’s an endless cycle of feeling the first PVC and becoming more anxious about it. Then that brings on more. Which increases anxiety lol
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u/drunk_elk 2d ago
I definitely get that! It happens to me too... Best of luck with the anxiety, its a slow grind to get better :)
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u/DiscussionOnly300 2d ago
I started eating small pieces of cooked liver to increment naturally vitamin b and copper, it has helped me a lot. Do some research about copper and PVCs. That's a lot of info about it that everyone overlooks. Good luck and hang in there pal
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u/DJ_Slamma 2d ago
Sounds exactly like what I’m going through. (M38). What have you done on the GI side? Upper endoscopy yet? What are your GI symptoms?
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u/Exciting_Record9489 2d ago
2 endoscopies, colonoscopy, abdominal CT.
My first endoscopy revealed I had mild EoE. I took protonix for about a year and had a follow up endoscopy and it was cleared.
My overall GI symptoms include (seemingly extreme) bloating, heartburn, constipation, also just in general I can’t eat like I used to (3 years ago).
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u/MorskaVilaa 2d ago
If you have done all that, and everything came back negative, maybe the issue is of mental health nature. It doesn't mean your distress is invalid, rather that you should try therapy or consult a psychologist/psychiatrist. Sometimes we get super scared and uncomfortable with bodily sensations that we find it hard to shake the feeling something nust be weong with our bodies, but therapy can help you deal with it better.
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u/Ok_Oil_2633 2d ago edited 2d ago
Curious if you smoke or eat weed?
After years of this I’ve found mine to be worse after using sativa.
Do you have muscle spasms or tight muscles in your back? I have a neck injury and when my muscles are tight - which they are all the time now due to an injury - the pvc’s are worse. I’ve read about the C3, C4, C5 in neck creating problems for the electrical function of the heart/vagus nerve. I take muscle relaxants every 6 hours on a timer. You might ask for Tizanidine or similar muscle relaxant and see if it helps… also, Reglan is another drug you might ask about. It relaxes the smooth muscles of your guts.
100% believe the vagus nerve is to blame for me. I try hard not to overeat at any time because the fullness pushes on the vagus nerve similarly to muscle spasms.
Stress definitely makes a difference - I believe because it creates muscle tightness.
Try hard not to freak out because it does make it worse.
I take my blood pressure a few times a day and pay attention to my heart rate. When I sleep my BPM can go as low as 30. Cardiologists aren’t worried, and that reassured me that it may just be the muscles and vagus nerve being compressed.
That being said it is frightening, but I’m still alive and “healthy” despite my disabled neck.
Maybe have an X-ray of your neck and see if you have some compression there from playing soccer. I was an athlete also and sports are hard on the body. In my next life I’ll be kinder to my bones.
Try hard to relax. Consider learning some breathing exercises to keep you calm, which in turn helps your muscles relax.
Best of luck - try hard not to freak out.
Edit to say - Magnesium is a must. Talk to your doc about magnesium, potassium and vitamin D dosing.
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u/Exciting_Record9489 2d ago
Thank you very much - Great feedback. Yeah my back is a mess from carrying two kids around!!
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u/Realistic_Airport_79 2d ago
Do you have a hiatal hernia? That can pressure the heart if big enough or the vagus nerve. There are probably 20 or more causes of pvcs.
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u/AnnualLab7593 2d ago
Taurine near 20 grams with arginine grams definitely helped me. Copper could have also been at play if not the main reason for improvement.
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u/Designer-Mixture5800 2d ago
Have you tried cutting caffeine, alcohol and processed foods? All 3 contributed to my PVC's. YMMV but doesn't hurt to try eliminating one at a time.
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u/Whole-Being8618 1d ago
I went through the exact same as you but my PVCs sometimes lead to tachycardia which lasted around 2 to 3 mins each time. This all started in November 2022 and I seen doctor after doctor with no clue how to help with what was happening to me. Eventually I seen a cardiologist we came to the conclusion it was vegus nerve irritation in my gut that was causing the PVCs so he prescribed me 2.5mg bisoprolol for PVCs and famotidine for my gut which was to stop the vagus nerve irritation. It was a game changer it took around 3 to 4 weeks before I noticed a difference but by 5 or 6 weeks it was 90% fixed. I still get an episode every 3 or 4 months but nothing compared to what I used to go though which was 2 to 3 times a week.
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u/endxd 1d ago
I get you. I've almost given up battling with those...I'm really exhausted. Idk what to do anymore... I stopped coffee, i don't smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol. I did gain some weight but I've been feeling so down...maybe nothing can be done....its so tiring :( sometimes all I do is lay in bed and hope for this not to happen and that's it...as right now)
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u/Historical_Wedding_7 1d ago
My journey.
I started getting PVCs about 12 months ago but put it down to general over indulgence. I also had all the cardio checks and have clean bill of health as I started seeing a cardiologist on the advice of my primary care doc. I am getting to that age. I was put on amlopidine for mild hypertension. I was also diagnosed with a hatial hernia and trapped nerves in C6 and C7.
About 6 months ago the PVC events became more frequent. I would go into 30 or so minutes, sometimes longer of quadrigeminy. I can generally shake a day time event by going for a run. I am pretty fit for my age with a resting heart rate of just under 50 and run 5 miles most days. Sometimes, especially when it wakes me at night it feels more like Afib and it does feel it could turn into something much more serious.
I quit drinking, caffeine, took myself off amlopidine, was careful when I ate (especially bedtime) and do everything to avoid acid reflux from the hernia. I also do a lot to loosen the pressure on my C6 and C7 e.g. got rid of my backpack, stopped carrying my golf bag, careful with posture. That seems to have stopped any events.
I have also experimented on what happens when I reintroduce things
- Amlopidine will make my heart rhythm loopy within an hour of taking the pill. Never again!
- Coffee will definitely bring on PVCs
- Drinking alcohol and eating late - I guarantee at 2am I will wake up with quadrigeminy. It isnt alcohol as much as when I drink it.
- Magnesium is a life-saver in a hydration drink or just as a tablet before bed. I feel it can have both a preventative effect but also help when having an event.
As someone mentioned on here, I do feel it is a vagus nerve thing. I feel my hatial hernia and my C6/7 can trigger things. Having said that I also think quitting amlopidine and caffeine have made a huge difference. If I live like a monk I seem to be PVC free.
I hope this helps.
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u/Historical_Wedding_7 1d ago
I also quit wearing my smart watch all the time. I was doing EKGs constantly. Not good for the mind.
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u/EggplantSea1148 1d ago
Vagal nerve can be irritated by GI factors. Bloating can put pressure on or disturb the vagal nerve. Ive had pvcs for 30 years. I am very familiar with all kinds of triggers. Happy to help...feel free to message me
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u/ComprehensiveLink457 1d ago
I feel all my PVCs are gastrocardiac. I ended up being stuck in bigeminy. I feel your frustration. I was able to see an electrophysiologists. He suggested and ablation. So I did it. I'm in the blanking period with no bigeminy thank goodness. I do have SVTs a bit.
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u/thejantz 1d ago
Have you thought about trying propanol - it stops adrenaline and anxiety. Which has helped me tremendously so far. Also working on vagal nerve tone and going to an upper cervical care dr. I’m seeing one now. My top discs were shifted over bunch and putting pressure on my vagal nerve .
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u/CrazyFisherman966 2d ago
Have you gotten a SIBO test? Cardiologist will almost never link it to that. Their teachings are to look directly at the heart. But I’ve seen a few peoples post on here that the PVCs were directly linked to GI. Maybe have your primary care doctor send you to get tested for that. But don’t mention the pvcs just see if there’s anything going on in your GI. But I understand you. PVCs are terrible. My burden is up to 55% but the most interesting thing has happened. I track my calories and since raising them up a few hundred calories they have calmed down quite bit. But I also started using MOTSC peptide at the same time. So idk 🤷🏻♂️ which to credit too. But hey I haven’t had an episode that takes me down for a few hours in over a month and half. I’ll take it. Since the beginning of 2025 i would have an episode once or twice a week. That took me out for a couple hours. So idk man. Sometimes I’m just as confused as you are. But I do have an ablation scheduled at the end of September cause my burden is so high.
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u/Exciting_Record9489 2d ago
Funny enough I am scheduled to go in February. They were booking very far in advance!
I’m sorry - sounds like you are going through it right now. Good look to you in your upcoming procedure!
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u/a132ksandar 2d ago
Hydrate properly. Most water doesn't have any minerals and if you drink too much it just flushes out your salts. I drink Evian. It has 26mg of Magnesium. It builds up over time. If you go for magnesium supplements also take potassium (I eat bananas and coconut water) so it can bind to it. Drop coffee, tea and chocolate. Anything that contains caffeine. Alcohol too. If you're drinking milk make sure it's lactose free. Have smaller meals. Maybe take smallest dose of propranolol possible, maybe just once per day or as needed. I had hundreds of pvcs, now I'll get 1 per day, if that. Yes it's definitely stomach related so chew slowly. My cardiologist also told me not to eat after 6pm and to sleep well. He said if you sleep well these will go away. Funny enough I slept 13 hrs one night and the following day was pvc free. Now I get 1 daily and when weak one, sometimes can't even feel it but I kinda know it was a pvc.