Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Captain Vicky]

Hey folks
I'm brand new here and hoping for a little advice.

Since last April my ectopic heartbeats have been more than usual.  I have always had some as I have an arrhythmia which is well controlled by a Beta Blocker.  But the ectopic's have increased (not everyday) but quite regularly and I have to be honest, they are making me anxious.  I am pretty sure this is to do with perimenopause...  the other times I have experienced them it has been a hormone thing.  Last year I managed to control them with Loestrin 30 which was an increase in progestin and Oestrogen, but unfortunately that has been discontinued and in my search for another CP I haven't found anything that works as well.. In fact I would say ectopics have got worse.  I am wondering if I should try and come off the pill (although I'm worried that all hell is going to break loose).

I am taking magnesium and have been considering Bio-Identical hormones...

Does anyone have any experience with ectopics?  If so has anything worked for you?

Many thanks

Vicky

[Focus]

Sorry for my ignorance, what's an ectopic heartbeat?

I get palpitations a lot. Like it can seem like it's going on for days and days on end. Sometimes it's really bad and is like I can feel it in my neck.

Is that the same thing?

[Captain Vicky]

Hi Focus

It might be, palpitations are often what people call them, but they are skipped heartbeats, also known as Premature Atrial Contractions.  They feel like thuds and skips in your chest.  So you heart is beating normally then BANG it feels like a skip or a thud or a double beat.

Does that feel like what you get?  Some people get palpitations and it is a strong fast but regular heartbeat which is also a thing for peri and meno.

Vicky

[Tinkerbell]

Have you ever had an ECHO or worn a monitor? My daughter has a two week one on at the moment.

[Focus]

Ah, thank you.

Mostly palpitations for me, with the very odd skipped beat (like 90/10 sort of ratio). I thought it was all the same thing.

[Captain Vicky]

Have you ever had an ECHO or worn a monitor? My daughter has a two week one on at the moment.

Hi Tinkerbell

Yes I have worn a few monitors and my last Echo was about 12 years ago.  I am seeing my cardiologist next week so he may suggest another Echo.  But to be honest I think unless something radical has changed he will probably tell me that they are benign and not to worry.  Which of course is easier said then done when it is your heart doing the skips.  Does your daughter have a similar thing?
Vicky

[Wrensong]

Hi Captain Vicky    Yes, I had ectopics on & off 24/7 for a number of years throughout perimenopause & well into post & had the whole range of tests to arrive at that diagnosis.  They are truly horrible, very unnerving & I feel for you.  You already know a lot about them so I won't do a long post (for a change!) but can I suggest you put palpitations, ectopics or irregular heart beat into the search box to see some of the many threads in which we've discussed these before?  You should find tips, solidarity  & reassurance there at least.

In answer to your question as to what helps - for me it was starting HRT shortly after a change in thyroid medication.  Seems likely it was the HRT that calmed them, as with each change of regimen while I've been trying to find my best fit, the ectopics have returned to some extent, though thankfully only briefly.  That said they do also tend to resurface for a while with changes of thyroid medication, but experience tells me the very worst, years-long episode of these I went through was primarily menopause related.

I hope your Cardiology appt will help get them sorted for you.  Let us know how you get on if you have time?
Wx

[Tinkerbell]

She has a congenital heart defect, gets a lot of palpitations, they are considering a permanent loop recorder implant. Maybe a good idea to get another ECHO if you haven't had one for 12 years, i had one last year as i have a CHD too.

[Tinkerbell]

I also get palpitations but HRT has helped those.

[Captain Vicky]

Hi Captain Vicky    Yes, I had ectopics on & off 24/7 for a number of years throughout perimenopause & well into post & had the whole range of tests to arrive at that diagnosis.  They are truly horrible, very unnerving & I feel for you.  You already know a lot about them so I won't do a long post (for a change!) but can I suggest you put palpitations, ectopics or irregular heart beat into the search box to see some of the many threads in which we've discussed these before?  You should find tips, solidarity  & reassurance there at least.

In answer to your question as to what helps - for me it was starting HRT shortly after a change in thyroid medication.  Seems likely it was the HRT that calmed them, as with each change of regimen while I've been trying to find my best fit, the ectopics have returned to some extent, though thankfully only briefly.  That said they do also tend to resurface for a while with changes of thyroid medication, but experience tells me the very worst, years-long episode of these I went through was primarily menopause related.

I hope your Cardiology appt will help get them sorted for you.  Let us know how you get on if you have time?
Wx

Thanks Wrensong I will let you know.  Interesting re the Thyroid.  I did get mine checked and I think it came back with a false reading, but at first that is what the GP thought was wrong.  But a visit to the Endocrinologist put that to bed.  I may ask for another blood test as the last one was last year.  I have a feeling I may have to try other things too, a bit like you.  To be honest apart from the sudden increase in ectopics and night sweats on my pill free week, they are my main symptoms.

Thanks for the advice re the forums.. I will take a look.

[Captain Vicky]

She has a congenital heart defect, gets a lot of palpitations, they are considering a permanent loop recorder implant. Maybe a good idea to get another ECHO if you haven't had one for 12 years, i had one last year as i have a CHD too.

Hi Tinkerbell

I see, the loop recorder's I have heard are really good.  I hope you and your daughter remain well.

I suspect that my Cardiologist will order one and probably another 24 hour ECG - although I hooked myself up to my own last night so I can take the results with me.
Thanks