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Dear Dr. Stoll
I have been reading your BB Archives for several months now and also came upon your site a few years back. I first want to thank you for the time you spend trying to help people.
I am a 35 year old male suffering with PVC'S. Since my first episode in 1996 I have had complete work-up's done 3 times to rule out any heart disease or abnormalities. 1996, 1999, and 2000 all from different cardiologists. Although nothing other than infrequent PAC'S and PVC'S have ever been found,I am currently preparing for another round. I am going to tell you a few things about myself and ask you to resopnd with your knowledge in hopes that I will get closer to solving this problem.
First topic is Alcohol.
I know you disapprove of drinking and I have read that it can cause PVC'S but, I had never ever had a drink until I was 32 years old (started drinking wine in moderation),which was 6 years after I was already experiencing bouts of PVC'S. I have however stopped drinking altogether but my cardiologist says I am only hurting myself emotionally by giving up something that I like to do and, of which I am not abusing. I also rarely have PVC'S while having a glass or two of wine.
Second topic is food and exercise.
I have been a vegetarian for almost ten years now, eating a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds,and some grains (almost a completely raw diet at times). Since I have eliminated wine from my diet the only beverages left are water,soy milk and a myriad of teas (almost always decaf.)and I haven't had a soda in about 10 years. I get plenty of exercise (mostly bicycling and walking) and I practice yoga at least 5 days a week. I also never have PVC'S while exercising.
Third topic is medication.
After my first episode in 1996 I was put on xanax for six months and had a hard time coming off however, I didnt have a single episode for that period. After a few terrible episodes of PVC'S while discontinuing the xanax, I went 4 years without the awareness of even one PVC. Then in 2000 they reappeared. Once again I started taking xanax as well as toprol xl from a cardiologist. I discontinued the toprol after one year but continued to take the xanax (1/2 of a .25mg before bed). I know that isn't very much but I dislike taking anything. Since 2000 I have had about a dozen isolated episodes of PVC'S even while taking the xanax.
Fourth topic is Anxiety? Depression? Stress?.
I have been told by every cardiologist that I have seen that I have an underlying anxiety problem. My problem is that I believe the PVC'S came first. I will add that my father passed when I was just 15 years old at the age of 56 of V-Fib, and having PVC'S scares me to the point of not wanting to make future plans. I truly believe I will die very young from these irregular heartbeats. What I don't understand is that, I don't have the symptoms that would justify depression, the only thing in my life I am anxious about is PVC'S, and although stress comes in many hidden forms, it seems that when I am most noticably stressed I am completely normal. I have just recently finished reading "The Stress Of Life", Mind as healer, Mind as slayer and Sound mind, sound body. My library consists of over 250 different books covering things such as heart disease, anxiety, meditation, hypoglycemia, psychology, nutrition and anything and everything in-between and or related to these subjects. I am currently at a point where I just want to give up on everything I know is good for me and rebel, for I cant seem to find the answer to these life debilitating PVC'S.
In conclusion I want to add a few quick questions.
1. Have you seen or read any evidence that MSG or any other foods have anything to do with PVC'S?
2. In your opinion, why would you think these PVC'S come and go, sometimes for years?
3. Have you or anyone reading this post linked these PVC'S to the seasons? I feel as if I have had several periods during the fall and winter. Anyone else? Possibly S.A.D?
4. Other than a cardiologist or psychologist, who is the best person to turn to for help with these? Please don't say family and friends, for they all think I am a freak for trying to be so healthy. Their answer would be to go eat some meat,smoke some marijuana and quit worrying. Oh, by the way.....>I don't smoke either.
I am hoping that this post wasn't too long to be submitted and, if it takes you sometime to go through it before you can answer I will understand completely.
I want to thank you again for taking your time to help people with troubling issues like these. I think that you are truly a special person. God bless you!
Sincerely, Douglas
In Reply to: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 10, 2005 at 01:05:19:
Hi Douglas,
That was a long one.
Since you do admit to be anxious, there is a good chance that your second brain in your gut is also anxious.
If you have a rapid stool transit it is possible that you are not absorbing sufficent vitamin B12 from your vegetarian diet.
Even under good conditions, B12 is often lacking in vegetarians. You did not mention taking sublingual B12 or any B complex, so it would be a good time to get your levels
of B12 tested before you supplement.
Do you have acid reflux (gerd) or a hiatal hernia.
The reason I ask this is because the Vagus nerve which
controls the heart passes through a hole in the diaphragm along with the esophagus. Any movement of the stomach upwards can tighten the grip of the diaphragm and impinge on the vagus nerve. Do you have any swallowing difficulty?
If you have ever experienced a rapid heartbeat when swallowing, or doing ab-crunches this could be the cause.
Another condition that causes arrythmias and rapid heartbeat
for seemingly no reason is called "Wolfe Parkinsons White"
Check the link and see what rings any bells.
Ron
In Reply to: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 10, 2005 at 01:05:19:
I had them too; and though not as long as you, I worked very hard to find the cause. I didn't feel "stressed" either - which is why I was convinced it was something more.
You do outline that your father passed away young from something similar. I wholeheartedly feel that under the surface, you are scared like a hamster on crack about this. This alone could cause the symptoms.
If you exercise and the pvcs or pacs go away, that is a MAJOR clue that they ARE stress - you should be both happy and upset about this. Happy that it isn't anything horrid but upset that you DO need to get a grip on it.
Your body is telling you what to do; you just don't want to listen.
Being a vegan and doing yoga is not going to stop your underlying issue from coming to the surface from time to time.
I honestly think that you should just start writing in a journal your innermost feelings and I bet, within a few days or even less - you will be shocked at what comes up.
I am NOT demeaning or trivializing your symptoms at all; In fact, I'm taking them quite seriously.
In Reply to: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 10, 2005 at 01:05:19:
Thanks, Douglas.
First of all, taking your entire story together, my best bet is that this is at least partly due to a low intracellular magnesium for YOU. See the magnesium archives.
In order of your questions:
1. No, but when one is "on the edge" anything can push the individual over into symptoms.
2. Chronic problems like this ALWAYS have many contributing causes which, in combination, finally produce the symptoms. Your history is typical.
3. Same.
4. If I were in your shoes (Remember that the Xanax was prescribed only for the stress [See the home page article.]that is contributing to your problem.) I would start by checking out your yoga practice with GSR biofeedback. IF it produces the "relaxation response" you need to start doing it at least 20 minutes twice a day (See the SR home page article and the archives.); if not you need to find a more effective way to do SR. While you are doing that I would be locating the closest chelation practitioner (see the archives) for a trial of IV magnesium while taking a very easily absorbed magnesium supplement orally (See the magnesium archives for the protocol.)
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 10, 2005 at 01:05:19:
Sounds like you are mineral deficient. You cannot absorb minerals without the fat soluble activator vitamins A and D, both of which must come from animal fat. Go to www.westonaprice.org and learn how our ancestors ate, none of the very healthy ones were vegans. Juli p.s. You need to get on raw dairy, raw cheese, red meat, salmon, shrimp, chicken, and loads of butter and raw cream, even coconut oil!
In Reply to: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 10, 2005 at 01:05:19:
My brother passed several weeks ago at age 56, as well. He had been having PVCS for some years. He knew what he needed to do about it, but he thought he could use one positive (a superfood supplement) to counteract 4 negatives (ie., smoking, bad diet, no exercise, no SR.) Maybe it did buy him some time, but not much. I've analyzed his diet as best I can, and here is what I believe he neglected.
> Too little (almost no) omega 3 fatty acids.
> Too little folate (vit. B9)
> Too little vitamin C (he never ate fruit and didn't supplement until a few weeks before he died)
> Too few bioflavonoids in his diet (again, no fruit)
> Too little vit E (some was in his superfood, but not much)
> Too little magnesium or potassium in his diet.
> Too many hydrogenated oils (I encouraged him to switch to CO, but he didn't like the taste)
> Too many grains as a percentage of caloric intake
> Too much dairy
In Reply to: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 10, 2005 at 01:05:19:
Thank you again Dr. Stoll. I also want to thank Ron, Peterb, Juli, and Michele for your responses as well. My post was my first and quite long so I did leave some things out.
I Have been taking 400mg magnesium glycinate daily for several months now. I also consume a very rich magnesium diet, including many leafy greens, nuts, molasses, raw cacao and many more.
Thank you Juli. However, I am a vegetarian and not a vegan. So I do consume some dairy as well as fish. As for the rest of the meats. Almost every animal eaten today ( including beef, chicken, ect. ) did not exist for our ancestors to eat. Also, depending on how far you go back in time, our ancestors had life spans that were one fourth of the current life spans. As for vitamin A....animals are not a good source and the best source of vitamin D is the sun (not that I have had much of that lately....frown & smile).
Thanks Peterb and sorry to hear about your brother. You never mentioned what he passed from. Was it related to his PVC'S? If so, was it a Heart attack or Cardiac arrest? There is an enormous difference.
Thank you Michele. In my spare time I am an aspiring writer and have kept a journal most of my life. It does help a lot to add entries. Very good advice!!
Thank you Ron. I do eat a B-Complex every day along with my magnesium and a multi. I also consume apple cider vinegar daily and have an excellent and consistent ph.As for the acid reflux, I haven't had heartburn since.....well....I cant remember. No rapid stool either. My diet is rich in vegetables and fiber which is digested much slower than foods that are of animal origin or foods that are over processed. This slow process also results in much better absorbtion of vitamins and minerals.
After readin all this wonderful advice and comparing it to my life style and habits, I think that Dr. Stoll as well as the other doctors I have seen are in fact, correct. I most likely suffer from a severe anxiety problem that I have not responded to sufficiently. I want to thank every one again for your help. It is puzzling to me that this kind of support is free and for that I am going to order several of Dr. Stoll's books to give to family and friends.
In Reply to: Re: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 11, 2005 at 02:18:10:
Thanks, Douglas.
That says to me that you have lost your ability to absorb magnesium orally and need a trial of IV (see the archives). You would have to do this when you weer having problems with the PVCs and see what happened.
Depending upon the results I would have further opinions about your next step.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 11, 2005 at 02:18:10:
Thank you. I am still waiting for the autopsy, but it was almost certainly either cardiac arrest or a coronary based on eye witness accounts (he was in his automobile at the time.) I should know in a few weeks.
In Reply to: Re: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by peterb [27.1579] on March 10, 2005 at 20:42:56:
My condolences on your brother, Peter.
In Reply to: Re: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by gabriella [87.890] on March 11, 2005 at 22:10:16:
Thank you, Gabriella.
In Reply to: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [1993.1860] on March 10, 2005 at 01:05:19:
Dr. Stoll
I have a few more questions.
1. If a magnesium deficiency is the cause of pvc's and it is likely that a majority of the population is in fact deficient in this mineral......than why do some people suffer pvc's and some not?
2.I have lost jobs, home,and have been through complete finacial disaster (even homeless)and didnt have pvc's through these times. If it is stress, then why when everything seems normal do they come?
3.I have practiced a very healthy lifestyle/diet for most of my life. On the contrary, I have six siblings all older whom have the worst dietary habits known to man and not one of them has these pvc's or any other complaints for that matter. They worry about nothing when it comes to diet and they say that is all I do with my life. I will add that my blood lipid levels are much different than theirs (some of them in very bad statisical health)The question here is....>
4.Am I driving myself crazy with this health thing? I have read litterally 100's of books trying to beat illness and figure out these pvc's. One book always leads to another. My doctor's don't know what to do with me. The only worry I have ever had about my health is these pvc's.
5.Why is it that the most visable unhealthy people out there seem to breeze through life without problems and some people like myself spend countless hours,day's,month,s and even years trying to be healthy and come up short.
5.Can you give me any other suggestions on where to seek help or what kind of practioner to see? I have lost friends, jobs, and the will to live cause of these horrible irregular beats.
6.I drink a lot of water. Does water (distilled) have anything to do with not being able to absorb or the loss of vitamins and minerals?
7. You seem to be a very educated doctor. Is there any other way to interact with you other than through this site?
I ask because, I feel as if I am asking to many questions and I would be more than willing to pay for personal consultation with you. I'm sure you can tell by my post's (a story along with every question) that I am at witt's end with this. Even after all these years with pvc's, all the doctors, and all the self education one could possibly do, I feel as if I have made zero progress.
In Reply to: Re: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [2997.1860] on March 17, 2005 at 23:25:35:
Douglas,
What do you know about the Bell Curve?
Since my coronary I no longer can offer the Health Coaching I used to do. You might start with a copy of my book to self-educate yourself about most of your questions.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Walt Stoll [93.1465] on March 18, 2005 at 07:40:41:
Dr. stoll
When you say Bell Curve, are you referring to the point at which the medical field can offer nothing else? If not, please give a short explanation. Also, I have already ordered several copies of your book on Monday. It is now Friday so,I am expecting them any moment. I have also read a couple of the other books you reccommended. Mind as healer, mind as slayer, The stress of life, and I just ordered yesterday....>The relaxation response.
Douglas
In Reply to: Re: Cardiac Dysrrhythmias (PVC'S) posted by Douglas [2997.1860] on March 18, 2005 at 10:44:35:
Douglas,
The Bell Curve is a statistical model. There is even a picture of it in my book.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
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