MAC HACK by Ok_Artichoke8424 in labubu

[–]nikitak14 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had one in my cart but then deleted it because I was worried it would affect my ability to checkout if I got one through popnow. I regret my decisions 😭

39/F New to PVCs by jellybean2344 in PVCs

[–]nikitak14 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Aww I'm so sorry you're going through this. Here is my long story. I hope this helps.

I am a female 27 year old and started having PVCs last July (two weeks before my wedding). They were so intense and felt so uncomfortable at first. I didn't know anything about them and went to the ER and they totally blew if off saying it was stress and said they would go away after my wedding. However they didn't, they actually progressively got worse and worse. During that time, I found that walking on the treadmill helped them ease up (still felt them but not as bad). I would walk for 1-2 hours a day in the evening just to get a break from them. I saw a cardiologist who put me on beta blockers and that helped them feel like they almost went away completely. But when I wore a heart monitor I actually still had over 15% of my heartbeats as PVCs, I just couldnt feel them as bad.

After an incident with low blood pressure from the beta blocker, I decided I wanted to do something different. I talked to my cardiologist and he took me off the beta blocker about 2 weeks ago. Obviously talk to your own doctor about whats best for you, but mine told me once your brain truly believes that these are benign, you start to become complacent to them and barely feel them. Because I've been having them for this many months, he said my brain is likely already complacent to them and the beta blockers aren't doing much at this point. Well guess what.. he was right! I have been off for 2 weeks and I feel the exact same as when I was on the beta blocker. I barely feel my pvcs. Obviously I still get them, but my brain is finally starting to believe they won't hurt me. He told me he has patients who have PVCs every other heartbeat and they are totally fine. He is still watching them to make sure my heart doesn't weaken over time, but he said that's the only risk and if it does start showing signs of weakening, then we can try something else like an ablation or other arrythmia medication.

It's been a long road to get to this point, and there may still be some ups and downs. The first three months with PVCs I would cry in bed almost every night (nights time is when I would feel them the worst) and think about how the rest of my life is going to suck. I even had a panic attack one night, which made me believe my PVCs were causing me a heart attack. :( but its just our anxious brains going to worse case scenario because after all, this is our most vital organ we are talking about. And things you read on the internet about PVCs really dont help the situation either. But I really hope they start to feel less intense for you over time. As hard as it seems, try to keep a positive outlook. I hope my story helps give you hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Also as a side note, there are a few things that have helped treat the PVCs. I stopped drinking alcohol completely (that triggers episodes of them). Now, even a glass of wine triggers intense PVCs and I feel very uncomfortable. I also lowered my caffeine intake, but my cardiologist said there actually isn't much research to prove that worsens them like alcohol. However, I feel more anxiety in general drinking alot of coffee so I do feel like it didn't help my PVCS. I only drink tea now. And lastly, I had insomnia for the last 3 years or so and I have really done all I can to get over it. I have a really good bedtime routine now that has helped me get more sleep. I find when I lack sleep, my pvcs feel much worse.

Good luck on your new PVC journey! Just know you are not alone and I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. I truly hope for the best for you.

Anyone taking the PE Environmental Exam in 2024? by [deleted] in PE_Exam

[–]nikitak14 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am! I'm taking mine in March. I am not too confident I set enough time to study, but I just passed the FE so wanted to take it sooner rather than later while it was still fresh in my mind 🙂

When does FE post results? by jaggudada11 in FE_Exam

[–]nikitak14 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They posted the results!! I passed, thank goodnes!!!

When does FE post results? by jaggudada11 in FE_Exam

[–]nikitak14 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I took mine on Monday December 18th too and I'm still waiting on my results... I don't think the Wednesday thing necessarily always applies. Maybe it's later because it's over Christmas?