Hi,

On Tues. I went for a checkup and was put back on Toprol xl for my SVT. I've had this med before but this time my dr doubled my dose. So far I've been feeling tired and sluggish yet not able to sleep well, also getting runs of tachy where my hr is 150 for several hrs. My svt attacks are more like 180-200bpms so not sure if this is an svt or some weird side effect from the toprol.

The dr said if this doesn't work I will need to go on and get the ablation, he's not sure my bp which is naturally low will tolerate this dose but says a lowered dose will probably be ineffective for the svt. Are there any other bb's I can ask about? I've never tried any but this one. Does this toprol just take a while for your body to get used to?

I've also read alot of posts here talking about the benefits of magnesium. Is this beneficial for svt, and can you take it along with toprol? Was thinking of trying some if it could be helpful. Thanks for any help, em

emily... I too struggled with toprolol. It lowered my blood pressure too much which in turn just made me more tachycardic. I was told that magnesium is more effective in treating ectopic beats like PACs or PVCs however my cardiologist said it was worth a shot to try. I dont believe it has had any profound effects for me, other than currently I am having some Vtach and they have given me a significant amount of magnesium. So might be worth a try. There are other types of drugs beside beta blockers to try for SVT, such as antiarrhythmics like flecainide, rhythmol, or sotalol which has both bb and antiarrhythmic affects. Much riskier drugs to take since they all can cause sudden cardiac death. The ablation I had I didnt think was bad at all, so if they truely think they can fix ya with a ablation I would try it as well. Who knows maybe you could get off all drugs!!! Good luck to ya

I prefer the metoprolol which is the same as Toprol but without the XL. So I take it twice a day and can take a little extra when needed (per Dr advice only of course). Same with the propranolol when I was on that (took that one 4 times a day however). I do not trust the XL forms of meds for whatever reason. If I start having troubles, I do not want to have to wait a whole day before getting some relief. Ya know?? This way it just seems to keep me regulated throughout the day. I dont trust that time release stuff LOL.

I can also say that when I first started BBs it took a good 2 weeks or so before I adjusted to it. So you should give any BB a little time. But definatly talk to your prescribing Dr about your concerns as things can be changed.

I also take a Magnesium/Calcium/Vit D and a Fish Oil supplement. I do believe I noticed a difference when I first started taking them. Less PVCs. But the BB controls my HR pretty well (knock on wood). Resting rate is always 60-75. Even when I exercise I cannot get up to my targer weight loss rate. The only time this isnt true is when I am stupid and have some wine...which I havent done in 4 months because it just isnt worth it.

Before ablation, have a go with SOTALOL. It is specific for tachycardia.

Even though I am getting tired of reading my own post on the subject, I remain constantly AMAZED how every doctor in America has come to believe that there is only ONE beta-blocker, TOPROL XL.
That's what I call good "promotion" by Astra-Zeneca. There's more here than meets the eye!

Hi thanks guys for your replies.

mnmnmn-I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me, the toprol lowered my bp causing the tachy, just didn't feel like my "normal" svt. Glad to hear your ablation wasn't too bad. My doctor says I should have it, that it would completely get rid of this svt, but I'm still hesitant (uh maybe scared is a better word:) ) want to control with meds if I can find one that will work well.

Cheers-I go for another checkup in 2wks so will stay on this xl till then, see if I can't get used to it. Would be interesting to try a non-xl, see if it would help me more the way it did for you.

Lenin-I hear ya about the "promotion" stuff. Will def. mention sotalol when I go back.

This toprol is giving me weird insomnia, feel like I'm in slow motion but can't fall asleep, supposed to take at bedtime, wonder if it really matters, if morning would be better. Hope I get adjusted to it.

Thanks for all your help, em

This toprol is giving me weird insomnia, feel like I'm in slow motion but can't fall asleep, supposed to take at bedtime, wonder if it really matters, if morning would be better. Hope I get adjusted to it.


em,
I get bad insomnia from beta blockers also and nutsy dreams whn I DO fall asleep for a couple hours...I can only take the FAST HIT stuff like propranolol or metopolol in the morning or early afternoon...iit's worn off by sleepytime.

Toprol XL is long acting version of metoprolol and I don't know how huch would be left after half a day but you shouold DEFINITELY give a morning dose a try and see if your sleep improves. If not, then ask for REGULAR metoprolol and adjust the doseage times to suit yourself.

<I find ALL beta blockers can cause insomnia.>

I think ANYBODY with heart rhythm aberrations should take daily magnesium...well maybe not with bradycardia. :)
It won't interfere the beta blockers...for some lucky souls it may even REPLACE them!

Hi Lenin thanks! I'm going to start taking it tomorrow in the am and see how that does, can't stand anymore of this insomnia, I have been having very strange dreams on it too. Got 2wks till next checkup, hope to get adjusted by then.

Will get some magnesium too, good to know you can take it with the toprol. I def don't have bradycardia, LOL can't remember the last time my resting rate was below 100, even since being on the toprol it hasn't gone down but I haven't had a full blown svt so maybe it's doing something. Thanks again, em

Emily,

I take atenonol for my SVTs and have had one in like 6 months. It was down in 40 min after taking an additonal one and a xanax. There is some speculation out there that anxiety causes rapid heart beats. And I have had some episodes in which I was calm, but there is still some underlying stress in all of us.

Good luck,
Lyl

Hey lyl,

Thanks for your reply. So you like the atenolol pretty well? How frequent/severe were your svt's before you were put on meds, if you don't mind my asking? Did your drs ever recommend ablation? That's great you haven't had one in 6mos. Take care, em

Emily,

I have been having SVT episodes off and on for 16 years. They started when I was a freshman in college, was physically active, and was a majorette. The summer before my Sophmore year I was working at a grocery store and they just started up and I went to the ER. I had EKGs, ECGs and wore a halter monitor. Was given Verapamil "when needed". Well, since then I have gotten older and quit being active. Gained some weight and was placed on Verapamil everyday for hbp and SVTs since I can remember. I had problems off and on, but then they subsided for about 5 years. Never went to the ER for them since they would stop on their own until last New Years.
We had just bought a house, I was working out and loosing weight, went to drop off the keys to my old apartment and wammo. An SVT that lasted for over an hour.
I went to the ER and had all the tests as before, and they referred me to a cardio. My other one had retired, so had to start from scratch. He changed the Verapamil to Diltiazem and then added Atenonol at night.
I had 3 more in a 6 month period that I could stop and then after 2 ER visits in July someone mentioned anxiety since I complained about chest pain and dizziness..
Since then I keep xanax and Atenonol in my purse and see a therapist. Have only had one two weeks ago since July and either the Xanax or Atenonol brought it down. I think it may be stress from trying to find a new job.
Therapist said it would get worse before it got better and I do believe her.
I have dropped 15 lbs in 3 months and have started a walking regimen 4 times a week. I am hoping that it will keep the stress and the SVTs away.

Sorry its so long...but I do have a "history" and have hated it ever since.

Lynn

Hey Lynn,
Thanks for sharing your history with me, helps me put things in perspective cause I didn't know anyone with this before finding this board. 16 years-that's a long time, whew! I was only diagnosed 3yrs ago, am 29 now. I got alot better after the first 6mos, the cardio said I probably didn't need to be medicated anymore and I never saw him again, just tried to ignore this stuff. Been having them 1 or 2x a week ever since. The worst was a couple mos. ago, hr was 190+ for 15hrs. I had some really old toprol and took that to get rid of it, went back to the dr and told him what was going on, and now am on toprol again, and have been told if this doesn't work I need ablation. It better work, lol!! They recommended ablation before but I was too scared, wanted to wait. So far I haven't had an svt on it but my hr will not drop below 100, it never will anymore, with or without meds. Don't know what that's about. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to reply. Congrats on your weight loss too. Take care, em

Em,

Do your SVTs stop your regular routine? Do you feel out of breath or tired when they occur? I was told by my Cardio that ablation is only recommended to older people and people who cannot function while it happens. Like they passout or something while it occurs.
I don't know about ablation either, and my sister has a friend who had it done and it didn't work. She ended up having SVTs again about a month later and they want to do another one.
Just the thought of having a cardiac cath and then having to be immobile afterward for 6 hours scares me. I am someone who cannot sit still for long periods of time and also not use the restroom on my own accord. They may have to put me under!
I am hoping that the exercise, wieght loss and seeing a therapist will help. I keep reading that they are caused by anxiety and am hoping that is the case.

:)
Lynn

Lynn,
Hi-glad I'm not the only one scared of ablation, the thought of having some cath touch my heart..no thanks:)
My svt's occasionally disrupt my routine, but I usually just go on about what I was doing cause laying still or sitting down won't get rid of them. My dr has recommended ablation cause he says my heart rates are up in the range where they could cause passing out, like when driving. Well I wouldn't go driving if I was having an svt and I've never fainted from my hr before, but he talks like ablation is no big deal. He couldn't believe after seeing my test results I didn't go to the hospital for rates that high and sustained for so long but I really do tolerate it well, have alot of pressure and tightness in my neck during one which is the worst for me. Never had a chest pain or anything like that.
I too have heard of people that had problems with ablation. I won't be having one anytime soon. My dumb insurance says it's a preexisting condition and won't pay for it till July (gotta love insurance companies:) )
Hope everything continues to go well for you. Take care, em

I think ANYBODY with heart rhythm aberrations should take daily magnesium...well maybe not with bradycardia. :)
It won't interfere the beta blockers...for some lucky souls it may even REPLACE them!

Hi Lenin. I have heard such great things about magnesium so I just recently purchased two bottles of slowmag. However, now that I read your post I am scared to take it. My heart rate is usually around 50 most of the day because of the QUARTER of my beta blocker that I still take (1.25mg bisoprolol). I really don't think I need it at all, but my cardiologist wants me to keep taking it (although he thinks I'm taking 2.5mg). Anyway - will it be unsafe for me to take the magnesium with my heart rate near 50?

Em,

How long do your episodes last? Mine have never lasted longer than an hour recently. I can't remember how long they were awhile ago.
I have driven around just like normal and etc when mine are going off.
Have you tried Vagal maneuvers to try and get your heart back to normal?
They are:
Gagging.
Holding your breath and bearing down (Valsalva maneuver).
Immersing your face in ice-cold water (diving reflex).
Coughing.
Putting pressure on your eyelids

These have worked for me sometimes. I think because mine are not frequent that ablation has not been suggested yet.

:)
Lynn

Hi Lynn,
The longest I've ever had one was about 15hrs, normally they are 8-12hrs. I have tried a few of those maneuvers, used to keep my old toprol here before I got the new script and take those or just wait it out, seemed to be the only thing that would get rid of them.
That's so cool you were a majorette in school :) I used to do track and still like to stay fit and active, that's why I don't like taking a med that drags me down so much. Glad I got alot of good suggestions from this post, have alot of alternatives to mention now when I go back.
Take care :angel: em

God, 15 hours? I go to the ER after 5-10 minutes to get treated. I could never stand to be in SVT for 15 hours. I don't know how you do it!

Timber, my doctor said the same thing, he was shocked after seeing my results and asked me why I didn't go to the hospital for that. Honestly they are still not as bad now as when I was first diagnosed. Looking back I should have gone but I would always sit here and talk myself out of it. I only had 1 that was 15hrs, didn't go to the hospital but it did prompt me to make a dr appt which is how I've ended up back on bb's. I feel really stupid for not going, but I never believed my svt was severe (didn't want to believe it), always told myself there was no need to do anything about it unless I had chest pains or passed out which has never happened.
Been a week now on the toprol and I haven't had one so it is doing what it's supposed to do, still having side effects but hopefully I'm on the right track now. Hope you are doing well, take care :angel: em

Em,

Wow! 8-12 hours is a long time. My longest was maybe an hour and a half. If your heart can take it for that long of time then I would think that your heart was pretty strong, eh.
Your situation may warrent ablation, but I would wait and see how meds do especially with the pre-extisting condition BS that the insurance companies pull!

:)
lynn