mitral valve prolapse - taking Atenolol - Heart Disorders Message Board

jen288 · 07-03-2002, 07:15 PM

I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse in 1992 when I was 18 years old. For a long time it bothered me severely every day, palpatations, chest tightness, short of breath. The doctor controlled it with Lopressor then. I didnt see a doctor for almost 7 years after I stopped taking meds the first time. Now I have a new doc that has me on Atenolol. It has worked great at slowing my heart rate and minimizing the palpatations to where I almost dont even have any. But it has started to really bother me lately again even on my medication. I just started a new job as a waitress after I was laid off of my desk job I had for almost 3 years. At work and even at home I get very flu like achy for no reason at all and have bad lower back pains sometimes. Standing up at work I get fuzzy headed and my face tingles sometimes. After sitting down for a few minutes it goes away and I'm fine. What could this possibly be? It is very scary, and I cant afford to go back to the doc. Someone told me that if you have lower back pain for a woman a lot it could be a sign of ovarian cancer or something like that? Anyone have any thoughts or experiences they can share with me that can at least let me know I'm not the only one that feels this way.
Thanks

clementine · 07-10-2002, 08:54 PM

I was diagosed with MVP in 1989...how old are you? Are you overweight? Do not drink any caffiene...that is the worst thing you can do...low back pain could be from wearing the wrong shoes since you are on your feet at work...are you taking vitamins? I have been med free for 5 years...I went to stress reduction classes which are free at local hospitals...fuzzy headed sounds like your blood pressure is dropping...are you eating right? Are you getting enought sleep? Whatever you do, don't let any dr give you Paxil or Prozac for stress that can cause your heart to fibrillate last thing you want to happen..if you smoke quit right now...drink lots of water...get adequate rest...wear good shoes while you work..you might try 3 ice cubes in a plastic bag, lay down and keep it on your low back for 20 minutes every couple of huors...take Ibuprofen...let me know please how you are doing...

clementine · 07-10-2002, 08:55 PM

ps sorry did not see your age I was just not seeing it

AprilW · 07-31-2002, 06:28 AM

I also was diognosed with MVP 6 years ago, after suffering extreme panic attacks. My Dr. prescribed Paxil and it seems to be working,Were you taking meds for the actual condition or for panic?I ask because I have no idea what the conection is.

jeepers · 07-31-2002, 02:27 PM

The way I understand it, Mitral Valve Prolaps is a condition where blood pools in the heart, and occassionally the heart will beast fast and hard in order to clear out the pool. It's also my understanding that by doing this, your heart is taking care of itself. I have MVP and this only happens to me (the fast, hard beat) every few years. Why are you people going on anti-depressants for this??? If you are attempting to stop the fast hear rate, how is your heart going to clear out the pool? I would think that stopping the fast heart rate would be detrimental to the condition.

I'm not saying it's wrong- only that I do not understand. Educate me!