Having problems again...like SVT, but it's not SVT. - Heart Disorders Message Board

LaniR304 · 06-21-2004, 11:42 PM

I've been to many doctor's (due to insurance changing and the doc is out of town/unavailable so have to see someone else). I've never been given a formal diagnosis, in fact, the Electophysiologist that I saw told me straight out that we may never know what is wrong. My heart itself is fine--it's just seem to be the electrical conduction of the heart is what is wrong (about half of them say that it is not SVT, and the other half say it is--when asked what is wrong I just say SVT...it's easier that way).
I take beta-blockers (Inderal 20mg prn). Last week, I decided that since I hadn't been taking more than one pill per day, and some days none, that I would just stop taking it all together...boy, was that a mistake! I felt horrible until I broke down and started to take them again. Today, I had one of my 'episodes' that I used to get when I first began having problems (get all hot and dizzy--the feeling right before I pass out). I realized that it had been about 8 hours since I last took my med. Once I was able to sit down, about 10 minutes later (I had been out shopping), I felt my pulse for a couple of minutes. At that point, I was still getting little waves of dizziness (not nearly as bad as the original time today) and even though my pulse was normal--in the 80's (I usually feel the best around 60 bpm), each time the little wave of dizziness would come around, my heart rate would speed up for 4-5 beats, then slow down and be regular again.
I took my Inderal as soon as I was able to get a drink, and have been fine the rest of the evening.
I have had lots of tests EKG's, holter monitor's, treadmill test, chest x-rays, gas exchange exercise study, even monitor, and a tilt table test. The treadmill, gas exchange exercise study and the tilt table test all showed that something was not quite right, but they were never able to pinpoint anything, and told me to take my Inderal when I needed it and basically to just live with it. Sometimes I have a little bit of chest pain. It's usually not anything that is extremely painful (it has been a few times), but enough for me to stop and notice it--sometimes I get dizzy/lightheaded when it happens.
I go through phases where I will be fine for weeks or months, but then I slowly start getting worse and having symptoms and need to take my med more frequently and regularily, and then all of a sudden I will get really bad for a while. There is not really any pattern with this, except I usually have problems during the summer (I live in a desert area with high temps), but then I also have problems a few more times throughout the year even when it is cooler.
Any ideas or input?
Thanks!

jpos · 06-22-2004, 10:19 AM

LaniR,

All I can say is that you have to wean off of a beta blocker even with a small dose. I stopped taking my atenolol 12.5 mg, yep 12.5 mg, and I had strong reactions. It was easily remedy by starting it again, since it was a misunderstanding on my part. I thought the verapamil was to replace the atenolol, but it was in addition to. Anyway, cut down little by little if you want to get off of it or even if you want to just take it now and then, but have been taking it pretty regular recently.

I hope that helps.

zip2play · 06-22-2004, 03:54 PM

LaniR,

That's Inderal REGULAR? or Long-acting?
I've gone on and off 40 mg. in the morning with no effect at all. Usual initail dosage is 40 mg twice a day. Usual decent hypertension results comes from maintenance at 120 mg. to 240 mg in divided doses during the day (with a max at 640 mg!)
So you can see you are taking a really TINY dosage.
Inderal has a VERY short half life- that's why many people have to take it seral times a day; it wears off that fast!

I don't quite understand the connection between the "hot and dizzy feeling" and the Inderal occurring 8 hours after the pill if you did fine by waiting 24 hours between doses normally?

Anyhoo, I personally found that Inderal can VERY easily make you feel dizzy by TAKING it rather than by discontinuing.

The danger of abrupt cessation of beta blockade are:
1. Hypertension
2. Tachycardia
3. Heart attack (for angina patients.)

I really think you have nothing to worry about stopping whenever you choose. If you want to be ABSOLUTELY safte, take 10 mg. a day for a week.

LaniR304 · 06-22-2004, 10:14 PM

I originally started off with 20mg/day, then moved up to 40mg, then 60mg, then 80mg, within a few months of first having problems. At one point, my doc put me on the 120mg LA, that worked for a few weeks, then I would take that in the morning, and by the evening, I was also taking a 20mg tablet. Eventually, I was able to go down to 20mg/day, and then to none (after going back and forth between high and low dosages over several months).