Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
So I'm having difficulty again. I faint from low BP and have a few heart arrhythmias that persist and last for days and sometimes cause dizziness, weakness, paleness, etc. when they hit (SVT, PVC's, PAC's, possible A-fib).
I was taking Toprol, midodrine and florinef from a cardiologist. Toprol stopped working for the arrhythmias and I became severely depressed and was having nightmares and breathing difficulties. However, I was able to manage the fainting somewhat with only midodrine and got off Florinef.
Last week I was switched to a different beta blocker to stop the depression and heart rhythm problems since Toprol was no longer working. So I was switched to betaxolol and continued midodrine. Now the fainting is returning. My BP is dropping and my HR is low. I'm having no heart arrhythmias and the depression is improving, but it's being replaced with unexplainable anxiety spells, insomnia, low HR and continued breathing difficulty.
I'm going to have to probably restart Florinef and that upsets me. I was doing okay without it (for fainting).
I feel like I don't need the beta blocker. Originally it was prescribed to help stop the fainting but then we determined my fainting is not from my heart, but my BP. No doctors agree with me about going off a beta blocker. Even Lyme-literate ones. I don't know why they think I need it. I have "rapid heart rates" but no structural heart abnormalities or life threatening rhythms.
posted
Don't know enough about the blood pressure meds to advise.
But my question would be -- which infection is causing the heart issues? Lyme, babesia, bartonella or something else.
I just found a journal article that talks about a patient with a-fib from babesia due to non cardiac pulmonary edema. Hubby had a-fib during his final hospitalization -- a new sysmptom for him.
Bartonella henselae 1:100 Posts: 2027 | From British Columbia | Registered: Jun 2010
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
Yeah I used to take a ton of that but it stopped helping. I was up to about 3000mg per day and oddly, no GI effects........
The new beta blocker is controlling my heart, but now my fainting is coming back. My BP was 80/43 yesterday. My HR has been in the 50's and it usually runs high 70's.
poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
My heart symptoms always responded to treatment for tickborne diseases. When treatment stopped or was not enough, they returned. Toprol can't fill in for antibiotics, just help a little. Were you taking the brand toprol or a generic? The only generic that works for me and some other people is made by Par pharmaceuticals, which is the one CVS carries. Par Pharmaceutical's generic is the only one approved by AstraZeneca (brand maker), and is the "authorized generic" for Toprol XL
There is a lot online about the failures of other generics. But of course insurance will not want you to take brand name toprol.
The thing about beta blocks like toprol xl is that they are prescribed for high blood pressure, so if you are having low pressure instead, that might be a problem. I also have tended toward low blood pressure in my healthy days (probably from being athletic), so I only take a low dose at night just before bed time, in the hopes of preventing heart symptoms that wake me up.
Apart from TBD treatment, you might want to add some taurine, an amino acid that helps the heart. I'm sure you know to keep your doc informed about supplements you add, and also research these on your own instead of just accepting what another patient recommends.
What kind of magnesium are you taking? People are using various kinds, but the one that works best and fastest for me is magnesium malate, about every 4 to 6 hours.
[ 02-05-2014, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: poppy ]
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Magnesium citrate, hawthorn tincture, bioidentical progesterone, no alcohol.
-------------------- 13 yo DX PANS/Tourette's/Asperger's/ADHD treated for Igenex positive bartonella/IND lyme with 2 years of abx treatment. Weaned off abx April 2013 at 80% improvement. Continuing with Buhner bartonella/babesia protocols. Aug 2014 99% improvement. Posts: 265 | From Canada, Ontario | Registered: Jul 2013
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posted
ReMag goes directly into your cells. By some reports, it is more effective than mag IV.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
I was taking citrate and malate alternating. Haven't tried remag yet will look into that. I ended up calling the cardiologist yet again but who knows if I'll hear back.
I'm not comfortable with the way I feel with my BP at 80/43 and I've fainted in the past with no warning falling to the ground from standing when I feel like this. I've come close to fainting many times this week and had to lie down immediately and guzzle caffeine to avoid it.
Hopefully he will raise the dose of midodrine to compensate for the stronger effects of betaxolol on my BP. Not crazy about the shortness of breath I get from beta blockers either. I was crying the other night unable to breathe. It woke me up. It's not babesia either........it's definitely the meds.
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