If a drug is going to cause it, is it true that the issue would arise within taking the first several doses?
For example, my aunt (a heart patient) had to take a drug that could cause QT Prolongation. She had to stay in the hospital for 3 days while doctors administered the first 5 doses.
Once they saw that the first 5 doses caused no issue, my aunt was sent home and allowed to continue the drug.
I've been on Fluconazole for just over a month. I need to take it for a total of 2 months. I'm just wondering whether I still need to worry about this issue, or if I would already have had a problem.
Hope everyone is doing as well as possible! Posted by baileypup (Member # 22824) on :
I'm guessing, that if your body hasn't reacted by now....you're good to go.
I was worried about taking two drugs together that cause QT interval prolongation, Zith and Levaquin, and my LLMD said that she hasn't had any of her patients have problems.
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Thanks, baileypup!
My LLMD told me the same. Maybe it's much less common than I assumed.
Now if I could only get past these die-off symptoms! Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Speaking of die-off symptoms...
Like others I've read about, my candida die-off symptoms often mimic the symptoms I had with Babesia (chest tightness, shortness of breath, etc.).
When I started Fluconazole last month, these symptoms flared....but eventually subsided. Now, the difficulty breathing is back.
My resting heart rate is currently 59/60 bpm. Is this normal? I'm not in great shape. I recently lost about 25 pounds (candida diet) and have about 20 more to lose.
Should I be worried about the shortness of breath combined with (what I think might be) a low heart rate?
I'm hoping this is normal.
Posted by baileypup (Member # 22824) on :
Your resting heart rate is 59/60? Sure that's not your pulse?
Wow, that's low. You probably need to do something to get your BP up. I have the opposite problem, mine is on the high side with treatment.
What does your doctor say about your blood pressure? Do you feel lightheaded or faint when you stand up? Have you tried eating more salt?
Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
59-60 would be considered a normal pulse range for an athletic adult in good shape. Their hearts are often able to pump efficiently enough that a heart rate in this range works great for them.
Adults who are elderly or sickly with a rate this low, healthcare workers usually check for other reasons the rate may be slow, such as disturbances in the electrical conduction that drives the heart to beat.
Since you are experiencing a slow heart rate along with symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath, you should contact your doctor right away to have this checked.
Have you had an EKG recently?
Posted by baileypup (Member # 22824) on :
jwick,
How are you doing? Did you check with the doctor? I'm thinking of you...
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Hi.....thanks for your messages!
I'm doing ok, I think. My aunt (heart patient) advised that her doctor actually prefers that her heart rate be around 60...and medicates her to keep her there.
I know that her situation is her own, but it made me feel a bit better.
The last few times I had my bp taken this year, it was near perfect.
The other day, I was a little dizzy upon standing, but that was when I was coming down from a panic attack.
Posted by Maryland Mom (Member # 2043) on :
I've worked in cardiac units, so I've seen many cardiac patients who were prescribed meds that lower the heart rate. Depending on the type of cardiac med (beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, etc), there are other effects on the heart that take place simultaneously along with the lowered heart rate. The goal is to decrease workload on the heart and help it to pump more efficiently.
In your case, jwick, if you have a resting heart rate of 60, that certainly can be a good thing. Normal range is 60-100. One telling thing is, has it always been that low, or has it recently dropped significantly? That could be a sign that you HR is not low for the right reasons.
It's great that your BP is good, but that really gives no indication of whether you may be experiencing an arrhythmia, heart block, or QT prolongation. These are all problems that can develop with the electrical conduction that determines the heart rate. Only an EKG can give you that information.
My concern is that you are having symptoms that MAY indicate heart problems, such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, and maybe the dizziness too. Please let your doctor know about these symptoms, because no matter how good your BP is, it won't help if you are having conduction problems with your heart.
Hopefully this is much ado about nothing, but I think it's better to play it safe and rule out any problems.
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Maryland Mom...
Thanks very much for your advice. I appreciate it!
I don't know what my usual resting heart rate is. The only reason I happened to time it the other day was that I was having an anxiety attack and was curious about my breathing.
Today, for example, I timed my resting rate at 68.
I think I will take your advice and give the doctor a call. I really am hoping that this is much ado about nothing.
However, even if it's for peace of mind, I would not mind having an EKG done in the doctor's office to be certain.
I will say that the chest/breathing issues are the exact ones that bothered me two years ago. That turned out to be Babesia. I'd seen cardiologists, had all the tests, and knew that my heart was in good shape.
Since treating Candida, I've experienced these similar symptoms. They did not affect me until I began the Fluconazole.
Hopefully, it's just die-off reaction. However, since it's been 2 years since having my heart checked, I'd feel better doing it again and getting some definitive answers.
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