Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
So my heart monitor showed mostly "normal" findings; Lots of PVC's, tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, PAC's, multifocal PVC's, PSVT, and a few atrial runs.
The cardiologist that I saw rushes and doesn't explain much. He was only concerned with my heart rate being fairly high and the PSVT. He doesn't discuss Lyme whatsoever and is purely trying to treat the individual heart symptoms.
He suggested a low dose beta blocker. My BP is low when I'm not in a doctor's office (85/45) and my main problem and reason for going to a cardiologist was constant near-fainting. The beta blocker he is suggesting also lowers blood pressure.
I mentioned it, but he kind of blew me off. He said it would help by lowering my HR, but he didn't address my BP question. I decided to take it because I have no Lyme-literate doctor who's willing to treat me and I'm desperate for any solution to any symptom. I'm just worried that it will make things worse........Have beta blockers been helpful for anyone?
I'm in my 20's, on the underweight side, and I've already tried other methods (ginseng, licorice, rhodiola, ashwagandha, increased salt, food and water, etc.).
So my heart monitor showed mostly "normal" findings; Lots of PVC's, tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia, PAC's, multifocal PVC's, PSVT, and a few atrial runs.
- Sure doesn't SOUND normal. I guess you'll have to make your own decision about the BB. It MAY work, but I have my doubts too.
I take Verapamil and it is a much better drug than the BB's. It does lower my BP some.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
I'm on Toprol XL. It's helps me alot. I take it for POTS, but it's also helping my PVC's.
I had SVT when I was pregnant and it made me miserable.
Couldn't the low, low BP cause near fainting? Do you have POTS?
Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Can you get a second opinion?
Is there another cardiologist you can go to with good reviews?
Maybe look on ratemds.com
or
yelp.com -- be sure to read filtered reviews if you go there, some businesses pay to only have the good reviews show (there's a filtered reviews link near the bottom of the review page and this will show you ALL reviews)
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
I suppose I could get a second opinion. However since there was nothing significant or dangerous on the heart monitor report or the echo, most doctors would probably not treat it at all or would say I have anxiety or some other psychological cause.
I was worried he was going to jump to anxiety, but since I had some documented episodes of tachy at all times of day with all different activities and SVT (going from the 140's to 45 in one beat) I guess he couldn't use that angle. However, I've heard that some doctors do prescribe beta blockers for anxiety so who knows? Maybe that's what he diagnosed and he just didn't tell me.
I'm really desperate for some type of help to resolve a symptom. But I agree, this probably is not going to help, and I think the low BP is causing my fainting, not the heart racing. I'm on Toprol XL also. My BP raises when I stand but lowers when I sit to 85/45, so I don't think it's POTS.
The cardiologist never discussed any diagnosis except briefly SVT. He didn't even go over my echocardiogram and I forgot to ask about it. He admitted that he hadn't even reviewed all of the EKG's that were sent over from the monitoring center. I was kind of like........why am I here then? He seemed very unprepared and rushed.
I faint so often that it sometimes gets to the point that I'm afraid to even leave the house. I have to plan to go to places that I can quickly lie down out of sight (in public bathrooms which is gross) to prevent myself from fainting. I'm already extremely tired and can barely function. I have no idea how I would even notice a side effect to this medication as opposed to my normal Lyme stuff.
I just wanted to post to you because I have the same history as you. I had PVC's, SVT, Sinus Tachy, PAC's, etc on my monitors and heart rates up to 200 bpm. I was tried on 4 different beta blockers that knocked my bp down to 79/45 and I was passing out.
Then a cardiologist suggested sectral/acebutolol (for generic) and he told me it did not lower bp as much and controls heart rate much better when up and moving around.
It has been a wonderful heart drug for me. Now my bp doesn't usually drop below 90/60, which is still pretty low, but at least I don't pass out. You might want to ask about trying it..? Just letting you know what worked for me.
The only bad thing w/the acebutolol for me is it causes insomnia, and bad insomnia, but I can't live with a heart rate of 200 bpm, so I am stuck on it for now. Good luck, I know how miserable this can be and how frustrating and scarey it is.
Posts: 146 | From Midwest | Registered: Feb 2005
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