Scout Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 I'm in hospital at the moment after a really bad POTS episode today. The cardiologist came and saw me and wants me to start calcium channel blockers. I said I'd think about it and discuss it with my regular cardiologist. The only reason I hesitate is because beta blockers actually made me far worse, so I'm really nervous about trying a new med. I realise they're a different class of drug though, so need to consider it. Wondering what people have experienced on calcium channel blockers, especially those with hyper-POTS. Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 I've been on Verapamil for years. It has not made my POTS symptoms worse. Honestly, I can't tell that it has effected my POTS symptoms at all, but it did cut the intensity of the daily headaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p8d Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 Wouldn’t being the hospital and monitored be a good place to start a new med? It just might help. @firewatcherit helps with daily headaches? Migraines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statesof Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 I'm on calcium channel blockers as well; they have no effect on my POTS but do help with chest pain/ pressure. Beta blockers made me feel more lightheaded, and almost like I was less aware of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 @Scout - sorry you are in the hospital. I was on several meds ( including different BB's ) and found CC ( calcium channel blockers ) extremely helpful controlling my BP. I also get very worried about potential side effects from meds but have found that we cannot find out if they help unless we try. My docs usually start with the lowest dose ( often even pediatric ) and go from there - if I do OK they increase slowly. CC are totally worth a try - be brave!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aud E Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 I was on diltiazem to control sporadic blood pressure and sporadic tachycardia during the day and a different calcium channel blocker called digoxin (very low dose to control night tachycardia). I still get palpatations during night episodes but my BP and heart are under control which is better for the valves. I did not get any side effects from either that I was aware of. My cardiologist did this as a means to not put me on beta blockers just yet due to my younger age, beta blockers effects on depression, energy and respiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scout Posted June 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 Thank you everyone for your feedback. It is really helpful. And you're right — I do need to be brave. I had a really, really horrible experience on beta blockers which made my hyper-POTS so much worse, so I'm sort of traumatised from that if I am honest. I got so much worse. But, as many of you have rightly said: calcium channel blockers are a different class of drug and it may just be exactly what I need. Thank you again for the support, and I'm very glad that CCB's seem to have really helped a lot of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outaker Posted June 22, 2019 Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 Beta blockers are dangerous for hyper pots people. Unopposed alpha is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted June 22, 2019 Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 On 6/19/2019 at 11:43 AM, p8d said: @firewatcherit helps with daily headaches? Migraines? Yes, It helps with my migraines. It cut the occurrence and intensity down by almost 50%. In some people using BB and CCB together may be synergistic (each one could make the other stronger) and "could" cause your heart to beat too slow or stop. My cardiologist suggested that I take both, but my GP said not to do it. I was not so disabled by the tachycardia, so I stayed on only Verapamil alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p8d Posted June 22, 2019 Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 Thanks @firewatcherI am on BBS so won’t be trying these but man, I would love something to help the headaches. Topomax gave me headaches as did Effexor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted June 23, 2019 Report Share Posted June 23, 2019 21 hours ago, firewatcher said: In some people using BB and CCB together may be synergistic (each one could make the other stronger) and "could" cause your heart to beat too slow or stop. My cardiologist suggested that I take both, but my GP said not to do it. @firewatcher - I have been taking Carvelidol ( BB ) and Diltiazem ( CCB ) for many years with good results. I used to only take BB, which marginally helped with tachycardia and PVC's, but did not do anything for my hypertension. Since adding Diltiazem my BP improved as well. Since dysautonomia affects different aspects of the cardio-vascular system often a mix of medications is necessary to achieve results. This combination may not be recommended for SOME people but in dysautonomia we respond differently to medications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peresphone24 Posted June 23, 2019 Report Share Posted June 23, 2019 I was on Diltiazem for a little while but it made my tachycardia worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted June 23, 2019 Report Share Posted June 23, 2019 2 hours ago, Pistol said: @firewatcher - I have been taking Carvelidol ( BB ) and Diltiazem ( CCB ) for many years with good results. I used to only take BB, which marginally helped with tachycardia and PVC's, but did not do anything for my hypertension. Since adding Diltiazem my BP improved as well. Since dysautonomia affects different aspects of the cardio-vascular system often a mix of medications is necessary to achieve results. This combination may not be recommended for SOME people but in dysautonomia we respond differently to medications. Pistol, I do understand that we are very different in the way our bodies handle medication. Many cardiologists, including my own (without any caution,) have prescribed these together. For some it is a correct combination, much of that is based on the experience and skill of the doctor. We MUST be aware of the possible consequences of the medications that we take. We feel crappy enough most of the time to ignore more serious warning signs. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2857518 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted June 23, 2019 Report Share Posted June 23, 2019 @firewatcher - the link you shared refers to patients with chronic angina pectoris and it mentions use of BB and short-term IV Verapamil. It also states this: Concomitant calcium-channel blocker and beta-blocker therapy is an important contribution to the pharmacologic management of resistant patients who remain symptomatic during single drug treatment. However, the possibility of additive adverse cardiac effects mandates careful patient selection and close clinical monitoring. With ANY cardiac medication the above is necessary - if a single medication is not effective then another may need to be tried or ADDED, and certainly close monitoring is necessary to evaluate the patients response. Physicians prescribe medications considering that the benefit outweighs the risks - in some patients combination therapy may be contra-indicated but in others a necessity for symptom improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayut Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 I was having a lot of cardio-like symptoms: Large variability in blood pressure, palpitations, PVC's, and arrhythmias. Magnesium is a natural calcium channel blocker. I started with 100 mg per day and worked up to 100 mg TID over 3-4 weeks. I use Mg Glycinate. It's the only form I can tolerate. It has worked wonders for me. My heart hasn't felt so calm in years. Mg has a ton of other benefits and it's GABA-like properties help with anxiety and stress. As a matter of fact, I had a much better response to Mg than Beta Blockers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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