gillian502 Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 I'm attemping to travel tomorrow (someone else is doing the driving of course) and I'll be in the car for over 4 hours. The problem is, we're leaving early in the morning, when my tachycardia is at its worst. I've been having trouble adjusting to my new BB, probably because the dose feels too low, and I'm considering taking an extra half pill (Toprol XL) about 2 hours before we leave, to calm my racing heart before the drive. I usually take toprol Xl 37.5 mgs every day at 11am, but by 6 am the following day it has worn off and my heart is racing again. Do any of you ever take an exra half pill of BB when you feel you need it? Do you think it would cause harm to talk an additional 12.5 of the toprol early that day and then take my usual 37.5 dose at my usual time?ps) as I've stated again below, I have already put a call in to the doc. in the meantime i'm not looking for medical expertise, just friendly first person stories of those who have increased their med on their own on an occasional basis and lived to tell about it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunfish Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 while some here may be able to tell you what they do or have done in the past, no one here can (or should) tell you what is ok for YOU to do. i realize that it's probably too late to get in touch with your doctor at this point, but the question regarding taking extra medication is something that really only your doctor can answer.i hope your trip goes well... melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillian502 Posted September 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 i agree, but i've always felt better hearing first person stories. doctors always give me the by-the-book answer, and i'm not really looking for medical advice as much as first person accounts of what other people with pots have done. i don't expect anybody here to give me a medical answer, though, i know that's not possible. does anyone else increase their meds from time to time on their own, though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4cem Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Yes, of course asking your doc would be best. Personally, I have taken an extra beta when I needed to. I had the o.k. Your doc should be able to tell you the most that you can take. My cardio said I could go up to 75 or 100 if need be. I take tenormin(atenelol). I take 12.5 in the a.m. and if I need it I take another. I know toprol is long acting so maybe there is room to play since you really feel the affects before 24hrs is up. Maybe you can get up earlier and take the dose a little earlier so it will have taken affect before you leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Not that this is maybe any correlation but my dad had a severe reaction to a cortison shot and his BP sky rocketed for whatever reason. They had him increase his pill amount for a week and than as his BP came back down he went back to his normal dosage. Since your doctor is probably not available to contact over the weekend, another option is a pharmasist, they seem to know all about drugs, and have found them to be very helpful with questions as yours. Good luck.Tammy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Gallup Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 I don't mean to offend you gillian but you are indeed asking for medical advice and I personally believe that is a very dangerous thing to do. Doctors prescribe meds based on a firsthand knowlege of their patient, usually their height, weight, and sometimes BMI are involved, your dose has been tailored to fit YOU, not a bunch of strangers who have their own body types and reasons for being prescribed meds. I'm sorry if I feel that you probably had time to call your doctor and chose instead to ask medical advice about a PRESCRIPTION medication on the internet. I would also be very wary of messing with any medication, doctor advised or not, while leaving for a 4 hour car ride knowing how sensitive most of our bodies are to medication. I probably would've at least tried the extra dose some other day, IF I had my doctor's permission, to see how I'd react.If your doctor is only giving you "by-the-book" responses than perhaps it's time to find a POTS specialist, an online public forum is NO SUBSTITUTE for proper medical advice. Hope your trip goes well and you get in touch with your dr. or on call dr. if you feel the need to add more medication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillian502 Posted September 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 who's says I didn't call my doctor? i already explained that i like getting first person accounts of what others have done as well as medical advice. yes, my dr gives me by-the-book responses and yes it does frustrate me. i did have time to call, and i did call. he hasn't called back, as always, so i thought i could hear some first person advice in the meantime. geez i'm not planning to sue anyone for their first person accounts. whoever isn't comfortable answering DOESN"T HAVE TO REPLY. in the meantime the sermon was a little much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Folks, let's keep it friendly please. Just a reminder under forum rules- respect for others "A tone of kindness is appreciated in all discussions. You agree, through the use of DINET's services, that you will not post condescending, defamatory, obscene, offensive, violent, racist, profane or illegal material on this forum. DINET encourages you to use good judgment, but please do not be judgmental in posts."And with regard to the medical advice issue, also from forum rules:"The content of DINET's forums is in no way a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Readers are encouraged to confirm all information with other sources and a physician. Please keep in mind that treatments that help one patient may be detrimental to another. Members should never try any new treatment without first obtaining a physician's approval.Clarification to "medical advice:" It is okay to suggest someone seek professional medical advice and treatment. It is okay to say that you had a similar situation in which you were treated with x, y, and z medications. However, it is not okay to tell others what to do, such as, "You should take x, y, and z medications."Participation on DINET's forums signifies that you agree to abstain from giving medical advice to other members."Thanks everyone, Nina -forum admin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radha Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 i am going to say clearly that i have increased my dose of beta blockers when i was feeling worse and that is my decision, and i didnt suffer any problems because of it, of course you should use caution and do what is right for you, but i know i like to hear personal experiences too without all the extra advice! i know that everyone means well, but sometimes we just need and want a direct answer. then its up to us what to do next, radha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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