Goblin

Hello everyone. Does anybody else find that their heart rate is very fast when they first wake up in the morning? Whenever I wake up, I have trouble getting around because my heart rate makes such a dramatic jump.

Hello, When I said bad reaction, I meant that I got a lot of the side effects from the beta blocker. I got very tired and lethargic. Also, I felt like my heart rate went up, even though it was supposed to go down. When I tried increasing my dose, I felt very anxious and had even more episodes of fast heart rate. Hope this helps. -Stacey

Hello, just wanted to update everyone on this new med. The calcium channel blocker I am taking is called verapamil. I have not had any ill side effects from it, but I have been on it for three days with no improvement in symptoms. I called my cardiologist today to see if I should continue this med or not. I'll let you guys know what happens. -Stacey

As far as treatment, more beta blocker is the best way to go. Since I can not tolerate it... and it does not seem to be working, I am going to start a medication called Verapamil on Friday. This is a calcium channel blocker that is also aimed at slowing heartrate. It also lowers bp though, like the beta blocker. I figure I'll give it a shot though.. maybe it will help. I increased the dosage of Toprol XL I was taking, but it did not help with heartrate. I'm hoping that this will give me some relief without too many side effects.

Just a follow-up on this post. I talked with my cardiologist after this event and he hooked me up with a cardiac event monitor. The readings from this showed that I had episodes of atrial tachycardia, which they are working on treating right now. The nurse I spoke to today assured me that no amount of anxiety can actually cause these episodes to happen. Just wanted to let everyone know the latest news. -Stacey

I have fluctuations in blood pressure, it is low while standing. I am a little afraid to take the new med. I either have to do that, or take more beta-blocker, but I can not seem to tolerate that.

Hello everyone. I was just wondering if anybody has tried to use calcium channel blockers to control heartrate? I was just prescribed Verapamil 180mg by my cardiologist. I have a cardiac event monitor right now and it picked up episodes of extremely high heart rate. Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with this medication. -Stacey

Congradulations!!! That is so great that you get to work with people that will understand what you are going through. keep us posted about how it goes. -Stacey

I'm sorry to hear that you have to go through all this stress. I hope everything works out for you. -Stacey

Thank you for the suggestion. I thought it may be related because it started happening at the same time as all of my other symptoms. It does not occur that frequently, or last very long luckily. I notice when this occurs that my eyes have a hard time adjusting to changes in light- like when I turn the light on in a dark room, it seems obnoxiously bright at first.

Hello everyone. I asked a question earlier about visual disturbances, but I had one more question. I noticed today when I was sitting that I could see a rather large red spot out of the corner of my right eye. When I turn to look at it dead on, it is gone. It is only there when I unfocus in the corner of my eye. Does anybody else experience anything like this? I am assuming it is because of pressure changes, I am also very tired today. I have had an MRI, so I can rule out any serious cause of visual problems. Just looking for any feedback. Thanks everyone -Stacey

I have been feeling very weak all over today... kind of like I can barely hold myself up. Does anybody have any suggestions how to combat this? It is causing me a lot of anxiety. Thanks for listening, -Stacey

This is a quick question for Dan... how long were you on beta-blockers before you discontinued? Also, were the beta blockers helping you at all? I am curious because I am going to be taken off of the beta blocker I am taking in a couple of months and I am a little bit nervous about it. For your question, my blood pressure fluctuates a great deal from very low to relatively high. Take care, -Stacey

Hello again. Thank you for all of the replies!! I definutely relate to those of you that go against the panic notion. I went through many doctors before my true diagnosis that said that I had anxiety and I knew in my heart that they were wrong. I know that they are panic symptoms, but I think that it comes from doing too much and blood pressure fluctuations. Thank you all for understanding. It really makes me feel better knowing that I am not the only one experiencing these horrible symptoms. Take care everyone, -Stacey

Hi everyone. I just need to share my story of the day. I have been feeling slightly better lately but especially today. I went to class this morning and felt fine, then decided to go shopping for a little while. I was just about to pay the cashier at the store when all of a sudden I got the pounding racing heart, short of breath, shaking, and felt like I was very close to passing out. I had to sit on the floor immediately and it passed, but it was very scary. I have only had this happen a few times. Does anybody else experience this? I find it to be very scary and I feel like I am having a heart attack. I also get extremely tired afterwards. Thanks everyone for listening, I just felt I had to share this with someone who would understand. -Stacey

Thank you for the suggestions. I walked a lot today but I feel very symptomatic now. That is good that you have a regular routine, that is what I am trying to work towards now. I also feel better when I am doing something rather than laying around. I hope you did not take offense when I made the comment about weight lifting... I just did not want you to put yourself in any dangerous situation. Take care and thanks again;) -Stacey

Thanks for the advice everyone. I tried walking today and it was not terrible. I want to start swimming, but I need to find someone to come with me for "just in case". I read that one of you lifts weights- be careful with this. My cardiologist told me never to lift any weights because it puts too much strain on the heart.

Thank you Justin for the website. Have you tried swimming before? I used to swim regularly a few years back, if this would help, maybe I will try again. Thanks again;)

Is anybody able to exercise? If so, what kinds of things do you do? I tried to exercise a few times but ended up feeling very dizzy for days afterwards. If anybody has any suggestions, I would love to hear them. I really want to start some kind of consistent exercise program.

I just started drinking propel a couple of days ago. It has significantly less salt than gatorade so you would miss out on that. It tastes good though;)

I think you are describing what I am talking about. I also get it when I am sititng and not doing much. I drink plenty of fluids (lots of gatorade) and eat alot of salt, but I have not had much relief. I was already drinking alot and having alot of salt before I was sick. I will try massaging my legs.. thank you for the advice. Take care, -Stacey

Lightheadedness is my main complaint too;) I used to have it off and on but I have had it constantly for the past 9 1/2 months. I tried Proamatine first but it made my symptoms worse. I am now taking florinef and toprol xl. I still am experiencing alot of lightheadedness. My other symptoms have lessened though. I used to have alot of palpatations and anxiety. Those are the main things that have gone away. Do you also get that falling feeling? I hate that feeling.. it is so scary. Is there anything that you have found that has made the lightheadedness better?

Hello. This question is for everyone who experiences dizziness of lightheadedness. I was wondering if this symptom happens only once in a while or is constant. I experience almost constant lightheadedness and nothing seems to help. I sometimes feel like I am off balance, this only lasts for a short while. If I am watching tv, sometimes I will feel like I involuntarily move slightly, like a falling feeling. Can anybody relate to this?

The neurologist I was seeing first noticed that there was a problem when he noticed a drop in my blood pressure and a rise in heart rate when I was standing. He ordered a holter monitor for me and referred me to a cardiologist. My cardiologist was the one who actually diagnosed me after running several tests- the tilt table was the most important one. Good luck, I hope that you get a diagnosis, I found the worst part for me was not knowing. Take care, -Stacey

Thank you for the replies. During the time when I was the sickest, I also had a low body temperature.. I thought it was kind of weird, but it is nice to know that I am not the only one. Thank you mighty mouse for the link to the handbook, I found it to be a good source of information. Thanks again, -Stacey