Solutions for Tacky episodes

I had a PM put in it Dec. Since then I've had 5 episodes were my heart rates jumps up over 100. The longest they have lasted was around 2 min but they are scary. The doctor has put me on Atenolol but I seem to be having a reaction to the meds. I get short of breath and have a heavyness in my chest when I try to do anything. Does anyone have any advise as to how to handle this? I'm calling the doctor this week.

Debbie

8 Comments

just a suggestion

by veronika - 2011-03-06 04:03:50

I was in the same boat as you, drashmore. PM implanted in Dec. had some episodes with over 100. yes it is scary. Like you, doc put me on atenolol and I reacted. tried meds for 1 months and told him to take me off. my suggestion: , tell the doc about your reaction and symptoms and try another medication. Either that or take no meds and monitor your HR. see what he says. what is your setting for lower HR?? many people I talk to take no meds at all. I am only on aspirin 81mg and a diuretic. seem to be fine, HR behaves itself, hardly over 100 any more and I feel better.
I don't know if this helps but this works for me.
good luck and hope you are feeling better soon.
veronika

Tacky episodes

by drashmore - 2011-03-06 05:03:39

They have already pulled me off Lisiniprol. I think I'm going to suggest the diuretic. He said I didn't have to take the aspirin but maybe I should add that on my own. I never had any issue with a fast HR before the PM. My lower HR is usually in the 70's. When I take the med it goes down in the low 60's and I have alot of chest pressure.

This whole mess is nerve racking enough without additional problems especially when you get something for a low HR and then you develop a fast HR when you try and do anything.

I also think I'm going to give up caffine.

Thanks for listening.

Debbie

Yes

by LS - 2011-03-06 06:03:45

I still have the tacky. The Dr. has me on Tikosyn & Lopressor twice a day and still have them. I also take the 81 mg of aspirin once a day. They don't seem concerned at all. @@ I've given up caffeine that might be in chocolate. I haven't drank coffee or pop for 30 plus years.
Liz

Get Past

by drashmore - 2011-03-06 07:03:32

How do you work through your tackies? How long do yours last? This has really got me down in the dumps.

Debbie

betablockers & pulmonary problems

by golden_snitch - 2011-03-07 03:03:37

Hi,
betablockers can make matters worse in patients with any kind of pulmonary problems like asthma. This is a very well-known adverse effect. Could be that you have a mild case of asthma you didn't know about before, but now with the betablocker it gets worse and you have symptoms for the first time.

With such short bounces of tachycardia, you don't really need a betablocker. If I were you, I'd not take a drug every day just to prevent those short and slow tachycardias happen. In my opinion, it doesn't pay off, the adverse effects the betablocker can have are worse than these short episodes. I mean: 5 episodes at a rate of a little more than 100bpm, lasting just two minutes - does this really justify taking a drug every day???
Might be scary but I'd say it's something one can learn to live with (and I say that as someone who has a very long history of tachycardia, including six ablations and lots of different meds). Also, you neither need a diuretic, nor aspirin. What for? You have a pacer but no other (structural) heart disease.

Best wishes
Inga

Just checked it

by Skyking - 2011-03-07 06:03:06

116/67-107-BPM thats about right for me since surgery last summer.
Seems high, but doesn't concern the docs. After CABG I went into A-Fib in SICU for 2 hours and was put on both digoxin and amioderone for 2 weeks, then taken off of both..... I get the "tackies" now about 3-5 times per day for about 1-3 minutes, dont like it, but told it wont hurt anything.

Going in this week to check on the echo to see if other maladies are lurking beneath my breastbone

Snitch

by drashmore - 2011-03-07 09:03:07

That's the point I think I'm at. They left me off any meds for a month and I felt great except for the 4-5 tacky episodes. Since Feb 15th I've only had one. When I was in the hospital they did the stress and cath and everything came up OK. What are your tackies like? Is there anything you can link them to...stress, excerise, caffine?

Interaction

by 082343 - 2011-03-07 12:03:55

Lisinpril is good for blood pressure, but potassium can build up and cause some problems....(bananna) and Atenolol can slow the heart sometime to low...confusing the PM.... not a Doctor but do belive in checking on drug interaction....Internet is great for that...Hope this helps

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