:)

Does anyone take bata blockers and have a pm?
My Doc. wants me to start taking them so I will become pm depented. I am only using it about 20% of the time but I am having pvc s. Ans they want me to take them I am only 31 and have 3 kids I need to be wide awake all day not sleepy. I feel that this is to much for me.

3 Comments

Bet Blockers

by SMITTY - 2008-07-17 09:07:58


Hello Amy,

I got my pacemaker in 2000 and I have had beta blockers prescribed for me several times since then. Actually I have had different versions of beta blockers prescribed a number of times since 1985. Each time the result has been the same, very simply, I feel like I have the flu. Tired and frequently find myself wanting to lie down. Not because I’m sleepy (although I usually go to sleep for an hour or so when I do lie down) but because I'm very tired.

Now for the other side of that coin. My wife (who does not have a PM) has been taking a beta blocker for some 25 years as treatment for hypertension. The beta blocker she takes does an excellent job of controlling her high blood pressure and she has never had any side effects form it.

I'm sure your doctor has explained to you the thought for using a beta blocker to impair the flow of electrical impulses from your heart's natural pacemaker thereby slowing your heart rate. Then your pacemaker can bring your heart rate up too at least the low setting of your pacemaker. In addition, the BB is supposed to make your heart muscle stronger so that it will pump more blood with each beat. (Please don't expect me to even attempt to explain that one.) This all sounds good and it works wonders for some. For some (like me) it is a total waste of medicine. The bad part is there is not way of knowing into which category you will fall until you give the beta blocker a try. And see if you get undesirable side effects to go with the slowing of your heart rate, or the results the doctor wants.

For me the undesirable effects come along about one to two weeks after I start the medication. And then it will be several more days before I reach my low point. For some that do have the undesirable side effects, they go away in a few weeks.

Amy, I see you are having PVC and while you don't say so there may be other heart rhythm problems. A beta blocker is a good way to get the same effect from a medicine as you may get from an invasive procedure called ablation, but it is much safer means. There are other side effects from BB besides making you feel sluggish, so I strongly recommend that you read the fine print on the printout you will get with you prescription.

I wish you the best and truly hope that you are in the group that takes a beta blocker and does well.

Smitty

Beta Blockers

by scadnama - 2008-07-17 10:07:29

Amy,

I am 24 years old and have had my pacemaker for 8 months. I was put on a beta blocker about 2 weeks ago so that I would be paced more often as well.
I have been suffering from the side effects of very low blood pressure and fatigue. I have already had 2 ablations, and am wondering if a final sinus node ablation wouldn't be a better choice for me. I want to have children someday, and I know that beta blockers cannot be taken during the first trimester of pregnancy or just before delivery. This is something that I will be discussing with my doc soon. I will let you know what answers I get, and please keep me updated on your situation as well.

Take care,
Amanda

Beta Blocker

by kenslow - 2008-07-29 02:07:48

Amy,

I am 32 with a pacemaker and I take the Beta Blocker atenolol. I take 50MG every night and the effects seem to have dimished by the next morning.

Kathryn

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

Member Quotes

To tell you the truth I never even give it a second thought. While growing up it never stopped me from doing anything and to this day my girlfriend or my kids need to remind me that I have one!