Pacemaker Episode

Hi All from Florida....

Just got back from my 6 month pacemaker & cardiologist checkup. It showed that I had an episode back in March where my heart rate went up to 180 ! Don't remember anything weird happening back then.
Cardiologist now wants me to start taking Digoxin.
Does anyone else take this medication?

Txs
Karen

10 Comments

More Review Needed

by MSPACER - 2011-09-23 08:09:01

I would insist that the doctor do a little more review or testing before he puts you on a drug based on a pacemaker recorded episode. Has he given you a 24 hour holter monitor test? My doctor always takes the pacemaker episodes at face value. They are something to look at, but further review and analysis should be done before coming to a conclusion.

Taking Doctor Recommended Medicine

by J.B. - 2011-09-23 09:09:06



Not anymore, but I did take Digoxin for arrhythmia a couple of years after I got a pacemaker. It did the trick for me,. Since it is an old, medicine that has been around for years an has a clean record, I would not hesitant to take it again if my Dr saw something on an my EKG that made him think I should.

As for the episode your pacemaker recorded that you didn't feel, that is not uncommon. Mine will report episodes of arrhythmia several times during the three month intervals I have in between checkups. I can honestly say I have never felt one of the episodes.

I'm of the opinion that I go to a Dr for his expert advice and if he wanted to give me a medicine based on what he saw on a pacemaker checkup report or what he heard when he listened my heart, I would not argue as to me that ties his hands.

I would not take it...

by golden_snitch - 2011-09-24 03:09:12

Hi!

I agree with the first post: Putting you on a daily medication just because of one episode back in March that has been recorded by the pacer to me seems like an over-reaction. I mean, most docs I know don't even trust the pacer "alerts" and believe these only when they also have an ECG that shows an arrhythmia. Also, you cannot remember that episode, so most likely you were not symptomatic at that time. There are different types of supraventricular tachycardia that are benign and do not need any treatment, unless the patient is symptomatic.

So, I'd not take that medication before a holter monitor has confirmed arrhythmia, and before it's a confirmed type of arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia for example) that needs treatment although you are not symptomatic.

Last but not least, Digoxin should probably not be the first choice, if you should need a medication. It's usually used for atrial flutter or fibrillation, but one should always try betablockers or calcium-channel-blockers first as they have less side effects.

Best wishes
Inga

digoxin

by keveri - 2011-09-24 03:09:46

digoxin did the trick for me too. i have hx. of atrial fib, mitral valve replacement and ablations and after pacemaker in 2010 i have had more episodes of AF. I was so fatigued and was getting more and more depressed as I felt I did everything suggested, even having 10 interrogations to see what the was causing the problem.
My non EP cardiologist said lets try the old reliables like dig and he put me on digoxin.0125 mgm.everyday and I have not had one episode of AF and I feel so much better. Digoxin is product of foxglove a beautiful flowering garden plant, nature's own. Dig helps the heart muscle causing a stonger beat.
I am not as tired and have come out of my funk. I was so close to seeing another physician for antidepressant which did not happen. I am also on Corgard 20 mgm. daily and coumadin.
I finally have the zest for doing something other than sleeping all day.
You should also ask your physician what is the action of the medicine ordered.Don't be afraid of these doctors , keep at them and demand answers, knowledge is power and they respect you more when you question them. Be sure to prep yourself with info before office vs. or phone call.Or just change doctors.
Good luck, Jan

This Site Is A Money Saver

by ROSCO - 2011-09-24 11:09:05

I don't come here often, but the I am so glad I logged on today and read the comments to Karen's post. I see I can how to save myself a lot of money each year. All I have to do post my symptoms on the Pacemaker Club and ask for a diagnosis and medicine recommendation. The I go the web site of one of the pharmacies in Mexico and order the needed medication.

That way I avoid wasting my time, having the expense of seeing a doctor and then paying the exorbitant prices the U.S. pharmacies charge for medicines.

I will not even mention the possibility of my not listing all of my symptoms or describing them correctly. But those are minor considerations as we have experts here that must be clairvoyant as I see them telling Karen not to take a medicine her doctor prescribed and even recommending a replacement.

Rosco

Txs

by FloridaGrandma - 2011-09-24 11:09:09

Thank you all for your comments. It gives me more info to think about and do some more research on.
I figured someone out here would give me some advice.

:)

Karen in Florida...

correction

by golden_snitch - 2011-09-24 12:09:07

Should read: ... it's also OK to say what you what do.

ok...

by FloridaGrandma - 2011-09-24 12:09:29

Thanks Inga...

That is what I was asking out here was some advice.
I understand that everyone is different; have different feelings taking and not taking meds.
There are so many people out here in the forums that I just wanted to see what other people have experienced.

Not taking anything at face value just wanted some food for thought...

:)

I appreciate ALL comments !

Ok...

by golden_snitch - 2011-09-24 12:09:53

Rosco, no one here is telling Karen not to take the medication, I just said that "I" would not take it - that's a huge difference. If I had been given the information Karen has been given, I'd certainly not take the medication. That's it. What she does, is her decision. And I also did not recommend replacing it, but said that if it turns out she really needs treatment for her arrhythmia, there are alternatives to such a strong medication as Digoxin. I give her that info so she can ask her doctor about it.

I'm certainly not a doctor and never claimed I am. I have just been through six ablation procedures, six pacer surgeries, one open-heart and have tried about all anti-arrhythmic meds that are on the market here. What I wrote is based on my experiences, on what my cardiologists and EPs have told me, and on all the research I did on my own (as for example reading treatment guidelines published by AHA, ESC or German Society for Cardiology).

After all, this is what this forum is about: exchanging information and experiences and it's also to say what you would do.

Best
Inga

No to Beta-Blockers

by climber - 2011-09-28 08:09:22

I had my 6 month PM check-up, and it showed one high heart rate. 3 months later I had a tredmill test, it showed a high heart rate under excerise. I did really well on this test, as I still run & mountain walk. I saw the Doctor a week later and he wanted to give me Beta-Blockers, I said no. I told him, I didn't have this problem before the PM went in, so why do I now? He could'nt tell me why. That's the UK NHS's for you. I'm seeing another PM Doc next month for a 2nd opinion, to see about getting this thing removed.

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