Strange Sensations

Hi-

I would love to know if anyone has had the following symptoms:

My history: Had a pacemaker implanted August 2008 after several fainting episodes. It was diagnosed that I probably had congenital heart block.

A month after I had the pacemaker installed, I moved to London for a new job. This year has been up and down healthwise, I would get infrequent bouts of atrial tachycardia, which induced vague panic sensations.

But since May, I've been having the atrial tachy regularly. The last two weeks have been particularly stressful with work and a relationship ending, but for the last 10 days or so, I've felt really anxious, lightheaded, slightly out-of-it, and unable to concentrate. I went to my cardiologist last week, who told me to take 2.5mg Beta Blockers every day. The beta blockers have worked on the anxiety, but are inducing a low-grade depression. It's really strange, I'm usually an incredibly happy-go-lucky person, so the depressive stuff is not. me.

Just wondering if anyone else has had atrial tachycardia + Beta Blockers, and wondered what was done about it.

Thanks!
Uma

4 Comments

Hello Uma

by greenboy - 2009-07-05 10:07:36

I had episode like yours, and I was very depressed when I got my Pacemaker, Now I am ok, but I am not the "happy" person I was before, I see people petty and times I have episodes of depressions, and I am not as sociable like before' but for some reason I enjoy more the gym and the sauna. I checked the thyroid after I got the problem with a complete heart block and I was hypo. I got medication for this and the taky episodes are gone. but I had one recently. I think we are not going to be normal like before anymore. Dont take antidepressive drugs that make you to depend more of medications. God Bless Greenboy.

bin the medication!!!

by Hot Heart - 2009-07-05 12:07:35

hi there, probably loads of people will say noooooooooooooo, if its prescribed you must take it.

I got my pm nov, started afib in jan, thought it was menapause. After long talks with my cardiologist it was decided i would take half an apsrin in a morning and have a small glass of red wine at night.

Stress is one of the main causes of this from what i can se try to relax, dont take on too much, exercise and see how you go.

Take care

HH

Thanks!

by umita01 - 2009-07-06 05:07:41

Hi,

Thanks very much for the comments. I really appreciate it. I will try the calcium channel blocker trick, and as of yesterday cut down the dosage of the beta blocker, and am feeling like my old self already.

Thanks!
Uma

Hi Uma

by Philman - 2009-07-06 12:07:34

Been thu the B/B scenario foe a year. Don't get discouraged as depression is common with beta blockers.
You might try Calcium Channel Blockers as they will help with the a-fib and will not have the same adverse side effects. Exercise is a GREAT stress reducer and will help you tolerate any of these drugs. Talk to your doctor about a very small dose of the drug and work up if you need to...
All of my docs haver always over- prescribed B/B's as i seem to be very sensitive to them. After trying many, I am currently on half a .25 atenolol in the late evening, and can get by with just a quarter of one most days..............No a-fib with this reduction compared to almost daily bouts with the larger doses. It sounds as if you are taking Bystolic @ 2.5 (more side effects for me with this one)
Good Luck and get a pill cutter at your drug store.
p.s. keep a diary and find the "triggers" for your a-fib, you might be surprised at the results. ( even food can be the culprit)
Philman

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