Cardiologist and Beta Blockers

[Mya Symons]

The doctor called. The results of my adrenal test are still in normal range.

There are a lot of suggestions on heart medicines. Thank you.

My question would be this then: Which heart medicine would be best to lower my heart rate WITHOUT lowering my blood pressure? So which one would affect my blood pressure the least?

I go back to the heart doctor in July.

 

[Alisha12]

The doctor called. The results of my adrenal test are still in normal range.

There are a lot of suggestions on heart medicines. Thank you.

My question would be this then: Which heart medicine would be best to lower my heart rate WITHOUT lowering my blood pressure? So which one would affect my blood pressure the least?

I go back to the heart doctor in July.

Theoretically ivabradine is the best medicine to control only the heart rate.it works by different mechanism than b blockers. It is suggested for inappropriate sinus tachycardia.

 

[DeGenesis]

I was admitted to the hospital for POTS several years ago because I could not sit up and had pre-syncopy while laying down. The cardiologist I saw wanted me to take a beta-blocker, but I refused it. My attending physician was a sharp man and we decided to try me on fludrocortisone. In a few days I was out of bed again.

Eventually I started getting headaches. I stopped the Florinef. One of my biggest mistakes ever.

I should have continued my prescription, even if I didn't take it or only took a quarter of the prescribed dose. It has been years and no doctor will prescribe me Florinef. I have seen every specialist and they will not prescribe it in someone with normal BP.

Now I take Bystolic (nebivolol), and have been for a few years. It is the only beta-blocker I can tolerate. Bisoprolol gave me massive fatigue and cold extremities. Propranolol gave me the same side-effects as bisoprolol plus increased mast cell issues, even at 10 mg.

I take 5 mg nebivolol. Sometimes I take 10 mg when I take Concerta (1 or 2 27 mg capsules).

I would really prefer to take nebivolol plus Florinef, rather than nebivolol plus a stimulant. The combo of a beta-blocker plus a stimulant produces hypovolemia quite rapidly and I have to pound electrolyte drinks all day.

 

[Mya Symons]

Theoretically ivabradine is the best medicine to control only the heart rate.it works by different mechanism than b blockers. It is suggested for inappropriate sinus tachycardia.

Thank you for the information on this one. I've done some looking into studies on ivabradine and it seems like the best option right now. I'm going to go to the cardiologist later today and I'll mention this.

 

[Mya Symons]

So I tried to get ivabradine and the doctor wouldn't give it to me until I tried a medicine approved by my insurance company. She said if the first medication doesn't work, she will give me ivabradine.

She gave me propranolol instead. I took 5mg today. I have a blood pressure and pulse machine and I've been using it periodically. I used it about 2 hours after taking the propranolol and my pulse is down. However, now my blood pressure is high! It is 128/78. The top number has never been over 120 and usually it is much lower. I am supposed to take 15mg a day of this stuff, but now I'm worried it will make my pressure go up too high.

This is supposed to be a medicine that lowers the pulse and blood pressure. Does anyone know why it would be raising my blood pressure?

My doctor uses an online service. I think I'm going to leave her a note tomorrow.

 

[Mya Symons]

I just took my blood pressure. It is up to 138/82 and my pulse is 142. I don't understand why this betablocker (propranolol) is having the opposite effect. I'm going to stop taking it. I wish my doctor would get back to me?

Does anybody know why a betablocker would actually raise someone's blood pressure? I've always had low blood pressure. This is so different.

 

[Sushi]

Does anybody know why a betablocker would actually raise someone's blood pressure? I've always had low blood pressure. This is so different.

Don't know but my cardio did a genetic test to see what meds would be best for me. One of the most common beta blockers was a total "Never take this drug." But propranolol is okay. Sometimes if they lower your pulse too much I'm told that your BP can go up to try to compensate. But both going up???

 

[JES]

Does anybody know why a betablocker would actually raise someone's blood pressure? I've always had low blood pressure. This is so different.

The problem with propranolol is that it has a short half-life, it's something between 3 to 6 hours and it starts to lose its effect, so you have to take it often. It's a very good drug for stage fright etc. if you quickly want to achieve an effect, but not sure if it's very ideal for long-term use. I also reckon it's documented to not lower bp as much as other beta blockers. Bisoprolol lowered both my pulse and bp and the effect was continuous, much better and more targeted drug for these type of issues.

 

[Mya Symons]

The problem with propranolol is that it has a short half-life, it's something between 3 to 6 hours and it starts to lose its effect, so you have to take it often. It's a very good drug for stage fright etc. if you quickly want to achieve an effect, but not sure if it's very ideal for long-term use. I also reckon it's documented to not lower bp as much as other beta blockers. Bisoprolol lowered both my pulse and bp and the effect was continuous, much better and more targeted drug for these type of issues.

Yes, but I have never had high blood pressure before. It's always been low. I have read online some patient complaints that Propranolol sometimes does the opposite of what it is supposed to do. I think that is what is going on with me. I've stopped taking it and am waiting for my doctor to get back to me. I think it's time to try something else.

 

[Mya Symons]

Don't know but my cardio did a genetic test to see what meds would be best for me. One of the most common beta blockers was a total "Never take this drug." But propranolol is okay. Sometimes if they lower your pulse too much I'm told that your BP can go up to try to compensate. But both going up???

Do you know the name of the genetic test? I doubt my insurance would pay for it, but just in case I should check it out.

 

[Sushi]

Do you know the name of the genetic test?

Here is there website: http://asperiolabs.com/

What Is Pharmacogenetics?
Pharmacogenetics is the study of
how genes affect a person’s response
to drugs. Utilizing Genetic Testing.

 

[Mya Symons]

Here is there website: http://asperiolabs.com/

Thank you!

 

[Alisha12]

Thank you for the information on this one. I've done some looking into studies on ivabradine and it seems like the best option right now. I'm going to go to the cardiologist later today and I'll mention this.

Sorry ..didn't see your comment earlier.your doctors approach is quite justified. B blocker is usually first line of tt. If propranol doesn't work , U an try atenolol or other cardioselective b blocker. I also had pretty severe side effects frm propranol.it directly put me in presyncope n it was really hard to recover.may be bcos of hyperadrenergic POTS like symptoms, it was a very delicate balance.

 

[Alisha12]

I just took my blood pressure. It is up to 138/82 and my pulse is 142. I don't understand why this betablocker (propranolol) is having the opposite effect. I'm going to stop taking it. I wish my doctor would get back to me?

Does anybody know why a betablocker would actually raise someone's blood pressure? I've always had low blood pressure. This is so different.

Did you have syncope like symptoms prior to this raised bp?

 

[Mya Symons]

Did you have syncope like symptoms prior to this raised bp?

The higher my pulse rate the more out of breath, dizzy, and nauseous I feel. I've had a high pulse rate now for several years. So yes, I did, but currently I don't know if it is attributable to the blood pressure or the high pulse rate.

 

[Sushi]

The higher my pulse rate the more out of breath, dizzy, and nauseous I feel.

Is your pulse in rhythm? Easy to do a rough and ready check by monitoring it with your fingers.

 

[Alisha12]

The higher my pulse rate the more out of breath, dizzy, and nauseous I feel. I've had a high pulse rate now for several years. So yes, I did, but currently I don't know if it is attributable to the blood pressure or the high pulse rate.

True ..difficult to say if it's due pulse or BP!! Just curious if u have tachycardia in all the postures? Because I have it at rest too.

 

[Mya Symons]

True ..difficult to say if it's due pulse or BP!! Just curious if u have tachycardia in all the postures? Because I have it at rest too.

It's high at rest. It is highest when I stand in one place, when I take a shower and when the temperature is hot (over 70 degrees fahrenheit).

 

[Mya Symons]

Is your pulse in rhythm? Easy to do a rough and ready check by monitoring it with your fingers.

It's not always in rhythm. It often speeds up and slows down and then back up again when I check it. Sometimes it will also flutter or skip a beat.

 

[Alisha12]

It's high at rest. It is highest when I stand in one place, when I take a shower and when the temperature is hot (over 70 degrees fahrenheit).

Same here..I am almost always having heart rate above 90.But standing in one place has been the toughest part of disability.I'm diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia & POTS.I had always had tachycardia almost since 18 years but was never disabled .But since 3 years it's related to posture and I am completely housebound.
Did you try florinef along with b blocker?