A-Fib

My history:
In 1993, I was 26 at the time, a viral infection landed me in the hospital for 4 days. A spinal tap and multiple blood tests failed to diagnose my condition. A few months after my hospitalization, I developed heart symptoms (mainly rapid and irregular beating). After intesive heart tests order by my cardiologist (stress tests, thallium stress test, echos, holter monitors, event recorders, etc.) I was diagnosed with a-fib, and an array of other either less concerning, or to sporadic, conditions. Due to the lack of cardiac history in my family, my Dr. explained the virus I had may have attacked my heart. I eventually went through the following list of meds (aside from 1/2 an aspirin daily): Toprol 240, Cardizem 240, Cardizem 300, Tiazac 360, Cardizem 300, Betapace 80mg BID and Digoxin, Cardizem 120->240->300. Now, my Dr. wants to hospitalize me again to switch me to Norpace. Betapace was discontinued because it had increased my symptoms. I was supposed to start on the Cardizem again a couple of days ago, but did not. My symptoms have decreased dramatically; from about 30 episodes per day to one or two. I have not told my Dr. about skipping meds yet. I have an appt. coming up and will come clean then. I would like to know if you have come across instances of decreasing symtoms (symptoms) as a result of skipped meds or could it just be a coincidence.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

It is probably just a coincidence.

[Kaye]

Lou:

I wonder about the same thing.  I only had one lone edpisode and my PCP put me in the hospital for two days of testing.  I'm glad all the tests came out negative, however, my cardiologist sent me home with medication.  And as you said, one of the medications (mine was Linoxin) gave me one to two edpisodes almost every night.  A second opinion cardiologist switched me to Rhythmol and the night episodes have stopped, but I,m wondering if I need medication at all at this point.  Let me know your outcome from the visit to the your doctor.

Thanks

[allan]

I was also placed on lanoxin and also had so many arrythmias that I finally took myself off and they went away.  If this medication is noted for causing so many arrythmias why is it prescribed so much for afib?

[DENISE]

This may not have anything to do with the above questions, but I had been diagnosed with MVP w/severe regurgitation and was put on Toprol, Lisinopril, Ecotrin & Lasix when needed.  Within days of starting the Toprol I started having PVC's - they continued to worsen and I just thought I was getting worse with the MVP.  I had my surgery and they kept me only on the Ecotrin and Toprol for 3 months afterwards and I continued to have the PVC's but not as bad as before surgery.  When I was told to discontinue, the PVC's stopped in days and I have not had anymore.  My cardiac rehab nurse suggested it might have been because the Toprol slowed my heart down and it was just a reaction.