Calcium Channel Blockers

[KLB32]

I suffer from frequent PVC's and also have slightly elevated BP (due to a kidney problem).  I take a very small dose of Lisinopril for the BP which controls it well.  Unfortunately, it does nothing for the palpitations.

I have asthma, too so my doctor is reluctant to prescribe me a beta blocker even though I took Labetalol and hydrochlorothiazide during pregnancy and did well.

He told me I can switch to Verapamil (a calcium channel blocker) if I want to.  He didn't even bother explaining it to me.

Does anyone have any experience taking this medication?  Pros and Cons to consider?

From what I've read, it isn't typically used for supression of palpitations so I am not sure how it's going to help.

[ireneo]

Before my first ablation I tried Verapamil since I couldn't take the beta blockers (asthma). So many people take it without much trouble. For me I had some nasty side effects. Tried to tough it out for the first week but ended up in ER and finally told to stop taking the med. Fatigue at first is normal so expect that. My other side effects (extreme shortness of breath, chest pain, sluggish heart beat, swollen/ red feet and ankles) were not quite acceptable.

[jpcox]

I tried taking Cardizem which is also a calcium channel blocker last month to control PAC's, but it made things MUCH worse. I would wake up in the middle of the night with constant palpitations  ( which it has never happened before) so I have decided along with my doctor to not take anything for these extra beats. I believe that certain medicines work for certain people, but in my case it really made me symptomatic. Does anyone feel weak with PAC's? On bad days I feel extremely weak in my legs, my doctor seems to think it is not heart related, but the only thing that is occurring is these irregular beats. What do you think?      

[maggiemag]

I took Verapamil for 5 years to control my SVT.  I had no episodes at all during that period, at least sustained ones! :-)  While my very frequent PVC's never bothered me, they were also obliterated.  I was on quite a low dose, as I am very sensitive to cardiac drugs.  The only side effect I had, and it is very common, was some slight constipation.  For me it was definitely worth taking.  See if they could just start you on a low dose at first to see if you have side effects, but try to stop yourself from looking up the possible ones online!

[va_tony]

I take cardizem, a similar calcium channel blocker.  It works great.  The only side effect I noticed was a mild swelling of the ankles.  That was eliminated by an additional prescription of HCTZ, a diuretic.

You can read about other patient's views on verapimil by going onto the Askapatient web site (google Askapatient to get the link).

Regards

Tony