HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION

DEAR DOCTOR,
        I WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN HELP ME. I HAD PALPITATIONS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CHEST THAT WOULD LAST FOR DECENT AMOUNT OF TIME. I`M SEEING A CARDIOLOGIST FOR THE PROBLEM AND HE HAS ME SCHEDULED FOR AN ECHO,HOLTER,AND A THALIUM STRESS TEST.MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 160/100,158/95. HE PRESCRIBED TO ME [MICROZIDE] WHICH I HAD A VIOLENT REACTION ON THE FIRST DAY.WITHIN 4HRS I BECAME VERY LIGHTHEADED[ALMOST TO THE POINT OF FAINTING]SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND RIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED,MY HEART WAS RACING AND PALPITATING,AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED AND I BECAME LIGHTHEADED TO THE POINT OF FAINTING AND SHORTNESS OF BREATHE[MY FAMILY SAID I TURNED WHITE AS SHEET]. NEEDLESS TO SAY I CALLED 911 AND WHENT TO THE HOSPITAL. HOSPITAL CHECKED ME AND SAID IT WAS ANXIETY.[I DON`T BELIEVE THEM, ON THAT ONE.] HE NEXT PRESCRIBED ME [CARDIZEM CD,120MG]. THIS APPEARS TO BE CONTROLING THE PALPITATIONS, BUT NOW I HAVE A STRING OF REACTIONS TO IT. THEY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: I HAVE BEEN WEAKENED TO THE POINT THAT I DON`T WANT TO DO ANYTHING [I SAY I ONLY HAVE HALF THE ENERGY I NORMALLY HAVE] 2.I HAVE NO APPETITE FOR EATING, WHICH IS UNSUAL FOR ME [I`M NORMALLY A BIG EATER] 3. I GET UNSUAL WAVES OF TIRENESS EVERY COUPLE OF HRS THAT ALMOST MAKES ME SIT DOWN[NO LIGHTHEADEDNESS OR DIZZYNESS, JUST A WAVE OF TIRENESS THAT I CAN FEEL THROUGH MY WHOLE BODY] THIS ONE SCARES ME THE MOST.4. MY STOOL IS YELLOW[AGAIN UNUSUAL FOR MY BODY] I HAVE GOTTEN THESE REACTIONS SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MICROZIDE AND THEY CONTINUE WITH THE CARDIZEM CD. I KNOW MY LETTER IS LONG BUT I THOUGHT YOU NEEDED ALL THE INFORMATION. MY QUESTION IS AS FOLLOWS 1. DID THE MICROZIDE DAMAGE MY HEART OR BODY?[ I HAVE FELT TIRED EVER SINCE THE MICROZIDE EPISODE] 2. IS THERE A MILDER BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION THAT DOESN`T HAVE SO MANY SIDE EFFECTS.[ I`M LOOKING FOR MY BODY TO BE LIKE IT WAS BEFORE THE MICROZIDE REACTION,BEFORE THAT I WAS A NORMAL PERSON WITH CHEST PALPITATIONS] AGAIN I KNOW THAT THIS LETTER IS LONG AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO READ IT. UPON READING THE OTHER FORUMS I RESPECT YOUR OPINION. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY HELP?I`M A WHITE 44YR OLD, NON SMOKER, WITH ONLY ONE MEDICAL PROBLEM OF DUODENAL ULSER.     ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
                              THANKS LOU F.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Lou,

It seems that the therapy for the palpitations is worse than the PVC's them selves.  I would recommend a low dose beta blocker and perhaps an anxiolytic for your symptom control.  

It seens that neither of the two prior choices have been very good.

The other option is to try to reduce caffeine, stress and alcohol and see if via behavioral modificaiotn your PVC's will decrease to a point where no therapy is required.