IST....is it nothing?

[cybill]

I am a 22 year old female, otherwise OK health. In Sept. I started to get spells of tachycardia and my left arm going very numb. I have had all the tests and all they can find is AR, MR, MVP and a small calcifaction on the aorts...(I know thats spelt wrong) I def. don't have a panic disorder, and the IST was on my holter monitor. The ESP doc said that sinus tach was ok...just ignore it. How can you ignore such a thing? I always have chest pain, besides the sinus tach. Oh I'm on 25mg of antentol. I was on 50mg and I couldn't get out of bed. So now they gave me 25mg. Would taking another 12.5 help? without making me sleepy? When I ask this question they say I don't know.
I have been trying to post forever. I do hope you can shed some insight

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

It would probably be worth it to try increasing the dose of atenolol by another 12.5 mg. It might make you sleepy, but the only way to know would be to try it. If the tachycardia is not particularly fast, ignoring it and trying the atenolol are really the best thing. If the rate is very fast and causes unberable symptoms, then you could consider having an ablation procedure done by an electrophysiologist, though I would only suggest this as a last resort.

[christine m. smith]

I would like to share my experience with beta blockers. I don't know if there is something special about atenolol with your condition or not.  I took 25mg atenolol for 2 years for hypertension. When it became obvious it was not doing the job, it was increased to 50mg and I felt awful. It was an effort to accomplish anything. I wasn't "fatigued", just mentally unmotivated. My doctor switched to 50 mg toprol xl and I don't even know that I am on a beta blocker and my blood pressure is great. I don't know if this helps you are not, but if a switch to another drug can be tried, I would suggest that.  

Chris S.

[jan]

Dear Cybill and Chris,
I am on such a small dose of atenolol for NCS and IST. It has dramatically improved my energy level, not to say it's great(because the fatigue was from my conditions, says my EP), but the dose was not enough for my IST .  When they tried to up it I became fatigued and had other side effects. However, I am unmotivated, I have been trying to figure out why.  I will have to remember to ask my dr. about switching.  I am glad you posted.  
Cybill, my dr. put me on verapamil additionally for the IST and it has helped.