Re: Coreg

Posted By Jan on April 20, 1999 at 20:15:27
I was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 2 years ago.  I took  25 mg of coreg twice a day and my ef went from 15% to 63% in 1&1/2 years.  My bp and heart rate were very low and I spent about 1/2 of each day laying down because of weakness and dizziness.  My doctors took me off coreg for 3 days to see if it was side effects from the meds.  I experienced increased energy and a clear mind for the first time in 2 years.  Now I am taking 6.5 mg in the a.m. and 12.5 mg at bedtime.  I am tolerating this pretty well, my heart rate is in the 50's & low 60's.  I think I am at least partially beta blocked however, I am wondering what the minimum effective dosage is for coreg?  I sure don't want to lose my gains.  The heart transplant team doctors tell me I will most likely go back to an ef similar to what I started with if I go completely off coreg.  Is that what you are finding at the Cleveland Clinic? Thank you, Jan.  

[Jean-Cmiel]

Posted By Jean Cmiel on April 22, 1999 at 20:28:57
I was put on Coreg and started with 3.25 twice a day.  Two week later the dosage was doubled...Another two weeks and that was doubled again.. I had to remain in the doctor's office so that  my vital signs could be checked hourly.   After an hour my blood pressure dropped so low everyone in cardiology was put on alert...  I never had any negative reaction to the medication before this, nor was there any indication that I would not be able to tolerate the drug..  My doctor put me back on the 6.50  dosage for another two weeks and I returned again to try  the 13.0 dosage under  v ery controlled conditions...
y body simply would not tolerate it..So my doctor has kept me on the 6.50 dosage and surprise, surprise..my ejection fraction has improved dramatically.  I can now walk my dog twice daily  where before a trip to the bathroom in my apartment was a tiring experience... And I am 73 years old...Sorry I did not find this chat session before to encourage you young people to stick out the bad days..It is well worth it.. Jean

[Jan__0__0]

Posted By Jan on April 22, 1999 at 22:05:31
Thanks so much for your comments Jean.  There is a wonderful heart failure support group on the web called Jon's Place, where you could really give encouragement to people who are new to heart failure.










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