Advice...Torn on what to do

Just an update on my situation.  I had a very bad day today...was happy I went all day yesterday without taking a xanax...but went home at lunch, had no appetite, and was in tears.  My wife made me take a xanax because she said I need to do that until I can get into see a therapist...which will be Monday of next week, I called and said I wasn't doing so well and they upped my appointment from august 3rd to Monday....huge relief!  So, that made me feel a little better, plus the xanax kicked in and my appetite came back so I went and grabbed lunch....i feel better now, still feeling a lot of PACS but they don't freak me out as much when I've had some xanax.

Anyway, the cardiologist office I saw last week called yesterday to say the cardiologist was going to be out of town the day I scheduled my follow up appointment.  So I rescheduled and asked to leave the PA a message because I still never got my holter results back.  He said they still haven't received them, but he will get back to me when they do.  He also told me to start taking the 25mg atenolol that they prescribed, he said that should help with the PACS and the anxiety.  I was hoping to hold off on starting that until talking to my regular cardiologist on Thursday of next week and starting treatment for anxiety.  

Again, what is everyone's opinion on beta blockers, specifically atenolol?  Should I go ahead and start taking it now or should I wait until next week when I start seeing the therapist and try to get a hold of my anxiety....and when I see my regular cardiologist a week from today?

Any advice would be appreciated....I have the atenolol but I have mixed feelings about starting them.

Thanks,

Grant

[debbier]

I was like you, I let the heart issues aggravvate me for 6 years before I broke down had an ablation and then went on Atenlol.     The atenolol is working great for me.  I am a little tired on it but other than that its been great,  If your pacs are driving you to tears you should try the Atenolol.  Give it a try so when you go back to your cradiologist you know if its working if not he can suggest something esle  while you are there.  I had palps every minute every day so I know how they can make you so miserable that all you want to do is lay in bed.   Try the Atenolol you maybe surprised how much better you feel and I find it also calms my anxiety.  I have not needed xanax because my heart is pretty calm.  I may get a palp or two during the day but thats it.  Good Luck!

[is_something_wrong]

Hello,

I see you've written some posts here lately. Hello from a PAC sufferer ;)

In my case, b blockers work extremely well. I'm on Pranolol 10 mg (non selective one), Atenolol is somewhat newer and more cardiac specific, but it doesn't really matter. They all are quite similar.

In my case, the PACs during exercise are bothering me. They are gone with b blockers. I tend to get some more PACs or PVCs (not sure really what they are) during rest, because my heart rate is slower. This is sometimes bothering me before sleep, especially after a stressful day, angry girlfriend (can be a PAC trigger, lol) or if I have many things on my mind.

Beta blockers can help you, but you really need to work with the fact that PACs are completely benign and similar to an ordinary heartbeat. They are more benign than PVCs, and we all have them.

If Xanax helps you (it has no cardiac effect what so ever) it should be clear that your problem is in your mind and not in your heart. Adrenaline can have amazing, terrifying effect on the heart. Not dangerous, but scary.

If your doctor has prescribed atenolol, and you don't have low blood pressure or severe bradycardia issues, you should try. They are several times more healthy than going eating Xanax, that is NOT good for you through time. If you have to use anxiolytic meds, SSRI drugs or Atarax is far more healthy to use through time. Xanax is for emergencies only (from what I know).

I can't give you any advice on meds, so this must (of course) be cleared with your doctor. But if he prescribed those drugs for you, I assume it is.

Good luck! :)

[rilesnic]

I take atenolol 12.5 mg.  I was taking the 25mg and it was working very well for the PAC's, but I was so exhausted so they cut me back to half that I take before I go to bed and I'm doing much better physically on that.  I do feel more PAC's than I did on the 25 mg, but you will get used to feeling them.  When I first started feeling them, I was at the doctor or ER once or twice a month.  I even called 911 one time because I started hyperventilating from a panic attack and had no clue what was going on.  Now, although they are very annoying and still very scary, I just do my best to get through them.  I get up and move around when I start feeling them to take my mind off of them.  I also take xanax as needed if they get really bad or I have runs of them.  I'm so sorry you're not feeling well.  Keep us posted on how you're feeling. Best to you!

[GrantN]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate it....I may just start taking them.  I just don't want to become dependant on them....my worst case scenario would be that most of my pacs are anxiety related...and that I talk to a therapist and get ahold of my anxiety....and the pacs then would go away on their own....without having to take any meds.  I just don't want to start something that I may have to take for the rest of my life.  I'm only 35 and I already hate the fact that I take zocor for high cholosterol...now this would be another medication!  

Also, I had a float trip coming up a week from Saturday, I would love to float down the river with some friends and have a few beers.....but not sure how that would work with atenolol...  

Thanks everyone for their advice, it is very much appreciated!!!

[is_something_wrong]

A dose of 25 mg Atenolol doesn't mean you'll have to use it for the rest of your life!

It's a really small dosis, but likely enough to get the "peak adrenaline" away from your heart. And if it doesn't work, you can just stop (after talking to your doctor, though).

Beta blockers and alcohol is not a problem unless the dosage of beta blockers are very high (like 200 mgs +) I think (or, of course, you're so drunk you don't know where you are, in that case the beta blockers aren't the worst of your problems..)

Anyway, it must be better than taking Xanax

[GrantN]

Thank you....I went ahead and called the nurse over at my primary cardiologist as well, who I am seeing in a week.  She said to go ahead and start taking it at night, I can take it for a week and then talk with my cardiologist on Thursday of next week and see if it has helped.  She said it was a very small dose and to go ahead and start it and we'll see how I am doing in a week.

Thanks,

Grant

[is_something_wrong]

No problem!

It's of course best to solve problems like PACs with accepting they are benign and won't hurt you. But they can be really bothersome and in that case, a beta blocker is not necessarily a bad idea (I had the problems for a year, before I gave up and found the beta blockers my doctor prescribed, and they helped).

[rilesnic]

I float down the Guadalupe River every year (7-8 hour ride).  I kayaked at the beach last weekend.  I swim laps in my pool everyday. I have been on atenolol for 7 years.  If you stop doing things now, you may continue to stop doing them.  Try not to let the fear of the PAC' s get over on you.  You define your life, your PAC's don't define you.  Your wife and friends know what's going on and they are going to take great care of you should you need them.  Hang in there...you're going to be fine.

[GrantN]

thanks is_something_wrong and rils.......riles, I'm definitely not worried about floating down the river, I would just like to enjoy a few beers with friends on this day and not sure I can do that on atenolol?????

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

Sorry to hear that you didn't have a very good day :( As for enjoying a few beers while taking Atenolol...unless you were told by your Dr not to...there is no contraindication to consuming alcohol in moderation...but remembering that alcohol consumption can exacerbate these annoying ectopics.

[ireneo]

I'm worried that a "few beers" and river rafting may not mix well. There are too many accidental drownings each year because alcohol was involved. I know - you're sure you're handling it just fine. And alcohol can be dehydrating. Another problem if you're out in the sun all day going down the river. Please remember to drink regular fluids as well.

[GrantN]

Thanks ireneo, I appreciate all of that, but this river is very low!  It's not like rapids....we float around at about 4-5 MPH....there are several times you have to get out and pull the raft because it's too shallow.  You can see the bottom of the river at all times and it's never above chest level.  We fill the coolers with lots of gatorade and water also!  It's usually a great time and I always enjoy a few beers when we go, I just don't know with the PACS and atenolol being involved this year.....these stupid things sure do change the game of life!!!

[ireneo]

Thanks for the information. Locally we have many smaller rivers and they look so calm on the surface but have strong currents underneath, cold water and plenty of rocks and branches that snag unsuspecting swimmers. Your river sounds wonderful.

I know with Diltiazem (a CCB) it clearly states to avoid drinking much alcohol. I've never tried to mix the two so I don't know what the results might be. In general, drinking much tends to trigger my PAC's and PVC's so I just don't go there. I do love the taste of a cold beer on a hot day though. Oh well.