Are antibiotics safe to take if you have heart palpitaitons/skipped beats?...

[sonny372]

I have recentley been getting very sharp pains in my upper right abdomen near my ribcage. I am under the assumption that this is due to my spleen being enlarged. Three years ago i had splenomegly, i think that is the right term. Anyway back then i had a bladder infection and my bloodplatelets were over 500. I took an antibiotic called siparo and everything was fine 2 weeks later. Since then i have developed this arrythmias/skipped hearts beats that don't seem to go away and have become very sensitive to stimulants. I can't even take my asthma medication anymore without getting palpitations. Now i am very afraid to take any kind of meds for anything. I am hoping that an antibiotic will help eleviate some of the enlarging and pain due to killing of an infection, which was the case last time. I do have peridontis and my gums are inflamed all the time and i am thinking this might be the cause. I am wanting to take some antibiotics but fear they will induce arrythmias. Does anyone have any ideas? Please help!

[jkfrench]

Hi
Everyones system reacts differently to drugs that is for sure.  I know for me, I am always afraid to take antibiotics.  However, my cardio has put me on Cipro several times over the years for bladder infections and sinus infections and I had no problem.  He told me that is one they use as often as possible because patients tend to do well with it.  
Just inform your doctor of your concerns.  
Frenchie

[Artaud]

Hi,

As jkfrench said, everyone is different. In my experience, having PVCs since I was about 15 years old, and I am now 50, I have never had problems with PVCs that I could attribute to antibiotic use.

As a matter of fact, I have Mitral Valve Prolapse. For prophylactic purposes, to prevent any infection from affecting the Mitral Valve, before dental work (and some other procedures) I am supposed to take antibiotics, which I have. One day I arrived at the Dentist and had not considered this need beforehand. The Dentist gave me a significant dose of Antibiotics in the waiting room, (several pills) and I actually felt like I had a "buzz" from them, getting warm all over. I had no problems with PVCs though.

Happy Holidays.

[Momto3]

I've have never noticed any changes in PVC's when taking an antiobiotic.  I have a long history of PVC's and mitral regurgitation and used to take penicillin prior to certain medical/dental procedures and have never experienced a change in my PVC's.

Artaud,
Have you been advised it is no longer necessary to pre-medicate?  After pre-medicating for about 30 years, I was recently told I no longer needed the antibiotics prior to dental appointments, etc.  I was thrilled b/c the medicine and my digestive do NOT get along well : )

[Artaud]

Hi,

A funny thing happened on the way to Dentist today.

I knew someone would call me on the prophylactic use of Antibiotics, but I wrote the post minutes before leaving for work (I only had one shoe on). My wife had advised me yesterday (she works for my Cardiologist) that pre-medication is no longer needed for the level MVP that I have. (Is it needed for any MVP?) I haven't been to the Dentist (bear with me) in years, so I figured that the pre-medication anecdote was the most expedient way for me to say that I have never had any problems with antibiotics and PVCs.

Well, I have been having a tooth problem, so I had been trying to get with the Dentist. My wife successfully made an appointment for 4:00 PM today for my tooth to be evaluated, and I went to this Dentist for the first time. She said the tooth has a small crack (it's almost all filling material anyway), but she said the X-Ray showed an Abscess below the root. (There is absolutely no pain, just an odd feeling when I bite down) Well, the funny thing is that she put me on Penn VK 500 mg QID. My wife seems to think it a bit much, but I get to test my theory about the PVCs. To add to all the fun, I get to have a root canal done and pay $450 for the procedure with a cap (plus what the insurance pays).

☼ Thanks ever so much for the observation. ☼

♫♪♫ Happy Holidays. ♫♪♫

[Momto3]

I'm so sorry!  I hope I didn't jinx your dental visit!  I didn't mean to "call you" on the premeds, I was just wondering if all cardiologists are telling their patients.  When I asked my EP in May, she told me I should still take the meds.  But, in September she sent me an email letting me know I no longer needed to take them....HOORAY!   I wish I had known that earlier.....Oh well, maybe it was all for the best.

You see, in February I, too, had the weird bite down feeling, etc. Hmmmm, what's that?  I went to the dentist (not my favorite place) and was told, no dental problem.  COOL!!  I should check with my doctor because it could be sinus related.  Did that, was put on a couple rounds of mega antibiotics just in case.  YUK!!.  THEN, about a month later the darn tooth acts up again.  Only this time, it's the abscess below the tooth and root canal news!!  Oh, and then I'm told I will need a crown!! GRRRR!!!  

Over a course of 8 - 10 weeks, I was premedicated SEVEN times!  YUK!!  Needless to say, I celebrated my freedom from the penicillin.  

Sorry about the root canal : (
That's some Penn VK RX you've got there.  It will be interesting to see if your PVC's act up.  Good luck with the RCT and the cap.  

[Artaud]

Hi,

I was joking about the "call me on it" remark. I took no umbrage.

Funny how things connect. From the post of my previous history with Antibiotics to my present history. This is why I assiduously knock on wood.

I read some tonight on abscesses, interesting. I would have thought that they would produce intense pain and swelling, but that is not always the case, I guess even more so early on.

Be well.

[Momto3]

When I was ungoing the root canal therapy and all, I checked in on the dental boards.  It's not nearly as fun as this one, but you may find a few similar experiences.

My dad kept telling me to just have the tooth pulled.  I have anxiety over dental visits and the thought of "pulling" something out of my mouth just didn't set well.  I was telling him how it's much better to have your own teeth long-term.

I've also heard there are correlations between heart disease and dental problems : (  Double whammy!!

After so many years of taking the antibiotics, I was actually a little nervous about not taking in for my last cleaning.  I sure hope the new research is VERY accurate!  Take care.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!
connie

[sonny372]

thanks for reponding to my post. You guys are really great! Thanks for sharing your insight.god bless you.Hopefully i can take some antibiotics to get rid of this enlarged spleen without dropping over from an arrythmia....... I guess i am a worry wart but who isn't when it comes to your health and symptoms that don't go away?

[Barbarella]

In response to the orginal question/headline - YES