Clonidine for PVC's

Hi everybody,

I've been diagnosed with PVC's along with an elevated heart rate (~90-95 BPM while resting) and am currently taking Atenolol 50mg per day, which has reduced my PVC's and heart rate significantly. However, I still get bouts of PVC's and a pounding heart from time to time. My doctor thinks it's because I have very high anxiety levels, which has charged up my sympathetic nervous system. I was wondering if taking Clonidine, which works directly in the brain by reducing sympathetic activity, would stop my PVC's. Instead of blocking the effects of adrenalin and noradrenalin on the heart with a beta blocker, why not use Clonidine which lowers your body's production of these two "fight or flight" chemicals directly at the source (the brain)? Has anyone tried this drug with any success?

Thanks,

Ben

[Barbarella]

For the last 5 yrs I've been taken the clonidine patch for high BP, no side effects, but the PVC's are still there off and on.

[bgrimes86]

Did the clonidine slow your heart rate down? How well did it work for reducing your high BP?

[jdrtwin1]

i was on clonidine for a bit, had severe low blood pressure and heart rate and couldn't stay awake..i was also on a low dose, it helped with the blood pressure obviously but when my cardio saw i was on it he said it was a terrible drug...thats just him though.

and everyone has different reactions.

[Barbarella]

I was always had a slow heart rate all my life, but I think the clonidine slowed it some more down to 50-52 bpm.  It keeps the BP in excellent numbers. Below 120/80 most of the time.

jdrtwin1

And the Cardiologist I saw told me "I hate beta blockers, I want you to stop them right away", my heart rate on beta blockers dropped to 30 bpm and I could not do anything I was so fatigue, and it wasn't even a high dosage, and he then gave me the clonodine patch.  I never felt better.  Everybody reacts different to different meds.  

[bgrimes86]

Thanks guys! I'll ask my doctor about it since I've heard it's great for people with hyperadrenergic nervous systems (such as mine). Maybe my pvc's will stop once I get my excessive adrenalin under control.