betapace

[catriver]

I have been having irrigular heartbeats my whole life,  for the past 30 years I have been taking tenormin,  recently 200mg a day along with HCTZ.  Six months ago I had a cardio lite stress test with a echo cardiogram.  The doc seems to be ok with the results.  He does want me to switch meds to betapace, 80 mg.  two times a day.  I'm concerned becaues I read on the net that you should be in a hospital and monitored for 3 days when starting this med.   He just gave me the prescription and said come back to see him in a couple of months.   I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions before I take the plunge into this med.    Thanks,

[Brooke_38]

You are very welcome...Believe me, I know what frustration is all about.ARGHHHHH!

It just worrys me that your Dr handed you a prescription for this medication like it was just some run of the mill drug. Side effects from this can be very serious, as I'm sure you read. If you have already filled the script, please read the insert that xomes with it. Make sure that any other medications ,that you may be currently taking, are not listed as "can't be taken if you're also taking..."

I'm glad that you will be calling the Dr.:)

[catriver]

Brooke,  thanks for the reply.  I have no idea what these skipping beats are all about.  I just know they started when I was 18 and I am now 58.  So it's a good thing I didn't croak from them.  Sometimes I can have them real bad for weeks and then they dissapear for a few months.  Every time I have a ekg,  they get nervous cause it doesn't look right.  Then when I run on the tread mill and they inject the dye,  everything irons out.   This deal frustrated me for the past 40 years and I never really ever got a straight answer.  Just told not to worry.  I am worried about this betapace though.  So I think I'm going to wait and talk to the doc before I take the plunge... Thanks for your advice,  

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

What arrhythmia are you taking this for? There are many Dr's, mine included, who choose to initiate this medication as an outpatient. If this is the case, than an event monitor is given to the patient and recordings need to be transmitted 2 hours after each dose. THis is usually done for about 1 week.

Do not take the plunge, yet. Please call your cardiologist's office and ask about the monitor before you start it. This drug can cause a prolonged QT interval which is why you should have been given an event monitor.

Please let us know how it works out:)