SVT Treatment

For the last 5 years or so I've had what my cardiologist believes to be SVT's.  They occur every 3-6 months and last anywhere from 10-45 minutes.  They typically come on following or during exercise.  I am a 35 y/o male in good health - I exercise daily, I'm not stressed, non-smoker, non-drinker, limited caffeine daily.  My stress test and stress echo came back normal.  Bloodwork looks normal.  I was able to capture an event with a halter monitor in which my normal heart rate of around 70 bpm resting jumped to 250 bpm following a 30 minute run.  My cardiologist put me on 50 mg/day metoprolol and referred me to an electrophysiologist.  The second evening on metoprolol I was nauseaus, passed out and hit my head on the tub.  8 stitches later I am not a happy camper.  I was told to drop the metoprolol to 25 mg/day and contact them if I have any more issues.  My cardiologist believed that I would be a good candidate for ablation, but the electrophysiologist wants me to wait 2-3 months to see how the medication works.  I'm not happy about taking this medication - as soon as I take it I fall asleep like a ton of bricks.  I have headaches during the day.  I feel like my quality of life is worse than the SVT that I was having every 3-6 months.  Should I get another opinion?  Any advice would be great.

[Chriswpw]

I would get a second opinion. But I also had a hard time with the metoprolol. Same issues, I actualy fell asleep during a meeting at work. I cut back to 25mg and now take it at night be4 bed. That helped me out a lot. If your not happy witht he docs then I would see someone else. I am going down that road now. I've had 2 episodes of rapid a-fib where my heart rate goes into the 200's also. I also work out regularly & funny thing is, I just had a follow up with my cardiologist yesterday. He told me that exercise dose not cause episodes.
Let me know how you make out

[rr2465]

Criswpw - I'm sorry to hear about your a-fib episodes.  I know thats not fun.  I appreciate your comments.  For me, I actually I like my primary cardiologist.  He regularly runs marathons and he's been really positive about what he feels is a simple fix for me.  I relate to him because I'm really active - running, biking, volleyball and surfing fill up 6-7 days out of my week.  I got the impression that he was recommending ablation, but the electrophysiologist wants to see how the meds go first.  I guess what I'm struggling with is the side effects of metoprolol - possibly they decrease the extent of the SVT's but I'm concerned that my quality of life will go to ****.  How do I remain active if this stuff makes me dizzy and tired?  I think I'm going to try for another opinion, but I don't want to self-diagnosing and think that I know best.  Wow, this is crazy.  I think I need a nap.

[lagoya]

hi
i would either get another opinion or talk to the ep and tell him the meds do not suit you
i was the same as that same age as well and they tried the meds for 3 months a whole different bunch of them beata blockers anti-arrhythmias-calicum blockers etc and they made me very sick put me in hosiptal twice.so in the end i was begging for ablation and sure enough i got it.and was able to come off the meds.my svt is 90% gone i have had 3 hits but i still do get a lot of pvcs so they can go into runs sometimes-i cant understand if ablation is now the way forward why dont they do this for u while u are on no meds as it would be easier to find.
i suppose u could also change meds if u have to go that route there are plenty of other beta blockers

best of luck to you

[rr2465]

Thanks for the responses.  I'm afraid I'm convincing myself that I don't like the Metoprolol.  I went out to exercise yesterday - first time after taking the metoprolol and slitting my head on the tub.  I was really nervous getting out there for the first time after beginning the meds.  Aside from the anxiety the run was OK, but I was losing feeling in my right hand - it was kind of cold and tingly (air temp outside is in the upper 70's).  Should I call this in to the cardiologist or am I just stressing myself out?  I feel less sleepy today but still not "normal".

Thanks again for the responses.  If anything, reading this forum doesn't make me feel alone.

[770shelia]

I guess all docs are diffrent, mine suggested ablation right at the begining because he said that most people do noty like the side effects of the meds. Maybe you should seek a second opion. I just had my ablation and it was a piece of cake. Good luck