Hey everybody, I had my appointment with the EP yesterday.....

[mzak69]

I just wanted to update y'all on my appt yesterday. I thought it went pretty well. Not sure if it will make a difference, but here are some random notes from the meeting...

He said that my PVCs are benign (of course) and probably caused by stress and adrenaline (we all knew that).

He looked at my blood work and said my potassium was 3.4 and he would have liked it to be 4.0. (DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?)He said my PVCs could have been from that and recommended a potassium supplement and to eat more potassium rich foods etc.

He actually said that he could do an ablation for me, but he would rather try other avenues first (that was nice to hear).

He changed my metaprolol from 50mg succinate once a day (I told him I felt terrible, no energy) to 25mg tartrate twice a day.


Thoughts anyone?

Mark  

[littlegreenman1]

I think its good that he wants to see if its controllable first.

I lived with it for 10-15 years or so. It didn't start bothering me until I started exercising. So, if its benign and periodically weird/inconvenient, that's good advice, I think.

When you become familiar on a first name basis with the ER staff, then it's time to pursue more aggressive options.

Good luck.

[kbug1013]

That is good news. Hope all goes well for you . :)

[IMFletcher]

Hi Mark -

Sounds like the appointment went well. I am still a little uncertain as to why you need the BB for PVCs? Did you discuss the possibility of reducing the dosage, or even removing the BB all together? Have you found any positive results from the BB this far? Like Jerry said, my research has taught me that BBs are commonly used when dealing with bouts of Afib, or vtach etc. The racing heart rate is reduced through the use of the BB, where as a reduction in heart rate in your case only seems to be possibly contributing to the frequency of your PVCs....just a thought, as my doctor seemed very reluctant to recommend meds for benign PVCs. Potassium - below your target level...obviously not too concerning, as there are lots of good natural sources as well as daily supplements available. Hopefully your appointment today helped to ease your concerns? Cheers, T.

[Jerry_NJ]

Sounds like a good plan/tract to see if you can "live with it".

The Tartrate is available in generic and cost about the same as aspirin (well a little more than that), about 1/10the cost of succinate, so that's a plus in my "book" (check book).  I also think the twice a day, required for tartrate which is not slow release, should be too much to remember:  one in the morning and one before bed is my regiment.  

I take BB for AFib problems, but though I'd chip in anyway.

Good luck,