Beta Blockers - Advice

[carolinarider09]

One of the things I like about this board is that I can ask almost any question and get a reasonable answer.  I have a question about Beta Blockers (Bystolic). 

An no I don't want a professional opinion, what I wanted is information from anyone who might be using or have intimate knowledge of this drug.

For the record, I have had several episodes of atrial fibrillation.  First time in the 90's (proscribed Quinidine Sulfate, which worked but later was told it will kill me so....) then a third event in the 2000's where I went to the ER and then had to stay over the weekend to get it "electrically" converted when everyone returned to work the following Monday. 

So after some 15 years of no events I had another event several months back (I believe they are all stress related so, I was under some physical and emotional stress). 

My original cardiologist had retired so I had to find a new one.  While in the waiting area, it converted to normal sinus rhythm.  Since my wife was with me, I could not just cancel the appointment and walk out.   

So, as part of the normal treatment, investigation, I get a nuclear stress test and some sleep tests. 

Ok, thats the reason I have been prescribed a beta blocker. 

After doing some research on line I have found some interesting side effects and warnings (don't drive, you could have dizzy spells, could be depressed, impaired thinking and/or reactions among others).

And yes I could get an appointment with the Cardiologist and ask him these questions but that requires that I schedule an appointment, go in and simply ask this question.  I did ask him why he was prescribing the drug when he gave me the free samples and he basically said it was important to addressing the AF problem.  He did not address potential side affects.  I should have asked a better question but...

My question is, if anyone has personal experience in taking a similar drugs, are there any warnings, pitfalls you have experienced that you would care to share with me. 

[John Schmidt]

I've been on a Beta Blocker for the last 8 years. It's called Carvedilol(or Coreg) but is a real small dose of 3.128mg. I take it in the morning with b'fast, then in the evening an Ace Inhibitor which is also a small dose. So far no issues with either that I'm aware of. 

[98valk]

Low potassium and magnesium levels greatly affect the heart.    FDA last yr raised the RDA minimum to 4700mg from 4500mg for adults which both are almost impossible to eat that much.   but if too low does cause problems. Caffeine lowers both minerals.

all about magnesium
https://www.mgwater.com/listb.shtml#arr

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=90&tname=nutrient

https://beingnutritious.com/potassium-heart-health/

[Bigwolf]

Carolina rider,
I had a long bout of Afib some years ago.  The doctors started me on metoprolol right away.  They would never accept my complaint that it caused a lot of swelling and a rash around my ankles.  The rash never completely went away and that was seven years ago. 

Then they did a conversion that lasted 2 days.  I had to badger my cardiologist to get a second conversion.....he referred me to a cardiologist in his group that specialized in the electrical aspects of the heart.  That doctor put me in the hospital for 3 days to monitor my tolerance of Sotalol.  I did well with that so they converted me again and my heart stayed in rhythm for the next two and a half years.  That is the good part!  About 30 minutes after taking that pill, I would become a zombie.  For an hour or so I would have trouble understanding words of more than one syllable and it would be very difficult to stay awake.  After 2 years of no Afib, I slowly weaned myself off the sotalol and then off the Coumadin.

When I first found out that I was in Afib, I made a few life habit changes.  1) I cut my caffeine intake to almost zero.  2) I pulled my Cpap out from under the bed and began to use it every time I went to sleep.  These made a difference and continue to be important.

Every once in a while I get lax and think I can drink a 20oz Mountain Dew or some other caffeine laden drink.  The result of that is almost invariably the same.  Within hours I go into Afib and remain so for several hours.  Depending on just how stupid I was and how much caffeine I drank, I would be in Afib for as much as 15 hours before settling back into rhythm.  I am sure that if I consumed much more than 20oz I would be at serious risk of remaining in Afib and requiring medical intervention.

I caution you to be very careful with both potassium and magnesium.  Many people recommend a magnesium supplement and I thought that I would try it.  After all, it’s just a supplement. Right?  I nearly died!  My heart cramped up and I was just about to go to the emergency room when I got a very serious cramp in my shoulder.  Thankfully the heart cramps soon began to subside and were pretty much gone by the time I arrived at the hospital.  The shoulder cramp remained locked up for several days ...... even with the meds gotten from the doctors.  The shoulder cramp was so severe that it permanently destroyed the nerves to 3 fingers of my left hand.

Potassium is something that I have to be careful with.  It takes a good balance of potassium for me to be ok.  Too little and I go into Afib.  Too much and I go into Afib.  I discovered that some antibiotics have a heavy dose of potassium in them.........it took a few days for me to realize what was causing me to go into Afib so much that week.

I know this was a long answer.  I hope that you find some of my experience helpful to you in your endeavor to improve your health.

Bigwolf

[Rams]

Can't advise you on the medications, I went another route.

After being medevac'd with the upper chamber of my heart racing at 242 beats per minute and the lower chamber pumping at about 30 beats per minute, my doc said you have two options, one is medication the rest of your life, the other is a pace maker.  

I chose the pace maker.   Haven't regretted it.   I don't take medications unless I absolutely have to.

Edited: Just don't ask about how I have to re-charge that battery...…….      

Rams  

[carolinarider09]

Bigwolf, Rams, John Schmidt, 98valk,

I appreciate your responses.  I will check on the magnesium and potassium I take.

I do consume caffeine in the form of coffee and diet pepsi.  And I consume alcohol in the form of a couple of ounces of Maker's Mark each evening.

Based on John Schmit's remarks, I started taking the Bystolic this morning with breakfast.  I have noticed no ill effects but it has only been about 10 hours.  I checked by BP yesterday and will check it again in a few days to see if any changes are noted.  Also monitoring pulse rate. 

As I stated in my initial statement, I firmly believe my Afib boughts/episodes are stress related, both physical and mental but I think the mental aspect is more impacting.  The fact that I converted to regular sinus rhythm while on the way to see the cardiologist seems to support that idea.   

When I see my cardiologist again I will ask some more pointed questions and ensuring I know more, especially about the beta blocker.

I really liked my old cardiologist.  We could communicate, he understood what I was asking and why and provided answers.  He was not afraid to discuss things. Until a few years ago, I also had a family GP who was the same.  Visits to his office were informative and I felt no problems asking questions and getting answers.