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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 1:57:09
Has anyone else suffered from VERY strong heart palpitations? I had been at one time up to 150mg and recently read about some people suffering from thyroiditis and heart palpitations. Mine were so bad I could feel it through my chest wall and when taking my pulse, it felt as though it was stopping for a few seconds and then starting up again with a real BANG! I recently tapered myself off and quit the drug (5 days ago) and the withdrawals were like nothing I've ever experienced before. It was awful.
I want to know if the heart palps will go away. They are alot less strong now that I'm drug free but they are still there. It's kind of freaking me out. Any advice?
Posted by Essence on December 16, 2002, at 5:01:34
In reply to Heart Palpitations, posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 1:57:09
Hi TracyL;
You didn't mention what drug you were taking. I took Effexor for a few years and while on it had palpitations, rapid heart rate, etc. Landed me in the hospital a cpl of times but no one seemed to connect it to the Effexor. I've been off the Effexor now 2 1/2 yrs and still have the rapid heart rate, etc. I know it had something to do with the Effexor, and now it appears it's not going to go away. I'm going through, yet another, battery of tests to try to figure out what's up. Take care.
Posted by daizy on December 16, 2002, at 8:12:53
In reply to Re: Heart Palpitations, posted by Essence on December 16, 2002, at 5:01:34
you need a heart monitor so they can see whats up. Or next time it happens go to hosp ang get an ECG. Then the docs will be able to tell whats what. Definitely tell your doc though.
Posted by linkadge on December 16, 2002, at 9:05:48
In reply to Re: Heart Palpitations, posted by daizy on December 16, 2002, at 8:12:53
Everytime I take a med that increase norepenephrine I get some sort of change in
my heart. Effexor gave me a sustained pulse of 120 + and Remeron also gave me a high(er) pulse of 80+. Beta blockers block certain Norepinephrine receptors, but some meds can increase the norepinephrine at these sites, and give strange results.
Linkadge
Posted by fuzzymind on December 16, 2002, at 9:08:48
In reply to Heart Palpitations, posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 1:57:09
I get them thinking about the bleak, lonely future..no meds.
Posted by Kari on December 16, 2002, at 10:50:35
In reply to Heart Palpitations, posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 1:57:09
Hi Tracy,
What meds are you taking? Do you have thyroiditis?
I also suffered for years from severe palpitations- my heartbeat was so strong I felt it could move my bed at night :) I never have to take my pulse the regular way - feeling and hearing the pounding is enough.
It is important for you to get checked by a doctor to make sure this is really connected to the meds and not to some underlying condition such as mitral valve prolapse or a heart rhythm disturbance. Sometimes meds simply exasperate something (not necessarily serious) that may have been overlooked.Take care,
Kari.
Posted by kara lynne on December 16, 2002, at 13:23:30
In reply to Heart Palpitations, posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 1:57:09
Hi Tracy,
I had to stop taking Nortriptyline because of tachycardia. My heart was racing so fast all the time I was sure I was just going to keel over from a heart attack. It stopped completely about a week after I stopped taking it. I'd like to know what you were taking-- my doc said it was most likely from the antihistimine effect of the Pamelor, but I didn't think most SSRI's had that. Good luck.
Posted by johnj on December 16, 2002, at 13:37:47
In reply to Re: Heart Palpitations, posted by kara lynne on December 16, 2002, at 13:23:30
Hi Tracy,
How did you stop the nortryptline? What dose did you take? and what are you taking now? Have you ever taken another TCA? Thank you
johnj
Posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 14:09:41
In reply to Re: Heart Palpitations » kara lynne, posted by johnj on December 16, 2002, at 13:37:47
I forgot to tell everyone I was recently taking Effexor XR but heart palps were also a side effect I had on Paxil. This is day 6 without any meds for me and I'm feeling more human every day. The heart palps are becoming less frequent and not nearly as strong as they were. I have found on various web sites that I am most likely suffering thyroiditis brought on by the medication. I phoned my pharmacist who told me that this symptom should go away as the meds wear off. Can't wait!
Thanks,
Tracy
Posted by kara lynne on December 16, 2002, at 16:29:26
In reply to Re: Heart Palpitations » kara lynne, posted by johnj on December 16, 2002, at 13:37:47
I believe I was at 75 mgs when I stopped. I think I went down to 50 for one or two nights, then 25 for one or two nights, and then I think I took some 10mg capsules for a few days. Also I used small doses of Neurontin to help with some of the anxiety--maybe that would help you. I didn't have much trouble coming off of it except for a little dizziness. I have TRD and Pamelor works well for my mother so it made sense to try it. Of course it was the only med that ever came close to finally treating the depression, but I had that pesky little side effect of a resting heart rate of 130 bpm. Also I had similar side effects to yours-- a kind of constant edginess (I think I read a post of your's saying something to that effect) and quick temper, and constipation. I wasn't on it for 10 years though, so I imagine stopping will be different for you. How does your doc say to do it? You could even titrate down 10mgs at a time and stay with it for a few days until you're less uncomfortable. Since then I have tried to augment various meds with low doses of Imiprimine, Trimiprimine and one other that starts with an A (can't remember just now). Imiprimine made me anxious, Trimiprimine was like being hit by a truck and the last one was too sedating. I should also mention that I had a difficult time adjusting to the Pamelor; it took weeks before I stopped crying and feeling really horrible-- like all my emotional states were being amplified. Like you, I am very sensitive to all meds. I am currently on Lexapro and sometimes use Trazadone to sleep, but I plan to try Nardil as soon as I can make the adjustment. My doctor seems to think this will probably work for me. Barring of course, any harrowing side effects. What are you going through trying to come off the Pamelor? Good Luck, Kara
Posted by johnj on December 16, 2002, at 17:01:38
In reply to Re: Heart Palpitations, posted by kara lynne on December 16, 2002, at 16:29:26
I have lots of problems sleeping since I went to 40 mgs and I was just taking 50 and some anxiety. I feel better today even thought I didn't sleep much last night (I took 50 mg last night). I think I have become so dependent on it the adjustment is hard. I did "feel" more when I took 40 for two 3 days. I want to excercise and I feel like crap when I do, and I think it is due to the pamelor. I am going to talk to someone about a new doc and see what I can do. Lack of sleep kills me, but I am functional if I go back to 50. 70 mgs really made me feel bad. I just wish there was some other way to see what med would work than to just try them all!!
johnj
Posted by kara lynne on December 16, 2002, at 23:34:43
In reply to Re: Heart Palpitations » kara lynne, posted by johnj on December 16, 2002, at 17:01:38
Not that you're wild about taking anything else, but would you consider taking something to help you sleep during the adjustment period? Maybe something mild like Sonata would help. Also Neurontin might help with the muscle tension from not sleeping-- or maybe you could just take that at night to help you sleep. I'm a life long insomniac-- I know it can be just hellish. I'm with you; the using-your-brain-as-petri-dish gets old quickly. I can't wait for the day when we'll be looking back at it as something primitive we had to do in the old days. Glad you're feeling better today, and I hope you find a doctor you like.
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 18, 2002, at 2:15:27
In reply to To John and others who answered, posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 14:09:41
How does effexor bring on thyroiditis? I'm assuming from your symptoms that your thyroid was too fast? was it because effexdor slowed it down and then your body speeded up to compensate?
bookgurl99
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