Ectopic humbug: I was diagnosed with... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Ectopic humbug

20 Replies

I was diagnosed with ectopic beats 43 years ago and prescribed 50mg atenolol a day ever since. Is served me well.

Suddenly I have low blood pressure, light headedness, shortness of breath, hot flushes, and I feel like a wreck! I now have 33,000 ectopics every night. I stopped taking the tablets but that's not the answer.

I'm seeing a cardiologist who has carried out all the tests including an Angiogram. No stent required.

I'm wondering whether he will suggest Ablation when I see him this week.

Any comments would be appreciated please.

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20 Replies
etheral profile image
etheral

Well,the question is what kind of e topics? Treatment snd further wrkup would depend on this. A Holter moniter may help sort this out.

in reply toetheral

Ventricular. Done the holter monitor. 33,000 ectopic during 8 hrs of sleep.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to

That is more than one a second by the way . 28,800 seconds in eight hours according to my mental arithmetic. When doers your heart have the chance to beat normally?

If this is correct then you need to see an EP pronto.

in reply toBobD

Never does. Investigations in progress I sure you. Recruits tomorrow. Ablation on the cards im guessing

. Thank you.

sdalen profile image
sdalen in reply to

Recent studies have determined that very frequent ectopics can increase risk of stroke. I would say that would be a good reason to try ablation.

in reply tosdalen

Thank you

Vandalbragg profile image
Vandalbragg

You’ve taken atenolol for 40 years? Any side effects? Sorry about what’s going on btw.

in reply toVandalbragg

No side effects for 43 years. I just thought it'd take it for ever. Then suddenly my blood pressure dropped. It no longer regulated the ectopics and everything's gone topsy turvy.

Vandalbragg profile image
Vandalbragg in reply to

Well, I know you may not care. But you give me hope.

in reply toVandalbragg

I'm hoping too I can assure you.

Thank you

Asdfvv profile image
Asdfvv

Wow can't imagine taking a drug for that long

in reply toAsdfvv

I didn't know I had a choice. In fact there wasn't one when this all started.

etheral profile image
etheral

You need a drug to suppress ventricular arrythmias, which beta blockers are not effective for. Take Bob's advice and see an EP or go to the ER while you are having symptoms.

greg35 profile image
greg35

I also had thousands ectopics daily had 2 ablations last year helped slightly but was unable to work was prescribed flecainide and nebivolol in December and it worked immediately my life has changed dramatically! You will need to see an EP though!

Best wishes Ingrid

in reply togreg35

Thanks. I'm on the case. I have thousands too but not affecting my heart and they're not bothering me as i know what they are and understand.

I've quit the atenolol.

I've seen EP. we've agreed that I get some weight off and get fitter and be c reviewed in 6 months. I'm happy with that. I'm lucky.

philologus profile image
philologus

I had 30,000 to 40,000 ectopics a day and they led to heart failure at level four.

I'm down to below 300 now.

Mine were caused by taking Tramadol for two years.

I read a post on here about taking Iodine so did a LOT of research and decided to give it a try.

Within five days of starting they were much reduced and within two weeks they were gone. I asked if my heart would heal if I managed to reduce the ectopics and was told that it would. As time passed my HF went down to level one.

My EP discharged me.

I take nascent iodine from Harmonic Innerprizes.

I now take 3 drops a day and the ectopics have not come back. (Well over a year now.)

I realise that this might all be specific to me as I knew the cause so would advise some serious research before deciding whether to take iodine or not.

I hope you find an answer as ectopics at that rate are not much fun are they?

Regards,

George.

in reply tophilologus

Thank you. I'll research that too. Interesting

55spazzy profile image
55spazzy in reply tophilologus

Well done on your recovery so far. Been taking 6 -8 Tramadol with same no. of Paracetamol for 19 years, so i guess you cannot tolerate them too well!! Actually i wonder if that is now my problem with high BP???

Interesting!

Polski profile image
Polski

You may find taking magnesium will help (research on here for details - box in the top right of the screen). A good multi-vitamin-and-mineral from a health food shop for three months may also help to give your body the chance to improve it's health. Modern living/coffee/alcohol/medications all deplete our bodies of nutrients, until they just can't adjust anymore . . .

in reply toPolski

Thank you. Someone else suggested magnesium. I'll research that too.

I'm not going to allow this to change my life or stop me from doing anything. I didn't invite these annoying ectopics to tag along but as they seem to be persisting they'll have to follow me not lead me.

My cardiologist says my heart's in good nick and they're not doing any damage so I'm going to ignore them.

I'm medication free for the first time in 43 years and I'm due for repeat echocardiogram, holter monitor and cardiology review in 6 months.

I'll do a bit more research as suggested on here but I'm going to get on with my life.

I'm a stubborn determined woman. An ectopic pregnancy didn't get me down and this won't either.

Thank you.

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