What to do...

[MarinaT]

Hi everyone. I started on Diltiazem 60mg 3 x daily yesterday. This is in addition to Ferusomide, Flecainide and Apixaban. Early yesterday evening I started to feel peculiar, breathless, dizzy and unable to move much. I used my Kardia and found my HR to be 45. This continued all night. Should I take my new medication today or leave it until I can contact my GP? Funny how this always happens at a weekend! Thanks.

[jeanjeannie50]

That must have been really unpleasant for you. I don't think I'd take another one until you've spoken to your GP, he may reduce the dosage.

You could dial the 111 health number, or better still the out of hours GP service number and seek advice, but if you've only just started taking them and had 1 day's worth so far, I see no reason not to wait until tomorrow.

Just my personal opinion of what I'd do, I have no medical training or experience with taking Diltiazem.

Jean

[MarinaT in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jeanie, you have confirmed what I thought.

[seasider18 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Out of hours GP service ? Do all areas have that, I've only heard of 111 in recent years.

Our local hospital has what they call a See Doc Service at night and Weekends but you have to be referred there by 111.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to seasider18]

Hmm, you're making me wonder now, so I've just had a look and it seems that the 111 no. service can put you in contact with an out of hours GP. We have weekend duty doctors at a surgery that's convenient for the three local towns in my area.

Jean

[seasider18 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Our Surgery have put a bit on their web site saying that you now can get evening or weekend appointments with a doctor or a nurse but probably at another surgery. I've not inquired about it yet.

They also have a notice saying that if you have an urgent need that there are bookable online appoints available from 7am. I've looked several times out of interest and not found any,

[Hidden]

Agree with Jean, it sounds as if the dose is too high. Generally with betablockers , they start with a low dose and increase gradually until optimum blood pressure and heart rates are reached. Calcium channel blockers may be different but it seems sensible way to take medication.....

[MarinaT in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flapjack!

[meadfoot]

Personally I would wait until tomorrow and contact my GP. However I am not medically trained. Try 111 For medical advice maybe. Best wishes hope you feel better soon.

[BobD Volunteer]

Please speak to somebody first even if it is the NHS direct line or out of hours GP service. We mustn't give advice on these sorts of things as we are not medically trained. What I might do and what you should do are sadly different animals. Diltiazem made me think I was dying ---and I wanted to !

[MarinaT in reply to BobD]

Thanks, Bob - that is how I feel! I will let you know how it goes....

[Buffafly]

I take Diltiazem but can only take the lowest dose (120mg SR), 180 can slow my heart too much sometimes. I definitely wouldn't take any more today but if you still feel unwell call 111 because the effect should have worn off by now. The problem may be taking 3x60 all in one day, they would need to be taken 8 hours exactly apart - not saying they weren't but my husband thought it was correct to take antibiotics 3 times in 12 hours! I assume they weren't modified release? It may be worth trying a slow release capsule instead.

[MarinaT in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you. I did take 3 in 12 hours! I am feeling better now and will call my GP tomorrow. Thanks again.

[Gowers]

I didn't know there was a 60 or 120mg tablet - I was put on 180mg Diltiazam which after a month was changed to higher dose of 240mg - (taken once a day) this is the 1st choice of drug my cardiologist prescribes when patients like me can't tolerate side effects if Bisoporol. He has also said it canbe increased if needed to the maximum 300mg. I try and take it at the same time every morning. And so far ... feel so much better on the calcium blocker than beta blocker.

But, as Bob has mentioned we are not medically trained and we all tolerate the different medications in different ways, I remember Bob described how very ill he felt on Diltiazam - whereas others of us seem ok on it. Same goes for the various beta blockers.

Some 10years+ ago I was put on Verapamil (calcium blocker) 240 dose and I thought I was fading away, had to get a chair and sit by the back door in order to get some air inside if me, I felt very ill - I can remember it as if it was y.day. my then gp couldn't understand it but, changed it to a 120mg sr (slow release) version and I managed that for many years until gradually the dose went up and up as it stopped working as it should.

So, yes do get it checked - my gp said he can only prescribe what the cardiologist says. Hope you feeling better and do let us know how you get on

[Westsidestory]

Hi there , I wished I’d stopped the diltiazem straight away and gone to see the doc , instead I thought I’d persevere, big mistake , felt terrible for 2 weeks , awefull drug ! Set me back and it took me a while to recover from it’s effect after I went back on my normal meds ! Hope this helps , x

[MarinaT]

Hi, my GP received a letter from my EP asking him to prescribe them to help control my heart rate. Today I have seen my GP and had the dose reduced. I will see what happens. Thanks.

[MarinaT]

Yes. I am on Apixaban. I have had 2 ablations which failed.

[MarinaT]

It lasted 2 months then came back. At my 3 month check up, they decided to offer me a 3rd, but in the mean time, I have these additional pills. My next appointment is 18th June.

[MarinaT]

Thanks. I will have it as soon as they can fit me in.....

[Hidden]

Marina,

When I took Diltiazem for 2 or 3 days, I experienced something like what a person with Altzheimers experiences. It was really bad and very scary! I just could not think. Like having my brains scrambled

I could not drive my car because I couldn't figure out what to do with the gear shift. I'm certainly not a medical person, but I would suggest not taking it. I immediately stopped taking it and those symptoms went away.

If you Google Diltiazem serious side affects, they even say to quit taking if you experience any strange side effects. Plus you may want to look at the "actual user reviews" and you will see that it's very common to have very bad side effects. Best of luck.

Sadie

[MarinaT in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that. I will take look now. I don't think I will take any more of them.

[KMRobbo]

I had 200mg mod release diltiazem daily. Bit breathless, poor exercise tolerance, tiredness, poor memory and brain fog which cumulatively got worse the 10 months I took it. I only realised how bad it was 4 weeks after I stopped it. I think I was over prescribed .

If you are on normal release I thi into would take 60mg every 8 hours or else you will be giving yourself an overdose.

Some people get on with diltiazem.

I was happy on verapamil another CCB if you need an option , just shows how we are all different .

[MarinaT in reply to KMRobbo]

Thanks!