Benadryl and afib

[kocoach]

Hello everyone, just want to clear something up in case there were any with doubts. Just got back from the ER at local VA Hospital due to a blood pressure of 180/99, called 911 they sent paramedics, just before they got here took blood pressure it was 199/103. They came in the house did an ekg and blood pressure check which was 210/110 in NSR pulse was 60. On the way to the ER BP dropped to 122/74 so I told them to take me back home, said they couldn't do it once in ambulance. Got to ER, immediately wheeled me into a room hooked up all monitors BP was 148/ 84. The ER Dr. said he wanted to give me Benadryl to calm me down but I told him I had afib and couldn't take it but the nurse said they have a lot of veterans with afib and it caused no problem's at all so I gave in and got the shot. I stayed there for about another hour, hour and a half and I was peeing like a race and kept asking nurse if I was in afib with a no reply. FRinally dis-charged and waited for a ride to take me home and it arrived and I was still peeing every five minutes so I told the driver that if I tell him to pull over it means I have to go pee and sure enough before five minutes was up he had to pull over to the curb and let me relieve myself. Finally made it home and took a shower and I decided to check my HR, and guess; what I was and still am in afib as I write this. Moral of this adventure is that Benadryl because of the anti-histamines causes afib episodes, just like I told the Dr. and Nurse. Sorry to write so long about an event but this is what a lot of us with afib face with some Drs. we run into. Has anything like this ever happened to anyone else and what can we do, we're at the mercy of the Dr.?

[mav7]

The ER Dr. said he wanted to give me Benadryl to calm me down

Not a doctor, but amazed that an ER doctor would give Benadryl to calm you as there are other more sound drugs. Benadryl can also cause a faster heart beat.

Can you be sure you are in afib without an EKG ? Sounds like you need to consult with your primary care doctor/cardiologist about managing your blood pressure with appropriate medication. Ask to wear a holter monitor or Zio patch to evaluate your afib.

Best to you in managing your health.

[kocoach in reply to mav7]

Thank you for your reply. I've had afib for 30+ years and know pretty much what to do and not to do when an episode occurs but when you tell a Dr. what you know you can and not take and they give it to you anyway is just astounding to me. Earlier today I did report the Dr and his nurse to the proper VA channels and hopefully some good will come of this. I'm still in afib as I type this, normally within 24 hours. Thanks again for response. Have a Blessed Day.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Mine was NO to metroprolol. Because it caused fatigue and breathlessness.

I was given 3 x 24.75mg with the right to reduce them.

Over 1 year 3 mths I struggled. No follow up.

Eventually I asked to see a cardiac specialist.

The 24-monitor showed 186 avge day H/R with AF. At night 2 pauses x 2 seconds.

I had had a stroke at 2am.

I wrote to our DHB and I was told that every stroke victim at NZ DHB is given metropolol. I was disgusted. I said my research states Bisoprolol is best for AF patients.

Bisoprolol didnot control my H/R. 156 on 24-monitor.

9 onths later I attended a private cardiac specialist. He introduced to CCB Calcium Channel Blocker. Diltiazem but 180 (1/2 dose) was too much.

Settled on Diltiazem 120mg.

But on 23/12 my H/R fell t a wake yup of 67 at 9am. I have changed back to Bisoprolol 5mg 8am and 8pm. H/R 77 and BP. 132/72

cheers JOY. 73. (NZ)

[33peeler]

I am concerned too about Benadryl and afib occurrence? I was taking tylenolPM after a knee replacement and stopped as I went into afib after using it? Found TylenolPM helpful but now scared to use it because of the Benadryl causing afib?

[Figbar]

I was not aware of a connection between Benadryl and AFIB.

[kocoach in reply to Figbar]

Benadryl has anti-histamines which affects and can cause an episode of afib. I knew it but apparently the Dr. didn't, go figure.

[Figbar in reply to kocoach]

thank you.

[SeanJax]

next time please just say NO and it is legal matter here. The ER doctor has the obligation to pick another drug with similar action without Afib as consequences to calm you down . Don’t let them convince you because people react differently to drugs. In the States No means no.

[kocoach in reply to SeanJax]

I definetly will, just converted this morning some 30 hours after injection, normally convert in 12 -24 hours. I already reported this Dr. and nurse. Thank You for your reply, Have a Blessed Day!

[SeanJax]

fyi only. Your spike in blood pressure is harmful to your arteries and your heart especially if you are under anticoagulants. Spikes like that usually came from salty food and such spike can burst easily a vessel in the brain. So please watch your diet carefully when it comes to salty food. Hemorrhagic strokes almost always are related to high blood pressure. Just fyi and watch out your intake . A low sodium is always good in your scenario. Not to scare you just informative only.

[kocoach in reply to SeanJax]

Thank You, been a vegetarian for 60 years and say no to salt. I was upset about something and it spiked like it did, but I will definitely take your reply very seriously. Thanks Again.

[needlestone]

I have not had trouble with Benadryl in low doses. Since you were peeing so much, could the episode be caused by dehydration? Benadryl does tend to dry things up like other meds and I have found that if I get dehydrated I feel terrible. Hydration is so important to every function in the body. Many think drinking all kinds of different types of beverages can keep us hydrated, but not true. Caffeinated bevs can actually cause dehydration. We all need water to function optimally. I’ve been reading and hearing about this more and more so it was the first thing that came to my mind to possibly consider.

[kocoach in reply to needlestone]

Thank You your response is very valid as I haven't been hydrating as it's been cold and raining but I asked the nurse if I was in afib and he said no, but every time I've been in afib I urinate like a race horse.