wonder If anyone can help me? I posted the other day about swapping from Propranolol to Diltiazem to try to stop my PVCs.
I have been prescribed 60mg modified release AM and PM so 120mg per day. I took my tablet this morning and felt ok but slowly started to feel really anxious throughout the day. Took the next tablet at bedtime and am currently sat here feeling my heart racing and very hot and shaky.
I do not like this feeling and I think I’d prefer to have the PVCs.
I will call my cardiologist in the morning but I’m thinking of going back on the propranolol slow release.
My question is, is it possible to switch straight back to the beta blocker - so not take the diltiazem at 9am and take the propranolol instead?
when I was switching to the ccb my cardiologist said just go from one to the other so I’m assuming it’s ok to go the other way seeing as I’ve only taken 2 lots of 60mg diltiazem?
I know you can’t offer medical advice on here but I really don’t want to take the diltiazem in the morning so just want to know if swapping back to the propranolol is going to harm me.
Any advice greatly appreciated because I’m slightly panicking. Thanks so much.
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it sounds like you may be having withdrawal symptoms of coming off the beta blocker. Although you are going to a different medication, I would still expect that you would get some form of withdrawal as the beta blocker leaves your system. I think I have read that propanolol leaves the system quite quickly. I’m afraid cardiologists do all think it’s easy to stop or switch over from these medications, which is even more frustrating really.
Is it possible to speak to an arrythmia nurse today at your hospital for advice?
I would imagine for now it wouldn’t do any harm if you swapped back to your propanolol, but I would ask someone for advice - even a pharmacist?
I agree a pharmacist is the person to ask. I take Diltiazem 180mg and though it can cause flushing I haven’t noticed anxiety with it, more the opposite. Also any side effects you do have tend to wear off over time.
Thanks, I think I’m having withdrawal from the beta blocker - it would probably settle if I persevered but I just don’t have it in me to feel like this. I’ve taken the propranolol this morning instead of the diltiazem and I’ve emailed the cardio.
Very annoyed with myself. Should’ve just stayed on the propranolol!
I swapped from Bisoprolol to Diltiazem and it was horrible, the Diltiazem gave me racing irregular heartrate and no way could I persevere with it so I swapped back to Bisoprolol, my Cardiologist was fine with that but did suggest trying a higher dose of Diltiazem, no way was that going to happen 🙄
Oh thanks so much for your reply! Do you feel better now back on Biso? Did you just swap back from the diltiazem to the biso with no problems? I only took the 2 diltiazem yesterday and have taken the propranolol this morning. It has helped a little but I still feel anxious (but I think i feel anxious because I'm now stressing over switching back to the propranolol and if it's ok to do this). Last night I went from strong racing heartbeat to feeling like my heart wasn't beating at all . It was horrific. I didn't sleep at all. Initially I was on Biso but it made me feel very tired and heavy chested. I swapped to propranolol slow release and it stopped that. But it just didn't stop the PVCs! There's no way I will take more diltiazem either! Nope! x
Yes I’m ok on Bisoprolol, has never totally stopped the extra beats but I don’t believe anything will 100% do that. I did swap straight back after trying the Diltiazem and it didn’t take long for everything to calm down again.
It’s not easy finding the right meds and when new ones cause even more problems it’s so disappointing.
It''s so frustrating isn't it! I'm starting to feel a lot calmer now the dilt is getting out of my system and the propranolol works. Never again am I trying that! I need to just accept that I have benign PVCs and not a very high burden and stop looking for a cure! Glad the biso is good for you x
Funny, im just going off diltiazem after 2 years because of ongoing and worsening side effects. Was on 120 diltiazem once a day taken at night also a 40 verapamil during the night. Now im on as from tonight 40vearapamil 3 times a day and another one during the night if i need it.If your like me me side effects are the bain of my life. Just persevere the best you can. I have a pace maker which helps a lot.
hello I tried diltiazem 120 mg slow release , only took one , was awful my heart pounded on and off for hours , so I’m now on antenolol with flecinde , was on bisoprolol and flecinide for 13 yrs no problem but now getting awful side effects wish I could stay on bisop 😟I tried propranolol , but found it didn’t mix well with flecinide , it’s so hard to find the right mix , antenolol seem ok at the min fingers crossed , hope you find something that suits you
Hi - thanks for your reply. I was following your story last night when I couldn't sleep and was hoping you'd reply! Sorry you're having a rough time. Did you swap back from the diltiazem to the Beta blocker straight away, like one day the Dilt and the next day the BB? I've emailed my cardio but no response yet and I've already taken the propranolol this morning and now I'm stressing that I shouldn't have. Glad the antenolol are working for you. I couldn't take the propranolol immediate release tablets, they made me so tired and gave me this very weird head sensation and dizziness. I'm now on Propranolol 80mg Slow release and apart from some tiredness and the fact that they don't really stop the PVCs, I'm ok on them. Thanks so much for replying. Appreciate it x
hello yes I took my beta blocker next day , as was trying to calm my heart down , was worried but all ok , perhaps you should ask for normal dosing not slow release , might make a difference, have you tried any other beta blockers , I found propranolol didn’t do much for my anxiety, the best one for me was bisoprolol , side effects got me after 13 yrs ? Or could it be age thing lol
Thanks for following my story , it does realy help to come on here , but sometimes I cant remember if I’ve repeated my self , I realy need something for my anxiety, do you find propranolol helps anxiety
Propranolol defo helps with my anxiety and this has proved true when stopping it yesterday. I don't feel amazing on it and I definitely feel better on the slow release than the normal ones (although the normal ones help with anxiety more but make me very tired and spaced out). I was on 40mg 3 times per day. The slow release are 80mg and i have extra 10mg tablets that I can take if i need to (up to 4 extra per day). The biso gave me horrible tight chest feeling. xx
I don't quite know why you are not being medicated for your anxiety , it is an awful affliction!- I have been on Alzam for 16 years, and have not had to have my dose increased as would an addict! just 2 x 0.5mg tabs per day and my anxiety is controlled. My prescription allows me 3 tabs per day, but I very rarely need them. My Cardiologist has no problem with my taking them.
Hi - Yes I've tried Bisoprolol. I thought it made my anxiety bad but looking back it could've been my hormones as all this heart stuff kicked off a few years ago when I started perimenopause. I'm 48 now and on HRT but still struggling to get the dose right. I didn't even think about my heart until 3 years ago when I started having PVCs, SVT and being aware of my heart all the time. I'm starting to feel calmer so I'm hoping the Dilt is nearly out of my system. I took it nearly 16 hours ago. I might take another 10mg Propranolol later (was given them to take extra when needed). Hope the antenolol carries on working for you. Thanks for your help xx
Thats ok , hope you get everything sorted as it can take over day to day life I find , I’m on 50estradot patch and 1 pump of gel seems to be working , it took the diltiazem a while to get out my system , but nurse didn’t agree that it would still be there , but everyone is different, I’ll update on my progress , and also I keep a daily diary of meds symptoms etc , might seem a bit dramatic , but can help to rule things out , as my memory is overloaded at the min with trying to figure out what to do xx
I'm on 100mg evorel patches, not sure if its too much or not enough. I'm seeing my gp who specialises in menopause this afternoon for a review so I'll see what she says. Yes keep us updated. I think it's very sensible to keep a diary, much easier to look back on than try to rememeber! xxx
I suffer similarly. I think neither beta-blocker nor calcium channel blocker drugs will stop palpitations but trials show both to be somewhat effective. Propranolol is an old form of beta-blocker that works on more than the heart receptors, so it's possible your body is reacting to its being removed. The diltiazem is such more specific to the heart, I believe. I take a beta-blocker called bisoprolol, which is also very specific to the heart.
If I were you I would do two things. First I would speak to my GP this morning and also, with his approval, stick with the new tablets for a few days until the propranolol is fully out of your system.
The increased heart activity should be short-lived and not harmful, but your GP will confirm this.
I agree. Im just looking forward to that day when a tablet will be available with no side effects. Arrythmias are such a horrible disease. I cant even excersise very well anymore. I havre to keep effort very low and box on.
Everyone’s’ experience is different, but mine was sort of the opposite. I was initially prescribed a beta blocker Propranolol , but felt like rubbish…no energy, as in none. They quickly apologized and switched me to Diltiazem 180 slow release, and I’ve been right as rain ever since.
Good luck, they will sort it, keep pressing them until you get the right “fit” for your particular situation.
The slow release Diltiazem as I understand is 120, 180, ....
I wouldn't take Diltiazem PM as heart rate Night avg is 47.
It has stayed at 47avg Night.
I found CCB Diltiazem 120mg slow release AM took rapid AF down to 88-96 from over 120 plus at rest. Solved. Controlled and I lost weight 6kg over that year and by 11 months and 3kg my rapid heart rate dropped to 60s.
Hypertension BP I take Bisoprolol 2.5mg at night and now is controlled.
NZ Heart Foundation told me to separate the CCB from the BB.
Your vitals are necessary to see how each one affected you.
You may be like me and a low dose of each separated may work like mine does.
I had the Drs upping and upping my Bisoprolol without relief from the rapid heart rate.
I did have rapid, persistent AF with stroke 2019 Sept.
For 2 years I have controlled but persistent AF.
Take care. I don't think 60mg Diltiazem is slow release. NZ took the 30mg and 60mg off the Pharmac list. For safety or what I don't know.
The Cardiologist thinks that if heart rate goes too low its not stop the Diltiazem but stop the Bisoprolol. But my thinking is that's crazy wrong.
And sometimes they are wrong. Do let your cardiologist and Dr or Arryhnmic Nurse know what is happening.
hello me again , my latest update on antenolol , took again this morning felt realy awful , ended up in a&e due to realy heavy chest feeling faint , breathless on walking , home now all tests ok thank god , I’m having real trouble finding a solution to my medication, spoke to my doctor he said to start bisop and flec again , yes it works I said , but awful side effects ?
So sorry to hear that. Have you tried the slow release propranolol? That’s what I take and I’m ok on them. I can’t take the normal ones as they make me feel very heavy chested and dizzy and a really weird head sensation. My body seems to cope better when the medication is released slowly throughout the day. Don’t get me wrong, I can still feel the effects of it but I can function normally. Is your blood pressure dropping too low? Could that be the problem? I know that biso is meant to be a good beta blocker because it’s cardio specific, so people with asthma can take it I think. Try it again, you might be ok now you’ve had a bit of a break from it?
Maybe ask to give the slow release propranolol a try? I’m on 80mg and I also have some normal 10mg tablets that I can take along side it if I need to.
Hope you’re ok. Let me know how you get on. Big hug xx
Thankyou , I will ask about slow release propranolol , do you find they control etopics etc and keep heart rate and blood pressure ok , are you on 80mg total per day split through the day ? I just find I’m going round in circles 🙄
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