Quitting diltiazem abruptly

[PurpleGirl05]

Has anyone else had their Dr instruct you to quit diltiazem cold turkey after an ablation? I know it depends on your conditions. And can be very uncomfortable for angina patients. But I'm asking about AFib/Flutter post-ablation patients. TIA

[mjames1]

Yes. 3 months post afib ablation. And also post stenting. That said, I don't think tapering off for a few weeks has any downside. I voiced this opinion and the docs went along. Recently, however, I did go cold turkey with no bad effects.

Jim

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks! I just wanted to get some support. I'm on my first cold turkey day and was REALLY nervous this morning. But I've made it through the day. Fingers crossed now for the night. One step at a time. 6 weeks post-ablation for AFib and flutter. Thank you.

[Buffafly]

Yes, told to stop all meds (Propafenone and Diltiazem) on day of ablation. That seems unusual but there was a reason for me I think, the Propafenone had become proarrhythmic and the diltiazem was slowing my heart too much.

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to Buffafly]

Yes, I read some other posts where Diltiazem was thought to be proarrhythmic too, because of the heart rate getting so low... so much to learn. When you have vagally mediated arrhythmia it's a tricky business getting the meds right.

[lizzieloo2]

Yes, I was told to stop Diltiazem and Flecainide as PIP immediately after ablation. As was taking a lower dose of Diltiazem for BP before developing AF, I queried this but was told EP would look at it at 3 month review. However, had severe AF episode day after ablation and EP told me to restart Diltiazem but not Flecainide

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to lizzieloo2]

We're in a similar boat. As I was advised to stop the meds and regroup in 3 months. I'm sorry you had such trouble after the ablation. I did too, but it was during week 3 after the ablation. I'm hoping it was just inflammation. We'll see. I'm 6 weeks post now.

[Sixtychick]

I don’t take dilitazem, but I did try to come off Sotalol slowly, a few months ago, over a year after I’d had my ablation and after I reduced it from 80mg down to 20mg, my blood pressure went very high, Sotalol does lower blood pressure, which I didn’t realise, I was given blood pressure tablets, which I’ve come off, because of the nasty side effects I was getting, which I’ve posted about on this website. My Sotalol was increased up to 60 mg now, which has put my systolic in the low 130’s, which is ok. I would advise you to be careful and get some advice before stopping it, after whatI’ve been through

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to Sixtychick]

Thank you for the advise. I'm monitoring my BP closely.

[Offcut]

I had to quit it quickly as it was making me very ill only problem was Heart consultant did not agree but my Lung Consultant agreed that I was not doing well with it. I ended up in A&E and I now have allergy marker for diltiazem. Not the answer you wanted but I did quit it in one go. Now take Nebrovalol and Digoxin.

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to Offcut]

Hope you have found a good solution. The medication situation is a hard puzzle to figure out.

[Offcut in reply to PurpleGirl05]

Sure is I cannot take water tablets they have tried so many times and within an hour or so I get chronic pain in my Kidneys? Also found I am allergic to iodine which I found out after an angiogram. Makes Ablations fun as they have to dose me up with steriods first and keep me awake so I can tell them if I feel odd? As my blood pressure drops to the bottom of my boots

Be well

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to Offcut]

Thank you, I hope you're well too. We have to keep fighting the good fight to feel better. Alot of trial and error!

[Madscientist16]

Yes. I did in 2018 after my cryoballoon ablation and NO issues. I have recently been on diltiazem for SVT and can take it as I wish. I can take a 30 mg if I have an SVT episode and then go back to nothing unless it happens again. I can also take a 120 mg diltiazem extended relief capsule every day if I wish. No issues with switching back and forth between these two meds or not taking either at all. It is a great feeling to be in control of how I manage my meds for my heart arrythmia conditions.

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to Madscientist16]

Wow that's cool you've gotten guidance on how to use it effectively. I'm hoping for the same once I get through the blanking period.

[TaffinSussex]

Hi, yes I was on Diltiazem for 9 weeks and literally told to stop it and start taking Bisoprolol and Amlodapine...equally to commence Diltiazem I went cold turkey on my previous meds. Now I'm on Amlodapine which is another calcium channel blocker, which I've been trying to wean off as no replacement was there for my hypertension so I point blank refused to take the medics advice. Just as well as weaning even has had its problems for me. However, if you are going to start another hypertensive drug, it's less of an issue as the new one will kick in to lower your BP. Yet the advice on so many medical sites including the NHS was not to stop abruptly. 🤷‍♀️...all confusing to say the least. On this occasion I followed my gut instinct.

[PurpleGirl05 in reply to TaffinSussex]

Yes, very confusing! I'm on second day now of no Diltiazem and I'm doing ok so far (whew). Monitoring my blood pressure every day. Sounds like you've had a journey with the meds. Be well.

[TaffinSussex in reply to PurpleGirl05]

Thank you, good luck to you too! I hope no sharl jncreases in BP! In weaning off Amlodapine for example, my BP was ok until day 4...then it shot up to to 177/81 and so I'd have to take a half a tablet again, do that for a few weeks, then try and reduce the tablet again. I've tried 4 times now to stop it but I get chest pain and hypertension so I talked to the surgery pharmacist today and I'm staying on Amlodapine until after my pre-op fitness assessment next month for my 1st knee replacement. I'll take 1.25mg a.m and 0.075mg in the evening. He wants me to give Losartan a try as he says has far less side effects but when I checked it it has the same as my current meds plus a few more which happen in every 10 people...ie common or very common. But he remains confident that I'll be ok on it..🤞...it is what it is..🤷‍♀️