Verapamil

[Helly75]

Been taking verapamil since tuesday after the cardiologist advised to stop propranolol, I feel like absolute death! I'm shaky ,anxious & had more heart pain than I did before taking it . Did I see this coming ?yes I did & cant get a gp phone consultation

[Hidden]

I suggest you call 111 or get yourself to the out of hours GP.

[Helly75 in reply to Hidden]

Looks like it's the out of hours gp for me 😞

[Sunnie2day]

I agree with Gaz_Chops - 111 or the out-of-hours GP, soon as.

[Helly75 in reply to Sunnie2day]

I'd considered just switching back to betablocker but didnt want to do that without speaking to a dr first ,dont think we have 111 here either .

[Sunnie2day in reply to Helly75]

It's always best to speak with a medic before switching-stopping-starting a medication, have you tried the out-of-hours GP yet?

Where (in general) are you, I thought the entire UK has some sort of 111 system. Up here in Scotland it's 111 just as it is in England, NI, and Wales.

[Helly75 in reply to Sunnie2day]

I'm in NI didnt even realise we had 111 here apparently we do! Theres an emergency on call dr until 6pm out of hours gp after that

[Sunnie2day in reply to Helly75]

Hopefully you'll get some medical advice this evening, either by 6pm or after via out-of-hours.

I had a similar set of symptoms when my Bisoprolol was bumped up from 1.25mg to 2.5mg - the GP said he could hear the shakiness and dropped my dose back to 1.25mg...much better by the next day and two days later was completely back to what constitutes normal for me.

Hopefully whatever you're experiencing is something as simple and quick to sort. Keep us updated - one of the things I quite like about you is the way you do follow up so we're not sitting out here wondering how you're doing

[Helly75 in reply to Sunnie2day]

The same happened when they gave me ivabradine it was horrific! I update wether anyone is interested or not lol I've nobody else to tell that could understand any of it other than you lot 😂

[10gingercats]

I took Verapamil for years with no problems. It eventually failed to work but at no time did it cause me problems as you describe them. During lockdown my GP became a bit laid back and I was not so well monitored.As a consequence I ended up in A and E where eventually my meds were overhauled and I had an MOT curtesy of a couple of sharp eye docs.

[Helly75 in reply to 10gingercats]

I think it's the sudden stop of propranolol too ,I dont think the fact it was for anxiety was considered ,I couldnt face another A&E visit I've had too many of those 😂

[Hidden]

Sorry Helly. Been on verapamil for a month now for A F. In for cardio version next month. Felt sick shaky and rubbish for a couple of weeks but all ok now. Maybe persevere. It’s tough isn’t it ❤️

[Helly75 in reply to Hidden]

I hate it it's made me very anxious & unsettled 😣

[Hidden]

If you can’t chat to 111 maybe ask the online cardio nurses on this site. Deep breaths. Think nice thoughts x

[Helly75 in reply to Hidden]

I will try ,thankyou 🤗

[Palpman]

You can't just swop a beta blocker for a channel blocker. You have to wean off the bb first or your anxiety levels will skyrocket.

[Helly75 in reply to Palpman]

That's what I think the problem is ,cardiologist told me to just stop & take the other meds instead, its been absolutely horrible 😞

[Retirement65 in reply to Helly75]

Hi helly hope you get these meds sorted soon I’ve been there in the past with what I would class as too much if that makes sense couldn’t function that was a BB high dose eventually it was sorted but I can totally relate to your anxiousness take care and hopefully you get some proper advice from someone today 🤞

[Helly75 in reply to Retirement65]

It's just a nightmare ,all the messing about for me to just stick to the old meds! Thanks for your reply x

[Priceypam]

Hi Helly75, I was put on verapamil by my cardiologist and taken off ivabradine and amlodipine,for my AF, I can honestly say that I felt rubbish the whole time I was on it. I do have reflux and verapamil made it so much worse. I asked to be taken off it many times,but was told I needed it to steady my heart. Eventually my reflux was so bad that I had a sensation of a lump in the throat and that made me so anxious. Verapamil has thankfully now been stopped,and one month on reflux back under control,lump in throat gone,and blood pressure/heart rate in normal range,much lower without verapamil. I guess it just didn't suit me in spite of persevering for 5months. I hope you get sorted soon.😎.

[Helly75 in reply to Priceypam]

Hi, I've been the same reflux is awful since starting verapamil, I want to be switched back to the betablockers that weren't causing me any issues but couldnt get to speak to a dr so I have to wait until tomorrow morning 🙄 I can hardly stand the thought of taking it today x

[Priceypam in reply to Helly75]

I really understand Helly75,my GP just wouldn't listen. I knew it was verapamil, because it had started at the exact time I'd started taking them, horrible nausea and burning in my gullet,it just got worse and worse,until the lump in throat feeling made it difficult to swallow. My gp was still sceptical saying "right,stop the meds for a week, we'll prove it once and for all" fortunately it improved enough for Verapamil to be stopped. I do hope you get your meds sorted soon, it's so difficult to get the right ones that do the job and don't cause too many nasty side effects.Good luck Helly75 😎

[Gladwyn]

I had been thinking I took Verapamil for years with no problem and then I read your post and remembered I used to get the most awful burning indigestion/heartburn. In the 4 years since the verapamil was stopped I haven’t had that once. It’s only now I realise it was caused by that medication. 🤭

[Helly75 in reply to Gladwyn]

It's awful, I took one tablet yesterday morning & I'm still like a fire breathing dragon! 🔥

[Gladwyn in reply to Helly75]

Lol I’m staying well back from you then ….looked for an emoji of a hose pipe to cool you down but alas there isn’t one .

You’ve certainly started me remembering things when I was on the Verapamil that I hadn’t realised . Ofcourse I wouldn’t as I’m not a doctor and those that are didn’t listen to me when I mentioned them. Ah well . Onwards and upwards. I wish you the very best Helly and hope you get proper treatment and care very soon. 🎈😀