diltiazam

[Harefieldfan]

hello. My husband takes Diltiazam for atrial fibrillation. He suffers from dizziness, nausea and general discomfort. Says something happens inside his head. So I said I’d ask the forum. Does anyone take this? What side-effects do you have? He was switched from Bisoprolol because of similar problems. (Luckily I’m ok with Biso). Thanks

[Hidden]

hello I took diltiazem last year for 5 months but didn’t help my angina, that was at 180mg a day. I was put back on it in January and I took it for 16 days and on my GP’s say so only I stopped taking it. That was 240mg a day.

It did not improve my angina and in some ways made worse, I had headaches - a general heaviness then sharper headaches on exertion (but although having stopped I just had another headache while doing something but it passed when I rested). I also felt more tiredness and generally unwell. My mood dropped too.

HOWEVER, I have learned from people here that meds are prescribed as standard doses and don’t take account of the individual I.e weight, gender, ethnicity for example nor would they have been tested on a variety of people so they can work for some and not others - I’m one of the others.

Also meds can take a couple of weeks to work fully (mine was just not doing anything) and headaches can pass.

I found it useful to ask pharmacist for advice but only did what the GP said.

But there is also a balance between the med working well for the health issue Vs how much a person can tolerate as side effects. And that decision is different for everyone,.

It works for many so hope settles down and does its job, but always worth communicating with doctor if continues to be a problem.

Good Luck.

[fon7]

I take this medication and would be glad to give you my information, whatever you desire, about it. I ve had trying times and dos and donts with it. Let me hear from you.

[Harefieldfan in reply to fon7]

hi fon7. Thanks. This is for my husband, not me. He was on bisoprolol but had bad side-effects so was switched to diltiazam. He has other issues as well - vestibular balance disorder, which has to do with the inner ear and makes him feel very lightheaded and nauseous. He is wondering if this could all be caused by the diltiazam, so is wondering what side-effects others have had. He takes it for atrial fibrillation, and it does control this. Do you get lightheadedness? Thanks.

[fon7 in reply to Harefieldfan]

I do take bisoprolol and other medication for AF and a replaced Aorta Valve. I am followed closely by Cardiology, Pharmacy and a Primary Dr. Meds are reviewed often and number around 20. Best for me is walking. No drinking. No smoking. Living quietly. Close to proper eating. Sleep when I can. Watch my skin and weight. I’m 75. Had this heart thing since 1967. Live in Florida. Keep my cool.

Let me know if your specific questions.