Can antibiotics trigger PVCs?

[Bedlington14]

2 months ago I was hospitalised for a facial infection. I was given strong antibiotics and ever since I've had PVCs every day for hours at a time. I've had them for 10 years and they've been controlled well with daily Flecainide and Verapamil, until now. I've got a 7 day holter monitor on at present but I'm getting more depressed with every passing day. I'd love to hear from anyone who's PVCs got worse following an infection/antibiotics. Thanks for reading.

[AlfredV]

Side effects to most antibiotics subside upon stopping the treatment (save a bit gut dysbiosis), however there are exceptions such as ciprofloxacin which can have emerging side effects years after cessation (I speak from personal experience). Whether this can cause PVCs I don't know, but my own heart problems were in part triggered from antibiotic damage.

Sorry that this doesn't directly answer your question but it might help to guide you in the right direction.

[Bedlington14 in reply to AlfredV]

Thanks for your reply. You confirm my thoughts really about antibiotic side effects being short lived, I suppose I was clutching at straws. My anti biotic was Clindamycin . Can I ask what heart problems you had?

[AlfredV in reply to Bedlington14]

I had a 95% blockage in my circumflex artery that required stenting after a heart attack. My other arteries were clear.

[Bedlington14 in reply to AlfredV]

Oh dear. I hope your heart problems are being managed now. Antibiotics are strong stuff. I had them years ago for Lyme Disease and happily popped them like smarties. Now I hope I won't need any more for a very long time. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[JessicaRed]

An infected facial cyst and antibiotics landed me in Aug into hospital with a suspected heart attack, because of the disturbed electrolyte balance following the antibiotics effect on my digestive systemIt was noted as a cardiac event with massive palpitations, high troponin level, and further tests revealed severe aortic valve stenosis currently awaiting replacement of the valve by open heart surgery any day now

Hope you will be better soon

[Bedlington14 in reply to JessicaRed]

Hi JessicaRed, thanks for your reply. What a horrendous time you've had. I hope you make a full recovery. I'm going to request a blood test to check my electrolytes, and also thyroid level. Reading of your experience, I'm convinced my infection triggered this problem (I had Periorbital Cellulitis following sinusitis). Once again, good luck .

[Noodlesalad in reply to Bedlington14]

HiI had periorbital cellulitis in January this year and as I can't take penicillin I was prescribed Clindomycin and Clarithromycyin, this was after I was prescribed another antibiotic on my first visit to the opthamology A+E clinic because of the swelling around my eye and one side of face.

I inbetween not being able to tolerate the first lot went to see my GP who was very concerned and said the periorbital cellulitis was extremely serious and if not treated I could go blind in the affected eye, he sent me back to A+E and I say there for over 9 hours before I was seen , so clearly going blind was not an issue to those doctors.

When I was eventually seen and prescribed the lots of medication I was referred as a matter of urgency to the ophthalmic clinic for five days later.

Thankfully it cleared up without any further intervention, however I wasn't able to take the full course of the second lot as the side effects were very unpleasant.

Then a few weeks ago I had septic tonsilitis and was prescribed Clarithromycyin again a couple of days in I started with lip swelling and difficulty swallowing, back to the GP was prescribed Doxycycline but a couple of days in started again with swelling . Went back to my GP who could clearly see the angiodoema and stopped the Doxycycline right away and I had already started the day before antihistamines.

I asked to be referred to an Allergy clinic as I have never had this problem with medication till last year. Thankfully my GP agreed as they are now running out of options to treat any future problems.

I have my yearly CHD checks in two weeks so am just hoping things haven't got any worse.

[Bedlington14 in reply to Noodlesalad]

Hi, thanks for telling me this. Yes, Periorbital Cellulitis can be very serious. I ended up in Hospital as a result of various calls to 111 (who were fantastic) over one weekend. Luckily, mine was treated promptly. I hope you continue to improve.

[Noodlesalad in reply to Bedlington14]

Thank you for your reply.It's always good to hear of someone with same or similar experience.