Scared Spitless

[notcrazy1]

Has anyone ever had this sensation......I will try and explain but this will sound *crazy*, but it's the best way I can explain so bear with me.... Ok so I can be sitting or standing anywhere at anytime, and SUDDENLY feel like i have instantly blacked out..for a brief second, all the while I have this sudden pause and almost painful (but not really) sensation in my chest. It's almost like I was "unplugged" from an electrical source or something... so wierd and hard to explain, I have PVC's and PAC's ALOT.daily...I have been having these for 15 years...but the sensations and frequency has changed and so they are beginning to scare the "Blank" out of me.  My cardiologist in the past have all brushed me off after all the I have had stress tests, ECG, EKG, Thyroid test, Electrolyte tests..and everything seems "normal" what ever "normal" is.  My currently cardiologist put me on metoprolol 12.5 mg as I am very bradycardic, sitting up and talking at 48 BPM and do not have BP issues, and says that this medication is more for my symptoms and not my extra beats...and that these are not harmful, no matter how I am feeling and they are completely begnin and are not going away, and just continue to reassure my self that I have been "checked" out.  I am a single mom of two children 15 and 7 and I have alot of life to live yet, and i need help or insight on your thoughts are suggestions.  Also, the cardiologist said to try magnesium 400mg daily... Should I just come off this metoprolol and try mag, and just deal with it?? or am I overlooking something else or another medical opinion........ ugh so scared and frustrated.  So any professional and friendly advice would be much appreciated!  xo J

[notcrazy1]

Thank you so much Tom, I do know exactly where PG is! :) wow, small world.  Ok... So the cardiologist told me this past week the ONLY reason he is treating me is to try and reduce the symptoms, not the amount of ectopic beats, and that due to my bradycardia he was not going to treat me with anything stronger unless I wanted to try flecanide, flecanide is a STRONG drug and I did not feel good in my spirit about it, so I refused that drug.  I am only taking 12.5mg a day.  which as you well know is 1/2 of the smallest dosage available. He did recommend 400mg of a Mag supplement and I am for sure going to try that.  They all tell you to cut out caffeine,smoking, excercise more and hydrate and rest well... I have done all those things and no matter what I do I still have them, so I can not correlate any TRUE modifier to these pesky and scary episodes... so Frustrating.... I know you know. :)

[tom_h]

I can't give you "profession advice", but I can offer "friendly advice" for sure.  I would not stop your metoprolol without first consulting with you physician.  Also 12.5 mg (2X/day?) is a very tiny dose.  If you get lots of PVC and PAC's, I doubt whether a daily dose of 25mg is really doing much at all.  I've been on as much as 200mg, and there are people taking upwards of 400mg.(which I can't imagine!) You have to balance that with your bradycardia, because as you probably know, it will slow it further.  Have you discussed an alternate drug with him.  Metoprolol is often the first one tried as it's tolerated well by most.  Keep on it!

BTW, I have a sister near you in Pleasant Garden.  Know where that is?