Changing Meds due to tinitus.. Med ?'s

[Kim_1970]

As the world of my heart turns... (Newly diagnosed to SVT)

So after my primary and cardio  Dr were not too concerned about the ringing in my ears that I think is caused by Metaprolol Tartrate, I thought I would try my EP Dr.  I called his nurse who put me on hold and she talked to him and he switched me that day. Nice.  Said to quit the Metaprolol and take the Cardizem ER.  It is a calcium channel blocker.  The nurse said be patient as the tinitus may take a few days to subside.  3 days woo hoo!  The T has been making me anxious which makes everything worse. My pharm said it may take longer and it may not ever go away.  WHAT??! I just dont get it..?

So got the new pills last night and took the first one today. I ALWAYS get so nervous when taking a new med and I read all the literature and that makes me MORE nervous.  Shoot.  My bp last night at rite aid was 117/65 pulse 65.  AWESOME, but I still have been having palps and those odd beats.  Are those what we call here pvcs, and pacs?

So I am wondering if my bp on 25 am and 25 pm of the Metaprolol Tartate is that low what is it going to be on a 120 ER of Cardiazem?  Should I go take my bp at rite aid again this afternoon?  
I really hope I do better on this medicine.  I have a very sensitive system and very low dose of anything affects me.
I just want to get better and forget I even have a heart or ears.  DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
Like who of us is even aware that we have an elbow or even a nose for that matter???  

ALSO--I take magnesium (calm) and love herbal tea and it warns about taking herbs while on Cardizem.
What herbs are not ok to take while on bp meds?  I know any stimulant would be obvious. I stay away from anything like that ...

Take care my fellow heart folks.

PS, I am on wait list for ablation.  Scared about that but looking forward to getting "fixed".

[Kim_1970]

I do not do de-caf either.  Also very little chocolate, even though I love it.  
Have you tried Magnesium?  It is supposed to calm and steady the heart, and be so calming and good for our bodies. Look up Calm Magnesium.
I felt ok on the medicine today.  A little headed maybe ?? I think thats normal.  
I have had some palps today but they did not last long-- few minutes.  Didnt launch into tacychardia spell.
I really tend to get them when a little stressed, meeting with boss and I stood up to get some water and heart pounded hard several times and then when I was cooking dinner..  Actually I was not stressed those times, the palps stressed me.  
I will keep all posted on the T situation.
I am thankful for the communication here.  LIFESAVER...
Nobody else understands....

[DeltaDawn23]

Hawthorn will speed your heart up.  Plain Chamomile tea is safe.  You can add flavoring to "spice" it up a little -- also good for digestion and calming.  I share your concern about starting on new meds -- best if you can do it at a low dose when there's someone around to help if need be.

The decaffinated teas and coffee still have enough caffeine to make my heart go faster so I avoid them.

Good luck with the tinnitus.  I hope it goes away on your new med regimen.

[CFS56]

The only way to tell what your "odd beats" are is to be on a monitor when they occur.  By far, the most common heart hiccups are PVCs and PACs.  These are usually perceived as a skipped or an extra heartbeat.  I can tell the difference between the 2 but only because I have been in the ER hooked up to monitors for long periods and looked to see what was happening.  
I am a long time sufferer of tinnitus.  Almost any medication can worsen or cause it to happen.  Even aspirin.  I know it can make you insane and cause tons of anxiety. Anxiety usually makes it worse.  You have to retrain your brain to not perceive the tinnitus as a "threat".  The more you focus on it, the worse it's going to get and the more miserable it's going to make you.  The best thing you can do is not feed the tinnitus monster.  Try to ignore it, tinnitus unto itself is not harmful.  Annoying, yes.  Don't sit around in quiet places...turn the tv on, play music, listen to your ipod.  My worst time is at night but thankfully, I found a tinnitus masker on the internet that I was able to record to my ipod and I play it at night.  You can look online and there are several you can download.  It is possible it was the medication and it will go away in a few days.  But until then try to stay busy and don't sit around "listening" for it.  And the tinnitus maskers are wonderful.  Good luck.