Posted 7/22/2005 7:47 AM (GMT -7)
Hi again-everyone- First of all, my deepest sympathies to Vikki w her unresolved EP studies. What a "bummer"!! I can fully understand & empathize what you're feeling---high hopes---then crash! Hopefully--it will all work out w a new Dr & more studies.
Anyway---along THOSE same lines (confusion w Drs)---here is my situation---& i need some advice FAST (Psych nurse & others----i need you all).
As you know -i have Mitral valve prolapse---& with it i get episodes of SVT. They do NOT last long & come in streaks (i can go days--or weeks without any problem)---Then "bang"...they occur in clusters. I have had "event" monitors on ---5 different occasions (3 times in Beverly Hills Ca.--under supervision of one of nations very BEST Electrocardiologists)---& twice here on East Coast----All Drs---say same thing--& they have "caught" the arrythmias---(they don't last long---longest 5-6 seconds)----Drs. say they are annoying----NOT serious...I do NOT get dizzy--or pass out. I am on 25 mg of Tenormin once/day. I've been told to meditate, relax--keep well hydrated----OK------PROBLEM:
I am also suffering from depression (as you probably all know)---& my therapist wants me on Zoloft (start at 25 mg--up to 50 mg)-----Now---last year (in June)---I started taking 50 mg of Zoloft---Trust me, my friends---after 4 or 5 days---i got THE worst attack of Tachycardia ...EVER...in my life....i thought i was dying---walking home from market--heart sped up----then slowed down---3 or 4 rapid beats--then "normal"....4- or 5 more rapid beats--then normal--this went on for about 30-40 seconds (SEEMED like an eternity)-----i NEARLY Rang a strangers doorbell to call 911.
I attributed it to the Zoloft----BUT--i do not see irregular beats as even mentioned in the brochure of side effects! I did ALL KINDS of "searches" "SSRIs & arrythmias".....Maybe one or two small things written, barely mentioning it---I stopped taking the Zoloft--told my cardiologist---said it must be coincidental!!!
Now--i am in a "good heart mode"...no irregular episodes (at least bad ones)--for weeks--(oh i get an occasional extra beat or 2--nothing scary)----BUT--statred my Zoloft 3 days ago--25 mg----AND---I'm starting to get MORE & longer irregular beats---I'm due to take my next 25 mg dose today at noon (EDT)---I am THINKING about NOT TAKING IT!!!!! Then...i'm supposed to go to 50 mg---
Someone--ANYONE----is there a possible connection here??? IF SO---PLEASE--let me know!!! I hate these darn "side effects"--esp. cardiovascular---don't mind...gas or headaches, or drowziness---but do not mess w my heart rhythm---PLEASE---Will be CHECKING IN REGULARLY!!! Thanks---Robert