SSRI's & IRREGULAR BEATS

 Well, i'll try again.      Suffering from Depression AND Mitral Valve Prolapse & the Irregular heart beats that go with it (SVT etc)----Now, Dr. precsribed Zoloft for my depression.   I tried it LAST yr----& got lots of irregular beats (SVT--PVCs  )----Cardiologist said it should not have been caused by the Zoloft (SSRI)-----anyone--tried again last month---Again...more irregular beats.   I stopped taking them..will talk to my cardiologist & my therapist about trying something different.    Has anyone else---anyone----had this problem---irregular heart beats after taking an SSRI (Zoloft or other anti-depressant)---PLEASE, let me know---or else, i'll feel i'm alone in this!!!   Thanks---Robert

 Robert, I thought that you were going to discuss this with your therapist and cardio Dr.  Have you done this yet?  I wish you all the best!!  Hugs, Teri

Hi Teri-- Saw my therapist today. We talked about switching the SSRI anti-depressant. OK---to everyone out there. My therapist mentioned Paxil & Selexa-----i FORGOT to ask..."What about Prozac?"---this was so big in the 1990s----anyone have any success with Prozac? Please--someone---anyone--get back----i NEED to get on an Anti-depressant--but the darn Zoloft is making my heart jump all over the place-----any help would be greatly appreviated!!! Thanks--Robert

   Thanks Beth & all----It seems that (according to my therapist --Pharmacists   PDR ...AND---hours of me doing searches on "SSRIs & arryhtmias)--that irregular heart beats are NOT a usual..or even rare side effect (EXCEPT in drug combinations--none of which i take)----It probably was a coincidence that it happened!      So, i'll stick w Zoloft---or try Paxil or Lexapro.      Again, thanks to all of you---you are all so helpful & caring --Blessings--Robert

TO: Teri, Beth, Scaredy Cat (Janet) & all--- Wanted to give you all an update on the decision for a new anti-depressant. (as you know--suffering from "major depression" ..along w Mitral Valve Prolapse (& SVT)----& the Zoloft SEEMED to be bringing on tachycardia. Sooo---after careful research on the internet--& discussing this w my therapist & a wonderfully "well read" pharmacist (& they are rare--believe me!!! Some don't know an antihistimine from a beta blocker without a PDR)-----I have come to the conclusion I will start on Paxil asap (I'll talk w my family Dr. today--he says the choice of the SSRI is up to me & my therapist----as long as i take something.

My pharmacist also suffers a cardiac arrythmia----so he's aware of my proble (i told him of this wonderful site & the great, helpful people here)-----He recommended Paxil...for me (he said everyone reacts differently to meds). says Paxil comes in more varied doses (10 20 30 mg)----so, i can start low & move up gradually. Also---besides being an anti-depressant--it has some anti anxiety qualities.

So--that's it---i know Teri & Beth were both curious about my update. Thanks so much for your caring concern (where are you Janet----??? Haven't heard--are you OK??)---I hope i have been as helpful to at least some people--as you all have been to me. Keep in touch--Prayers & blessings---Robert

Robert, thank you for the update and I truly hope that you will be helped by this!  It is very frustrating at times when medications cause or seem to cause a problem and I think you've done the best thing you could!

Please take care of yourself!

Hugs, Teri

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"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas

Hey there Robert........SO glad to hear you're going to give Paxil a try.  Many many years ago.well, okay 1995 was when my first major episode of depression hit me.  I was placed on Prozac (the #1 favorite of the docs at that time) and after 5 months on it, I began to shake (tremors like) so they switched me to Zoloft.  Zoloft took away any hint of romance in my life ( ) that was normally a very good and normal situation!  So........I went off of it and tried to make do on my own for awhile.  I did fine until the birth of my first child, then my second only 20 months later......I found myself with very little patience, no desire to get a shower for the day and I just knew my depression and anxiety was "creeping" back in.  So, I was placed on Paxil 10mg.  This has the been my favorite AD for the past 5.5 years!  I am now on the "Controlled/Continuous Release" Version of Paxil at 25mgs.  I LOVE IT!  Since it is a slow steady dose all day and all night long, I have this "balance" of medicine in my system that really keeps me on an even keel.  I take it at dinner time and then I am able to sleep through most of the extra fatigue that it causes. 

My only other side effect from the Paxil is a decreased appetite for good foods and an increase in cravings for carbs/sweets!  So, I just have to be aware of that on a daily basis and control my cravings by drinking water, eating a sweet apple instead of a whole chocolate cake, etc. etc...!    

I just wanted to share my "positive" Paxil experience with you! I wish you the very very best on it!  You'll do terrific I'm sure.  And if not, there's always Lexapro!  Same family of drug I believe....but docs call it a "cleaner" version of paxil, whatever that means! lol

Hugs and of course, keep us posted!

Beth

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