stopping verapamil

[gabs]

I was reading on a previous post that beta blockers should not be stopped cold turkey. Does this include calcium channel beta blockers? My husband has been on verapamil for 10 months and his dr. called on Monday to say thay he needs to stop taking it right away. He is also on atenelol. Should we be concerned? Thanks for any information.

[Lisa Salberg]

Why has the Dr advised him to stop the meds and what were his directions?
Lisa

[Sarah]

Hi,

I haven't experienced or heard of any problem with stopping verapamil suddenly. I stopped taking it and boy, did I feel better!!!

keep us posted,

S

[gabs]

Thanks for the reply. His cardiologist is referring him to a specialist in Toronto since he seems to be feeling worse. When he called the new dr. to discuss my husband, he told him that the verapamil is contraindicated in his case since he has an obstruction. We were told to stop right away.
I'm hoping he may start to feel better. Thanks again.

[Robbyn]

I also have HOCM and see a doctor in Toronto, Dr. Wigle at Toronto General to be specific, and the first thing he did when he saw me last Sept. was to take me off Verapamil. He said it was probably making me feel worse. He put me on Atenonol, which helped some. I didn't have to wean myself off the verapamil.

[gabs]

That's who my husband is being referred to! How are you feeling now? His appointment is in April, we are very anxious. He just had his atenelol doubled so its hard to say what was making him feel so lousy. Thanks again.

[Robbyn]

Unfortunately I can't tolerate more than 25 mg of Atenenol (or any of the "nol's" for that matter). I going back to have a heart cath to decide if I am a candidate for myectomy or achohol ablation. I was non-symptomatic for the 5 years I knew had HOCM. Then last year when I got CHF it was downhill from there. I hoping the when I get my heart is working better the CHF will be better controlled. Does anyone know the answer to that question? Did your CHF improve after surgery?

Dr.Wigle is one of the best in the world. He is very good and very thorough. Your husband is in very good hands.

Take care,
Robbyn :D

[Lisa Salberg]

Dr. Wigle has a great amount of expereince and you can feel good knowing your in good hands.
Obstruction and Verapimil can be an issue...although for some it seems fine?? just one more odd thing about managing HCM???
Lisa

[Dee]

I'm not sure I understand the issues with Verapamil and having obstruction. I'm curious, of course, because Dylan has just recently begun taking Verapamil along with his Propranolol and he has obstruction. In his case, he's improved IMMENSELY since adding the Verapamil - he's pink and chubby these days. Not pale and sometime blue like before. It's been a wonderful week seeing him improve :) He's had no complaints and the improvement is very obvious.

So what are the possible issues with it?

Dee

[Sarah]

Dear Dee,

HCM is SO individual, you have to go with what works for you (or your son) and there are a chunk of people who do take both.

If you see improvement, then I wouldn't be worried about it.

I think some concern is with the heart contractions and blood pressure/volume. However, peds is a whole other ball of wax, too.

S

[Dolly W]

I was on Inderal/Verapamil for many years and stopped Verapamil cold turkey following myectomy. I was weaned off of the Inderal over the course of a month and switched to Atenolol.

Feeling much better now!

[Glen Beamish]

Hi Gabbs??
I am also seeing Dr. Wigle for my annual April 4th, when's your husband going?
He's been my HCM doc for over 30 years now.
Your hubby's in good hands.

[gabs]

Hi Glen,
My husband is going to Toronto on April 11. How long have you been with Dr. Wigle? His appointment cannot come soon enough. He was feeling lousy before stopping the verapamil, but since stopping it, he is much worse. Hopefully it is just his body adjusting to the change.
Is the hospital near the downtown area? We live about 4.5 hours away and will probably be staying over. Hopefully we can even take in a show!

[Glen Beamish]

Over 30 years now, I was diagnosed at age 21.
I assume he has a set of tests to go to, ECG and echocardoigram for sure.
After those tests he will meet with Dr. Wigle to discuss the results and then
he will suggest a coarse of action re more tests or medication changes etc.
If you have any questions now and think of any between now and then, write them down so you will not forget them when the consultation takes place.
I see you asked a question about obstruction on another posting, this is the perfect type of question to ask Dr. Wigle.
Yes, the hospital is right down town and not too far from The Lion King or Momma Mia.
You should try and book either ASAP.
I'm actually going to Momma Mia April 12th to the afternoon matinee.
Good Luck and post how you make out.

[gabs]

Thanks for the info. Yes he is scheduled for several test, we are expecting to be there most of the morning. They are obviously doing something right with you. How do you feel most of the time?

[Glen Beamish]

Yes, I am still alive and kicking which bodes well. Judging by the posting I have read here, I am doing very well. As I said I am not obstructed, so my blood flow is not impeded. My septum is 22 mm thick with 11 being about normal. Others you will see here can go over 30 mm which can be a concern. I am allowed moderate exercise and do ride bikes a lot. As a matter of fact I am going to talk to Dr. Wigle about going in the Becel Bike ride up the Don Valley Parkway June/1. I take Atenolol and Amiodarone which is an antiarrythmia drug. Actually I think arrythmia was probably my biggest problem, but the medication seems to control that very well. All in all I feel great and plan to be on this Earth for quite some time.

[BigHeart]

I also have HOCM and see a doctor in Toronto, Dr. Wigle at Toronto General to be specific, and the first thing he did when he saw me last Sept. was to take me off Verapamil. He said it was probably making me feel worse. He put me on Atenonol, which helped some. I didn't have to wean myself off the verapamil.
Ditto. Verapamil has a vasodilating action, which would tend to worsen, for instance, a midventricular obstuction. A type 1A antiarrhthmic agent, e.g. Disopyramide (Norpace) and Beta Blockers seem to be his usual way to medically treat HOCM.

[gabs]

Hi again. Last night my husband ended up in emerg. He is so much worse since stopping the verapamil. His cardiologist put him back on it until we see Dr. Wigle in April. Hopefully he will start to feel better today.
April cannot come soon enough!

[Robbyn]

Big Heart, that is exactly what my doctor did - he put me on a antiarrythmia (Rythmodan) to treat my HOCM, although I do not have arrythmia. Unfortunetly, it is not really doing the job for me.

[Glen Beamish]

Hi Gabs, just a heads up in case you haven't been notified yet, Dr. Wigle's office called this morn. to cancel my appointment for this friday because of the SARS scare.
If they haven't contacted you, maybe you should give them a call, I know you were thinking of staying over and would probably be making some arrangements in advance.

[gabs]

Thanks for the heads up. I did make a reservation, but I will be able to cancel it. I'm glad that I did not buy tickets to a show! Did they give you any indication as to when they may reschedule appt.?

[Glen Beamish]

No, I don't, I know my daughter who is in nursing school has to stay away from the Hospital she was assigned to in Hamilton for 20 days which is 2, 10 day cycles. Last thursday she was at the hospital when they were told that Hamilton had it's first confirmed case so they had to evacuate the hospital except for necessary people. She had to wait for a couple hours while they did a mouth swab to everyone that were told to leave. Scary! So I wouldn't be surprised if it were a month or so and also dependent on how many new cases pop up between now and then.
Tell hubby to hang in there and good luck.
Keep us informed.

[gabs]

My husbands regular cardiologist at the Ottawa Heart Inst. just called to cancel my husbands appt. for tomorrow afternoon. They have closed the clinic until further notice. Scary Times!