Med change

[Bill]

I've had HCM since '69, but it wasn't diagnosed until two or three months ago. I've been taking 20mg of Inderal since '77 for my "phantom condition" and it has worked pretty well. However, when the cardiologist diagnosed me he changed my med to Atenolol 50mg. That caused all my worst symptoms to return. He put me back on Inderal (this time 80mg time release) but I'm still having some problems -- I'm better but not back to where I was before the med change. Any thoughts?

Bill

[Sarah]

Dear Bill,

Every beta-blocker is a little different. You may want to try metropolol or nadolol and see if you feel any better. Also, you may need an antiarrhythmic like sotalol, disopyramide, or something stronger.

I recommend seeing an HCM specialist so you can be sure you are getting the right medications for all your symptoms.

S

[Lisa Salberg]

Bill,
Many people do well on inderal for HCM - it may be the right drug for you and out of luck you have been getting the right drug for your "phanthom" illness all along.
What are your symptoms and how old are you?

Lisa

[Bill]

I'm 56.

I always shudder a little when someone asks about my symptoms because many of them are so... vague and hard to describe. Back in the BI days (Before Inderal) I had some real rock n roll tachycardia episodes that were absolutely terrifying. It seemed to trigger the Fight/Flight Syndrome or something, because I couldn't stand to stay in the same room and i was convinced that I was about to die.

Anyway, the symptoms that I had recently involved an awareness of changes in my heartbeat, shortness of breath, light-headness, a sort of mental vagueness and a bit of the ol' weird sense of impending doom. Also, some episodes of simply feeling generally crappy.

I feel like I'm gradually getting better after the unsuccessful change-of-medication debacle. But it seems as though every day I get one or two episodes of SOB or general crappiness.

[Sarah]

Dear Bill,

Think about when your episodes happen and see if they are typically occuring X number of hours after you take your medication or after dinner or caffiene or a heavy meal and so on.

It may be something you can change or eliminate or perhaps you need a long-acting beta-blocker.

S

[Lisa Salberg]

Bill,
I know you said you are planning to come to the meeting - - I think that would be a good time for you to chat with some of the speakers and find a specialist that can help you manage these symptoms better - - - just a thought.

Lisa