health related question

so i dunno if u guys remember...but about 2 months ago i passed out (ive passed out several other times) but i finally went to the doctors this time who told me i had a low heart rate also, and they sent me to the cardiologist..well today i had to go to the hospital to get a Tilt Table test....not fun but as soon as they started the test and moved the table i was out..so they said i tested positive and that im neurocardiogenic... its just the reason why i pass out... anyways the doctor perscribed a beta- blocker..i was all fine with all of this until i just looked up online exaclty what a beta blocker was

this is what one site said:
- Long-term use of beta-blockers helps manage chronic heart failure. When you start taking beta-blockers, your heart failure symptoms may become worse (for about two and a half months) while your heart adjusts to the medication. This is a normal effect, but let your doctor or nurse know if you become extremely tired, gain more than 5 pounds, have trouble breathing, or have other signs of congestion or swelling. Once your heart adjusts, you will feel better.

now im nervous about taking it...anyone else on this, or know anything about it?? also another site said that i shouldnt have caffine or alcohol...not that im a caffine fiend but i like to have a cup in the morning and i hardly ever go out and drink..but i like to every once in awhile...do i have to completely stop all that??

im sorry i know nothing about this but i hope you get it all figured out.

I did see that tilt test last night though on a rerun of CSI

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Posted by bella1028

wow...I don't know anything about this, but i understand why you may be concerned...did the doctor tell you to take this medication? and if so, did you ask about the things you read? and just to make you feel a bit better, i always hear people say NOT to pay too much attention to what you read online simply b/c it includes EVERYTHING that can be or go wrong...ask your doctor...i'm sorry you are going through this

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thanks! the doctor at the hospital is the one who prescribed it so i cant even call him...of course when they told me that they were prescribing it to me i was kinda still groggy from just passing out so i didnt ask any questions so i just looked it up now..i guess ill call my cardiologist tomorrow to ask uhh

I was on beta blockers for like a month b/c I get palpitations. It didn't really affect me at all but then again they have no idea why I am getting the palpitations. I have been to 3 doctors in 2 years and nothing.

Be thankful they know what is wrong and have a way to manage it. You will be fine. Millions of people take these meds

I'm sorry jenise. I don't know anything about this area but I can imagine how scary all this is. Why don't you compile your list of questions tonight and contact your cardiologist tomorrow? He can answer your questions the best. Here is some

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Posted by jteach711

I was on beta blockers for like a month b/c I get palpitations. It didn't really affect me at all but then again they have no idea why I am getting the palpitations. I have been to 3 doctors in 2 years and nothing.

Be thankful they know what is wrong and have a way to manage it. You will be fine. Millions of people take these meds

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i get those too ..u didnt have any side effects and were still able to eat/drink what u wanted on this medicine?

Two things...#1 i am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. Luckily they figured out what is going on with you though cause that can be an extremely serious condition if you didnt figure it out. #2: You need to talk to either your doctor or pharmacist and talk about the side effects and whether or not you have to stop caffine and alcohol all together or just use it occasionally. Based on what you've written, i dont think you will have to give it up completely. Also talk with your doctor to determine if there are any alternatives to this med. Just remember: side effects are possibilities of what may happen but they are not definite. Meds affect everyone differently. HTH and good luck!!

well they told me to stay away from caffeine because they can bring on more palpitations but for no other reason than that.

What cardiologist do you go to? Do you like him?

I am sick of dr.'s thinking I am a hypocondriac. I feel like I have had every test under the sun and nothing seems to be wrong, but I am definetly getting these palpitations, they are not in my mind

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Posted by debismom

Jenise, I'm on a beta blocker. My heart rate is too fast. I'm on Atenolol. When I first take it, I feel a bit tired, but it passes. So far, this med is bringing my blood pressure down and lowering my pulse rate. Actually, I feel pretty good!! Mary MOB

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im going to be taking pindolol..but i have a low heart rate as it is..the one thing the doctor said was that it could make me tired..and if its supposed to lower my heart rate i dont get why im taking it..my heart rate is low normally (im sure when i pass out my heart rate skyrockets but normally its low) and i have low blood pressure also (sometimes its normal, other times low)

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Posted by jteach711

well they told me to stay away from caffeine because they can bring on more palpitations but for no other reason than that.

What cardiologist do you go to? Do you like him?

I am sick of dr.'s thinking I am a hypocondriac. I feel like I have had every test under the sun and nothing seems to be wrong, but I am definetly getting these palpitations, they are not in my mind

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ive only seen him twice lol but i go to massapequa heart group dr. wickes..i thought all this was in my head too bc ive had ekg's echocardiograms, holter monitor and they all came out fine..i get palpatations sometimes and i swear my heart doesnt beat normally like even when fh lays on me and hears my heart it skips beats and everything....but anyways i like him, he seems good so u can def try him!

i know it may sound silly...but i tend to be over organized...lol...i would make a list of any and all questions and concerns you may have and definitely ask all of them to a doctor and make sure you get answers so that you walk away feeling comfortable...it is such a hard thing b/c it is one of those things that if we do not know anything about, we rely on doctors to tell us right from wrong...i am sure he will have answers for you

im sorry that you have to worry about this!

talk to your cardiologist or a specialist they probably can give you more information and explain everything to you that you need to know....

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Posted by JoesFutureWife

Two things...#1 i am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. Luckily they figured out what is going on with you though cause that can be an extremely serious condition if you didnt figure it out. #2: You need to talk to either your doctor or pharmacist and talk about the side effects and whether or not you have to stop caffine and alcohol all together or just use it occasionally. Based on what you've written, i dont think you will have to give it up completely. Also talk with your doctor to determine if there are any alternatives to this med. Just remember: side effects are possibilities of what may happen but they are not definite. Meds affect everyone differently. HTH and good luck!!

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yeah im def going to have to call and ask tomorrow...its funny that anytime i have questions i automatically come on here bc i figure someone will know about it haha

Jenise- don't read stuff on the internet - it will make you freak out.

I'm always on webMD and I freak myself out.

There are risks with everything you take (birth control, advil, aspirin, etc). Just make sure you talk to your doctor about your concerns.

My father is on beta blockers and they've basically saved his life.

But these are all concerns that you should discuss with your cardiologist. My dr.s have told me that sometimes the worst thing to happen to the field of medicine is the internet. It's great to look up stuff sometimes, but alot of times you can drive yourself crazy with what you find.