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sadie
27-05-04, 21:30
Hi all,

I have just been prescribed beta-blockes to help reduce my migraines. I did use to take another pill everynight to prevent my migraines, but you are not allowed to drink with these pills, and although I am not a hard drinker its nice to have a glass of wine etc at the weekend. Plus they increased your appetite and I have felt I am putting on weight since taking these meds.

Anyway I am just not sure about taking beta-blockers.[:0]

Can anyone reassure me that they are ok to take and that there are not any bad side affects with them. I had a bad experience with some medications last year and I'm just a bit catious with new meds.



sadie

Laurie28
28-05-04, 08:54
Hiya Sadie,

I personally haven't taken Beta Blockers (although I was prescribed them) and although I am no doctor/medical professional I think they are pretty safe. DO NOT take them if you have asthma. Like just about everything I suppose some people will experience side effects (though as I said I am no doctor) but it is just your anxiety making you worry about side effects (if u are anything like me!)
Migraines are truly horrible Sadie so they must be worth a bash

twister
28-05-04, 11:25
I have taken them and they are fine - no side effects for me

Emily

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit
Understanding is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad

benoo5
28-05-04, 16:26
hi sadie,there shouldnt really be any problems,taking beta blockers,and they will certainly help,with the migrains! they will slow your heart rate a little,which is good...and also lower your blood pressure a little,which is probably why the doctor prescribed them...take them matey...no problems!

best wishes...bryan.

sadie
28-05-04, 17:54
Hi guys,

I have just read the leaflet with the beta blockers and its said not to take them if you experience m,issed heart beats and I think that I do. Well there are irregular at times...what should I do ?

Please offer advice.

sadie

benoo5
28-05-04, 20:08
hi sadie,your doctor has your entire medical record,on his/her pc,so no problems there!
these leaflets are written for insurance reasons,as it quite common in the states to sue pharmaceutical companies if you develope a spot on your bum etc,after taking medication.
beta blockers are safe,and will help with your migraine,but they wont help if you dont take the cap off the bottle!
if meg sees this post,ime sure she will put your mind at rest....best wishes....bryan.

nomorepanic
28-05-04, 20:30
Sadie

I had one beta blocker once and ended up in hospital cos the doc didn't bother checking that I was asthmatic!! bad idea.

Please check everything with him before taking them - ask him about the missed heart beats etc. Best be safe eh?

Nicola

sadie
29-05-04, 11:27
Thanks Nicola and Bryan,

I will need to wait until next week to ask my doctor about the pills. I have had a ecg this year which came back normal and I was having these sensations before the test was done so surely it would have picked up on irregular heart beats etc???

I just dont want to give myself anymore worry...Im bad enough at times as it is.

Thanks for your help.

sadie

benoo5
29-05-04, 14:59
hi sadie,when i advised you,i based it on the fact that ive remembered all the tests youve had...the ECG would have picked up previous,and present problems with your heart,but you were given the all clear!

your doctor has the results of those tests,on his/her computer,and wot happened to nic,was inexcusable,and her doctor should have been reprimanded.

i know how you worry! so whatever i say now,you wont take the beta blockers until youve checked again with the doctor.

in the meantime,if you get a migraine,take a painkiller,that your happy with...lay on the bed in a darkened room,put a damp cold cloth on your forehead..close your eyes,and concentrate on your breathing,deap breathing four in..six out,will help.

best wishes....bryan.

sadie
29-05-04, 17:10
Bryan,

You know me too well. I am every doctors nightmare...I go asking for help and when I get it I dont take the advice. I am just so scared of the consequences of taking medicine that will do me more harm than good!! ( I know that must sound silly)

I know you will be right and that the pills will probably be helpful but I think I will just check anyway. As for the migraines, I havent had one this week so far (fingers crossed) so thats been a bonus.

Anyway, matey hows things with you? I hope you are doing ok and enjoying your new house.

Speak to you soon.


sadie

nomorepanic
29-05-04, 17:43
Bryan - he was a locum, not my usual doctor but I agree he should have checked.

Also, I am allergic to Penicillin and another doc (just last year) gave me some for a throat infection. God job I read the leaflet eh? I think they are trying to kill me off - lol

Nicola

benoo5
29-05-04, 19:54
hi nic,next time you go to the doctor,write down any allergies you have in bold black capitals,and show it,not only to the doctor,but to the pharmacist,as well,best be safe matey.

sadie,i got the place in lincoln,on a rent to buy scheme,it was a mistake,as moving on my own,was too lonely...so,although ime now being taken to court for breach of contract,at least ime near my girls.

best wishes...bryan.

sadie
30-05-04, 09:12
Bryan,

Its good your near your girls...the rest will sort itself out..try and not worry about it. You are a good person so things will be ok.

Just thought I would let you know I took a beta blocker last night, not because of a migraine but due to palpitations. I was at a bithday party last night and only had 2 drinks and just about the end of the night I felt my heart racing, I was dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out. I felt I had no option....so I took one and my heart settled down.

One part of me feels releived because I just feel so tired of the constant symptoms but on the other hand I feel annoyed with myself because I have coped with palpitations before without taking a beta blocker, so why now!!!!

I seemed to have sliped back into panic mode again over these last few weeks...and although 95% believes it is just a 'blip' there is that other 5% that thinks 'what if' now there is something wrong with your heart due to this constant worry worry worry!!!

I havent seen my Kinesiologist for 4 weeks now and to be honest I always feel better once I have had a session...so maybe after my appt next week I will feel a bit less stressed out.

Anyway thanks for the help again.

Take care


sadie

benoo5
30-05-04, 15:23
sadie,you have come such a long way over the past months,but i think you will always have these :little blips:the important thing is how you handle them,the more you COPE,the less frequent they will become!

heart problems dont happen overnight,and as youve had a clear ECG,in the past couple of years,and bearing in mind your age,and the fact that you see a doctor at least once a year,so you get your blood pressure checked,the only improvements you can make is regular exercise,more relaxation sessions,increase your water intake,and last but not least,check your diet,make sure your eating,plenty of green veg,fish,liver,spinnach,and fresh fruit....easier said than done!!

your doing sooo well,keep it up matey......bryan.

sadie
30-05-04, 21:41
Bryan

Thanks so much for your help...you always make good sense and offer good practical advice. Relaxation is definetly something I need to improve on and maybe eat more veg, fruit etc....I will do my best.

Take care

sadie

benoo5
30-05-04, 23:27
thanks sadie,

try this,its really tasty!!

if your doing a meal(no sadie,not a takeaway),just a few minutes before its ready,put a wok on medium heat,after 20secs add a tablespoon of olive oil...chop up some spinach...add to wok,and stirfry,for about three minutes...add to your meal...it tastes amazing,and is sooo good for the nervous system.

ready steady cook,here i come.....bryan.

sadie
31-05-04, 21:06
Bryan

Whats a wok???

Just kiding...will give the spinach thing a go, I never knew it would be good for the nervous system.

I havent taken another beta blocker yet because I actually felt my heart rate go really slow. I know it does decrease a bit but I felt quite dizzy and light headed at one point. Wat do you think?

sadie

Meg
31-05-04, 23:11
Sadie,

Betablockers are given to people when they're in a acute anxiety state with a racing hearts all the time and most of these people have palpitations which are usually ectopic beats and not a dysrhythmia ( we've all been there) so betablockers are fine.

However, if you're feeling dizzy and your heart went very slow - under 55 bpm then you're taking too much - so stop or reduce.

For your migraine have you bene referred to a specilaist migraine clinic ? If not ask for this to happen.
You may want to try some extra Vit E which may help a bit as it keeps the blood a bit thinner and easier to whoosh round.






Meg

'There can only be true courage when first there is genuine fear'

Dr.David Livingstone

sadie
01-06-04, 22:01
Hi Meg,

Do you think its best for me to not take the beta blockers then? I had to get off the migraine pills I was on as I felt it was really increasing my appetite and I have been feeling like I have been putting on weight recently.

Will taking Vit E help with the migraines?

I havent been offered to visit a migraine clinic, I dont think there is one close to me. I wish there was something else for me to take except beta blockers as I dont want to rely on them for my helping me cope when my heart races instead of for my migraines.

Hope your well.

sadie

sadie
02-06-04, 21:08
Hi Meg,

I have decided to stop taking the beta blockers as I have felt really crappy on them. Last night and today in work I felt like I was going to pass out. I have never fainted in my life but I honestly thought I was going to today. The room was spinning and I felt really weird in my chest area...I felt like my heart would stop. I checked my pulse and it was beating really quite slow for me! I dont know exactly but I think it was about 50-55 beats at one point.

I will go back to the doctors to see what else I can take for my migraines as I dont think the beta blockers are the answer.

sadie

Meg
02-06-04, 22:40
Dear Sadie,

Much does depend on what sort of migraine you have and whether its trigger started or pressure .
Vit E thins the blood just a touch which helps with the pressure sort - many of these people are given aspirin regularly as that does the same thing but is more potent .

I agree with you re the betablockers - they're dropping you too much. I would hunt around for a specialist migraine centre and ask for a referral to it . I'll ask around for you too


Meg

'There can only be true courage when first there is genuine fear'

Dr.David Livingstone

sadie
07-06-04, 20:41
Hi Meg,

I went back to the doctors regarding the beta blockers and she advised it was best for me not to take them. I am instead going to try some more accupuncture for my migraines and see how I get on with that. I have managed to ward of any migraine attacks so far with taking some paracetomol as soon as I see a flashing light or feel one coming. Will take some vitamion E also.

I mentioned to her about the palpitations again and the irregular heart beats. She said she doesnt think it is anything sinister but she would arrange a 24 hr monitor thing for me for peace of mind.

I have also just been experiencing another weird symptom which feels like it is something to do with my heart/pulse etc. I feel like my middle is very light and it feels like my heart is going to stop beating. I always feel the need to check my pulse when I feel this sensation and my pulse is quite slow and I definetly have stopped the beta blockers. Is this just another symptom of anxiety???

Hope your well.



sadie

Meg
07-06-04, 21:26
A halter 24 hr tape will show every beat your heart takes during that 24 hrs.. so do try to put yourself under some stress and get a good few palpitations going so they're agood reading. If they don't give you one do keep a diary that day as to what you felt and when, so if you can say you had a run of funny beats at 11.00 , they can look at that bit more closely.

I'm pleased about the BB's.

Try to not check you pulse till you've counted to 30 and then if you feel ok again don't bother. It's a hard habit to break once you're doing it regularly ..

Meg

sadie
07-06-04, 21:52
Thanks Meg..I know your'e right about checking the pulse thing. I have managed to stop checking it before so I know I can do it again. I guess these sensations are maybe just a drop in blood pressure or something. Do you have to wait long for this 24hr test?

Ive been back to my Kinesiologist at the weekend, which seemed to help put me back onto a more positive frame of mind. The irregular heart beats seem to have gone for now too. She has doen a health profile on me and has gave me some homeopathic remedies to take for toxicity/adrenal glands/emaotional issues etc.. Do you know much about these medicines?

Take care



sadie

Meg
07-06-04, 22:17
Depends on waiting list in your area ...

Whats she given you ?


Meg

'There can only be true courage when first there is genuine fear'

Dr.David Livingstone

sadie
08-06-04, 21:43
Meg,

I dont know what it is she has given me as Its only one or two for different days. They arent in bottles or anything and I dont take them orally but place them on different parts of my body depending on what they are for. Who knows if they will work but hey its worth a go!!

sadie