Kirree
23-06-09, 11:43
Okay firstly i was wondering if anyone else has this condition? As i have never met anyone else with it. Also does anyone else have experience with Beta Blockers and can share some information?
I was diagnosed a few months ago with having IST (my heart beats on average over 100bpm while resting and can happilly reach 130 during minor exercise). I did not want medication. I never thought the symptoms bothered me until i realised that a lot of my anxiety was being caused my my heart speeding up for no reason (rather than the other way around). My heart specialist realised i wasnt keen on taking medication for it and mentioned that i didnt have to take them if i didnt want to, but i should at least take them whilst on the 5 day heart monitor. I was prescribed 100mg of labetalol (Trandate) twice a day. Apparently this is the lowest dose, however after seeing my GP she placed me on the elderly dose (50mg) to get me started, as she could also tell i was reluctant to take them.
The tablets made me virtually panic free. I travelled to London, went on the underground and used lifts in the hotel (all pretty major things for me). This lasted for quite a while. However my anxiety is slowly returning as my heart is speeding up again. The results of my heart monitor say that i still show signs of IST, and they may want to increase my dose. Now i am unsure of what to do. The tablets worked wonders for me anxiety-wise and i felt much more energetic for a short time, but i feel too young to be on life long medication for something that isnt life threatening.
I have heard that the body eventually becomes used to beta blockers and the dose has to be increased every now and again, and if i was ever to come off them, my heart would beat faster than before i started? Part of me believes i am still ill from having a virus nearly a year ago, similar to Mono, where my heart raced to 159 and i was stuck in A&E for a few days (this was before my IST diagnosis), as my glands in my neck and under my arms are still raised. No one seems to be able to tell me what causes my IST or if it will ever get better or worse. Any help or advice would be appreciated :)
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Also, due to my scoliosis, skinny appearance (i am 5ft 8 and weigh 7 and a half stone) double vision (ghosting) etc., i may be seeing a genetisist soon to see if i have Marfan's Syndrome.
I was diagnosed a few months ago with having IST (my heart beats on average over 100bpm while resting and can happilly reach 130 during minor exercise). I did not want medication. I never thought the symptoms bothered me until i realised that a lot of my anxiety was being caused my my heart speeding up for no reason (rather than the other way around). My heart specialist realised i wasnt keen on taking medication for it and mentioned that i didnt have to take them if i didnt want to, but i should at least take them whilst on the 5 day heart monitor. I was prescribed 100mg of labetalol (Trandate) twice a day. Apparently this is the lowest dose, however after seeing my GP she placed me on the elderly dose (50mg) to get me started, as she could also tell i was reluctant to take them.
The tablets made me virtually panic free. I travelled to London, went on the underground and used lifts in the hotel (all pretty major things for me). This lasted for quite a while. However my anxiety is slowly returning as my heart is speeding up again. The results of my heart monitor say that i still show signs of IST, and they may want to increase my dose. Now i am unsure of what to do. The tablets worked wonders for me anxiety-wise and i felt much more energetic for a short time, but i feel too young to be on life long medication for something that isnt life threatening.
I have heard that the body eventually becomes used to beta blockers and the dose has to be increased every now and again, and if i was ever to come off them, my heart would beat faster than before i started? Part of me believes i am still ill from having a virus nearly a year ago, similar to Mono, where my heart raced to 159 and i was stuck in A&E for a few days (this was before my IST diagnosis), as my glands in my neck and under my arms are still raised. No one seems to be able to tell me what causes my IST or if it will ever get better or worse. Any help or advice would be appreciated :)
---------------
Also, due to my scoliosis, skinny appearance (i am 5ft 8 and weigh 7 and a half stone) double vision (ghosting) etc., i may be seeing a genetisist soon to see if i have Marfan's Syndrome.