NFT: Re: Beta Blockers

They seem to be just fine and carry on normal lives. Usually it's a bad thing to google anything medical - it will scare ya badly.

Twice a day, with food, no ill effects to report.

...are looking more at Alpha Blockers for next year.

?

beta-blockers are very benign medications. The main problem we see with them is fatigue, especially in younger patients. Other things do come up from time to time, and they do slow your heart rate, but if you feel fine taking them and they help with the palpitations, then there is very little to worry about. People use them for stage fright and they're very widely used, so again, if you tolerate it fine, there's little to worry about.

No problems to report.

I have very occasional benign PVCs and PACs and although I've been told to ignore them, it's easier said than done. I'm in my 30s and though I'm otherwise very healthy, these things are interfering with my QOL so I'm hoping the meds at least suppress them a little or at least give me peace of mind that my heart is protected from any other bad rhythm.

I work on a cardiac floor, and the vast majority of our patients are on beta blockers. It's rare to see any harmful side effects, but normally it's when the patients is on higher dosages.

That said, I take a beta blocker myself, and I have not noticed any fatigue, if anything I feel like I have even more energy than before. I will say though that there are sexual side effects to beta blockers. My co-worker takes them for migraines, and she lost her ability to orgasm about 2 weeks to a month after starting them. I told her it was probably the beta blocker and she quit taking them, stating she would rather have the headache.

I have found that sometimes I have the feeling I am about to be "there" (the build up), when suddenly the sensation is gone and I question myself if I am done or not. This, or something similar is the most common complaint I hear from younger people who take them.

In comment 13238679 nccowboyfan said:

Quote:

I. My co-worker takes them for migraines, and she lost her ability to orgasm about 2 weeks to a month after starting them. I told her it was probably the beta blocker and she quit taking them, stating she would rather have the headache.

Wow that's some pretty open workplace communication :)

What's the latest recommendation on a-fib and PA ablation now?