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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KelleyzGirl on December 4, 2003, at 7:13:23
Hi everyone, I am new to this group and to effexor. I have been on AD's for I guess 10 years or so. I started with zoloft but dropped it when I started feeling numb to life in general. Then to prozac. Prozac worked well, but recently asked doctor to let me try one of the newer AD's, believing that new must mean better. Ya know?
Anyway...I am taking 37.5 and have been for 3 weeks now. Going to ask the doctor to go to 75. Still not feeling quite right.
My question is this. For as long as I can remember, I have had occasional pains in my heart area. They are sudden and short, lasting only a second or two but they stop me in my tracks, and take my breath. Instantly, it's over. About 7 years ago, I finally mentioned it to my doctor and he did an EKG which showed zero problems. Because of these pains, my sister who is an RN doesn't want me taking effexor. She says it contains something that is a heart stimulant and is afraid it will aggrevate my condition, whatever that condition might be.
I don't know what to do. Has anyone else ever had these "heart jolts"?? I have been having them for so long, that I don't really worry about them, but I would like to know what is causing them.
BTW, I am 35, have 4 children aged from 6 to 19, and I have never been a smoker.
Any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by linkadge on December 4, 2003, at 9:48:02
In reply to Heart Pains???, posted by KelleyzGirl on December 4, 2003, at 7:13:23
Yes I have had problems similar to yours. I can run a good 4 miles without feeling faint, but every now and again, I get a sharp and sudden stab across my chest, that startles me very much. I am not sure exactly what it is. I would believe it is related to perhaps one time cardiac arrithymia. My electrocardiogram also showed no problems. Since I have started taking omega 3, I have noticed this happens much less often.
I am pretty sure it is not related to clogged arteries or anything, I think perhaps stress can somtimes throw the electrolite ballence off a bit.
Some studies show that (in addition to aiding depression, omega 3 supplements can reduce the insidence of sudden cardiac death by 50%)
I had lots of problems with my heart on effexor, it did rais my BP, and my pulse. If you are to try effexor, just monitor these thats all.Good Luck.
Linkadge
Posted by KelleyzGirl on December 4, 2003, at 10:45:45
In reply to Re: Heart Pains???, posted by linkadge on December 4, 2003, at 9:48:02
Thanks for your reply. It does sound as if we have experienced the same thing, whatever it is.
It concerns me when you say that you had a lot of heart problems while taking effexor.
My mother had a heart attack 2 years ago and the same doctor that saw her through that recently put her on effexor. She without a doubt, needs to be on some kind of anti-depressant and finally saw a doctor about it due to my sister and myself constantly nagging her about it. We were suprised when she came home and told us what he had prescribed, since he is aware of her heart problems. Oh well. He is the doctor. He surely knows what he is doing. Right?
Posted by linkadge on December 4, 2003, at 18:26:50
In reply to Re: Heart Pains???, posted by KelleyzGirl on December 4, 2003, at 10:45:45
The ssri's are definately the safest for the heart. They generally don't change heart rythem, and they thin the blood a little.
Simply give effexor a try, I'm sure that a cautious trial will post no long term risk. If it doesn't work out, then go back to what you were on, but if prozac was working fine, then I would say there is little reason to change. If you do have unadressed side effects, there may be reason to give it a change.
It is entirely your choice.
Linkadge
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 5, 2003, at 9:47:30
In reply to Heart Pains???, posted by KelleyzGirl on December 4, 2003, at 7:13:23
> My question is this. For as long as I can remember, I have had occasional pains in my heart area. They are sudden and short, lasting only a second or two but they stop me in my tracks, and take my breath. Instantly, it's over. About 7 years ago, I finally mentioned it to my doctor and he did an EKG which showed zero problems. Because of these pains, my sister who is an RN doesn't want me taking effexor. She says it contains something that is a heart stimulant and is afraid it will aggrevate my condition, whatever that condition might be.
Do you get heartburn? Or those annoying little muscled twitches?
It could be that's all this is, an annoying little muscle twitch in the esophagus. There is no way to differentiate pain from an esophageal spasm from that of a heart attack without medical tests like an ECG and blood cardiac enzymes. The vagus nerve serves both the heart and the stomach/esophagus. Your brain has a great deal of difficulty distinguishing between the two regions, if it can do so at all. Chest pain should be treated as heart pain, until conclusively proven otherwise. I've passed out from esophageal spasm (vaso-vagal syncope). I've been admitted to the cardiac ward from esophageal spasm. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Considering the family history, and the fact that more women than men have "silent" heart disease, it would be prudent for you to have a cardiac stress test....maybe even the one using radio-opaque dye imaging. Just so you know where you stand.
Lar
This is the end of the thread.
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