Posted by KaraS on August 17, 2005, at 14:37:57
In reply to Re: Dexedrine update » KaraS, posted by ed_uk on August 15, 2005, at 3:43:41
> Hi Ed,
>
> >In my last appointment I told Dr. E. that my resting pulse rate has been in the 80's and 90's so told me he wants me to start on the atenolol (as I knew he would).
>
> Is the tachycardia bothersome? IMHO, sinus tachy can often be left untreated unless it's.......
>
> a) uncomfortableonly occasionally
>
> b) anxiety provoking
I could probably make a case for that. Besides, fear has stopped me from doing so many things. This would prevent that I think.
> or c) severe - severe sustained tachycardia can damage the heart muscle leading to a condition called tachycardiomyopathy, which can cause heart failure. Heart failure due to tachycardiomyopathy can often be reversed by treatment with a beta blocker such as bisoprolol.Reversed? Wow. That's great and hard to believe. I know my increased heart rate is nowhere near the rate required to create tachycardiomyopathy.
> 90bpm isn't really tachycardia. >100bpm is tachycardia.I was doing some research and came across the actual definition so really my doctor is technically incorrect for calling my condition tachycardia.
> I can definately see where your doc's coming from though, it is certainly possible that you'll develop troublesome tachycardia as you increase the dose of Dex. With your family history of heart disease, it makes sense to be extra cautious. IMHO, it would be best to start atenolol at 25mg/day.
I have 25 mg. pills here. I know he wants me to start taking it once a day. Do I eventually take it twice or more a day? How often does one take beta blockers to insure continuous coverage?Also, I think that even if he weren't going to be starting me on a stimulant, that he'd prescribe the beta blocker. He really seems to think that my hyper adrenal (for lack of a better term - maybe hyperadrenalism is better?) is the root of my anxiety and depression.
> >He thinks that the atenolol will solve almost all of my anxiety and depression problems.
>
> It does sometimes help anxiety. I have a friend who finds atenolol very calming, he takes it for Ritalin-induced tachycardia! I've never heard of it helping depression.If you have severe anxiety (which I do when not medicated) then that can lead to depression, right (because your system starts making more cortisol instead of neurotransmitters?). So if an agent were to shut down the anxiety response, then depression is prevented, no?
> >It's difficult for me to believe that a beta blocker alone will give me back my motivation.
>
> It might allow you to tolerate a higher dose of Dex - which may improve your motivation.Very true but I don't think he was seeing it that way.
> >He thinks it would be foolish of me not to take the dexedrine every day. I don't buy this, do you?
>
> It's always surprised me how few docs seem to prescribe 'as required' stimulants. Most people seem to take them every day.It doesn't really surprise me. How often do you not want to think clearly? Or how often do you want to be sluggish and depressed? Did you see the explanation in another thread here where a poster talks about why some doctors prefer that patients take stimulants every day? I was happy to see that since I'd like to believe it's better to take them continuously.
K
xx
poster:KaraS
thread:536916
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050816/msgs/543023.html