High Pulse Rate

[Sugarlump]

My renal consultant recently changed my bp medication off betablockers and onto dioxasin (low dose), and ever since i have had really high pulse rates (my bp is fine) and
it makes me feel most peculiar. Particularly worse during dialysis and in the middle of the night but sometimes during the day too. Always in the 90's and often up 115.
I can hear my heartbeat. Not good.
My doc says it will settle down and drugs for it wouldn't be good for renal patients, but I worry about my poor little heart working so hard. Specially as my hb is dropping again to
9.9. I often wake in the night and feel I am struggling for oxygen.
I have to sit up, sometimes have a little ice (dry mouth) and blow a mini fan in my face.

Has anyone else had a problem with this before? How long did it take to settle down?   

[cattlekid]

I never had a change in BP meds, but since my hemoglobin never got into the double digits, I always had a high pulse.  I was always told that it was due specifically to the low hemoglobin. 

[obsidianom]

I assume you mean doxazosin which is an alpha blocker. This type drug can cause reflex cardiac stimulation and raise pulse . it may calm down in time . also stopping a beta blocker cold can raise heart rate for awhile . I dont understand why your doctor switched from a beta blocker to an alpha blocker. The alpha blockers are not as effective and have more side effects. Can you find out why. Which beta blocker were you on?

[Deanne]

Cardura (doxazosin mesylate) makes my heart race, too. Toprol (metoprolol succinate) slows my heart rate down too much. My neph prescribed both together and the side effects offset each other perfectly. Would something like this be an option for you?

[Sugarlump]

I assume you mean doxazosin which is an alpha blocker. This type drug can cause reflex cardiac stimulation and raise pulse . it may calm down in time . also stopping a beta blocker cold can raise heart rate for awhile . I dont understand why your doctor switched from a beta blocker to an alpha blocker. The alpha blockers are not as effective and have more side effects. Can you find out why. Which beta blocker were you on?

I was initially on lercaniidipine and bisoprolol but developed a really bad skin rash with blisters that they thought was caused by the bisoprolol so took me off to see ... it has improved al ot but not cleared up totally.
My pulse rate is 124 this morning and i feel dreadful (having just got up) really tired.

[obsidianom]

I assume you mean doxazosin which is an alpha blocker. This type drug can cause reflex cardiac stimulation and raise pulse . it may calm down in time . also stopping a beta blocker cold can raise heart rate for awhile . I dont understand why your doctor switched from a beta blocker to an alpha blocker. The alpha blockers are not as effective and have more side effects. Can you find out why. Which beta blocker were you on?

I was initially on lercaniidipine and bisoprolol but developed a really bad skin rash with blisters that they thought was caused by the bisoprolol so took me off to see ... it has improved al ot but not cleared up totally.
My pulse rate is 124 this morning and i feel dreadful (having just got up) really tired.

I would sugggest you call your doctor SOON. That pulse rate is not good.

[Bungarian]

My blood pressure meds were switched and my pulse did the same thing. I told the neph about it and he said it would settle down after I got used to the new meds. After about three weeks my pulse went back to normal.

[Sugarlump]

Sadly things got worse, including high temperature so was admitted to hospital with an infection.
My dialysis line was removed, fortunately my fistula is just about up and running.
hae had two lots of iv antibiotics running side by side but infection had reached my heart. I now have damage to the RV, my pulse is up but have very erratic heartbeat.
Dancing to a different tune!!!!

Sigh! Never runs smoothly still feeling a bit poorly heart troubles on top of renal failure could cost me any chance of a third transplant... 

[galvo]

Oh Lordy! You hold in there!

[Jean]

Ah, that just sucks!!!! Hang in there baby!!     

[Sugarlump]

Am home from hospital having beat the infection but have heart damage which will need further teats.
Feeling a little battered.     

[Bungarian]

You got the infection thru your catheter?

[Sugarlump]

You got the infection thru your catheter?

Yep (I had a femoral line catheter in the groin) and it is very easy to get infection there have had two this year
Usually caught in hospital too!!!!! 

[obsidianom]

Can you ever get a graft or fistula? The risk of these infections getting worse is ever present. Catheters are so prone to this anyway even in the best of circumstances.

[Sugarlump]

Can you ever get a graft or fistula? The risk of these infections getting worse is ever present. Catheters are so prone to this anyway even in the best of circumstances.

Very luckily for me, I saw a special surgeon at Addenbrookes Hospital earlier this year who indeed created a fistula just above inside of my left elbow under general anesthetic using veins and arteries deep below
and bringing them up to the surface. It is now working well, so no more lines. Healing well. And much better for me in long run.
And ..... trumpet roll .... in another couple of weeks I CAN HAVE A BATH WOW!!!!!!

       can't tell you how good that will feel 

[cassandra]

Pfff TTL for that surgeon.
Keep heeling girl, and the baths will come to you. 

Lots of love, Cas

[Sugarlump]

I now have to have an angiogram (panic panic)
Apparently not as straightforward when you are on dialysis, because of dye and warfarin etc
So it will require a 5 day hospital stay, a heparin drip for 2 days prior instead of warfarin, and immediate dialysis after procedure to clear dye
which is not good for poor kidneys... so dialysis sessions will have to be rearranged to hospital to suit as well...
And then she tells me you have 1 in 1500 chance of having a heart attack...

I am having palpitations at the thought!
Anyone else had one of these and can calm my nerves?
Funny isn't it, with how much shit i have been through in the last 5 or 6 years, another procedure can through me into a cold sweat... and i
want to run a mile. 

[obsidianom]

I now have to have an angiogram (panic panic)
Apparently not as straightforward when you are on dialysis, because of dye and warfarin etc
So it will require a 5 day hospital stay, a heparin drip for 2 days prior instead of warfarin, and immediate dialysis after procedure to clear dye
which is not good for poor kidneys... so dialysis sessions will have to be rearranged to hospital to suit as well...
And then she tells me you have 1 in 1500 chance of having a heart attack...

I am having palpitations at the thought!
Anyone else had one of these and can calm my nerves?
Funny isn't it, with how much shit i have been through in the last 5 or 6 years, another procedure can through me into a cold sweat... and i
want to run a mile. 

Why do you need an angiogram? What is going on? What is the diagnosis?  What are your symptoms? Do you still have residual renal function?urination?

[Deanne]

Is this all from the racing heartbeat? Mine is doing that now, too. I came off toprol a few days ago and I'm waiting for my heart rate to slow down. I'm recovering from a cold at the same time and it's exhausting.

[jeannea]

Sugarlump, that sounds awful. If you have to do it you can get through it. If you're not sure you can always ask for a second opinion. Do what is best for you.

[Sugarlump]

I now have to have an angiogram (panic panic)
Apparently not as straightforward when you are on dialysis, because of dye and warfarin etc
So it will require a 5 day hospital stay, a heparin drip for 2 days prior instead of warfarin, and immediate dialysis after procedure to clear dye
which is not good for poor kidneys... so dialysis sessions will have to be rearranged to hospital to suit as well...
And then she tells me you have 1 in 1500 chance of having a heart attack...

I am having palpitations at the thought!
Anyone else had one of these and can calm my nerves?
Funny isn't it, with how much shit i have been through in the last 5 or 6 years, another procedure can through me into a cold sweat... and i
want to run a mile. 

Why do you need an angiogram? What is going on? What is the diagnosis?  What are your symptoms? Do you still have residual renal function?urination?

To check that the infection didn't get into my heart valves because of the high pulse rate and AF waves.
though it does seem to be settling down but I am still a little breathless on exertion. I have very little residual kidney function and apparently the dye is not good. Normal people would drink 2litres of water to dilute it and flush it out ... which I can't do!

[Sugarlump]

Is this all from the racing heartbeat? Mine is doing that now, too. I came off toprol a few days ago and I'm waiting for my heart rate to slow down. I'm recovering from a cold at the same time and it's exhausting.

They original said it was because of coming off bisoprolol but been six weeks now... not convinced.

[obsidianom]

I now have to have an angiogram (panic panic)
Apparently not as straightforward when you are on dialysis, because of dye and warfarin etc
So it will require a 5 day hospital stay, a heparin drip for 2 days prior instead of warfarin, and immediate dialysis after procedure to clear dye
which is not good for poor kidneys... so dialysis sessions will have to be rearranged to hospital to suit as well...
And then she tells me you have 1 in 1500 chance of having a heart attack...

I am having palpitations at the thought!
Anyone else had one of these and can calm my nerves?
Funny isn't it, with how much shit i have been through in the last 5 or 6 years, another procedure can through me into a cold sweat... and i
want to run a mile. 

Why do you need an angiogram? What is going on? What is the diagnosis?  What are your symptoms? Do you still have residual renal function?urination?

To check that the infection didn't get into my heart valves because of the high pulse rate and AF waves.
though it does seem to be settling down but I am still a little breathless on exertion. I have very little residual kidney function and apparently the dye is not good. Normal people would drink 2litres of water to dilute it and flush it out ... which I can't do!

Have you had an echocardiagram? That should show the valves and the cardiologist can see if there is vegitation. I would ask the cardiologist about this . The dye could damage your residual renal function. An echo cardiagram is an ultrasound and non invasive. Ask your doctors .

[Sugarlump]

Yes I had an echocardiogam last ... I did wonder about the need for the angiogram unless it showed something and they haven't told me...
hoping to see Doctor Friday and discuss.

[cassandra]

Good luck tomorrow ! We'll be thinking of you.

Maybe someone can be with you when you tell them?

Love, Cas