I saw a cardiologist in Jan of 2020 after I had the TIA (mini stroke.) Once they rule out a-fib, I don't think a cardiologist is of much value when you've had a stroke. The guy doubled my Lipitor because at high doses, it stops your platelets from sticking together. I really hate taking that high a dose, and my GP won't reduce it without the cardio guy's permission. I've not seen the cardiologist in almost 4 years, and he's dropped me as a patient. So I'm cutting my Lipitor in half on my own. We'll see what my next blood work says. My last total number was under 150. That's ridiculously low. Good for you for circling back with your PCP. But those folks can't possibly remember all of us. The last GP I had who I liked so much was not computerized. I can still see him shuffling through my file looking for a prior data point. Poor buggers.
I actually like my PCP; she's going to retire in March and I'm bummed. She told me when I saw her last that one thing that has really changed in doctor's lives is the volume of messages and emails they get and have no time for. They are already spread so thin. (So naturally I feel guilty when I send a message on MyChart, though she always responds to me in record time.)
Sorry your primary care call was fruitless. I doubt you will die during the weaning. Were you having heart rhythm issues before? Why were you on a beta blocker to begin with? Did I miss something?
Sorry your PCP wasn't helpful in weaning you off the metoprolol. One of my friends got off it by cutting the dose in half for the first week and then just a half dose once a day for another week. She was off in two weeks and her muscle cramps did improve. It seems PCPs, that once oversaw drug use in patients, are now just referral doctors. They don't do anything other than refer. I question why a PCP even needs to go to medical school with this new trend.
I was diagnosed with "PVCs" about a year before I had cancer treatment. The cardiologist determined they are a non-issue and did not prescribe any treatment. I have never had any physical sensation of PVCs at all and was not aware that I had them. I was prescribed the beta blocker during chemo when my heart rate started going so high from just walking around the house. I was never taken off it; in fact a doctor I saw who was filling in in my regular doctor's absence increased the Rx from 50 to 100 mg because she didn't think my BP was "controlled." That was last February. So I started taking Metoprolol during chemo and that's also when I started having the cramps. I don't know if all this is just residual from cancer treatment (particularly radiation of all those chest/back muscles) or something else but apparently I have to figure it out by myself.
PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) can be significant but often aren't. I can generate a PVC by holding my breath for a minute or so, but I don't otherwise get them. When I was teaching paramedic classes, I could take an ECG/EKG machine home with me so I've played around with it a lot. I once gave my paramedic students a test on EKGs that were all me, some of them including intentionally induced artifacts. Otherwise, if I ran in place for a while, I could produce tachycardia, then by immediately resting, I could generate strips that appeared to an irregular rhythms, and my normal rate at that time of my life was bradycardic.
I remember a previous discussion of PVCs back when I was sent to the cardiologist about them (early 2020 or thereabouts.) My PCP had heard my heart fluttering during a checkup; I have never felt or been aware of the PVCs at all. (Apparently most people can feel the flutter in their chest.) When I went to the cardiologist, I had a stress test and an echo-cardiogram; everything appeared normal. I also had heart EKGs and echoes while having chemo (AC chemo can damage the heart) and the PVCs were not an issue, though my increased heart rate was bothersome to me. Anyway, the PVCs were not the reason I was taking a beta blocker because the cardiologist said mine are of no concern.
I'm feeling much improved since my whine-fest last week. So far my self-imposed reduction in the beta blocker hasn't caused me any life-threatening episodes so I will proceed with the process. I have noted a distinct reduction in the muscle spasms/cramping. Those cramps seem to come and go with no rhyme or reason so it's hard so say whether any change I make is actually helping, but I'm weaning myself off the Metoprolol anyway. I received the small dehydrator from Amazon yesterday so I got it unpacked and washed. Currently have three trays of sage leaves drying. Since this is my first attempt I'm curious about how this will work. I have some parsley and a bunch of dill that will be next. Yesterday I watched an entire docu-series about a surgeon in Dallas called Dr. Death, who was responsible for the killing/maiming of 38 patients before he was arrested. Apparently it is extremely difficult to bring charges against a medical doctor, because the hospitals they are affiliated with won't admit to any wrongdoing so most medical malpractice is swept under the rug. Very eye-opening and terrible to see. The doctor's name is Christopher Duntsch and he is currently in prison at the Ellis Unit in Huntsville TX.
Sounds like somebody straight out of the Nazi concentration camps. Anyway, glad you’re feeling better Beth !
1-I'm glad you're feeling better. 2-Don't tell hubby. So what's for dinner? 3-You'll enjoy that dehydrator. You can buy non-stick sheets and dry blobs of yogurt. It's pretty good. 4-Re Dr. Death: all institutions self-protect. It sucks.
1. Thanks, me too. 2. He already knows since he asks me how I feel every 2 hours. Tuna salad from the deli. 3. I probably won't use it much which is why I bought a relatively cheap one. 4. It really does suck, and apparently politicians turn a blind eye.