My elderly mom has been having some pretty severe episodes of anxiety/confusion over the past couple of weeks. We've initiated contact with her doctors who are doing their thing, but of course nothing moves as fast as we'd like in situations like this.
Her life is pretty much consistent every single day, same habits, same foods, same tv shows, etc. These episodes have been happening every *second* day, in mid afternoon.
She had no chest pain, only palpitations and general weakness. She took 1 mg digoxin PO and eventually the episode resolved. Had two more similar episodes in the past year: tachy with normal BP brought on by exertion. EKG was normal the next day.
She's a dear family member who doesn't live in the states and her doctor didn't believe her when she described the episode.
I know there was a recent recall of Digoxin in the U.S. Check with your doctor about any changes in medications.
Is there any chance the pain is because of the ICD? I've heard some people say they have some discomfort from the leads/placement of the device, etc. Does your doctor think it's OK for you to take over the counter pain medication? If so, what does he suggest?
A related discussion, <a href='/posts/show/924955'>My mother iwas currently placed on Digoxin.</a> was started.
The Heart Rhythm Society did a few randomized trials to assess the efficacy of calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers and digoxin in SVT. A comparison of verapamil, propranolol and digoxin showed equivalent efficacy in a small group of patients. However, in general calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are preferred to digoxin. Digoxin has been around for a long time! I used Digoxin over 50 years ago for my PSVT, and my recollection was that it did little to prevent episodes.
Digitalis toxicity may also result in persons who take the drug and who have low levels of magnesium in the body.
Risks include taking digitalis medications such as digoxin or digitoxin along with medications that interact with digitalis such as quinidine, verapamil, amiodarone, and others.
Reduced kidney function will cause digitalis to build up in the body rather than be removed normally through urine.
I'm pregnant and the baby has svt.. So I'm taking it for baby lol it seems to be working for him so far! They did an echo today.
My husband went into a fib on Friday and they put him on it. He converted while in the ER and was told to take it in addition to his beta blocker. They had given him a pretty large dose of it while in the ER and he took 3 doses of the pill...he started feeling pretty bad. He went to his regular cardiologist today and he ran a blood test to check for toxicity and took him off of it. It sounds like a very nasty drug...thanks for the info. I can't understand why he was put on it.
Then I found on the internet how toxic Digoxin could be with the other medicines I was taking, and that no one
should be kept on it for very long. Since the second cardiologist removed Digoxin from my prescriptions, and I was healing and getting better, I think
I must have been under a toxic level of Digoxin causing blood in my urine and poisoning affects of awake,eyesight,cuts,etc..
I know if i was on digoxin i would look at the packaging the pharmacy gave me and go directly to the horses mouth so to speak and go onto the manufactuerers site and see what they have to say about long term effects, etc. They should tell you what the clinical studies showed, side effects and all of the pertinent information....good luck to you....
I have had 2 valves replaced in 1984. Since then I've felt like a new person! Unfortunately, at the age of 52, I now need 3 valves replaced. I received a letter in the mail from the pharmaceutical company stating they accidentally put a double dose of the medication digoxin I was taking since my surgery because of an irregular heartbeat. I feel that this is the reason I now need these valves replaced but all the doctors feel differently.
High ventricular rate leads to insufficient diastolic filling time. Digoxin slows down the conduction in the AV node and increases its refractory period, and it can reduce the ventricular rate. The arrhythmia itself is not affected, but the pumping function of the heart improves by improved filling.
The use of digoxin in heart problems during sinus rhythm was once standard.
I am wondering if you are uneasy about taking digoxin. If so, I would ask you cardio if you can get by with just the TOPROL XL. Digoxin, xanax, toprol xl, and lisinoprol seems like a lot of stuff to be taking.
I am a runner and only take TOPROL XL 12.5mg. This knocks out my extra beats and really slows my heart down. A little seems to go a long way for me.
I am taking 25 mg of metaprolol split in half. Half in the morning and half at night. I also take 0.25 of digoxin and 5 mg of lisinopril. I have only taken the metaprolol and digoxin for less than a week so I guess it will stabilize soon. So far it has not really helped the arrythmias. If it does not help in several weeks maybe my cardio will change them. Thanks again for your help.
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