Any experience with Tiazac (Diltiazem)?

[John]

Hello,

Just a quick update: I posted about a month ago, complaining of major side effects with Toprol XL - Depression, irritability, mood swings, fogginess, inability to think clearly etc. Some of you shared similar experiences which gave me hope that I wasn't just going crazy. My wife was the one who noticed the personality changes since I had started taking the Toprol...she ought to know...she's known me for well over 17 years now! At any rate, she called my cardiologist and made an appointment for me to go in and discuss changing my med. The doc switched me to Diltiazem (Brand = Tiazac), a Calcium Channel blocker.
It's been about a month now since I made the switch...and I have been slowly titrating up to a mid-level dose (started at 120mg/day and going up to 240mg/day). So far, I have felt GREAT! No more depression, No more irritability, No more mood swings...I feel normal again!! The only remaining question is if the Tiazac is having the desired effects of keeping my heart rythyms slow and steady. I am scheduled for another Holter test and stress echo in Jan.

Does anyone have any experience with Diltiazem? Or Calcium Channel blockers in general? Just curious to know what other's have experienced.

[shirleymahoney]

Re: Any experience with Tiazac (Diltiazem)?

John

I also take calcium channel blockers in fact the same one you are on, i take 120mg at this time, i was also on Toprol XL 200 mg a day and it was tearing up my lungs as i have the begining stages of emphazema, so my new dr. swithched me about a month ago now, i feel better, i have a little more energy, but i've noticed my heart rate is alot faster, and my blood pressure stays 140/85 or 90s my heart rate has been 135 at times, so i have got to call the doctor monday, i haven't been on the med for too long, so i m sorry i can't be much help to you, maybe someone that has been on it longer will jump in and tell you something

Take Care
Shirley

[Pam Alexson]

Re: Any experience with Tiazac (Diltiazem)?

Hi John , I was on Diltiazem for about 2 1/2 years as purely an empiric stab at trying to lessen my symptoms especially with recurring chest pain , I'm still not sure but I believe it did help lessen the chest pain a bit . I was taking 180mgs. a day . Since my myectomy 10-15-2003 I have not had to be on it. As for the beta blocker the old days I took 50mgs. per day , at time of diagnosis 2000 it was increased 3 times in a few months to 200mgs. It was Atenolol (200per day is considered max for this one) but realizing that treatment suggests pushing betas beyond max doseage I repeatedly asked my former cardio specialist to please try it . He refused repeatedly . Causing me more and more frustation and severe discomfort. My heart rate was always pushing past 90 and much higher on the slightest effort then causing my overworking heart to go into congested heart failure. With this it was extremely difficult to manage a life and to keep my kidneys from reacting to the stress and increased work load thereby causing yet another bout of CHF.( a viscious cycle .) It wasn't untill I sought Lisa's support , followed her suggestion: another set of eyes. With this new eval. my Beta was titrated up to as high as 400mgs. per day . That lasted about 2 weeks as the side effects especially the depression became unbearable . At 300mgs. I was able to tolerate some normal activity and my heart rate came down to 60-70, occasionally higher. So I stayed at 300 for several months.
Now post myectomy I take 100mgs. a day, heart rate and BP are good 50-60 and 120/70. So in the end it is very important to find out what works for each individual, and sometimes that requires some trials guided by our physcians and our knowledge and remembrance of the changes and effects these have on us . We need to be vigilant , very attentive and proactive in our health care , all of which you appear to be doing well . Good Luck and keep looking for the right answers for you. I hope some of my experience has been a help to you.. Best Wishes Pam

[dreamcatchinglady]

Re: Any experience with Tiazac (Diltiazem)?

Hi all. It's Kimberly Plaster. I apologize for not being on here so long. I had some computer problems getting into my hotmail but thank Goodness it's up to tabs and running normally now again. A few weeks ago I was admitted to the hospital with terrible chest pain of about a 9 on the scale of 1 to 10. I was dumb and ignored until I used the common sense and told Myself with my icd and my Hcm that I should go. I was transferred from a new hampshire hospital to Boston and now am out. I am only working 5 to 6 hours shift at work. They started me on 25 mg of the dizilatem and They told me that there isn't much they can do for my chest pain that it is just going to have to be something that I live with. They did do a cardiac cath while I was in the hospital and no artery blockage so that was good news but I was not very pleased with the answer of them telling me that chest pain is something I am going to have to live with. They sent me home with pain pills. I have 3 family members that Have had heart transplants in my family. I am so scared and confused and hurting and depressed. Does anyone have any hints for surviving chest pain. Thanks for any input.

Kimberly Plaster

[Pam Alexson]

Re: Any experience with Tiazac (Diltiazem)?

Kimberly , Hi and I am sorry you are not feeling well. It sounds like some input from Lisa could help, please put a call into her soon. You did not say where or actually what Boston Hospital , Just curious as this sounds similar to what I went through before my myectomy. My previous post states what I took for those meds. I know it is extremely difficult but try to keep a positive thought that something or someone can help. My prayers are there for you. Pam

[Linda]

Re: Any experience with Tiazac (Diltiazem)?

Kimberly, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time of things. Try to give Lisa a call and you can discuss your situation in greater detail. Together, you may come up with more and better options than you have considered so far. Linda