Dealing with a mix of symptoms: paroxysmal AFib, beta-blocker intolerance, and low body temperature.

So, I finally caved and swallowed half of some beta blocker today. For the last three or four days, I’ve been playing this pathetic game of tug-of-war with myself, totally dreading what it was going to do to my head, but honestly, I just felt too physically wrecked to keep fighting it—it’s hard to feel like a man when you’re too weak to even pick up a paintbrush, you know? So, I gave in. And let me tell you, I already feel like a complete stranger to myself. My brain feels all wired and restless, like I’m riding some weird, unpleasant high from a cocktail of booze and drugs that isn't even that strong, but is still totally unwelcome. I used to have this peace of mind, this clarity, but now it's just gone. Even writing this right now, I feel like getting any decent sleep is going to be an absolute uphill battle. The diagnosis was Aetna, according to the specialist, and the ER report said the exact same thing with those wavy readings. Now I'm spiraling, wondering: what happens if I just quit the beta blockers and get my head back to where it actually belongs? That mental clarity is worth everything to me, yet the meds are clearly doing their job on my physical health. It's a hell of a catch-22. What am I actually risking here? How much longer could I even stick around if I just stop treating this miserable condition? Honestly, I’d take five years of being my true self over ten years of living like this, feeling like a zombie. I lived for having a sharp mind and deep sleep, and now both are gone. Part of me just wants to throw the whole thing out the window and go back to how things were, no matter the cost. It hasn't even been twelve hours since I took the first dose, and I am already completely fed up with these beta blockers!!!

Sean Anderson29 said:I took my first half-dose of a beta blocker today. I spent three or four days debating it after the prescription came in. I knew how it might affect me mentally, but I finally gave in because my physical state left me feeling helpless—unable to even handle basic tasks. Now, I feel like a stranger to myself. There is this restless, buzzy sensation in my head, almost like a mild, unwanted cocktail of alcohol and drugs. I used to have such peace of mind; now, it's gone. I could usually sleep easily, but writing this right now, I feel like sleep will be a struggle. Diagnosis: Aetna issues on the specialist's report, and the ER results showed the same thing with some fluctuation. I find myself wondering: if I stop the medication to regain my mental clarity—which is everything to me—am I just sabotaging the physical improvements I've seen? What am I risking? How much longer would I live if I ignored this condition? I’d trade ten years of feeling like this for five years of being myself. I valued a clear head and good sleep above all else, and now both are gone. Part of me just wants to go back to how things were, regardless of the cost. It hasn't even been twelve hours since my first dose, and I'm already fed up with these beta blockers.

How old are you, and how long have you been dealing with Aetna?

Jose Clark2 said:So how old are you, and how long have you been dealing with AFib?

I'm 45 years, 6 months, and 3 days old. No, I'm not 75—I guess everyone assumes that's the case...

What would actually happen if I just stopped treating this disease? What’s the prognosis, like, how long could I even expect to live? My official diagnosis is PAROXYSMAL AF WITH SPONTANEOUS CONVERSION TO SINUS RHYTHM.

It totally blindsided me during a dream once—I was dreaming I was high up, and since I've got a massive fear of heights, I jolted awake from the dream, and my heart was just going thud.....thud.....thud-thud-thud-thud.....thud........thud... .....thud-thud-thud-thud.....thud.......thud.....and that went on from about 1 AM until nearly 6 in the morning, until it finally snapped back into sinus rhythm on its own. And it wasn't just that it corrected itself; they were actually talking about giving me a cardioversion shock...

I had a couple of AF episodes years ago without even realizing it was AF; they'd last maybe 10-15 minutes and then just vanish. Both times happened at night, but I was wide awake. Back then, I’d head straight to the ER, but the second time, the doctor basically told me not to bother coming in unless I was feeling actual chest pain or pain in my shoulder or arm.... Anyway, I saw my GP and then a specialist, got a referral for a Holter monitor and a stress test, and was supposed to go back to the specialist with the results... So I showed up, but seeing that I was hands-down the youngest person in the waiting room among 20 or 30 other patients, I demonstratively walked out of the clinic and tossed those results in the trash...

Long story short, after the ER visit, I went to my regular doctor, she gave me a referral to a cardiologist, I had an appointment scheduled, and I got some beta blockers for free and bought some calcium. But, knowing—well, assuming—what it actually was, I didn't want to start taking them until I had to do this one insignificant physical task where my body wanted to push hard and absolutely could, but my heart just wouldn't let me; it just wouldn't give me anything. That was when it clicked that I had to swallow this pill...

But again, looking back now, in the afternoon, I used to be able to nap for half an hour or an hour without any trouble... Now, that's gone. Before, I barely spoke; now, I'm rambling at a hundred miles an hour... I'm just not the same person anymore. I would trade five years of my life just to get those fifteen back. My heart is better, I can't deny that, and the therapy works, but I am drugged—in the truest sense of the word—and I'm not one of those people who likes being that way, the ones who beg doctors for this or that kind of meds or buy stuff from others... I value a sharp mind more than anything else. I mean... there aren't many things better than a good book, and how am I supposed to read while I'm drugged? I mean, I can, but it's just not the same; it's significantly different... Not to list everything else.... My life has gone down the drain. Back when I didn't care about this stuff, I'd just have a few drinks or take something else, and in a day or two, everything would clear up—clear head, feeling fine—but here, there is no going back. I'm condemned to be drugged—and I don't even want anyone to pay me to be this way—or die sooner. It's a catastrophe. And I'm getting closer and closer to just choosing the latter! I want it back! I want to be myself again! Or ....

Sean Anderson29 said:45 years, 6 months, and 3 days. I’m not 75, no—though I guess everyone assumes I am...

What would actually happen if I just stopped treating this? What are my odds of living if I quit? My diagnosis: PAROXYSMAL AFIB WITH SPONTANEOUS CONVERSION TO SINUS RHYTHM.

It caught me in a dream once. I dreamt I was high up—and I'm terrified of heights—and I suddenly jolted awake, and my heart was just... thud..... thud..... thud-thud-thud-thud..... thud........ thud... ..... thud-thud-thud-thud..... thud....... thud..... It went on from 1 AM until basically 6 in the morning, until it finally snapped back into sinus rhythm on its own. And it wasn't even just a spontaneous fix; they were actually talking about shocking me with cardioversion...

I had a few AFib episodes years ago without even realizing it was AFib. They'd last maybe 10-15 minutes and then just vanish. Both times happened at night, but I was wide awake. I tried going to the ER, but the second time, the doctor basically told me not to bother showing up unless I had chest pain or pain in my shoulder or arm... Anyway, I saw my GP, then a specialist, got a referral for a Holter monitor and a stress test, and was supposed to follow up with the specialist after. So I showed up, but seeing as I was clearly the youngest person in a waiting room full of 20 or 30 patients, I just walked out of the clinic and tossed the test results in the trash...

Long story short, after the ER visit, I went to my regular doctor. She gave me a referral to a cardiologist, I had an appointment scheduled, and she gave me some beta blockers for free and I bought some calcium supplements. But, knowing—or rather, assuming—what was happening, I didn't want to start taking them until I did some minor physical labor. A job where my body wanted to push hard, but my heart just wouldn't let me... That's when I realized I had to swallow the pill.

But looking back now... in the afternoons, I used to be able to nap for half an hour or an hour no problem. Now? Gone. Before, I barely talked much, but now I'm talking a mile a minute. I'm not myself anymore. I’d trade five years of my life just to have those fifteen back. My heart is better, I can't deny that. The therapy works. But I am drugged, plain and simple. And I'm not one of those people who enjoys being high; people go to doctors begging for this kind of stuff, or they buy it elsewhere. Me? I value a sharp mind way more than having two fingers on my hand.... I guess... There aren't many things better than a good book, but how am I supposed to read while I'm drugged? I mean, I could, but it's just not the same. It's significantly different. Not to list everything else... my life has just fallen down a pit. Back when I actually cared, I could just have a drink or take something else, and in a day or two, my head would be clear and I'd be fine. But here, there's no going back. I'm condemned to be medicated—and I don't even want anyone paying me to be this way—or I die soon. It's a catastrophe. And I'm getting closer to choosing the other option! I want it back! I want to be me again! Or ....

Go see a doctor so they can calm you down. You probably need something for your nerves; it's weird they haven't prescribed anything yet..

Just accept that you have to take them. You didn't say which blocker you're on, but it's not the end of the world. As for the anxiety, it's a given they'll prescribe a low dose of something like Norvasc or Inderal or whatever to help. Everyone on blockers deals with anxiety, it's common. Hang in there!

Sean Anderson29 said:I am 45 years, 6 months, and 3 days old. I’m not 75, though I suppose everyone assumes that...

What would happen if I just stopped treating this? What are the odds of survival? My diagnosis is Paroxysmal AFib with spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm.

It caught me in a dream once. I dreamt I was high up—and I have a fear of heights—and I woke up suddenly from the dream, heart thumping... thump... thump-thump-thump... thump... thump... ...thump-thump-thump... thump... thump... It lasted from about 1:00 AM until 6:00 AM, until it finally returned to sinus. And it didn't just revert on its own; they were actually considering shocking me back into rhythm.

I had a few episodes of AFib in previous years without realizing what it was. They would last 10-15 minutes and then stop. Both times happened at night, while I was awake. I went to the ER, but the second time, the doctor told me not to bother coming in unless I had chest pain or issues in my shoulder or arm... Anyway, I saw my primary care physician and a specialist. I got a referral for a Holter monitor and a stress test, and I was supposed to follow up with the specialist. When I showed up and realized I was by far the youngest person in a waiting room full of 20 or 30 patients, I demonstratively walked out of the clinic and tossed the results in the trash.

Eventually, after the ER visit, I went to my regular doctor. She gave me a referral to a cardiologist. I had an appointment set, received some beta blockers for free, and bought some calcium. But knowing—or assuming—what it was, I didn't want to start taking them until I tried to do a minor physical job. My body wanted to push, but my heart wouldn't let me; it felt weak. That's when I realized I had to swallow the pill.

But looking back now... in the afternoons, I used to be able to nap for thirty minutes or an hour without any trouble. Now, that's gone. Before, I was a man of few words; now, I talk a mile a minute. I'm not myself anymore. I would trade five years of my life just to have those fifteen back. My heart feels better, I can't deny that. The therapy works. But I am drugged, in the truest sense of the word, and I’m not someone who enjoys that. Some people seek out these medications or buy others; I value a clear head more than anything else. There aren't many things as beautiful as a good book, and how am I supposed to read while drugged? I can, I suppose, but it isn't the same. It's significantly different. I won't list everything... my life has fallen into a pit. Back when I cared, I could just have a drink or take something else, and in a day or two, my head would be clear again. But there is no going back here. I am sentenced to being medicated—something I don't want even if someone paid me daily—or to dying sooner. It's a disaster. And I am getting closer to choosing the latter. I want it back. I want to be myself again. Or...

Depending on how often your AFib occurs, there are several strategies. In any case, you should probably be on a blood thinner, or at least an aspirin like Protect. As for beta blockers, they range from cardio-specific to less specific; they aren't all the same. Side effects can also be temporary as you adjust, and there is such a thing as dose titration. If your AFib happens at night, it is likely the vagal type, triggered by parasympathetic activity. A beta blocker is just throwing fuel on the fire when it comes to initiating the episode. However, during the actual episode, it helps with rate control if your AFib involves a high ventricular response—meaning a high pulse. What is your heart rate when you are in sinus rhythm? If anxiety is playing a role in the background, you need a different approach, not beta blockers. You need a psychiatrist. Go see a psychiatrist and get a second opinion from a cardiologist, preferably an electrophysiologist.

Jose Clark2 I can't even begin to explain how much this whole situation just burns me up! It’s like everyone around here is just completely clueless about what’s actually happening. I'm sitting here looking at the facts, and honestly, it feels like I'm shouting into a void because nobody wants to face reality. You see people making these massive, sweeping claims without a shred of evidence, acting like they've got it all figured out, and it drives me absolutely insane! It's total nonsense, plain and simple. We need to stop dancing around the issue and actually deal with the mess we're in before things get even more ridiculous than they already are. Seriously, wake up!
Look, there isn't just one way to handle AFib; your whole strategy depends entirely on how often those episodes are hitting you. But let's get one thing straight right out of the gate—you really ought to be on some kind of blood thinner, or at the very least, some low-dose aspirin to keep things moving. As for beta blockers, don't go thinking they're all the same deal. There’s a massive spectrum here, from stuff that's strictly cardio-specific to others that aren't nearly as targeted, so you've gotta know what you're dealing with. Yeah, the side effects can suck, but they're usually just temporary while your body adjusts, and besides, doctors can always do dose titration to dial it back in. If your AFib is mostly happening while you're sleeping, then you're looking at the so-called vagal type, which basically means it's being triggered by your parasympathetic nervous system acting up. In that specific scenario, starting a beta blocker is like throwing gasoline on a fire when it comes to triggering the episode itself. Now, once the episode actually hits, the goal is rate control—especially if your AFib is causing a high ventricular response, meaning your heart rate is absolutely redlining. Think about this: what is your heart rate actually sitting at when you're in a normal sinus rhythm? If there's underlying anxiety driving the bus, then beta blockers aren't even the right tool for the job. You need a different approach entirely. You need to see a psychiatrist. Seriously. Go talk to a psychiatrist, and go get a second opinion from a cardiologist—ideally one who specializes specifically in arrhythmia. And since you're still young, you really ought to be looking into electrophysiology. Don't just sit there; get it sorted.

First off, thanks a million for all the advice you've thrown my way. Seriously, I appreciate it.

Look, I didn’t quite catch everything you were saying there—you’re throwing around some terminology that went right over my head—so I’ll have to dig back into it later, BUT I am 100% convinced that my FA is all in my head. I’ve dealt with a massive amount of stress throughout my life—useless, toxic garbage—that’s been hammering my heart in different ways since I was a kid, but over the last few years, I’ve spiraled into this total isolation phase. It’s just me and my room, barely stepping foot outside, and even if I spot someone I actually know, I’m more likely to cross the street to avoid them than I am to actually strike up a conversation. My life is basically just bedroom, bedroom, bedroom, popping into the kitchen to grab a bite, maybe a few quick words with my mom, and that’s it. It’s completely unnatural, honestly, and mentally I thought I was handling it just fine—it actually felt okay for a while—but lately, I can see that my body just can’t keep up with it anymore. My heart starts racing out of nowhere and skipping beats more often than not. I told my cardiologist straight up: this is all coming from my head.

Man, you nailed that connection perfectly. I honestly don't even know how you pulled that together from just a handful of data points, but you absolutely hit the nail on the head. I’m sitting here totally floored by it, but honestly? I'm also pretty damn stoked that someone finally laid out some actual arguments that back up exactly what I’ve been believing all along!

So, here’s what I’m thinking—after I finish doing half a pill twice tomorrow, I'm gonna scale it down to a quarter the day after, and then just cut it out completely the day after that. I'm planning on doubling down on breathing exercises—you know, meditation and all that stuff—getting my steps in with some brisk walking, tossing the TV out of my life entirely, and totally overhauling my diet. I won't be doing any heavy lifting or intense workouts, just sticking to walking and light movement, but I'm gonna try... I don't even know if I'd call it "curing" myself, but more like figuring out how to actually live with this thing.

I honestly have no clue what the actual risk level is here. I get these heart palpitations—which, by the way, never happen in the morning when I’ve actually slept and feel rested, which totally points toward this being psychological, right? If these palpitations aren't physically wrecking my heart or causing actual damage, then honestly, fine, I can live with it. But what about a stroke? I read somewhere that you need at least 15 minutes of continuous FA before a clot even forms (otherwise, there's zero point in me taking blood thinners)... And what about a heart attack? I just don't know what the real danger is.

What am I actually risking here if I just sit on my hands and don't treat this, and what’s the real deal with my life expectancy? Honestly, even if it's only another six months or a year—fine, whatever—but what happens after that? Once another multi-hour arrhythmia hits me out of nowhere and I’m scrambling to get to the ER, I mean, surely I'll survive *that* part, right? I just have no clue what kind of game I'm actually playing with my life. I've got this gut feeling, and honestly, looking at these symptoms, I can tell things are going south, but I haven't got the slightest idea how bad it really is.

Is my FA actually permanent, or am I basically fine as long as I don't feel those weird skips or when they start happening back-to-back? And seriously, does FA just mean that skipping sensation, or is it also about the heart rhythm being totally irregular? Am I safe to assume everything is good if I’m not feeling those skips? Also, I'm sticking to the beta-blockers so I don't end up having another episode like the last one...

Look, I get it—I’d probably try to ditch the meds too if I didn't feel like I was playing Russian roulette with my own life, especially when things get this heavy. If you really need me to, Jose Clark2, I can just type out the whole diagnosis and everything else the docs wrote down so you can actually wrap your head around what we're dealing with here. Anyway, whatever, TY.

Sean Anderson29 said:First off, thanks for the advice.

I’m not entirely sure I followed some of your terminology, so I'll have to look into that later. But, I am 100% certain my FA stems from my head. I've dealt with plenty of stress—unnecessary and harmful—throughout my life, along with various strains on my heart since I was young. However, over the last few years, I’ve slipped into this phase of total isolation. Just my room, minimal time outside, and almost zero contact with people. If I see someone I know, I’m more likely to cross the street than start a conversation. It’s just my room, my room, and more of my room. I go to the kitchen to eat, say a few words to my mother, and that’s it. It’s completely unnatural, though mentally I’ve handled it fine; it actually suited me. But lately, I’ve noticed my body can't keep up. My heart starts racing or skipping beats more frequently. I told my cardiologist that it’s all in my head...

You connected the dots well, though I'm not sure how you did it with just a few details. I was quite surprised, but also relieved to find someone providing arguments that back up what I believe...

Moving forward, I’m thinking about tapering off. After taking half a pill twice tomorrow, I'll drop to a quarter the next day, and then stop entirely the day after. I'll try breathing exercises (meditation), brisk walking, cutting out the TV, changing my diet, and avoiding any physical strain besides walking. I don't want to "cure" myself, per se—just learn to live with it...

I don't know what the exact risk is. The palpitations—which, by the way, never happen in the morning when I'm rested, which supports my theory about psychological causes, right? If these palpitations aren't physically damaging my heart, I can accept them. Stroke? I read somewhere that you need at least 15 minutes of continuous FA to form a clot (otherwise, I'm not taking any blood thinners)... Heart attack? I don't know what that risk looks like...

What am I actually risking if I don't treat this, and what is the prognosis for my lifespan? Even if it's only six months or a year, okay—but then, if I'm hit by another multi-hour arrhythmia and need the ER again, I suppose I'd survive. I don't know what I'm specifically playing with. I suspect things are bad based on the symptoms, but I have no idea how much.

Is my FA permanent, or is everything fine except for those moments when I feel the skips or several in a row? Is FA just the skipping, or does it include the irregular rhythm too? Am I doing okay as long as it isn't skipping? And should I keep taking the beta blocker just to prevent another episode like the last one...

Regardless, I would try to ditch the medication if I knew I wasn't risking too much, especially... If needed, Jose Clark2, I can send you my diagnosis and all the related paperwork so you can get a better picture. Either way, thank YOU.

If you've been taking beta blockers for a while, you shouldn't stop abruptly; you have to taper the dosage down very gradually. To me, your plan seems a bit aggressive. I wouldn't recommend doing this on your own—always consult a doctor. It doesn't necessarily have to be the cardiologist who prescribed them; any cardiologist will do, provided they have the full context. Regarding your cardiac workup, you didn't mention how thorough it actually was. Factors like smoking, inactivity, genetics, family history, weight, or previous heart issues are crucial. Ultimately, you need to rule out underlying cardiovascular disease, such as structural changes or blocked arteries. You need to determine if the rhythm disorder is being driven by ischemic heart disease or structural issues. If you want, you can post your test results and clinical opinions here.

Jose Clark2 said:Look, there isn't just one way to handle AFib; it all depends on how often you're actually getting hit with those episodes. But let’s get one thing straight right off the bat—you really ought to be on some kind of blood thinner, or at the very least, some baby aspirin to stay protected. As for beta blockers, don't go thinking they're all the same deal. There’s a massive spectrum here, ranging from stuff that's strictly cardio-specific to things that are way more general. And hey, yeah, the side effects can suck, but they're usually just temporary while your body adjusts, and there’s always that whole process of dose titration to fine-tune things. Now, listen closely: if your AFib is mostly hitting you at night, you’re dealing with what we call the vagal type, which basically means it’s being triggered by your parasympathetic nervous system acting up. In that specific scenario, starting a beta blocker is like throwing gasoline on a fire when it comes to triggering the episode itself. However, once you're actually *in* the middle of an episode, a beta blocker is great for rate control, especially if your AFib is causing a high ventricular response—basically, if your heart rate is redlining. Think about this: what’s your heart rate looking like when you're back in a normal sinus rhythm? If there's underlying anxiety driving the bus behind all this, then beta blockers aren't even the right tool for the job. You need a different playbook entirely. You need to see a psychiatrist. Seriously. Go talk to a psychiatrist and go get a second opinion from a cardiologist, preferably one who specializes specifically in arrhythmias. Since you’re still young, you should definitely be looking into electrophysiology as a serious option.

Alright, let me try to break this down as best I can. This whole AF thing that hits me in the middle of the night? Honestly, I don’t even know what "AF" actually means in a medical sense. I just know I’ve had these episodes that last anywhere from ten minutes to five straight hours. And maybe every single time my heart skips a beat for a second or two, that counts as AF too? I have no clue. Is it something I wouldn't even feel? Or is it that pounding sensation in my chest? Is it when I'm struggling to catch my breath? Or maybe that lightheadedness I get whenever I swing my legs out of bed? Or even that feeling where I can't handle even the slightest bit of physical exertion because my heart feels like it’s going to jump right out of my ribs and I can't grab enough air? Is all of that just one big mess of AF symptoms? It happens both day and night, though I've had three major episodes—two were minor and one was absolutely brutal. The weirdest part is that I can go for a brisk walk for 45 to 60 minutes—even hitting some hills for about 15 of those minutes—and I'll be moving pretty fast, my pulse will climb to 130, and my heart won't skip a single beat.

I honestly don't get what people are trying to say when they claim that taking a beta blocker is basically just throwing gasoline on a fire when it comes to triggering an episode. Like, what does that even mean? I'm totally lost.

Look, in the actual episode itself, we’re talking about rate control—basically, if your AFib is throwing a high ventricular response, meaning your heart rate is absolutely redlining. When you're sitting in sinus rhythm, what exactly is your heart rate hitting? Honestly, this whole thing feels like nuclear physics to me; I can't make heads or tails of any of it. But hey, if you could just point me toward where that info is tucked away—like, how to find my specific frequency while I'm in sinus rhythm—I’d happily hunt it down and write it out for you.

If you've got all that anxiety and mental noise buzzing in the background... then honestly, that’s the real culprit. I am dead serious about this. But at the same time, I’m starting to think my heart might actually be physically trashed from the stress. I mean, after dealing with five straight hours of my chest absolutely hammering and going haywire, like, who knows what kind of damage is already done?

So, back to the psychiatrist it is. Honestly, it feels like I’m just sick all over again, except this time I'm just swapping one pill for another that does basically the exact same thing to my head...

Look, here’s the deal: go see a psychiatrist and get a second opinion from a cardiologist—ideally one who actually specializes in arrhythmia. They can definitely refer you to a shrink, and honestly, my doctor would probably just hand me a referral right now anyway. I’m not really feeling like going back to the same doc, but since I’m already dead certain that this whole mess is rooted in my mental state, I guess I'll make the trip. It’s just wild, you know? My head basically wrecked my body, and now I’m stuck in this endless loop where I’ve got both the psychological issues and the physical sickness feeding off each other. It's a total nightmare.

"Oh, sure, just go get a second opinion from a cardiologist—ideally some high-level electrophysiologist who specializes in rhythm disorders," they tell me. Like, give me a break! Are they implying I’m being too demanding with my insurance coverage? Or am I supposed to just shell out my own hard-earned cash for a private consult? I mean, what’s the plan here? Just lug all my medical records over to some specialist and hope they actually tell me something useful? If that's all it takes, I guess I could scrape together a few bucks to make it happen, but man, what a headache. $133 It’s really not an issue.

Since you're still young, it’s definitely worth looking into electrophysiology. Honestly, I have zero clue what that even is, but I'm heading straight to Google right now to go down a rabbit hole and figure this whole thing out.

And there you go again. Seriously, YOU. Just doing it all over again.

You’re just torturing yourself here. Honestly, it sounds like your anxiety is spiking, and if you don't get a handle on it now, it could easily spiral into full-blown panic attacks or other phobias. I mean, maybe you should go grab a second opinion from a cardiologist, and you definitely need to see a psychiatrist—preferably a private one if you can swing it. That’s how I handled things myself. I’m younger than you, I guess, but it's better to be proactive before things get ugly. You probably need something immediately just to take the edge off the anxiety, and then you can figure out if a beta blocker is even right for you or if there's some other medication that works better.

Jose Clark2 said:Look, if you've been taking beta blockers for any decent stretch of time, you absolutely cannot just quit them cold turkey—that's asking for trouble. You have to taper off super slowly by dropping the dose bit by bit. Honestly, from what I'm hearing, your plan sounds way too aggressive and reckless. I wouldn't dream of messing with that on my own; you’ve got to do it in direct coordination with a doctor. It doesn't even have to be the specific cardiologist who wrote the script, just some cardiologist who can actually look at the whole picture. As for your cardiac workup, you didn't specify how thorough it actually was, and we need to account for risk factors like smoking, being sedentary, genetic history, being overweight, or any past heart issues. Bottom line: you have to rule out actual cardiovascular disease, like vessel damage or blockages. You need to figure out if this arrhythmia is being driven by ischemic heart disease or structural changes in the heart itself. So, hey, if you want, feel free to post your results and whatever the doctors said right here.

Man, I only took half doses of the beta blocker twice—so basically one full dose yesterday and today. Tomorrow I'll do a quarter, and the day after, nothing. Am I already screwed after just two days? Also, before I started taking them, I was feeling some pretty nasty symptoms... They'll probably come back, but honestly, I'd rather just live with them if it means I won't end up dropping dead from something even worse.

Cardiac workup? I've got the paperwork from the ER, an echocardiogram, and I saw a local cardiologist who gave me a quick look-over and told me there's some enlargement. There was also a quick EKG, maybe a minute long, done by a nurse before I even sat down with the doc.

Risk factors: I haven't smoked in nearly 20 years, and I've walked maybe a couple thousand miles over the last 20 years or so—roughly 20 to 25 miles a week, doing three 7-5.0 miles mile brisk walks. Genetically speaking, 😳my dad has a pacemaker, but he didn't get that until he was around 68. I'm 6'0" and about 194 lbs. Past heart stuff: I've had two arrhythmia attacks lasting about 10-15 minutes each, and both times I ended up in the ER. I get occasional palpitations too, nothing crazy. I used to smoke a lot of cannabis between ages 25 and 28, and drank moderately until 25, plus all the sleepless nights and partying back in the day...

And yeah, my body temperature has been sitting around 96.3°F for a few years now, but if it's 59°F outside, my temp will probably drop down toward that if I don't bundle up. I used to handle freezing winters just fine. Then, after this one stressful period about 2 or 3 months ago, I really started feeling the change. My blood work from a few days ago at a lab shows my thyroid is working perfectly fine.

"In any case, you need to rule out cardiovascular disease, like vessel damage or blockages. You need to figure out if this arrhythmia is being driven by ischemic heart disease or structural changes in the heart itself."...What kind of machine determines that, and how much does it cost if I go private? Hey, Jose Clark2, could you check the Mayo Clinic website in Seattle to see if they offer that kind of service and what they charge? Just let me know. If it isn't outrageously expensive, I want to go as soon as possible.

"So, hey, if you want, feel free to post your results and whatever the doctors said right here." No problem at all—I'm actually glad someone even wants to read this crap.

Kevin Hayes83 said:You're just psyching yourself out, man, it’s clearly just high anxiety hitting you, and if you don't deal with it now, it’s gonna spiral into full-blown panic attacks and all sorts of other phobias. Go get a second opinion from a cardiologist and for the love of God, see a psychiatrist—ideally a private one if you can. That's how I handled my stuff; I'm younger than you, but it's way better to be proactive than to let things go to hell. You absolutely need something to take the edge off the anxiety first, then you can figure out which beta blocker to use or if you even need one versus some other med.

Look, I don't feel "anxious," alright? I have peace of mind—well, I did until this crap started happening a few days ago. I live a clean life, seriously: I don't smoke, I don't touch alcohol, no drugs, nothing. I walk a ton, I sleep regular, both day and night, I read books, stay on top of what's going on here in the States and globally, I do translations from English, I keep my apartment tight, handle repairs, grab groceries, pay the bills... the day just flies by. The only thing is, I've pretty much totally isolated myself from people; I cut ties with certain friends and dialed back almost every other acquaintance I had. I love being alive, I don't have any suicidal thoughts, which is why these damn beta blockers are bothering me so much—otherwise, I wouldn't give a damn about any of this...

And I am NOT seeing a psychiatrist privately. There's no way. Private doctors just drag things out, leave you feeling sick, and bleed you dry of cash. No chance in hell.

Kevin Hayes83 said:Go see a doctor so they can calm you down, man, you seriously need something for your nerves—I'm shocked they haven't prescribed you anything yet..

Calm down about having to spend money on this stuff, alright? You didn't even mention which bloker you're actually taking, so it's not like it's the end of the world, but for that anxiety? It's a no-brainer. They'll probably just put you on a low dose of something like Xanax or maybe Ativan or whatever, because honestly, everyone on a bloker deals with that anxiety bullshit. Hang in there!

Nah, that’s just not how I handle my problems, never have and never will... I'm looking to get this thing off my neck, not start popping more pills... If I'm feeling a bit restless, fine, it'll pass, I don't need to run out and grab a prescription immediately...

"Bloker" is just some vague term, it doesn't tell me anything useful.

Thanks for the advice, really, but I'm just not that kind of guy—I even avoid taking Advil when I've got the flu...

What I actually care about is how to get rid of this beta b. without absolutely wrecking myself... I'm not looking to pile on more meds...

Kevin Hayes83 said:Go see a doctor so they can calm you down, man, you seriously need something for your nerves—I’m honestly shocked they haven't prescribed you anything yet..

Look, just accept that you're gonna have to shell out the cash for this stuff. You didn't even mention which bloker you're on, but hey, it's not the end of the world. And as for the anxiety? It's a total given that they'll probably put you on a low dose of something like Xanax or Ativan or whatever else is standard. Seriously, everyone on a bloker deals with this because those things are notorious for triggering anxiety. Hang in there!

The thing is, I can totally see how I need something to just take the edge off so I can actually get some decent sleep, but where does it even end? Like, where does the cycle stop?

Look, you've got problems you just refuse to face, and honestly, what's the point in wasting anyone's time? Do whatever you want, fine, but don't come crying to me when things go south. This isn't just some minor heart palpitations or stress—this is serious stuff. Plus, you're clearly drowning in anxiety, even if you won't admit it.

Kevin Hayes83 said:Look, you’re dealing with issues you just refuse to own up to, so why even bother wasting our breath? Do whatever you want, but don't come crying to me when things go south. This isn't some minor heart flutter or nerves; this is serious stuff, and you're clearly drowning in anxiety while pretending everything is fine.

Nobody needs to waste their damn time here; we're just trading opinions, that's all. Whatever happens, happens—if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I’m just one tiny speck among billions of lives caught in this endless cycle of birth and death on this planet... biology produces all kinds of defective models, and I guess I’m just one of them...

By the way, I ditched my meds. My head is finally starting to clear up, and honestly, it feels freaking amazing. People usually don't realize what they actually have until they see exactly what they've lost. On the flip side, I'm bracing for a backlash—skipped beats, heavy palpitations, or, God forbid, something even worse... Basically, if I suddenly vanish from this place, you'll know something went sideways... But hey, every cloud has a silver lining, so at least there won't be any more wasted time...

Look, man, after taking a few beta blockers, there's just no way you had side effects or any reaction like the ones you’re describing. I mean, honestly, it sounds like it's all in your head. You decided beforehand that beta blockers are poison, so now you're convinced it's just a total placebo. Whatever, do what you want. Play doctor if you must, but messing around with your meds like this puts you at risk for a massive rebound effect or even a heart attack... maybe try actually reading the instruction manual for once.

If you ask me, your situation is pretty dire, especially given those symptoms—plus you've got some psychological stuff and anxiety going on that you won't admit to because it doesn't fit your narrative.

Here is what I would do;

1. MANDATORY: Go get another full cardio workup at a private clinic (it won't break the bank, maybe a couple hundred bucks). Get their take on everything—meaning, look at the EKG, ultrasound, stress test, and Holter monitor results.

2. See a psychiatrist, just to hear what they have to say (private visit should be around $133).

Once I had all that info, I'd finally have some peace of mind, knowing I did my part to handle things properly.

By trying to self-treat like this, considering how things stand, you're risking a heart attack while you're still relatively young. Given your condition, it could literally happen while you're sleeping.

Beta blockers have their own set of side effects that cardiologists rarely mention unless someone brings it up themselves, but hey, they do have benefits. They help calm the heart muscle down so it doesn't let your heart rate spike to 140+ bpm.
And they act as a preventative against having a heart attack.

I'm just talking as a layman here, I'm not a doctor, but I'm in a similar boat. I'm on beta blockers like Concor and I've been through all those tests, so I'm speaking from experience.

It's your call. It's your health and your life on the line. Good luck, I guess.

Honestly, I’ve just come to terms with the fact that I’m basically a ghost walking around, just grinding through one day at a time. If my time is actually up, I want to go out with some damn dignity, and I want to live the same way. There’s a line in the sand I refuse to cross—I won't compromise, I don't want to, and frankly, I can't. Everyone else is entitled to their own opinions and ways of acting, so let them be.

Regarding the beta blocker, look, I’m not denying it’s done its job for me—I can see it keeps my heart from redlining—but all those other nasty side effects that come riding shotgun with the "good" stuff? They don't leave me much of a choice...

Bottom line is, I'm moving forward without the beta blocker. How long I can hold out like this, who knows... I have zero interest in dealing with doctors, psychiatrists, or whatever else right now, but after some time passes, I'll probably go hunting for a second opinion...

I'm just kind of resigned to living with this condition day by day. If I catch a bad episode, I'll just call 911 and maybe, just maybe, I'll pull through again... I'm not asking for the moon here; if I can squeeze out another 4 or 5 years with a clear head, not drugged up, I'd be satisfied with that.

As for fear, I'm not really sweating it too much. There’s only one person in this world I’m not ready to leave behind, but when it comes to anything or anyone else, I could go another 30 years or I could drop right now... That's just life, it is what it is. Maybe it’s more about how and why you exit the stage rather than when...

Thanks for the kind words, man. I wish the same for you.

Look, everyone's the boss of their own body and all that, but can someone get a doctor in here? Hey, Body Halleck, please—someone needs to explain to this guy that it’s just not possible to have side effects like he’s claiming from only taking two pills. I think he's just tripping out...

Side effects usually don't even kick in until you've been taking them consistently for maybe a week or two, and they typically clear up within 30 days. If they don't, then there's a massive problem. Why wouldn't you just ask someone else for some if this guy already had such a reaction on you? Though, honestly, I highly doubt it...

Sean Anderson29 said:To be honest, I’ve accepted that I might not have much time left, yet I keep moving forward day by day. If my time comes, I want to die as a man, and that is how I intend to live. There is a line I refuse to cross; I won't compromise. Everyone else is entitled to their own way of thinking and acting, though.

Regarding the bloker, I am not denying its benefits in my case. It keeps my heart steady. But the side effects that accompany those benefits leave me with little choice...

Regardless, I am moving forward without the bloker. How long that lasts, I cannot say. I have no desire to see doctors or psychiatrists right now, though I may seek a second opinion eventually...

I suppose I am just living with this condition one day at a time. If an episode hits, I will call 911. Maybe I’ll pull through again. I am not asking for much; if I get another 4 or 5 years, I would be content—provided I stay clear-headed and drug-free...

As for fear, I don't have much of it. There is only one person who makes me want to stay. Everything else—whether it happens in 30 years or right now—is just part of life. Perhaps it matters less when you go, and more how you go...

Thank you for the kind wishes. I wish the same for you.

You are blowing these beta blockers way out of proportion. Millions of people take them every single day because they work. They are frequently prescribed to young people specifically to manage the sympathetic nervous system and dampen the negative impact of adrenaline on the heart. You are overcomplicating things because of your psychological state, which isn't ideal, even if you won't admit it to yourself. As for your heart, if we are talking about atrial fibrillation, you really need to consider anticoagulation. Do you really want to risk a stroke or a thromboembolism tomorrow or the day after?

Jose Clark2 said:You’re totally exaggerating what beta blockers can do. Millions of people take this stuff every single day, and honestly, there are plenty of upsides. They’re actually prescribed to young people all the time just to rein in the sympathetic nervous system—you know, to stop adrenaline from wrecking your heart. I think you're making everything way more complicated because of your mental state, which isn't exactly great, even if you won't admit it to yourself. And about the heart thing—if we're talking atrial fibrillation, you really need to look into anticoagulants. Do you seriously want to risk a stroke or some kind of thromboembolism tomorrow or the day after?

Well, thanks a damn lot for the stroke warning, I guess. Seriously though, everything said here is spot on. This guy clearly has some psychological issues due to everything going on—manifested anxiety that could easily spiral into panic attacks. If you add in the fact that his heart is obviously giving him hell, it doesn't take much to trigger a heart attack. Regardless of those "imaginary" side effects he's worried about, at least the BB will keep his pulse under control and stop it from hitting the ceiling. Because once the pulse spikes, the blood pressure follows, and then it's game over if the heart is already weak..

What he needs is to take his blockers strictly under doctor supervision and maybe grab something like Xanax or Ativan for calming down, and then everything should be fine..

I'm not gonna go too deep into it, but just looking at the situation, it feels like an antidepressant might actually do him some good, but that's probably a conversation for another time..

Based on how he writes, I get the impression he's in a heavy depression or dealing with intense anxiety and just suffering. It's honestly stupid and outdated, considering how easily these things get handled nowadays.. It's just that certain guys feel they have to act like "real men," and they think seeing a shrink is somehow a rural embarrassment—someone who could pull them out of the ashes in one session—but instead, they just refuse to trust their doctors..