Quote from BiBi57:

What has been your experience with different drugs?

I've tried Lasix (loop diuretic), Accupril (ace inhibitor), Extended release Nitro, Digoxin and Verapamil (Calcium Channel Blocker).

I've experimented for long periods of time with each med, by increasing or decreasing them for one or more weeks, and by gradually stopping them altogether and staying off of them for, from several weeks to several months.

I've found out that I need Digoxin to prevent tachycardia and slow my heart beat.

I need Verapamil to lower my blood pressure and control other arrhythmia problems.

The extended release nitro helps with my blood pressure but it causes uncomforable rhythm problems.

The Lasix lowers my blood pressure but gives me all kinds of rhythm problems and breathing problems.

The Ace inhibitor lowers my Systolic blood pressure, somewhat, no matter how much I take of it, and it works with few side effects. The only problem I have had with this med is additional heart rhythm problems if I consume too much potassium.

The only med that effectively controls my blood pressure is Verapamil, but only from certain manufacturers.

I've also tried beta blockers, had too many heart rhythm and breathing problems from them, so I stopped taking them. Since I was on other meds, at the time, I don't know whether it was the beta blocker, or an interaction with my other meds.

Another problem is, that things that one eats or drinks can also interact with a medicine. Drug manufacturers are not going to test their meds extensively enough, against food and drink interactions, since they don't want to chance not getting the drug approved.

[QUOTE]I have a high resting pulse so beta blockers work for me best but atenolol at 100 mgs! My doctor mentioned a betablocker that lacks the negative side effects. Do you know what one that is?

There is not one drug known to mankind that doesn't come with side effects. Most doctors know very little about how any medicine will react with any patient, especially if the patient is on more than one med. Your doctor can't possible know how your environment, diet and lifestyle effects your meds.

I've been to many different doctors. With the seriousness of my heart disease, I've had to be very pro-active. I've said NO more times than YES to my doctors, regarding trying meds. I research them first before I would ever try another med.

Perhaps your doctor feels that if he tells you that you won't have side effects from the new med, that, somehow, psychologically you won't react normally to the med. When the doctors don't have a clue, which is a lot of the time, they try to play meaningless mind games on their patients.

Does the atenolol slow your heartbeat? How fast does your heart normally beat? What type of side effects do you get from the atenolol?

[QUOTE]He said is more expensive.

That sounds like a pretty nasty side effect to me! :D

[QUOTE]It sounds like you have your situation under control

I am doing the best that I can, but it is still a constant struggle.

[QUOTE] and I want to control this frustrating disease while I am still relatively young (mid forties). Thanks so much for your insight!

Great idea. The older that I get, the more difficult it is to fight heart disease.

How high does your blood pressure get? When I don't have mine under control, my blood pressure will bounce around 170/105 during the day, and up to 185/120 at night.

Under control, my blood pressure averages around 140/89 during the day, and up to around 160/100 at night. I've got advanced heart disease. I feel much better at these lower numbers and I feel my chances for survival are much better. Others might look at my lowered numbers and go UGH!