Graves' Disease Support Group

Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...

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Fast Heartrate???

scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
I know that Graves can cause the fast heart rate and palpitations.... however, I've been on a beta blocker the last 2 and 1/2 weeks (since all this started). My blood pressure was really dropping low as well as my heart rate.... 98/50 and heartrate of 60 or less. So, I am being tapered down on my beta blocker (Propranolol) and eventually will be taken off altogether. So, over two weeks time, I started at Propranolol 40 mg, four times daily, then three times daily, then twice daily, then 20 mg, twice daily, then 10 mg, four times daily, then 10 mg twice daily, and now 10 mg once daily (with the option of twice daily after 12 hours if needed per my symptoms). So... with that... today, my heart rate went up to 101.... but came back down after a half hour and taking an extra dose of my beta blocker (out of panic). Is this normal with Graves? and at what point do these symptoms subside? Or don't they?
bransnana
bransnana
yes, they should subside on meds. I would take the bb twice a day to keep you covered. How about 5 and 5? How long have you been on the anti thyroid meds, ? I forgot.
mmztcass
mmztcass
If I were to venture a guess', you may not have been quite ready to go once per day with the Propranolol. You have reduced quickly over the days that your doctor told you to do so. Even though you hadn't been on it for very long, your body is still adjusting to come down from hypER to normal levels. I know your heart rate and blood pressure is low. You don't want to drive things back up hypER just as fast.

If it were me, I would've not dropped so quickly in the doses every day. But i'm not your doctor and this is what I have been allowed to do in the past, make the 'weaning' changes every few weeks so it wouldn't be such a shock for me.

{{{hugs}}} :-)
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
Brans, I've been on the antithyroid meds about 2 and 1/2 weeks... 5mg might be too low a dose. The 10 mg dose works great in the mornings.... however, at night.... it's hard to judge.

Mmz, I would agree that I may have been lowered too soon too fast.... but if I take the bb at night too.... it seems my bp and heartrate drop so low that I can "feel" that it's low. It's like I'm stuck in between. Maybe I could take 10 mg in the mornings as that seems to work great and 5 mg at night... what do ya think?
mmztcass
mmztcass
You could ask your doctor if you can try 10 in the AM and 5 in the PM.

{{{hugs}}}
deleted_user
deleted_user
One thing I wanted to ask was, what were you doing when your pulse went to 101? Were you lying down, and it went up? Or were you walking, cooking, etc.? It'd make a big difference as to whether this heartrate is acceptable or truly higher that it should be. In a healthy individual with a normal heart, it is very common for the heart to get into the low 100's with activity. I get concerned when I see my patient's heartrates go above 120 as compared to the level of activity they are doing (I have them on monitors). However, if they are doing movement, I am not worried if they are in the low 100's. However, I DO get concerned when they are in the low 100's when they are doing absolutely nothing, which very well may be your case- I was just curious if you were are rest or doing something when this happened.
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
Sometimes I'm doing nothing... other times, I just got up from lying down to go to the kitchen to get a drink then came back sat for 10 minutes before taking it.... right now, my cardiologist says to not let it go over 90. that it's a concern if it goes ove 100. this whole Graves thing is so confusing, frustrating, and driving me crazy!
bransnana
bransnana
yes, this is common at first with Graves. You walk across the room and it's like you ran a mile! This will go away when levels fall. I used to hate that!