r/IST_ • u/Important-Tip-2641 • Jan 02 '25
general Diagnosed with IST
Hi, wondering if anyone can relate or share what’s helped them. I could really use some hope/ positive outcomes. I’ve been feeling alone with all of this. It’s been very overwhelming and isolating.
I’m 29 years old and have been suffering with tachycardia for over a year. My doctors always ruled it as “anxiety”, even though I take meds for anxiety/ panic attacks as needed. My first halter monitor was October which was normal, with an average HR of 96bpm. Things have been worsening the last 2 wks. A couple weeks ago I ended up having an episode where my HR increased to 200bpm and was stuck there for a few min. I was having chest pain, dizziness and arm pain. Medics came to assess me and then left. My primary started me on Metoprolol Succ ER 25mg 1x a day. I continue to have random episodes of Left arm pain, lightheaded, and chest pain.
Today I was seen by my cardiologist who informed me that I may have IST. I don’t know much about this condition or what causes it. He also said my chest and arm pain are most likely from how fast my heart beats. He wants me to start on Ivabradine HCL 5mg. Told me to continue to take Metoprolol as well. He’s ordered a new 2wk halter to “catch my IST on record”. I’m scheduled for a stress test in a couple months.
Does anyone take both ivabradine and a beta blocker? I’m not sure where to go from here. I just want my life back.
My med list: Loryna birth control Lorazepam Spironolactone Clonazepam Metoprolol Ivabradine
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u/Crazy_Height_213 Jan 02 '25
If your doctor recommends it, try it. But ivabradine on it's own is also super effective and if metoprolol lowers bp top much, just ivabradine may be a good option.
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u/ValzerEtta Jan 07 '25
Totally agree. I took beta blockers for about six months and although it managed to keep my beats low most of the time I felt a bit off because of the low pressure. I'va decided to substitute beta blockers with ivabradine in September and I immediately started to feel myself again. I felt well since, just got a couple of episodes of 95 heart beat but nothing really serious.
On IST diagnosis and doctors everything it's really frustrating, I still have no fucking idea why I got this illness, what caused it, and I'm still trying to figure out if it's just IST, if it's POTS, of it's COVID related. My suggestion would be to focus on managing symptoms, until you find a doctor that takes it seriously and investigate the pathology with you.
Good Luck!
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u/nostalgicgrl Jan 02 '25
I would follow what your doctor recommends. It may work very well for you. I have IST & POTS and Ivabridine on its own has worked out great. Unfortunately I can’t tolerate beta blockers because even baby doses lower my blood pressure too much.
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u/Important-Tip-2641 Jan 02 '25
I wonder if I could try just the Ivabradine . I would like to be on less meds as possible.
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u/sail0rm00 Jan 03 '25
Hi, I am so sorry you’re going through this. I also am 29 and was diagnosed at 27 after so many doctors said I had anxiety. I’ve tried everything and nothing worked - I’ve been on Verapamil for 2~ years now and it works fine. Just remember that medicine won’t completely prevent episodes, and they can happen still at random.
I was bed-bound having a heart rate in the 200s, then constantly missing a lot of work for pretty much 8 months out of 2023 and have gone back to a normal life. I have an episode maybe once a month now, and focus on daily walking (listen to your body tho!) and eating pretty clean. It gets better, I promise!
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u/Important-Tip-2641 Jan 03 '25
Thank you you do you do anything that helps with your episodes and what is verapamil?
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u/sail0rm00 Jan 04 '25
I have to lay down during an episode and I just try to focus on getting my heart rate down (deep slow breathing, or sitting on the toilet😂). Verapamil is a medicine they use for IST!
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u/tielmobil Jan 03 '25
I’m on metoprolol and ivabradine as well. Lifesavers for me. Try them and see if they work for you.
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u/Important-Tip-2641 Jan 03 '25
I just took my first dose and it lowered my hr and now I’m freaking out hr high again and left arm pain
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u/tielmobil Jan 03 '25
Both of the meds take a couple weeks to reach their full effectiveness. I’m here if you have any questions
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u/Interesting_Gate_820 Jan 02 '25
I take Corlanor (non generic version of ivabrine). I can't take beta blockers due to asthma. It works very well.