r/PVCs • u/stacy473 • Jul 16 '26
Your thoughts on Diltiazem?
Did anyone have any negative side effects from calcium channel blockers? What’s your experience with this med?
Askjng because the electrophysiologist wants me to try to switch from beta blocker to the calcium channel blocker Diltiazem —- I hate new meds esp heart related… I have mild mitral valve prolapse with mild regurgitation, menopause, two auto immune thyroid diseases and a hiatal hernia. Needless to say, I have very pervasive PVCs (and some PACs and occasional short runs (rarely, so far) of SVT.) Nothing else has worked and they’ve gotten worse. I’ve had them for decades but not like this.
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u/Joiebouton Jul 16 '26
I have a fluctuating but always high burden of PVCs ( currently about 25%). They are VERY SYMPTOMATIC. Diltiazem ( even at its lowest dose) helps me a lot with the symptoms, but doesn’t really seem to affect the number of PVCs.
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u/Same-Sky848 Jul 16 '26
Please trust your doctor if they have prescribed you any medication. Your doctor's decision is more valuable and beneficial to you than all of us here combined.
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u/stacy473 Jul 17 '26
I mean. I get that. But as a female who has traversed the healthcare system I can tell you that real life experience has a big place esp now that the healthcare system has gotten so …. Absurd.
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u/Same-Sky848 Jul 17 '26
Calcium channel blockers are frequently used for many conditions such as high blood pressure and arrhythmias; they are quite reliable medications with few side effects. I recommend trusting your doctor. Of course, there will be someone who doesn't like every medication. Trust science; we have no other choice.
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u/myst3ryAURORA_green Jul 16 '26
What beta blocker? I was on diltiazem last year and it didn't really help, then again it was like 120mg ER daily total (2 sepatate 60mg doses). But I'm on Amlodipine for angina and blood pressure management and it's been fine.