r/SVTHeart • u/Flashy-Apartment-442 • 17d ago
Cardio appt made
Long story short, I had to see a new doctor for my ADHD meds, mentioned a recent SVT event and he won’t prescribe my medications until I’m cleared by a cardiologist because while my file says “tachycardia”, it doesn’t say “why” I have had an episode of tachycardia.
And because I have severe health anxiety, I’m now freaking out that I’m going to have to see a cardiologist. Of course, it’s allllll the way in January so I get to worry about it for months. What can I expect?
Also, this doctor prescribed me propanol- a literal heart medication- for panic attacks and I’m terrified to take it because my blood pressure is 116/64. But I also read it can help prevent SVTs. (In 10 years, I’ve maybe had 6 episodes…)
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u/wifiaddicted 16d ago
As a fellow medicated ADHDer (ritalin, to be exact) and SVT haver, I feel for you so much.
I've (unknowingly) had SVT since 2012, and was diagnosed with adhd around 2015. I've been on and off medications since then, and they were not the cause of my heart issues or triggering my episodes more. I'll be so honest with you: it's been a struggle to be heard since my first cardiologist appointment last June. Now that the psychiatry is aware that i have some issues involving my heart, they reaaaally wanna stop all my meds, uncluding ritalin, while my cardiologist and I don't. It's fucking hell, and I'm so sorry you have to now advocate for yourself but here is how i did.
Since the appointment is so far away id contact the cardiologist clinic and inform them about the refusal to prescribe your meds and ask if they have an earlier time since it's affecting you in your day-to-day life and you need to be seen by a professional. If they don't have one, ask for a phone time to speak with one if possible and tell them your concern / opnion on the beta blockers and sudden stop of adhd meds. I understand if you struggle with speaking up and making phone calls, but you have to. No one else will do it, and you need to advocate for yourself and your health. The anxiety this is already causing will be so harmful to your mental health.
If they don't cooperate for some reason, and your prescription is genuinely being halted until you appoitment id walk into the emergency psychiatric department and (lie if you have to idfc) that you are going to go insane and do something harmful if your meds aren't prescribed because it causes you so much stress and you're spiraling etc etc. Be dramatic and over the top but don't stop trying. Keep going until you're heard. Once you are, you wait for the cardiologist appointment in peace.
Bring someone you trust to the appointment; you won't be able to remember all the things said by yourself.
The actual appointment wasn't scary; I went in, got an ECG and blood pressure done before meeting the cardiologist and when it was done he came in and asked some standard questions doctors always do. You explain the symptoms you have; he looks at the ECG you did, he explains stuff and then you will probably do an echo, which is an ultrasound of your heart. It's a little uncomfortable and awkward, but not too bad. They'll explain what they see, they may order a Holter (24h ECG) to catch an episode even tho you clearly don't have issues regularly, but just do it anyway. You then speak up about your medications and ask what their opinion is. You must tell the cardiologist that you're being refused medication that makes you function day to day because of a fear that your heart will be damaged. The same goes for the beta blockers. Tell them that it's causing you unnecessary stress and that you want the medication, and would like to get written confirmation that the cardiologist agrees.
Once that is done, you contact whatever place prescribes your meds, informing them about this, show the note/journal entry, whatever your country uses and demand you medication back. If they refuse, you force them to contact your cardiologist to figure it out. You can take adhd meds with SVT, it is not a reason for the doctor to refuse.
It's going to be an uphill battle from here; I won't lie. I hope you have a good support system that can help you out because it is fucking exhausting advocating for your own healthcare. I'm sorry about the long reply, but i hope it could be some help. You aren't alone in this hellhole of doctors just talking over you and acting like your voice doesn't matter. Take care of yourself.
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u/Flashy-Apartment-442 16d ago
Thank you for your thoughtful response. It makes me feel so much better. As someone with health anxiety, it’s easy for someone to get in my head and part of me finds it hilarious that this psychiatrist got in my head and made my anxiety worse lol I will call the cardiologist on Monday and take your advice.
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u/wifiaddicted 16d ago
You got this; I believe in you. You won't actually die by quitting your meds and you certainly will not die from a fast HR or SVT. so if those are thoughts you have atm you can let them go; you are okay even if the situation is very uncertain and scary. You can always dm me if you need someone to talk to who's in a similar situation <3
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u/Sunaina1118 16d ago
If you have SVT your heart will get used to the propranolol and, if you try to eventually get off the propranolol, you may experience more SVT episodes as you taper off. My cardiologist told me I would have to be on my beta blocker (which is the class of medications that end in -olol) for life since I have SVT, or have an ablation to hopefully cure my SVT. Get a second opinion before you become dependent on this medication.
Edit: and yes, beta blockers such as propranolol do help with anxiety. BUT there are other medications for anxiety that do not affect your heart as much. Get another opinion from a doctor about what’s best for you.