Is it normal to have a rapid heart rate when tapering k?

[[fl...]]

The last few weeks, small incidents that happen seem to be HUGE to me and my heart rate and bp will sky rocket.  Then there are times that nothing at all is going on and my heart begins to pound so hard.  Paramedics were called to my home last Saturday and with me laying down ..my b/p was 153/110 and heart rate was around 120 ...pretty certain both were higher than that about 15 minutes before they were called and this was after I had taken my nightly dose of k.  I didn't go to the e.r. because I don't want to be pumped full of a bunch of stuff I don't need and felt as though this is just a part of withdrawal.  Right??

I had a stress test done in 2010 and was told all looked normal with my heart.  Klonopin is the only medication I take.  I don't drink but do smoke cigarettes.

Also, another question ...This happened tonight when I went out to eat with daughter and boyfriend.  Everything is going fine and I look out in the parking lot and see my car, it's all good and a few minutes later I glance back out in the parking lot and my car looked SO much closer, like it was just sitting outside the window, which is impossible!  What the heck was that about?  It freaked me out!

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Here is some information from the Ashton Manual regarding your question.

 

Heart and lungs - Palpitations, pounding heart, rapid pulse, flushing, sweating, and breathlessness are usual accompaniments of panic attacks, but may occur without panics. They do not signify heart or lung disease but are simply the expression of an overactive autonomic nervous system. Slow deep breathing and relaxation, as described under panic attacks, can do much to control these symptoms. Do not worry about them: they would be accepted as normal if you were running for a bus, and will do no more harm than if you really were!

 

If you think your symptoms might be due to something other than withdrawal it's a good idea to get checked out by your doctor even if it's just for peace of mind.

 

Hope this help.

[[re...]]

It's 'normal' for withdrawal, yes. It's almost unavoidable. It stinks, and it seems to go on long after other symptoms have eased. I don't really worry about it, but it can really wreck a nap.

[[fl...]]

Thank you mmgc, it is helpful to know it's considered 'normal' ...it's happening when I'm not in panic, I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this.  Forgot to mention that the EKG came back normal so that's a plus.

 

Thank you redevan, yes lol it truly can wreck a nap!  Thank you for the smile.

[[pa...]]

Try lying on your right side when this happens, it helps subside it.. Pattylu

[[On...]]

Thank you mmgc, it is helpful to know it's considered 'normal' ...it's happening when I'm not in panic, I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this.  Forgot to mention that the EKG came back normal so that's a plus.

 

Thank you redevan, yes lol it truly can wreck a nap!  Thank you for the smile.

 

flutter,

 

I have been getting the hypertension and high BP swings too. I have had a BP of 153/ 109 or there about many, many times. I had been to the ER three times within two months, being admitted the third time for overnight observation. They found nothing after numerous tests, EKG, MRI, X-rays and overnight heart monitor. They saw a mild heart palpitation, but said was fine. I know by the third visit they felt they had a hypochondriac case and I won't deny that the benzo's will cause hypochondria due to the massive list of symptoms that one usually gets from the withdrawal of this drug. When you feel like your dying, it will send most anyone scouring the internet in search of reasons or the cause as to why this happening to us. This is especially bad for those of us, like myself that were unaware of the withdrawal or at least how BAD the withdrawal ended up being. It's beyond ones wildest imagination!

 

Your visual disturbance is totally in line with the benzo withdrawals, I have had almost hallucinatory imagery at times, odd movements at all levels, often I think I see someone standing in my peripheral field of vision, only to be a much more benign object such as a chair or picture on the wall. My depth perception can be frighteningly varied and sudden to change, such as in your description. Some things that are normally out of focus as they would be for anyone seem to be moving slowly from their stationary position. Quite frightening, but I now know what it is, these insane withdrawals.

 

Just try to ignore these symptoms, just tell yourself that these weren't here before benzo's, so they will be gone when the damage that this poison causes heals, and heal it will!

[[fl...]]

I will definately try that, pattylu.  Thank you for the tip!

 

On the Mend,

  All these symptoms truly are the pits for all of us, one goes away and two more step in to take it's place and lo and behold, the one that left returns again and so the story goes.  It's an insane merry-go-round that is never ending (for now!).

  It is good that you went and got checked and great that the tests come back good.  It does not matter if anyone at the hospital thought you were a hypochondriac.  Doctors truly are in the dark about what these medications do to folks. I was in the dark for the past 6 years and boy o boy ..this has been an eye opener 

  It's hard to tell what could possibly be something to be concerned about or if it's just withdrawal, it's better to be safe than sorry.  The heart rate and b/p is down right scary but I know it has to be from coming off of this because like you said, it is withdrawal and it didn't do this before.  I'm afraid to look anything up on the internet, at this point I'm sure I would have 99% of everything I could possibly google with all these symptoms, coming, going and staying ...so it's best to stay away from that before a self diagnosis is made of something more horrible than withdrawal.

The visual thing is freaky.  I've seen 'shadows' out of the corner of my eye, turn to look and there is nothing there.  However, tonight was the first time that something (my car) was far away at one moment and then so close that it seemed as though if the window wasn't there I could have reached out and touched it.  It (withdrawal) truly does play 'tricks' on us.  Will be so thankful when that bag of tricks is empty.

My cousin took Klonopin for 3+ years at 8mg daily and laid them down in a day, she was paranoid and it interrupted her sleep for about a month ...then she was fine and is still doing great.  I'm very thankful that she didn't suffer.  My family can't understand why I'm having such a tough time with this and she didn't.  I've tried to explain 'everyone is different' but to no avail.  Everyone says I look just fine, I don't look sick, just tired.  All those fake smiles must be working, yes?  lol, I don't know.

 

 

 

[[Ke...]]

Tachycardia was my first tolerance symptom on klonopin and the reason I decided to get off after a year of usage. That lead me to have a thorough examination with a cardiologist (stress test and imaging) which turned out fine. My heart rate was at 120 beats a minute. It should pass before long.

[[da...]]

I get the BP spikes, but not the tachycardia...yet. Though my HR has been around 90 sometimes where on the meds it was always in the 60s. The pounding heart is awful. Its so scary. I mean, I had dealt with it, but with this withdrawal it sounds REALLY loud. Keeps me up.