Rapid heart rate on Percocet?

[JacaRoe]

I've been taking some sort of oxy for 5+ years, and the Percs for about 4 months straight. This problem has only recently become noticeable. My blood pressure has only recently been moderately high over the last couple months too (it was perfect a year ago), and most docs attribute that to pain levels, so I don't think that's the cause.

But I've noticed that late at night, about 3 or 4 hours after my last dose, my heartbeat is distinctly noticeable, I can feel it in my throat, and I can sit here and watch my chest beat. I timed it last night, and the highest it got was 100-107 bpm which is just outside of the norm. I took my blood pressure, and it was fine, if a little bit low.

I know anxiety is a side effect of Perc, and also, as soon as I start freaking out about my heartbeat, it gets faster. lol

Just curious if anybody else notices this side effect. It's only when I do the Perc, not the Opana or anything else.

[Kathy_The Only]

I also feel palpitations while on Percocet and I do think it is a result of the medication. I am also more prone to anxiety and I find that it worsens while on Percocet, unfortunately this is the only medication I have for b/t pain so sometimes it can feel as if the cure is worst than the disease. Hope this helps you.

[Bootsie18]

I get palputations sometimes and my heart will beat at a fast rate. It only last for a few seconds for me. The anxiety it causes is awful, which then makes the condition worse than it is. I think it just comes with certain opiates. I take hydrocodone 10/325 and it does seem to speed me up, at times.

I take my own pulse, just to make myself feel better.:)

[Inert24]

Maybe it has something to do with the APAP then?

You said it doesn't affect you if you take Opana or anything else, just the percocet makes this happen.

Maybe something to think about?

[Bootsie18]

Inert24 wrote:

Maybe it has something to do with the APAP then?
You said it doesn't affect you if you take Opana or anything else, just the percocet makes this happen.
Maybe something to think about?

I think you are right. It very well could be that.

[Piper]

Well put my friends. I have to admit my ignorance to percs causing anxiety. Maybe its because I have anxiety disorders anyway I never thought about it. See learn something new everyday.
Piper

[Anonymous Poster Girl]

Try taking a few deep breaths and talking yourself down... it may help with the anxiety. I have a friend on the same meds with that problem also and he does a bit of meditation to calm himself and it seems to help. It's weird though because this only happens late at night for him, too.

[OxY iR A215]

JacaRoe wrote:

I've been taking some sort of oxy for 5+ years, and the Percs for about 4 months straight. This problem has only recently become noticeable. My blood pressure has only recently been moderately high over the last couple months too (it was perfect a year ago), and most docs attribute that to pain levels, so I don't think that's the cause.
But I've noticed that late at night, about 3 or 4 hours after my last dose, my heartbeat is distinctly noticeable, I can feel it in my throat, and I can sit here and watch my chest beat. I timed it last night, and the highest it got was 100-107 bpm which is just outside of the norm. I took my blood pressure, and it was fine, if a little bit low.
I know anxiety is a side effect of Perc, and also, as soon as I start freaking out about my heartbeat, it gets faster. lol
Just curious if anybody else notices this side effect. It's only when I do the Perc, not the Opana or anything else.

I think you okay and its building up in your head. Anxiety is the worse and when I used to do coke years ago I would always freak myself and make it worse when really I was just fine. I really do not think its the Peck 5's because opiate depress your respiratory system slowing your breathing and heart rate down and should not cause it to shoot up like your saying. Have you been taking anything else with your Percocet?? I honestly think your fine and its in your head feel better!!

[JacaRoe]

Yep, never had it happen when I did Roxis either, but like I said, I just recently noticed it in the last month or so. It could be the APAP, because I take a ton of Excedrin when I have chronic headaches, and it always makes my skin flush - I'm convinced that too is the APAP.
I'd like to get my hands on some Roxi again and see if it happens then.
When I start getting the rapid pulse, I take my blood pressure, which also calculates the heart rate. That's how I know it was running close to 100, but like I said, the bp was fine, so it's really wierd.
I'm really scared to talk to the doctor about it, because he'll yank the meds first and if there's really no danger in it, I'm not concerned. That's why I'm brining the question to you folks.
The anxiety is worth the overall pain relief, most definitely.

[Inert24]

JacaRoe wrote:

Yep, never had it happen when I did Roxis either, but like I said, I just recently noticed it in the last month or so. It could be the APAP, because I take a ton of Excedrin when I have chronic headaches, and it always makes my skin flush - I'm convinced that too is the APAP.
I'd like to get my hands on some Roxi again and see if it happens then.
When I start getting the rapid pulse, I take my blood pressure, which also calculates the heart rate. That's how I know it was running close to 100, but like I said, the bp was fine, so it's really wierd.
I'm really scared to talk to the doctor about it, because he'll yank the meds first and if there's really no danger in it, I'm not concerned. That's why I'm brining the question to you folks.
The anxiety is worth the overall pain relief, most definitely.

I would suggest talking to your doctor about it. Tell him what's going on, and that you've have complications with APAP in the past. APAP is getting a lot of negative attention lately, due to the new regulation passed by the FDA of no more than 325mg/pill.

There are other alternatives, that wouldn't necessarily up your dose. These include 5mg IR oxycodone with no APAP. If he's worried about abuse, there's also a form of Oxycodone that contains ibuprofen, but I believe it's rare, if it still exists. I've recently been perceived 7.5/200 vicoprofren, that contains 7.5mg hydrocodone and 200mg ibuprofen (almost equivalent to 5mg Oxycodone IMO, but I'm not a doctor).

Personally, I don't think you should hold anything back from your doctor. If you're having complications, especially with a medication, he/she should definitely know about it. Maybe mention you've done some research, and know that there are other "abuse-proof" options out there if you're worried he might think you have the wrong intentions. Maybe ask for a three day supply, just to see how it affects you, and have a follow up with the doctor.

Just my two cents. No one knows your situation better than you.

Hope it works out for you!

[OxY iR A215]

JacaRoe wrote:

Yep, never had it happen when I did Roxis either, but like I said, I just recently noticed it in the last month or so. It could be the APAP, because I take a ton of Excedrin when I have chronic headaches, and it always makes my skin flush - I'm convinced that too is the APAP.
I'd like to get my hands on some Roxi again and see if it happens then.
When I start getting the rapid pulse, I take my blood pressure, which also calculates the heart rate. That's how I know it was running close to 100, but like I said, the bp was fine, so it's really wierd.
I'm really scared to talk to the doctor about it, because he'll yank the meds first and if there's really no danger in it, I'm not concerned. That's why I'm brining the question to you folks.
The anxiety is worth the overall pain relief, most definitely.

I dont like excedrin because of the caffeine... If you have been taking the excedrin a lot the caffeine in it could be causing a problem. Whenever I take my meds and drink coffee (and I dont anymore) I would get a rapid heart beat and feel kinda crazy ... just letting you know

[Anonymous Poster Girl]

OxY iR A215 wrote:

<quoted text>
I dont like excedrin because of the caffeine... If you have been taking the excedrin a lot the caffeine in it could be causing a problem. Whenever I take my meds and drink coffee (and I dont anymore) I would get a rapid heart beat and feel kinda crazy ... just letting you know

I would bet that plays a role in the reasoning behind the rapid heart rate... most don't realize just how many things we consume in a day that have caffeine hidden in it, and if someone is also drinking coffee on top of it? You are going to get amped.

[jen]

opioids slow your heart rate not boost it. maybe in our situation its different but normally it slows down

[Bootsie18]

jen wrote:

opioids slow your heart rate not boost it. maybe in our situation its different but normally it slows down

That is what I would think too. Maybe it is because of the heart slowing down and cause your adrenalin to kick in. For me it is real short spurts and I can feel the beat. I have a heart murmur, and that could be the cause for me.

I'm still kickin it.

[Kathy_The Only]

Piper wrote:

Well put my friends. I have to admit my ignorance to percs causing anxiety. Maybe its because I have anxiety disorders anyway I never thought about it. See learn something new everyday.
Piper

Piper, I also have issues with anxiety and percocet without a doubt exacerbate them. I have discussed this with my doctor but I am told it's Norco or Percocet and Norco is not as effective on my pain so I really think twice before taking it b/c anxiety can be unbearable on its own. If you are on Percocet you should talk to your doctor b/c maybe he would be willing to move you (unlike mine) to a different immediate release, I am told roxicodone is a good choice. Good Luck :-).

[piper]

Thanks Kathy, I always welcome and appreciate advice. I'm now on Norcos and xannax on top of Zoloft, which with the pain is about as effective as sugar pills. The depression came first, then I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, and the pain triggers all at various times. I do however feel much better over all when my pain is held in check, whether it be a good pain day, or one when the meds actually help.
Thanks again,
Piper

[Bootsie18]

piper wrote:

Thanks Kathy, I always welcome and appreciate advice. I'm now on Norcos and xannax on top of Zoloft, which with the pain is about as effective as sugar pills. The depression came first, then I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, and the pain triggers all at various times. I do however feel much better over all when my pain is held in check, whether it be a good pain day, or one when the meds actually help.
Thanks again,
Piper

Piper, sorry you are in so much pain. I know that nothing helped me at that time. My doc was not really generous in the pill dept and I was 18 yrs old. I would cry so much and I don't do that too often. If I could get only a few hours relief, on and off, I would take it. I think the dr put me on 7.5 vics and then changed me to codiene. Uhgggg, it was such an awful time.

Feel better real soon.

[piper]

Thanks Bootsie.

[Watson932]

jen wrote:

opioids slow your heart rate not boost it. maybe in our situation its different but normally it slows down

Ok I have been prescribed alot of opiate medications over the years I am currently taking Percocet 10/325 Im prescribed 1 pill 6x daily...Percocet which is Oxycodone,and Lortab,Vicodin,Norco which is Hydrocodone these 2 opiates are different chemically than other opiates such as morphine.Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are made from the opiate alkaloid from the Poppy called Thebaine.By it's self it is deadly and has no pain killing properties but when synthesized..It can be converted to these drugs...Here is the deal Thebaine is actually a CNS stimulant thus why alot of people complain of insomnia and anxiety when they are taking Percocet or Vicodin.Drugs like morphine and codeine are natrual from the Poppy and are altered very little...When I first started taking Vicodin they made me energized then when I switched to percocet I was/am really energized but do not worry after awhile that feeling will go away...I hope that helped you some-P.s I am a pharmacy Tech soon to be Pharmacist..So don't worry those feelings should go away with time and if they don't tell your doctor...also people shouldn't post on here when they don't have a clue to what they are talking about...example the guy I quoted lol... Have a good day people.

[Painjob]

It is most definitely the Percocet. I've recently switched over to Percocet because here in So Fla, finding my Roxicodone 30MG is next to impossible. I've noticed the same thing. Rapid heart rate about 2 hours after taking 2 Percocet 10/325's. I too have been on oxycodone, primarily the Roxi's for the past 5 years or so. It's only on the Percocet's that I get the racy heart. I'll be consulting with a new doctor precisely about this issue.