I was not taking an SSRI, but I was taking a pill that has similar effects. Belviq. It is for weight loss. It apparently is a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor in that in theory, it prevents uptake concerning hunger areas of the brain. I think. All I know was that when I first took it it was the most insane effects. I felt it right away. And it really made me almost scarily bad with memory. I keep finding all these mistakes I made at work during the period and have no real memory off. I lost weight because I couldn't remember to eat.

But, I was only on it 6 weeks when, possibly due to forgetting to take the drug, I started having heart palps. My doctor told me to discontinue with no information on tapering. I did and I had heart palps for awhile. Pretty badly. We are talking over 6 weeks.

There is no information that Belviq causes this but I think it has to be the reason. There is nothing else that would have caused such a drastic change. Now it is like my heart rhythm gets messed up. Though knock on wood it does seem to be slightly improving.

I found a few threads that have this happen due to SSRIs. Also, I had only one other palpitations bout in 2002 and I can't remember but I know at the time I had taken Celexa and Zoloft but I can't remember if I took them in response to the palps or they could have caused them.

Anyone get heart palps from discontinuing SSRIs? Have they gone away if you got off?

[*Laurie*]

Heart palpitations can definitely occur from med withdrawal (yes, I have experienced them). Remember that it's very important to come off meds slowly.

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Heart palpitations can definitely occur from med withdrawal (yes, I have experienced them). Remember that it's very important to come off meds slowly.

Unfortunately my doctor did not tell me that and I actually don't think the drug directions says to. It has been 6 weeks since getting off. As much time as I was on it. I find that water will stop the palpitations. I found a few studies that said that water assists the parasympathetic nervous system in maintaining balance and helps cardiovascular health. I hope it didn't mess it up permanently. I continue to have a lowered heart rate which is a side effect of the drug.

[*Laurie*]

In my experience, many pdocs don't tell patients about slowly withdrawing from meds. It seems that patients are often more aware of withdrawal issues than medical professionals are.

I find water to be helpful, too.

Very pleased with myself. Back in 2003 I had a round of heart palpitations. I went all the way to a holter monitor but, by that time... it resolved. I remember very specifically buying magnesium in the hopes it would help. It is my usual practice to get copies of all my records so... I requested the actual result. The doctor was... as usual.. rude in her actual remarks. And seemingly suggested I was a basket case making it up. Because of that.. I rarely looked at the paperwork again. But everytime I went to throw the records out.. I didn't. I just sensed some day I might need them.

And today, I pulled them out. I am so gratified to discover that this doctor put me on celexa on 9/1/2003 and I discontinued it after some unspecified time between 9/1/2003 and 10.24.2003 because of complaints about digestive issues. And the date of the holter monitor? 10/30/2003. One of the other reasons I got off Belviq was digestive issues.

I have no idea if they told me to taper in 2003 but my best guess is no because at the time this drug was new. So getting off SSRI type drugs without sufficient taper will cause heart rate irregularities in me. If this bears out.. which it seems it is going to because the palps do seem somewhat improved... I am going to add this to my records as a drug I am allergic to.

[*Laurie*]

That sounds like a good plan.

I guess this will be a long road. This weekend I worked on having less water and having some palps. They theory being I had to get my body used to having them so it would adjust. I did pretty good. About 8 per day and 2 glasses of water. But, today, I had about 17 and probably about 3 glasses of water to keep them under control. It is just so frustrating. But I suppose when you go back to work you are naturally upping your anxiety and workload so it is to be expected.