Metformin and pacemakers

Hi all, over the past week or so, I've had an extra-strong pulse above (ie, higher than) my pacemaker. It's been the regulation 60bpm, lasts for about 10 seconds then stops -- you literally cannot feel anything -- though of course my heartbeat carries on.

Apart from the annoyance and puzzlement there are no other effects. It's not painful, merely startling. I haven't even felt the need to bother my doctor.

Putting two and two together and possibly making three, could it be anything to do with the diabetes drug Metformin, which I started taking about three weeks ago?

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

2 Comments

Possibly.

by Graham M - 2020-02-27 19:26:01

I don't have any experience of this, but I do know that tachycardia is one of the less common side effects of metformin.  Best to check with your GP or cardiologist (if you can get an appointment).

Graham.

Metformin

by Theknotguy - 2020-02-28 11:53:17

Metformin is the go to drug for diabetics.  If there would have been any problems they would have been well documented by now.  Am not personally aware of any problems.  I've been on Metformin for the six years I've had my pacemaker with no problems as far as Metformin goes.  

You can check with both your cardio doctor and your diabetic doctor to see if they've heard of anything but I don't feel you'll get anything from them.

When ever you change medication that always changes things in the body and since you're more sensitive because of the pacemaker you're feeling changes that would have happened anyway.  

Hope everything else is going well for you.
 

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