u/Background-Rule641

Hello everyone. I was recently switched from propranolol to ivabradine and I’m on the struggle bus. I’m wondering if anyone can share their experience with this switch and how long the adjustment period was.

I’ve had POTS since 2022 and started propranolol in 2023. I took 80mg ER for several years and it was a miracle drug for me (50% improvement) although I still struggled with debilitating symptoms. My HR was around 80-90bmp at rest and around 130bpm standing quietly which is way better than it was unmedicated.

Fast forward to September — I had stents placed in both internal jugular veins to treat another problem. Suddenly my average BP fell to around 90/60. Nights as low as 60s/40s which isn’t really safe. We reduced my propranolol dose to 60mg and it had little effect on BP but my HR went up again

I discussed this with my cardiologist (POTS-informed) about ten days ago and she decided to switch me from the propranolol to ivabradine. The idea was to get better HR control without depressing my BP as much. I’ve been on 5mg ivabradine 2x daily for about a week.

It’s been a bit of a nightmare…my BP is still low, my HR is still just as high (plus a spike in afternoon HR between ivabradine doses) and I feel AWFUL. My objective vitals are about the same but I feel a lot worse subjectively — my postural headaches and dizziness are totally disabling and I also feel shaky, anxious, wired, restless, etc. I literally feel like I drank 8 cups of coffee in one go.

Has anyone experienced this when switching between these drugs? How long should I give this before it’s clear that the ivabradine is a bad fit (and this isn’t just propranolol withdrawal)?

I’m miserable but I don’t want to throw in the towel too soon because it’s not an option to go up on the propranolol again due to BP and I’ve already tried and failed midodrine, pyridostigmine, fludricortisone, and droxidopa. I’m also on fluids and IVIG (mostly for other issues) already.

Thank you 🙏

Hello. I currently have Medi-Cal benefits (CA Medicaid). I qualify on the basis of income (zero) so it’s MAGI Medi-Cal.

I’m in the process of applying for disability benefits. If approved, am I automatically switched to non-MAGI Medi-Cal (and newly subject to asset tests), or can I keep MAGI Medi-Cal if my SSDI benefit is below the maximum income threshold for MAGI? I’m a young adult with little work history so my benefit will be really low.

Basically, if I’m confirmed disabled by the SSA but still eligible for MAGI Medi-cal based on income, can I keep it and avoid the asset restrictions that come with a non-MAGI plan?

Would FICA be owed in the following hypothetical scenario?

An undergraduate student is given $2500 as a fellowship grant for summer research. The research is conducted under a professor but NOT for credit. There are no restrictions on what the grant can/cannot be used for.

From what I understand — if the student uses the grant for tuition and fees, it’s non-taxable. If they use it for personal expenses, it’s taxable.

In the second (taxable) scenario, does the student owe FICA or just basic income tax? If the student WANTED to report it as income and pay FICA (for example, to get social security work credits) would this be an option?

Just trying to understand the nuances here — because in some places the IRS says that FICA must be paid if the grant is provided in exchange for research services (as this is basically employment); and in other places it says that students are exempt from FICA when employed by their university.

Thank you ✌️