been seeing doctors

[Ozmercy]

Well since I had some issues last month I have seen a new cardiologist (I really didn't want to change) and I have been seeing a gastro guy. I am up early on my way out the door right now for a colonoscpy. I did a halter test and an echo (haven't heard the results from the echo yet) but the halter was interesting. I am having irregular beats, but the doctor said the way he would normally treat that is with a beta blocker, but he just cut me back on my beta blocker because my heart rate was so slow that I was feeling really lethargic especially at the end of the day. My heart rate was in the low to mid 40's. I am now taking 25 mg atenolol a day and half a vasotec (I think that makes it 2.5 mgs) and yet my pulse is still usually in the low to mid 50's and sometimes in the evening is dipping into the 40's still. I think the new guy I have ended up with as a cardio is really smart but a new cardio and not used to issues like mine. So many of these guys are great with CAD but not with the heart defects. Well what do you all think. I am still having irregular beats I have gas pains in my epigastric and some that even refer to my chest (they go away with burping) and I have had diarhea off and on for 6 weeks now. I am a mess but trying to keep a good attitude. I do have energy but not as much as I was feeling 2 months ago. In fact I was just about to try and work in the fire station again when all of this happened and kicked me back into a slow mode. I was walking up 3 flights of stairs and almost fainted so I don't think I am ready to do the work of a firefighter again. I am even seriously considering early retirement which I had no interest in before. I am thinking that some of this is my meds. I am so confused!

 

[Karlynn]

I agree, it is difficult to find a cardiologist who is familiar with issues dealing with valve disease and doesn't try to relate everything through CAD.

I will also tell you that anytime I get indigestion that is more than a little uncomfortable I also get some arrhythmia. Of even if I've eaten too much at dinner, and I have that too full feeling, I'll sometimes get arrhythmia. So for me, my digestive tract dose have something to do with some of my arrhythmia. So I would say that it is possible your primary issue could be the gastrointestinal tract and it, in turn is causing some heart discomfort.

Best wishes.

 

[Marguerite53]

My first thought was, hey..get a grip. And that is not meant in a rude way. But rather, to suggest that you only need to focus on curing your ills right now....don't go making career changes/possibly regretable decisions because you've hit a bumpy road. You love your job and you're needed there (god knows) and let's just get you through this health thing first, okay?

Did they do an endoscopy? Did they rule out any stomach bacteria? I would think with the on again, off again thing they might think it was a bacterial infection deep in your stomach. Maybe a round of antibiotics could do the trick.

What about food allergies? Are you keeping a food diary of what you eat every day? I've had airborne allergies for the first time this year...never had so much as a sneeze. Maybe this first year or so we are just alot less able to ward off environmental combatants.

My visit with the cardio 2 days ago turned out mostly to be about blood pressure management. Mine isn't low like yours, nor is it terribly high, we just want it to be just right. Please know that there are "about a million" different BP meds you can try (cardio's words) and if these particular ones are not doing the trick then you can try another.

My understanding is that irregular heartbeats (depending on what type they are) can be quite harmless. If the meds are affecting you badly, then maybe you just need to get used to the irregular heartbeats (I find that if I stay away from caffeine, tabasco sauce and other hot stuff and chocolate that they really do not flare up). Again....if they are not the benign kind, this is obviously my bad opinion.

Colonoscopies are no fun!! Hope you've had a dreamy day and not too much of a hassle with it (the hassle is mostly in the prep, anyway). Please let us know what they discover.

Good luck!

Marguerite

 

[Bina]

I totally understand what you are going through....the right dose of beta blockers can be tricky. Mine is 75 mg of metoprolol per day to keep my heart steady and my HR around 65. Your very low heart rate would be very tiring.

I also have trouble later on in the day when I eat dinner (low salt, low fat, small plate), I get the pounding heart thing. What I do now is take 1/4 of a 25 mg pill before dinner, and take the remaining dose at 8 p.m. I eat slow, sip on water, and still get the big burping.
Hubby responds with "Ya, baby" when I have these huge belches
Needless to say, I stay away from restaurants....

your diarrhea (sp) issue is an indicator of something else going on, I would definitely have that checked out.
Hang in there, and I agree on not making any career choices while you are on this bumpy little path.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome Oz,

Yep, contradictory issues are tricky to manage. Yes, most cardiologists seem to have a better grip on CAD issues than valve and systemic issues. You may want to consult with a Cardiologist who specializes in ElectroPhysiology which deals with the timing of your heartbeats.

Do you remember which types of arrhythmias you have?
PAC's and PVC's (Premature Atrial Contractions and Premature Ventricular Contractions) are generally considered to be benign 'nuisances'.

Getting your GI issues under control will greatly improve your life! If you have GERD (GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease), you can reduce the incidence of 'events' by avoiding Caffeine (Coffee, Tea, Colas, CHOCOLATE , Peppermint), elevating the Head of your Bed, and wearing pants that are NOT tight around your waist.

Note that Caffeine and electrolyte balance can have significant influence on arrhythmias.

Let us know how your tests go. (Note that separating your posts into smaller paragraphs would improve readability.)

Best wishes,

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ozmercy]

scope

scope

I just got home from my scope and he did take out quite a few samples from polyps etc. I will talk to him later next week about all the results. I really liked this new doctor he was very attentive to my questions and had a good bedside manner. his reputation is quite impeccable. He was looking for indications of colon cancer and for bacteria given the fact that i ate at a mexican restaurant the day before this whole thing started. My diet of late has been rice, chicken soup, chicken breasts (unseasoned) potatoes, some cooked veggies and some pasta. Pretty broing but it keeps most of the pain away

Thanks to all of you for the advice on the arrythmias. I think when I go to yet another cardiologist on May 10 I will bring up some of my med concerns. The irregullarity appears to be PVC's.

Lastly I am kind of in a holding pattern regarding retirement. I desire to volunteer more time to mentor young men and could do more of that if I was retired, but this is definitely not the time to make that decision. I just sometimes feel like it is time to be done. It is a young mans job. If I sart feeling better again, I may try and go to a sleepy hollow type of station where they aren't as busy. Thanks again for the advice it is always good to know that there are others out there struggling with the same issues.

 

[Marguerite53]

Yeesh. I hate waiting on the weekend. Hope you get your results first thing on Monday! Let's bet that they find a gnarly bacteria, put you on some super perfect antibiotics and have you back for tacos in a few weeks!!

Glad you liked the new doctors.

Glad you have some design in mind for retirement. Our son sent this article to us. We're close to retiring, but not there. We really liked this article...sound advice.

Marguerite

BUSINESS / RETIREMENT | April 10, 2007
Never Too Early: Training to Be Old
By CLAUDIA H. DEUTSCH

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/b...04977d4f227024&ex=1177214400&pagewanted=print

 

[Lynlw]

I'm sorry you are going thru a couple things at once. Have you considerred going to a cardiologist that speciallizes in Adults w/ CHD since they are more used to dealing with structural problems and not aquired heart disease? If you are interested there is a great listing of ACHD centers at ACHAheart.org you have to register, I believe but it is free.

 

[Bina]

If I went for Mexican food I would be leaving a trail all the way to the ER
Hopefully you have just a stray bacteria .

My system was touchy before the OHS, we do the chicken, rice, pasta, veggies, potatoes, etc. Yes, it's bland....so we add herbs and lemon.

And like Al said: Head of bed elevated, and loose fitting sweat pants....oh, so very sexy!!
Best wishes.

 

[Susan BAV]

This is a really frustrating place for you to be. Sorry. Hopefully all these digestive/plumbing issues and med issues will smooth out and you'll feel much better very soon. Take care and post again.

 

[Ross]

I don't know that I'd throw in the towel about work just yet. Lets see what buttman discovers about your interior and if he has some resolutions in store. A simple proton pump inhibitor may be all you need.

 

[Ozmercy]

thanks for all the advice

thanks for all the advice

I love to get responses from Ross.

I don't know that I'd throw in the towel about work just yet. Lets see what buttman discovers about your interior and if he has some resolutions in store. A simple proton pump inhibitor may be all you need.

You always at least make me laugh and laughter is good medicine.

I am sitting at Paneras and had a bagel and a small amount of decaf coffee. First time since last March. I have been feeling great since the procedure, probably because there is nothing in me, but today I have a very erratic heart beat. So wierd. I know that there is a little caffeine in decaf so maybe it is what is ailing me right now. I am just sitting here.

Well thanks to all for the advice and I hope that this next cardiologist helps me out and takes a good look at meds etc. the last guy just said I guess you just have to live with it this way. I am not buying that. I wasn't doing this before the food event early in March. I am sure that either my meds are just not right anymore or I am chemically out of balance. I am trying to find a good internist in my hometown area who can look at the big picture, but I think I am going to have to travel to find a good one. Oh well I know that there is hope in the future it just is getting a little old right now.

 

[musician2k]

I've been having some of these same issues, Oz. Irregular heartbeats, POUNDING heartbeats. And, I have a pacemaker! So the beats shouldn't be irregular.

I was happy to see Ross mention the proton-pump inhibitor. Unfortunately, I've had a bad reaction to one...it caused migraines for much of the month of April for me. Migraine is listed as a rare side effect for this particular one. So, we stopped that. Then they switched me to Prevacid. That made my digestive system a mess. The worst symptom was pain & constipation. If it doesn't clear up soon, I'll have to go the same route you've gone, here, with your situation.

My only concern with proton-pump inhibitors (and maybe even acid-pump inhibitors) is the rare but serious side effect of thrombocytopenia which I assume for those of us on warfarin would be a no-no.