Hi, Thanks. Yeah, I was exposed to agent orange.

Larry @crashnam,

Thanks for letting me know that. We have some other member who might also join you in conversation.

Teresa

Hi @crashnam,

We are so glad you've reached out to Mayo Clinic Connect; by sharing your story, you are actually giving yourself the best opportunity to learn and advocate for your health.

I'd sincerely encourage you to view these active and incredibly informative conversations on Connect as well:
– AFib questions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/good-morning-im-almost-66-years-old-with-infrequent-afib-and-on/
– Should I consider ablation? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/jimana-79-year-old-male-caucasian-excellent-health-and-regular-exercise-with-history/
– Afib after ablation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/afib-after-ablation/?pg=1#comment-54125

Meanwhile, I'd like to introduce you to @jmgm @debbee @martishka @vermontrob @debcrawford @jhoffmanj @darrellb @prescott @topaz @charlottemaxine @twptrustrek @nadine66; do you have any thoughts and insights to share with Larry, @crashnam?

Hi. Haven’t had the willpower yet to cut down on coffee or cigarettes. I only drink beer occasionally. Have had PVC’s since returning from Vietnam, but tolerated them for 40 years. When AFIB started four years ago (intermittent), PVC’s seem to get worse which was more alarming to me than the AFIB. Went 5 or 6 months in between episodes, then 3 or 4 weeks, then 10-12 days. BPM would be 200 or above for 6-12 hours. Since April, AFIB occurrences have become more infrequent anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, which is an improvement. Why, I don’t know. I went 47 days at one point without one. I will get little 10 or 15 second AFIB events once and awhile along with my PVC’s. I’m beginning to feel PVC’s in upper stomach, especially when I exert myself too much. Just taking metropolol (50 mg twice a day), and baby aspirin. Been prescribed other drugs but don’t want to take them. Hope you are doing okay.

Hi Larry @crashnam

Thank you for checking in with an update. If you are comfortable sharing more, what are the other meds that the doctor has suggested for you? Also, you mention an increase in symptoms when you "exert yourself too much." Is this exercise induced (like walking, biking etc.) or when you are lifting something heavy (in other words, exertion in activities of daily living) ?

I found some websites that discuss health problems and Agent Orange exposure that you might find interesting or at least helpful, https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/ and https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp

Also, are your doctors aware of your exposure to Agent Orange?

Teresa

Other meds would be Eliquis, Diltiazem and Atorvastatin. Don't take eliquis because I have occasional bleeding hemorrhoids, and the diltiazem supposedly slows the heart down and I would hate to feel all of the numerous types of palps and pvc's at a slower rate. AFIB has been fewer incidents and longer in between incidents for at least 5 months. I have mentioned agent orange but doc's feel there is no correlation. Noticed about two months ago that sometimes any kind of physical exertion will trigger PVC's. Other times I can still do physical work and won't bother me until later on. Over the years sometimes my heart feels weak and like a hair trigger with the slightest movement triggering the PVC's. Sometimes I will get a squeezing or choking off sensation. Through all of this, however, there are still times when my heart purrs like a kitten. A good steady beat, 70-85. Also been feeling more palps in the upper stomach area. Bottom line, there is still no set pattern with my problems. Again, I do smoke and drink strong coffee every day. Wish I could stop for a few days and see if it would make a difference. But, all of the above makes me nervous, and smoking especially is a nervous habit. I still try to push myself and do things since the dr's say none of this is life threatening, but many times it feels like it is. I do have emphysema, with no problems breathing, and dr's say the lungs would not cause any of my heart sensations.

@crashnam

Given your lung/heart problems you might consider a cardiopulmonary test. It is similar to a stress test on a treadmill, but has the added feature of a device in your mouth that measures the oxygen level during the testing period. You would probably need to go to larger medical center for this test - a cardiologist's office would probably not have this type of testing.

Also, I would keep mentioning your Agent Orange exposure to whatever doctor you see - don't write if off, just because your current doctor doesn't think it is relevant.

Are you anywhere near a university or larger medical center?

Teresa