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Afib & PVC's
Have been experiencing heart flutters, jumping, hesitating, pulsating, flopping, twitching, thumping, quivering sensations (you name it, I've felt it), for 40 years. Have lived with it since being told 35 years ago that's what I had to do. Over this period I had a couple of instances where my heart would start racing but only for a few seconds. Well, four years ago I was sitting at my desk at work one night and the racing kicked in, but this time it lasted for 14 hours. Since then, the AFIB incidents slowly got more frequent and so did all the flutters, jumping, hesitating, etc. to the point they were more alarming. I do have a cardiologist that I've been seeing for about 3 years now. Put me on metropolol tartrate then switched to metropolol succinate, anywhere from 50-100 milligrams a day. Don't know if it has really helped or not. Also taking Vitamin C, D, Magnesium and baby aspirin. Have been prescribed blood thinners the last couple of years as well as dilitizem but have been afraid to take any of it. When in AFIB, my heart beats very hard at between 175-200 beats a minute. Have had several holter meters, echocardiograms, stress test over the last few years but everything appears to be normal. The holter meters did record hundreds of skips and other bothersome beating each day, and one time recorded 8,000 over a two-day period. On two occasions since April, 2017, I went into AFIB for several hours then, of course it always stops on its own. But, these two times it remained with me like aftershocks going in and out of AFIB numerous times over a two or three day period after the initial AFIB incident. Heart will feel very strange going in and out of these numerous incidents and makes me a little light headed. Feels like the heart is just rumbling around not knowing what to do. Very scary. Ablation has been talked about in the past and when I am at my worst I really start considering it. I do try and get through this all over the years by pushing myself and deciding I'm just going to live my life the best I can. I am still a smoker, drink black coffee and drink beer maybe 3 or 4 a week. Been told however to cut down on all of it. But I am stubborn. Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.
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Hello
This was so Interresting. I read the
whole thing with great interrest.
As I to have the Afib issues.
Always wondering if your on the right meds for one thing or another.
Sometimes I'd like to question it
but, I don't have all the knowledge
Of change.
Good story
Success101
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1 ReactionHi Larry, @crashnam
I certainly hear where you are coming from. I had many days (before I retired) that I went into work with diverticulitis and just roughed it out until 4:30. It's a tough way to live, I know. Sometimes, however, changes in our physical health cause us to reconsider our lifestyle. I am hoping that you can find a supportive person in your life to assist you with the changes you need to make. It will certainly be a big benefit to you in the long run.
It sounds like you have not sought out a second opinion, yet. Why not at least give it a try? Just taking small steps can eventually turn the tide and you may find some help along the way. For example, take small steps with everything - like maybe one less cigarette per day for a week, one less cup of coffee each day, etc. Talk to one person each week, about what you are trying to accomplish.
Maybe it will help?
Teresa
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1 ReactionThanks Martin. I think we've talked before. Things are just really complicated for me.
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1 ReactionThanks for your reply. Hope you can feel better.
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1 ReactionThanks for your reply. Gets complicated doesn't it?
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1 ReactionWell, Teresa, that's where the "give up" attitude takes over. Sometimes I figure what's the use, it's too late. I will however, consider your advice. Please keep in touch.
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1 ReactionHi Larry, @crashnam
Thanks for keeping in touch with everyone who has posted. We all appreciate your responses to the posts. I would like to invite another person into this conversation, @johnjames, who is also a Veteran. He was a Chaplain and saw a lot of action and speaks of current health problems related to Agent Orange. While you have never mentioned AO exposure, @johnjames may be able to offer some suggestions on how Veterans feel about life and how they deal with health problems.
Please know that we continue to encourage you to seek out for answers that would be helpful for you!
Teresa
Hi, Thanks. Yeah, I was exposed to agent orange.
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1 ReactionLarry @crashnam,
Thanks for letting me know that. We have some other member who might also join you in conversation.
Teresa
Larry, @crashnam
Here is a discussion that you might find helpful. As you will see, the title is Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders, however many veterans also responded about heart conditions. Feel free to post directly to these folks, just put an "@" sign before their user name (like I did with yours above).
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/agent-orange-and-neurological-disorders/?pg=4
Teresa