[New] 2 new heart groups: Aortic Aneurysms and Heart Rhythm Conditions

I have a fib and I am a 68 yr old woman. Please send all your data for people with atrial fib.

Hello. I also am a 68 year old women with afib, diagnosed in 2014. I take 12.5 mg Metropolol and also Xarelto daily. I don't seem to have any bad side effects from these medications although I generally do not like taking medications. If I take an extra Metropolol when in afib as doctor suggested, my blood pressure seems to drop too much so I don't take that extra very often. My afib comes and goes; it happens 2-3 times per week and I definitely feel terrible when it is happening. When I am in afib I have shortness of breath and am extremely fatigued. When it stops I feel much better. At the suggestion of a friend who has a homeopathic doctor, I am currently trying daily foot soaks with magnesium oil (magnesium chloride), along with 100 mg Ubiquinol daily, and am hoping that will help. A few months ago, my doctor was all set to put in a pacemaker which he said might relieve some of the symptoms but I am not sure I want to do that.

Hello @tigas,

Welcome to Connect. I’d like to introduce you to other members who have talked about a-fib here in the community, and who may be able to share their experiences. Please meet @martishka @twptrustrek @jhoffmanj @irishblueileen @billmichalski @success101 @nadine66 @carnes @jimana Mentor @hopeful33250, in addition to @karenatmayo who you’ve already met.

You may also wish to review the conversations in this discussion:
– AFib questions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/good-morning-im-almost-66-years-old-with-infrequent-afib-and-on/

@tigas, what kind of a-fib data are you looking for? Do you have questions or concerns about the a-fib? Please feel free to ask away – the Connect community is listening.

Hello,
I hang out in the other parts of the Mayo Clinic Connect. Now, I'm over here because I was just told that I have Arrythmia's and 1 ascending and 1 descending aortic aneurysm. The largest one measuring 4.7 but that is going to be clarified as soon as I get my Cat scan report. My Cardiologist put me on Metoprolol and Eliquis after the results of my 7 day heart monitor. I knew I was having a few palpitations and PVC's but really didn't mention them because they were few and far between, so I thought. On day 2 of wearing the heart monitor, my heart started racing and I could hardly count the beats because the arrythmia was going so fast. I'm glad they were able to catch that episode. My heart was beating 150 rate lasting about 3-4 hours. I considered going to the ER but I hate going there. (I know, stubborn) so , I drank a lot of water and went to bed. I thought I was probably dehydrated. My heart settled down and I felt ok the next day. According to the report, I had more episodes than I realized I was having.
Having 2 aortic aneurysms and tachycardia and finding out there's a place for me in another area of the Mayo Clinic for both, If you don't mind, I'll be hanging out here for awhile. I can learn a lot from you folks in here just by sharing your story. I'm 69yrs old with a fairly amount of problems. But, right now this one is rearing it 's ugly head and I have questions. My Cardiologist put me on Metoprolol 25mg and Eliquis5mg X2 daily. The Metoprolol is making me lethargic but they say it gets better. To be honest , I'm feeling discouraged and that's ok as long as it doesn't go on and on. I'm having moments of sheer panic as to how my life will go from here. Having 2 aneurysms already was causing me stress and now it's something else. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I just need to hear how others are coping. I just need time to get into acceptance. Educating myself as much as I can about the diagnosis's is going to give me important information that I need to know. I've got an appointment with my Cardio doc this Friday so that I can hear what he has to say. 4 days ago I spoke with the P.A. and I'm not sure she gave me all the information I need, I didn't know what to ask. Metoprolol is medicine that is a beta-blocker taken once daily to treat high blood pressure, manage long-term chest pain (angina), and improve survival and reduce hospitalization in heart failure. It works by slowing your heart rate and easing the heart's workload. I read this when I got home. My question to the doctor is which or all of these reasons is the reason why I'm taking this drug. I also read that once you are on this medicine, you have to take for the rest of your life. Thank you for "listening" to my story.
Jan A. so California

@janagain
Jan, welcome to this corner of Connect. I’m glad you found your way over here, although I’m sorry it took two new diagnoses to bring you. You’ve had a lot of information come at you very quickly, and I can understand needing some time to absorb it all.

It sounds like Friday’s appointment will be an important opportunity to get some of the pieces put together. I think your question about exactly why your cardiologist prescribed metoprolol is a good one. You might also ask whether they expect it to be long-term in your particular situation, what they want your heart rate and blood pressure to run, and what symptoms or heart-rate changes should mean calling the office or going in for urgent care.

You mentioned feeling lethargic since starting metoprolol. Be sure to tell your cardiologist that too, especially if it is interfering with your normal activities.

And I think you came to exactly the right place for the other thing you’re looking for - people who understand what it is like to receive a diagnosis like this and then figure out how to live with it.

For those of you living with an aortic aneurysm or an arrhythmia, what helped you most during those first weeks or months after diagnosis? Was there anything you wish you had known or asked your cardiologist at the beginning? What Connect discussion do you recommend @janagain peruse to learn and get plugged in?

Jan, after your appointment Friday, will you come back and let us know what you learn?

@jlharsh
Hi Janell,
My bad on the appt which was last Friday but it was with the PA. Honestly, she was talking but I wasn't hearing. Like I was in shock and didn't know what to say. I think I went straight to denial. But I certainly have a story to tell so far and I need direction. So much has been thrown at me, I'm very overwhelmed. After finding out about the A fib, they put me on two meds , as I said, Eliquis and Metoprolol. I seem to be doing ok and I take the Metoprolol at night. I had a Cat Scan with contrast on Aug 12th. I have the report in my hand.
Impression: 1. No aneurysmal dilation of the abdominal aorta. No high-grade stenosis. 2. 73 x 67 mm abdominal wall diaphragmatic defect and hiatal hernia. I knew I had a "small" , at the time, hiatal hernia approx. 5 years ago. Was never told that it was a diaphragmatic situation. I'm shocked at how big it is and am I going to have to have surgery better than later to get this repaired.
I still have the ascending aortic aneurysm but they didn't mention it on this CT scan results. I was most certainly told by another BIG well known hospital that I had an descending aortic aneurysm. Question, did they refer the diaphragmatic defect and hiatal hernia an aneurysm? The reason I have two Cardiac doctors is because i started going to this particular doctor who is in my home town vs. driving 2 hours in traffic to the well known place. They actually contacted me and said that they would handle everything. In the meantime I have the other doctor close by that I had an appt with. I told him I had a descending aortic aneurysm. He looked at me kind of puzzled and ordered the Cat Scan AND casually questioned me if I was having any palpitations, pvc or A fib. I had a little and he asked me if I felt it monthly or weekly. I told him, weekly. Right away he ordered the 7 day heart monitor. On day 2 , my heart pounded so bad I couldn't count it. It set me back and I was really scared. I didn't call 911 , I just layed down and drank water. I thought I was dehydrated. Now that I have this very large diaphragmatic defect that could be possibly pushing into my chest and putting pressure on the heart? I know I googled it, and it said if it is pushing up into my chest that it could cause A fib. Now, I'm wondering what is causing the A Fib. Am I taking the metoprolol and Eliquis for a reason? I need to go over all this with the Cardiologist and ask questions. I also have an appt Thursday to see my primary and get her input. Here's another question, I have lost 75lbs in the last 5 years. I then found out I was diabetic even after losing the weight. Then the dr asked me if I'd like to try Ozempic to control my diabetes. And I'm almost to a normal weight. I'm almost the weight I was when I got married in 1979. I'm so glad that I'm not dealing with a larger frame or I 'd really be in trouble with all the surgeries I've had that would never have taken place. The a1c is down and that's a big deal. Now I'm on 2 new meds and the Metoprolol and a Eliquis a blood thinner. I'm afraid I will throw a clot and have a stroke. I've got sleep apnea too and the diabetes. Comorbidity at it's best. Now it's A fib.
I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I'm a very positive person. It's just knocked me down like rock. Overwhelmed is the only word I can think of. I truly value the people on these boards who talk about the same situation I'm in and how to handle it. Did I mention that I have a hiatal hernia along with the diaphragmatic defect. So there's a lot going on in the stomach area. I've been taking prescription strength Omeprazole and it's working, somewhat. What do I deal with first? Thank you for all your support.
Jan A. Fallbrook , CA

@janagain Jan, I can understand why “overwhelmed” is the word that keeps coming to mind. You have several new findings and reports that don’t seem to line up neatly.

If it were me, I would find the report or visit summary where you were told about the descending aortic aneurysm and take it, along with this CT report, to your primary care appointment Thursday. You have good instincts. I think your own question is a good place to start: “What do I deal with first?” You might also ask which doctor should be managing each issue and how the pieces fit together.

Others may have helpful ideas too. When several conditions and specialists are involved, what has helped you keep track of who is managing what and what needs attention first?

Over the years I have worked in the medical field. Not a nurse nor a doctor. I worked in units from Day Surgery to Chemical Dependency. I went to school for Interior design and loved that.
I think the reason I am able to manage is I learned that at my job. Patients were admitted and I put all the orders into the computer. Maybe that is why I'm handling this physically but emotionally it's a bit much. I'm having a stress test today and I see the PA on Thurs. I wrote down all the questions and hope to get more answers. You're absolutely right about finding the ultrasound report that said I have both ascending and descending. Thanks
Has anyone here on message boards have a diaphragmatic defect?
Jan A. Fallbrook CA