Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Well, my resting is down on the metoprolol. At first was 55 to 60 but has been creeping up over the last year. Probably at about 80 during the day. Weight is not an issue for me although I did lose about 15 pounds over the last six months because of a diet change. It is just always so interesting that though are hearts are beep-bopping all over the place --- that all is "normal". Really severe palpitations can be so disconcerting. So I really get it when people are anxious about that.

Hi, my name is Tim. I received a heart transplant 12 years ago. I have had 5 stents in my new heart and 2 years ago had a pacemaker installed because of a Brady event. Needed adjustment early on but doing well now. Taking meds to help regulate irregular heartbeat. Thanks for allowing me to participate.

No, Mayo did not do this. My surgery was in Buffalo, NY. I was told that I could have MRIs before they left the dead lead in. Then they said I couldn’t. I hate those tests anyway. Best of luck to you.

@bjork579 Hello Tim

I see that this is your first post on Connect. Welcome! I am glad that you have chosen to participate. I am very impressed with all of the good cardiac treatment you have had, including a heart transplant. I'd like to introduce you to @rosemarya. Rosemary is the volunteer mentor of the Transplant discussions and has had two transplants herself (kidney and liver). I am sure she would like to welcome you to post in her discussion groups as well.

I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Teresa

Thanks much. I look forward to participating.

Hi, My name is Barbara. I will be 79 tomorrow and I have had heart palpitations, which are under control. My husband Adrian is 95, has had a valve replacement, and has a fib. He has no pain or discomfort, but "I can't run down the street like I used to."
It's nice to know there are other people out there with experience with our health issues.

@babs2519 Hello Barbara:

I see this is just your second post on Connect. Welcome! I so appreciate your post - you and your husband have a delightful sense of humor. When you said, "It's nice to know there are other people out there with experience with our health issues," you stated one of the most important purposes of Connect. As we all share our experiences, we learn from each other and don't feel so all alone in our situation.

I am Teresa, a volunteer mentor on Connect. I too have some heart problems, including aortic insufficiency, LBBB, diastolic dysfunction and some rapid heart beats that come and go.

If you care to share, when was your husband's valve replacement? Has he done well since that procedure?

I look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

Teresa

It was postponed due to the doctor not being available.
It was confirmed yesterday that i do have primary APLS and that I dont have lupus.
I also have bilateral footdrop that is finally almost gone after months of PT and have been walking unaided for 3 months now with just a few issues with balance.
I have been having a bit of side pain. So am afraid my kidneys might be having issues again and don't wish to go back on dialysis again if i can avoid it. My last dialysis catheter developed multi clots in my jugular. :/
Its been a lot this last year that's for sure but am doing great.

@skymya I appreciate your sharing your most recent diagnosis of APLS. I would be interested in hearing more about that. Could you explain how that was diagnosed?

Teresa

Sure.. Its usually only diagnosed after an issue has happened such as a blood clot. They do a blood draw and check for 3 different things, anticardiolipin, beta-2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), and lupus anticoagulant. I came back neg on the lupus but have both of the others. Then a 12 weeks wait or so and repeat the test again because some blood thinners and heart attack meds can give a false positive after a major event such as I unfortunately had. Yesterday was my second positive test results.
I also cant follow my own INR at home due to error reading caused by the APLS proteins.

If I had followed up with a doctor after i had blood clots 3 days after giving birth 17 years ago with preeclampsia, both warning signs of APLS, I might have been diagnosed earlier.