Hi -- I'm 81. Have had AFib for at least 10 yrs. I take metoprolol succinate ER 25 mg. in a.m. and p.m. Various cardiologists and hospitals have prescribed diltiazem, ameridione, digoxin, furosemide ... I only took ameridione for a couple of weeks. I read up on it and what I read scared me so I stopped it. I don't know much about the others -- just figured I don't want to take several meds. Plus furosemide is a diuretic and I have never had fluid retention. IMHO furosemide should not have been prescribed for me. As we all know we have to educate ourselves about any meds or procedures. The first cardiologist I did kind of trust and I liked him. HOWEVER, at one visit he PUSHED me to see another cardiologist in the office. I didn't know anything about the types of cardiologists. The one I was pushed onto apparently is/was one who does cardiac ablations - which I knew nothing about. He didn't explain ANYTHING. Being in his small office felt like being in a Closing Room at a car dealer. He was practically holding the pen as he pushed a paper in front of me. I admit -- I was a sheeple -- and signed the paper (consent form). and agreed to letting him do it just b/4 christmas 2 yrs. ago. He set a time. Luckily I came to my senses after I went home.... cancelled the proposed surgery, asked lots of questions, and cc'd the questions to the cardiologist who i'd been seeing and who referred me to the so-called dr for cardiac ablation. I asked lots of questions, the Ablation-Happy dr tried to give me simplified non-answers. And finally, he gave up... knowing that in salesman's parlance I was a lousy prospect. Ultimately my regular doctor gave me the of a concierge cardiologist (aka CC) -- who is really great, knowledgeable, doesn't push anything on me. Turned out the concierge cardiologist had previously been a member of the group practice where Salesman Sam belonged. I told the CC about Salesman Sam. The CC knew exactly who that "dr" is/was. He laughed in a nice way and asked me if he could tell his Office Mgr. my experiences. (She had been the Mgr. in Salesman Sam's group.) She laughed and said how much she liked and respected the cardiologist in the group that I'd been seeing for a while. I made them both laugh, even more, when I recanted the details of my being in Salesman Sam's Closing Room.
Anyway, the CC is expensive but to me, it's worth it to keep my heart pumping. Also, CC is available 24 hrs. a day, answers his emails right away, gave me his cell number. Recently my regular dr said I should be taking a statin. Which I know is advisable for many patients. So I called CC, told him my HDL and LDL were good numbers -- he advised that I don't need a statin. Sorry to be so long-winded but I wanted to share. I also take rivaroxaban 20 mg. daily. Judy
Hi -- I'm 81. Have had AFib for at least 10 yrs. I take metoprolol succinate ER 25 mg. in a.m. and p.m. Various cardiologists and hospitals have prescribed diltiazem, ameridione, digoxin, furosemide ... I only took ameridione for a couple of weeks. I read up on it and what I read scared me so I stopped it. I don't know much about the others -- just figured I don't want to take several meds. Plus furosemide is a diuretic and I have never had fluid retention. IMHO furosemide should not have been prescribed for me. As we all know we have to educate ourselves about any meds or procedures. The first cardiologist I did kind of trust and I liked him. HOWEVER, at one visit he PUSHED me to see another cardiologist in the office. I didn't know anything about the types of cardiologists. The one I was pushed onto apparently is/was one who does cardiac ablations - which I knew nothing about. He didn't explain ANYTHING. Being in his small office felt like being in a Closing Room at a car dealer. He was practically holding the pen as he pushed a paper in front of me. I admit -- I was a sheeple -- and signed the paper (consent form). and agreed to letting him do it just b/4 christmas 2 yrs. ago. He set a time. Luckily I came to my senses after I went home.... cancelled the proposed surgery, asked lots of questions, and cc'd the questions to the cardiologist who i'd been seeing and who referred me to the so-called dr for cardiac ablation. I asked lots of questions, the Ablation-Happy dr tried to give me simplified non-answers. And finally, he gave up... knowing that in salesman's parlance I was a lousy prospect. Ultimately my regular doctor gave me the of a concierge cardiologist (aka CC) -- who is really great, knowledgeable, doesn't push anything on me. Turned out the concierge cardiologist had previously been a member of the group practice where Salesman Sam belonged. I told the CC about Salesman Sam. The CC knew exactly who that "dr" is/was. He laughed in a nice way and asked me if he could tell his Office Mgr. my experiences. (She had been the Mgr. in Salesman Sam's group.) She laughed and said how much she liked and respected the cardiologist in the group that I'd been seeing for a while. I made them both laugh, even more, when I recanted the details of my being in Salesman Sam's Closing Room.
Anyway, the CC is expensive but to me, it's worth it to keep my heart pumping. Also, CC is available 24 hrs. a day, answers his emails right away, gave me his cell number. Recently my regular dr said I should be taking a statin. Which I know is advisable for many patients. So I called CC, told him my HDL and LDL were good numbers -- he advised that I don't need a statin. Sorry to be so long-winded but I wanted to share. I also take rivaroxaban 20 mg. daily. Judy
Thank You very much for so much wonderful information. I am going to change heart doctors and get another opinion on my
situation. I take no medicines at all except
for my blood thinner Eliquis which helps
prevent against a stroke.
Hi -- I'm 81. Have had AFib for at least 10 yrs. I take metoprolol succinate ER 25 mg. in a.m. and p.m. Various cardiologists and hospitals have prescribed diltiazem, ameridione, digoxin, furosemide ... I only took ameridione for a couple of weeks. I read up on it and what I read scared me so I stopped it. I don't know much about the others -- just figured I don't want to take several meds. Plus furosemide is a diuretic and I have never had fluid retention. IMHO furosemide should not have been prescribed for me. As we all know we have to educate ourselves about any meds or procedures. The first cardiologist I did kind of trust and I liked him. HOWEVER, at one visit he PUSHED me to see another cardiologist in the office. I didn't know anything about the types of cardiologists. The one I was pushed onto apparently is/was one who does cardiac ablations - which I knew nothing about. He didn't explain ANYTHING. Being in his small office felt like being in a Closing Room at a car dealer. He was practically holding the pen as he pushed a paper in front of me. I admit -- I was a sheeple -- and signed the paper (consent form). and agreed to letting him do it just b/4 christmas 2 yrs. ago. He set a time. Luckily I came to my senses after I went home.... cancelled the proposed surgery, asked lots of questions, and cc'd the questions to the cardiologist who i'd been seeing and who referred me to the so-called dr for cardiac ablation. I asked lots of questions, the Ablation-Happy dr tried to give me simplified non-answers. And finally, he gave up... knowing that in salesman's parlance I was a lousy prospect. Ultimately my regular doctor gave me the of a concierge cardiologist (aka CC) -- who is really great, knowledgeable, doesn't push anything on me. Turned out the concierge cardiologist had previously been a member of the group practice where Salesman Sam belonged. I told the CC about Salesman Sam. The CC knew exactly who that "dr" is/was. He laughed in a nice way and asked me if he could tell his Office Mgr. my experiences. (She had been the Mgr. in Salesman Sam's group.) She laughed and said how much she liked and respected the cardiologist in the group that I'd been seeing for a while. I made them both laugh, even more, when I recanted the details of my being in Salesman Sam's Closing Room.
Anyway, the CC is expensive but to me, it's worth it to keep my heart pumping. Also, CC is available 24 hrs. a day, answers his emails right away, gave me his cell number. Recently my regular dr said I should be taking a statin. Which I know is advisable for many patients. So I called CC, told him my HDL and LDL were good numbers -- he advised that I don't need a statin. Sorry to be so long-winded but I wanted to share. I also take rivaroxaban 20 mg. daily. Judy
@lucky1038. I am a proactive patient too, which some doctors do not like bc we ask too many questions and do not necessarily agree with them. Many years I changed a PCP once bc all he wanted to do was write me a prescription. I'm changing my PCP now bc I have hip bursitis and he gave me a referral to the ortho doctor for back pain. I noticed lately that he is just "going through the motion" and is probably heading towards retirement. I, too, research every medication before I take it. I had a wonderful doctor once for only a year, but she left the practice and started a me membership clinic, kind of like your concierge doctor. There is a one time enrollment fee and a monthly fee, but then there is no copay and you can see her as many times as you want.
@mayofeb2020. Hi — it’s unfortunate that sometimes it seems that way...that some PCPs seem to either be rushed or going through the motions and these days, with TeleMed appointments, it’s getting harder to get a real physical....my wife feels the same way about her PCP...and perhaps he’s heading for a retirement....my friend spoke of a concierge doctor once, but for most of us it’s not financially feasible....but if you can, that is a nice thing....I know that many times when I’ve tried to explain some of the information I’ve found on the internet and Articles from Doctors on the Internet, I’ve been met with a sort of ‘dismissal’...especially when I’ve spoken of my Ectopic beats as they might relate to my stomach GI problems......but like you, we look up every Med we’re prescribed.....
I am 81 with afib for at least 15 years, maybe more. I had an ablation at age 63. I have developed mitral regurgitation and mitral flutter. The cardiologist at Mayo did a mitralclip. It did not work. I had a cardioversion last Sept and I felt better but it worked for one week and I was right back in afib. Now they are discussing an ablation. I am fatigued constantly, short of breath, unable to walk very far and have to sit down. The only med I take is warfarin and my INR's are right in range, 2.0-3.0. I have an appointment at Mayo Cardiology in January - Couldn't get anything sooner. Has anyone had a mitral valve replacement? They mentioned it to me. Thanks for your reply.
I am sorry to hear the things you have been
through. I am 67 years old and way overweight !
I am male and i am short of breath often and
cant walk very far at all !
My mother, at 81 years old, had a mitral valve replacement and a maze procedure (make the heart smaller for more efficient pumping). She went into full congestive heart failure, so she had to have surgery. While she was in surgery, they also did an ablation. She did well.
Hi -- I'm 81. Have had AFib for at least 10 yrs. I take metoprolol succinate ER 25 mg. in a.m. and p.m. Various cardiologists and hospitals have prescribed diltiazem, ameridione, digoxin, furosemide ... I only took ameridione for a couple of weeks. I read up on it and what I read scared me so I stopped it. I don't know much about the others -- just figured I don't want to take several meds. Plus furosemide is a diuretic and I have never had fluid retention. IMHO furosemide should not have been prescribed for me. As we all know we have to educate ourselves about any meds or procedures. The first cardiologist I did kind of trust and I liked him. HOWEVER, at one visit he PUSHED me to see another cardiologist in the office. I didn't know anything about the types of cardiologists. The one I was pushed onto apparently is/was one who does cardiac ablations - which I knew nothing about. He didn't explain ANYTHING. Being in his small office felt like being in a Closing Room at a car dealer. He was practically holding the pen as he pushed a paper in front of me. I admit -- I was a sheeple -- and signed the paper (consent form). and agreed to letting him do it just b/4 christmas 2 yrs. ago. He set a time. Luckily I came to my senses after I went home.... cancelled the proposed surgery, asked lots of questions, and cc'd the questions to the cardiologist who i'd been seeing and who referred me to the so-called dr for cardiac ablation. I asked lots of questions, the Ablation-Happy dr tried to give me simplified non-answers. And finally, he gave up... knowing that in salesman's parlance I was a lousy prospect. Ultimately my regular doctor gave me the of a concierge cardiologist (aka CC) -- who is really great, knowledgeable, doesn't push anything on me. Turned out the concierge cardiologist had previously been a member of the group practice where Salesman Sam belonged. I told the CC about Salesman Sam. The CC knew exactly who that "dr" is/was. He laughed in a nice way and asked me if he could tell his Office Mgr. my experiences. (She had been the Mgr. in Salesman Sam's group.) She laughed and said how much she liked and respected the cardiologist in the group that I'd been seeing for a while. I made them both laugh, even more, when I recanted the details of my being in Salesman Sam's Closing Room.
Anyway, the CC is expensive but to me, it's worth it to keep my heart pumping. Also, CC is available 24 hrs. a day, answers his emails right away, gave me his cell number. Recently my regular dr said I should be taking a statin. Which I know is advisable for many patients. So I called CC, told him my HDL and LDL were good numbers -- he advised that I don't need a statin. Sorry to be so long-winded but I wanted to share. I also take rivaroxaban 20 mg. daily. Judy
My mother had her first and only ablation at 80 years old during her mitral valve replacement and a maze procedure (made her hear smaller for pumping efficiency). You can still have an ablation.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
Hi -- I'm 81. Have had AFib for at least 10 yrs. I take metoprolol succinate ER 25 mg. in a.m. and p.m. Various cardiologists and hospitals have prescribed diltiazem, ameridione, digoxin, furosemide ... I only took ameridione for a couple of weeks. I read up on it and what I read scared me so I stopped it. I don't know much about the others -- just figured I don't want to take several meds. Plus furosemide is a diuretic and I have never had fluid retention. IMHO furosemide should not have been prescribed for me. As we all know we have to educate ourselves about any meds or procedures. The first cardiologist I did kind of trust and I liked him. HOWEVER, at one visit he PUSHED me to see another cardiologist in the office. I didn't know anything about the types of cardiologists. The one I was pushed onto apparently is/was one who does cardiac ablations - which I knew nothing about. He didn't explain ANYTHING. Being in his small office felt like being in a Closing Room at a car dealer. He was practically holding the pen as he pushed a paper in front of me. I admit -- I was a sheeple -- and signed the paper (consent form). and agreed to letting him do it just b/4 christmas 2 yrs. ago. He set a time. Luckily I came to my senses after I went home.... cancelled the proposed surgery, asked lots of questions, and cc'd the questions to the cardiologist who i'd been seeing and who referred me to the so-called dr for cardiac ablation. I asked lots of questions, the Ablation-Happy dr tried to give me simplified non-answers. And finally, he gave up... knowing that in salesman's parlance I was a lousy prospect. Ultimately my regular doctor gave me the of a concierge cardiologist (aka CC) -- who is really great, knowledgeable, doesn't push anything on me. Turned out the concierge cardiologist had previously been a member of the group practice where Salesman Sam belonged. I told the CC about Salesman Sam. The CC knew exactly who that "dr" is/was. He laughed in a nice way and asked me if he could tell his Office Mgr. my experiences. (She had been the Mgr. in Salesman Sam's group.) She laughed and said how much she liked and respected the cardiologist in the group that I'd been seeing for a while. I made them both laugh, even more, when I recanted the details of my being in Salesman Sam's Closing Room.
Anyway, the CC is expensive but to me, it's worth it to keep my heart pumping. Also, CC is available 24 hrs. a day, answers his emails right away, gave me his cell number. Recently my regular dr said I should be taking a statin. Which I know is advisable for many patients. So I called CC, told him my HDL and LDL were good numbers -- he advised that I don't need a statin. Sorry to be so long-winded but I wanted to share. I also take rivaroxaban 20 mg. daily. Judy
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank You very much for so much wonderful information. I am going to change heart doctors and get another opinion on my
situation. I take no medicines at all except
for my blood thinner Eliquis which helps
prevent against a stroke.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@lucky1038. I am a proactive patient too, which some doctors do not like bc we ask too many questions and do not necessarily agree with them. Many years I changed a PCP once bc all he wanted to do was write me a prescription. I'm changing my PCP now bc I have hip bursitis and he gave me a referral to the ortho doctor for back pain. I noticed lately that he is just "going through the motion" and is probably heading towards retirement. I, too, research every medication before I take it. I had a wonderful doctor once for only a year, but she left the practice and started a me membership clinic, kind of like your concierge doctor. There is a one time enrollment fee and a monthly fee, but then there is no copay and you can see her as many times as you want.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThanks for all the great information ! I am going to
look into getting a new primary care provider.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@mayofeb2020. Hi — it’s unfortunate that sometimes it seems that way...that some PCPs seem to either be rushed or going through the motions and these days, with TeleMed appointments, it’s getting harder to get a real physical....my wife feels the same way about her PCP...and perhaps he’s heading for a retirement....my friend spoke of a concierge doctor once, but for most of us it’s not financially feasible....but if you can, that is a nice thing....I know that many times when I’ve tried to explain some of the information I’ve found on the internet and Articles from Doctors on the Internet, I’ve been met with a sort of ‘dismissal’...especially when I’ve spoken of my Ectopic beats as they might relate to my stomach GI problems......but like you, we look up every Med we’re prescribed.....
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI am 81 with afib for at least 15 years, maybe more. I had an ablation at age 63. I have developed mitral regurgitation and mitral flutter. The cardiologist at Mayo did a mitralclip. It did not work. I had a cardioversion last Sept and I felt better but it worked for one week and I was right back in afib. Now they are discussing an ablation. I am fatigued constantly, short of breath, unable to walk very far and have to sit down. The only med I take is warfarin and my INR's are right in range, 2.0-3.0. I have an appointment at Mayo Cardiology in January - Couldn't get anything sooner. Has anyone had a mitral valve replacement? They mentioned it to me. Thanks for your reply.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am sorry to hear the things you have been
through. I am 67 years old and way overweight !
I am male and i am short of breath often and
cant walk very far at all !
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy mother, at 81 years old, had a mitral valve replacement and a maze procedure (make the heart smaller for more efficient pumping). She went into full congestive heart failure, so she had to have surgery. While she was in surgery, they also did an ablation. She did well.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMy father was prescribed amiodorone, and I told him not to take it. Nasty drug.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy mother had her first and only ablation at 80 years old during her mitral valve replacement and a maze procedure (made her hear smaller for pumping efficiency). You can still have an ablation.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions