1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Feb 14, 2018

Welcome to the Heart Rhythm Conditions group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Did you know that the average heart beats 100,000 times a day? Millions of people live with heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) which occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats don't work properly. Let's connect with each other; we can share stories and learn about coping with the challenges, and living well with abnormal heart rhythms. I invite you to follow the group. Simply click the +FOLLOW icon on the group landing page.

I'm Kanaaz (@kanaazpereira), and I'm the moderator of this group. When you post to this group, chances are you'll also be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

lizzie63 | @lizzie63 | Aug 20, 2023
In reply to @sup7401 "Thank you for this site. Appreciate others info. Here is my problem... Have had an irregular..." + (show)
@sup7401

Thank you for this site. Appreciate others info. Here is my problem... Have had an irregular heartbeat since pulled out of girls basketball in college. Pvc, svt... Nothing more. Worked 40 years as an RN. Had children. No probs till age 70. Increased palpitations, tachycardia, breathless... Fatigue.
Words you don't want to hear the doctor say during the first 3 minutes of a stress test ..." Shut it down, that's AFib"
A zyo patch turned up several more short episodes. Happy to be put on Eliquis...well except for the high price! My problem is I have severe osteoarthritis, and have lived on Aleve for 20 years... Manages the pain in back and knees fine. Now due to eliquis, I cannot take nsaids. Tylenol does nothing... I feel stuck...help.

Jump to this post

Eliquis and severe osteoarthritis -- it's a problem, for sure. I had relied on prescription NSAIDS for decades when I was diagnosed with Afib and prescribed Eliquis. I stopped taking the NSAID and was immobilized within weeks, finally started taking the NSAID because I reckon it is important for me to keep moving. I've done a a lot of reading about this. The ARISTOTLE study is scary but osteo docs say that if you are on Eliquis, then Celebrex 200 mg once a day with a PPI is the least bad option. I make sure to take it with food. And I re-evaluate my decision frequently -- I'm in the midst of one of those re-evaluations right now. Pretty sure there is no one-size-fits-all answer . . . wishing you well with your decision-making . . .

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1 reply
jan76 | @janets | Aug 20, 2023
In reply to @sup7401 "Thank you for this site. Appreciate others info. Here is my problem... Have had an irregular..." + (show)
@sup7401

Thank you for this site. Appreciate others info. Here is my problem... Have had an irregular heartbeat since pulled out of girls basketball in college. Pvc, svt... Nothing more. Worked 40 years as an RN. Had children. No probs till age 70. Increased palpitations, tachycardia, breathless... Fatigue.
Words you don't want to hear the doctor say during the first 3 minutes of a stress test ..." Shut it down, that's AFib"
A zyo patch turned up several more short episodes. Happy to be put on Eliquis...well except for the high price! My problem is I have severe osteoarthritis, and have lived on Aleve for 20 years... Manages the pain in back and knees fine. Now due to eliquis, I cannot take nsaids. Tylenol does nothing... I feel stuck...help.

Jump to this post

I completely sympathize with your dilemma. I am in the same situation with Eliquis and NSAIDS. I was also diagnosed with Afib at age 70. Other than having PACs and PVCs off and on throughout my adult life, I have been healthy, have had a good diet and exercised regularly. I did develop degenerative disc disease due to arthritis, which was diagnosed a couple of years before the Afib, after I had pain from my neck down my arm as well as sciatica. NSAIDs always helped control my pain and Tylenol did nothing. (I have also been in physical therapy, had steroid injections in my back, and many other trials of things to control the pain). After being put on Eliquis I had to stop the NSAIDs and it has been very difficult. My cardiologist told me that I could take a low dose a couple of time a week, and I do occasionally but it makes me nervous. One suggestion a PA made was to have the Watchman implanted in my heart. You can stop Eliquis about 6 months after the implant. It sounds appealing but I am very hesitant to have surgery now after having a failed ablation. Maybe someone has experience with this situation and can offer other thoughts.

REPLY
2 replies
leannestork | @leannestork | Aug 21, 2023

Thankyou for taking the time to reply. I had lost most of my hair prior to medications,then was put on immune suppresent and now heart medication. really appreciate it and i hope you are doing well cheers

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sa1l0r | @sa1l0r | Aug 21, 2023
In reply to @sup7401 "Thank you for this site. Appreciate others info. Here is my problem... Have had an irregular..." + (show)
@sup7401

Thank you for this site. Appreciate others info. Here is my problem... Have had an irregular heartbeat since pulled out of girls basketball in college. Pvc, svt... Nothing more. Worked 40 years as an RN. Had children. No probs till age 70. Increased palpitations, tachycardia, breathless... Fatigue.
Words you don't want to hear the doctor say during the first 3 minutes of a stress test ..." Shut it down, that's AFib"
A zyo patch turned up several more short episodes. Happy to be put on Eliquis...well except for the high price! My problem is I have severe osteoarthritis, and have lived on Aleve for 20 years... Manages the pain in back and knees fine. Now due to eliquis, I cannot take nsaids. Tylenol does nothing... I feel stuck...help.

Jump to this post

Sorry to hear this; at 78, just started arthritis in both thumbs ( a gardener’s and a sailor’s curse). W/ pacemaker, can take only Tylenol. I feel your pain. Opposable thumbs are fabulous when they’re pain-free and reliable!

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sup7401 | @sup7401 | Aug 21, 2023

Thanks for offering g this group.
My name us Susan. I was an RN for 40 years. Now retired. And now experiencing a bit of a dilemma..... My severe osteoarthritis in spine, knees, wrists... Well controlled with Aleve...at the same time as developing AFib....and being restricted from aleve. Yikes. Feel like I aged 20 years in a month.
Curious what others do, cause I sure know there are many more out there. Thanks to all of you for all your input❤

REPLY
sup7401 | @sup7401 | Aug 21, 2023
In reply to @janets "I completely sympathize with your dilemma. I am in the same situation with Eliquis and NSAIDS...." + (show)
@janets

I completely sympathize with your dilemma. I am in the same situation with Eliquis and NSAIDS. I was also diagnosed with Afib at age 70. Other than having PACs and PVCs off and on throughout my adult life, I have been healthy, have had a good diet and exercised regularly. I did develop degenerative disc disease due to arthritis, which was diagnosed a couple of years before the Afib, after I had pain from my neck down my arm as well as sciatica. NSAIDs always helped control my pain and Tylenol did nothing. (I have also been in physical therapy, had steroid injections in my back, and many other trials of things to control the pain). After being put on Eliquis I had to stop the NSAIDs and it has been very difficult. My cardiologist told me that I could take a low dose a couple of time a week, and I do occasionally but it makes me nervous. One suggestion a PA made was to have the Watchman implanted in my heart. You can stop Eliquis about 6 months after the implant. It sounds appealing but I am very hesitant to have surgery now after having a failed ablation. Maybe someone has experience with this situation and can offer other thoughts.

Jump to this post

I'm with you on the surgery... Thought I would have less stress when I retired, but these decisions are BIG! Good luck and thanks

REPLY
gloaming | @gloaming | Aug 21, 2023

Your resting HR might be as low as 50. Technically, that is in the range of 'bradycardia', but physicians are quick to point out that the label is not apt for a great many people with otherwise healthy circulation and hearts. If you have short term bouts with elevated HR, that might be an indication of fibrillation or SVT, or simply tachycardia. A Holter monitor or 12-lead ECG should tell the story.

I was on Amiodarone last fall for about eight weeks. I had no visible side-effects,...well...except for wishing fervently to be off it. Fast!

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timely | @timely | Aug 22, 2023
In reply to @lizzie63 "Eliquis and severe osteoarthritis -- it's a problem, for sure. I had relied on prescription NSAIDS..." + (show)
@lizzie63

Eliquis and severe osteoarthritis -- it's a problem, for sure. I had relied on prescription NSAIDS for decades when I was diagnosed with Afib and prescribed Eliquis. I stopped taking the NSAID and was immobilized within weeks, finally started taking the NSAID because I reckon it is important for me to keep moving. I've done a a lot of reading about this. The ARISTOTLE study is scary but osteo docs say that if you are on Eliquis, then Celebrex 200 mg once a day with a PPI is the least bad option. I make sure to take it with food. And I re-evaluate my decision frequently -- I'm in the midst of one of those re-evaluations right now. Pretty sure there is no one-size-fits-all answer . . . wishing you well with your decision-making . . .

Jump to this post

I am taking Eliquis and have osteoarthris in both knees.
I do not use nsaids.

I take glucosamine chrondroitrin, hyaluronic acid,
and a mixed collagen, boron , frankinsense and glucosmine tablet and have had no knee pain for 10 years.

Have you gotten that form to get a cheaper Eliquis price?

REPLY
catpurrs123 | @catpurrs123 | Aug 31, 2023

Hi all. Catpurrs I've been connected to mayoconnect for some time but have never asked any questions etc. I would like to do that but don't know how. I have a pacemaker,bradycardia, PVCs,Pacs ,heart disease. Thanks for info in advance

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gloaming | @gloaming | Aug 31, 2023

catpurrs, do you mean you'd like some suggestions for questions to be put to a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist? Or just more information about the various disorders you mention?

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