Am I becoming a hypochondriac?

• By greta57
• Reply 3145968
• June 18, 2012 at 1:44 pm
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Hi Murrk,
I too suffer with AF, have also had a CABG x 2 in 2010. I am always getting lots of fluttering going on and panic which is the worst thing you can do. Sometimes my heart feels as though it skips a beat sometimes, which is a weird feeling, also it beats really hard and fast, especially at night when im resting. I take Sotolol which is a beta blocker and aspirin, but its only normal to worry, Im waiting to see my cardiologist about this, because like you I imagine all sorts of things going on. You are not on your own, I can assure you, everyday is a worry for me.

• By Murrk
• Reply 3146421 · In reply to 3145968 by greta57
• June 18, 2012 at 5:03 pm
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Thanks Greta57. Sometimes it's just reassuring to know someone else is feeling the same way. The fluttering does seem to be worse at night, but the cardiologist thinks it's just because there is nothing else going on and it becomes more apparent. It's just hard to accept a treatment of just cope with it. I am much better than I was last year.....I could barely walk through a grocery store and had to lean on a cart. I was thinking I would be like that forever. No one could tell me why I felt that way, but I slowly got better as I pushed myself to just keep on going. I never would give in and just go to bed, but then maybe I just wasn't feeling badly enough to do that. I am determined to get rid of this darned thing.....but still don't like to get the heart rate up too high for fear of another attack. I too get occasional skipped bits now, but nothing like last year. If I start to panic I just try deep breathing for a few minutes and it seems to help me. Thanks for the reassurance that I am not alone! It is such a help!

• By heartaches101
• Reply 3147122
• June 18, 2012 at 10:29 pm
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I have been in constant afib for almost two years. I started out in 07 with a fast heart rate but no mention of afib. Took metroplol for rate control. (50 mg in am and 25 in pm) Then in 2010, I had very bad abdominal pain and was sent to hospital for c-scan with contrast. They amitted me shortly after the test. When I got the room I was told I need a heart monitor because I was in afib. They also wanted to rule out colius(bleeding in colon) and they also found a very large cyst on one of my ovaries. They did ultra sound for the ovary and cancer c25 test, and colonscope for colon. Found out I bleeding ulcers, diverticulitis and contast afib. I had never seen a heart doctor, didn't have regular doctor, and used one of those ugent care clinics.....I realized how dump or blind I was being when the dr putting under for the colon scope was mad as hell because no one was doing anything about my afib and he flat told me you need to get a heart doctor there are thing they can do to help your afib. The other doctor kind of got mad and told him to put me under. The doctor that was going to remove the ovaries, tubes, and large cyst....wouldn't touch me about getting clearance from a doctor. The clinic staff said that they wouldn't clear me and said I would have to get a heart doctor to clear me for surgery. So my best told me who she would pick and I called that office and got the partner of that doctor. Cleared for the surgery and then the heart doctor did two chemical conversions, two electric heart conversions and then I told me ...he'd keep me on the blood thinners, and manage the rate......and I thought at 57 I was kind of young to settle for that and told him I wanted to see a specialist about an ablation. He didn't seem to happy about it but his nurse did the referral and I started on that journey. You do have a cardiologist......if not find one and get his opinion...... and talk about options if medication doesn't control it. I wasted alot of time and the first thing the electical cardiologist asked was why they waited so long to do the second conversion...and I told him I felt like it was staffing issues. it might have been a bit different for me verses you because I was in afib everyday, every hour and the exhaustion was terrible, shortness in breath, and weight gain. Plus because the blood isn't pumping correctly...it took more medication to control the rate and then I notice like my other blood started getting worse. When your heart is in afib it vibrates (shakes)instead of beating so the blood isn't pumped as it should be.
i agreed about the night it being more noticeable. Plus you feel it more when you lay on your left side....or I do....it seems quiter for me when I lay on my right side. My mother had afib as well and I can remember her laying down on the couch watching tv and she'd say....you want to feel my heart racing.....she said you should be able to see it as hard as if felt to her.

The first time I noticed my heart beating irregular was when I was laying in bed...no I didn't get up and go to the hospital...and the next it had stopped. Then I noticed it more often and did go to the drs., wear a monitor....did not have a problem...until the day after I told it back....so it was another 3 years before they found it.
I didn't mean to get carried away......but I too spent alot of time not being heard. Thanks, Jan

• By Dootles
• Reply 3147260
• June 18, 2012 at 11:50 pm
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I take a daily dose of Pharmacuticle grade co q 10 and Magnesium. This helps qwell pvc like nothing else. Stay away from caffeine and any energy drinks or soda. Im telling you, it works! :) I have skipped beats up to 50,000 per day. YES every other beat. Its awful and ive learned to cope and research. Eat salmon and tuna a couple times a week to. Good luck!!

• By Murrk
• Reply 3147716 · In reply to 3147122 by heartaches101
• June 19, 2012 at 8:51 am
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Jan, you have had a tough time of it. Makes my afib seem like nothing. I hope your ablation procedure is successful. I do have an electro-cardiologist. However, it seems they just don't have a successful cure for it, and all procedures are a "work in progress". They have suggested ablation, but I hesitate since I can't seem to get a firm explanation of my monitor readings. They say they aren't clear...show a little bit of afib but not the constant "quivering" I feel. And yes, I agree that the left side seems to be worse. That is how my original afib attack started. I rolled over to sleep on my left side, and whammy....afib. Thank you so much for your input.

Karen

• By Murrk
• Reply 3147725 · In reply to 3147260 by Dootles
• June 19, 2012 at 8:55 am
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Dootles, what dosage do you take of the COq10 and magnesium? I have seen others post that particularly magnesium seems to help. When I asked the Physician's Assistant about it, she didn't seem to have any input and hadn't heard that. Maybe they need to read some of the posts here. It's reassuring that there may be some relief from over-the-counter remedies since the drugs to control the rhythm don't seem to be all that effective and cause serious side effects. I can't even imagine up to 50,000 skipped beats a day. I think the most I had during an episode was maybe 60 in an hour, and it was sporadic. Makes me a bit embarrassed about all my concerns. I should be grateful as it could be much worse. It's just the "what is next" that eats away at you.
Thanks.

Karen

• By doctorphobe
• Reply 3148042
• June 19, 2012 at 10:38 am
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Drs swear by their prescriptions. Beta blockers can sometimes cause arrythmias they are supposed to contrl.AMA and big pharm don't like cometition from the fiosh oil, magnsium co q people. isn't the goal to make the vascular system mor pliable and promote good circulation an harmony in electrical impulses cntrolling heart rate= better oxygenation.also amino acids...... I am ntrigued by the idea of L-theonine for anxiety , which also has a bearing on cardio vascular distress. Also the. Power of suggestion....
Big smart doctor : " you have --------" you: Omg! I am sick"
Dr: "here's a scrip a test a procedure ....what s ur insurance?
Ok I am cynical....but thre are some good medical folk out there who DO want to heal you or at least make u as well as can b expected.

• By heartaches101
• Reply 3149312
• June 19, 2012 at 7:42 pm
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I had my ablation this past Friday. It was a pulmonary ablation, with first doing an Transesophageal Echocardiogram(TEE). They check for blood clots and any damage on the back side of your heart. The day before I had blood test, and a chest ct scan with contrast so he could check out my veins in my chest. I had the TEE first ...in my room. Then shortly after that they took me to surgery for the ablation. He planned to ablate( burn, is the term but it's not in the sense we normally think of) all four of the pulmonary veins and some places in my heart. They also shocked my heart to get it in to a normal beat. (3rd time in a little over a year) My heart was beating.....yippy. Took alittle over 4 hours....then some recovery time...don't remember... I was completely knocked out with a ventorlater on to breath for me. They went through both groin veins and one of my neck veins. I woke up and was told not to move my legs and lay flat. Around 4 in the afternoon. Had been on back since Tee at 8 am. They had to get my blood to a certian clotting number....180....before they could take the leads out of my veins and start my laying flat time to allow the clotting in my veins to hold. By 7 my back and legs were killing me.....I never felt chest pain, pain in the needle area because I have three bad places in my back ...I thought i would die. I asked for pain medication and they came back and said he had checked loritab and I said I have a allergy to it. So they said they could give me tylenol.....which they did.....not much help at all. I was really to go off on someone by about 7:45 because you know every spot in the hospital had asked about allergies and it was not my fault they screwed up. I told them I need pain medication and that it wasn't my fault that they screwed up. I was so mad .....and so much pain....Nurse said we could try calling ....... I said .....that was they needed to do....... because that doctor actually worked for me and it wasn't my fault someone dropped the ball. So I could have a pain shot every three hours that lasted about 1 1/2 hours. I would lay there crying until I could have the next shot......still not having the leads pullled out of my veins.....9,10, 11, and it wasn't dropping.....after it got to 216.....then back up too 228...then dropped 222.....I told the nurse that it would be sometime Sunday before they got the leads out and me to wear I could move. So they called again and got medication to help clot my blood......(why not 5-6 hours earlier). Finally they had them pull one at midnight (17 hours on my back flat) ....with a 200 count....then after they were sure it would clot...they pulled the other groin one .....then finally the one in my neck. My back and legs were stilling just constantly sending waves of pain. I have had many surgeries but I had never been in such pain.....and it wasn't due to the ablation. (The next morning the nurse practioner told me they should never have waited so long to call.) Finally at four am I was able to be off bed rest....I could not move my left leg at all and had to pick it up with my hands to move it. I was scarce to death that I would end up with another 2 months of phyiscal therapy for my back....(just did that in Nov and Dec.) I spent the next hour or so trying to slowly releif some of the back pain with streghes I knew would help me become more mobile. Once i was able to move around ....I was more myself. By the time the Doctor came in to tell me how the surgery had went I could move. I was sittlng in a chair in the room doing back exercises. He explained everything when just as he had planned and they did shock my heart back into a normal beat. He asked if I had any chest pain last night and I told him I had such bad back and leg pain .....if I had chest pain....I didn't notice it. Then after he answered my questions he told me he received a report this morning from Radiology that they found a mass showing on my lung. Top right. I probably had the deer with headlight look on my face. He didn't really wait for me to say anything.....he just said it need to be taken care of right away. He said they could forward the report to my hometown.....3 hours away...or he could have a lung doctor that was on call come and see me. Opted for staying another night and having a ct scan and other test lung doctor ordered done. Note: My mother died with lung cancer at 58...and I am 57. They did surgery on her but couldn't get it all because it was in lymth nodes and my lymth nodes close to the mass looked inflammed. So now on the 27th ......I have a lung biopispy scheduled.......plus I have to go off the blood thinner for it.....they would not tell me what type it is because they won't know for sure until they gets samples....i don't know weather they are moving so fast because they are worried about it spreading that fast, my heart or what..... So I went back in Afib Saturday night. Heart shock have only lasted about one day.....30 hours....then this one only slightly longer. i am trying not to worry about it but you know how that is. He took me off of work for two weeks....and wants me to relax and rest.......so it's been a rough few days. I am so glad I had the ablation......just think it could of been months or even years before I knew anything was going on. My heart has been trying to convert back....but Monday morning I had to get a ekg and have them fax it to drs office and was in afib. Then went to regular dr...because have not been able to go poop since the day before the surgery.....doesn't go with diverticulis.....then to hospital for abdominal xray......another precription.
Boy......I am sorry to go on...on...and on....but i know you guys are use to it. It is good to vent. Thanks, Jan

• By Murrk
• Reply 3149545
• June 19, 2012 at 9:47 pm
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OH my Heartaches101 (Jan). I am so sorry you are going through all this, and yes, you definitely need to vent. I am praying that your biopsy goes well and they are able to cure you. I am ashamed at my complaints when I hear your trials with so many health problems, and the many others here who are in the same place in life. I am so sorry your ablation wasn't successful, but as you said, then you may not have found the mass in time for a successful recovery. Please keep us updated on your progress and I am wishing you some relief and peace.

Karen

• By heartaches101
• Reply 3149661
• June 19, 2012 at 10:45 pm
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We will not know for months if the ablation was successful or failed because my heart has to have a chance to heal and hopefully will continue to convert in and out of afib....and I hope it finally decides to stay out....of afib. Truefully I think he expected it to stay out of afib longer and it might have without the shock of the mass in the lung. They called today and it's happening next Wednesday.....I think I have the right heart doctor....I don't think I could have even gotten an appointment to be seen by a lung doctor for weeks....but he knew how to get me in the back door. A friend said this doctor saved her dad's life and he may have saved my life as well. I try to stay up beat but sometimes you have to let it out and the people on this life are so knowlegeable and caring I know I can. Thanks again.

• By heartaches101
• Reply 3149681
• June 19, 2012 at 10:53 pm
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I wasn't very clear....I am having the Bronchoscopic biopsy next Wed.. This type of biopsy uses a lighted instrument (bronchoscope) inserted through the mouth or nose and into the airway to remove a lung tissue sample. This method may be used if an infectious disease is suspected, if the abnormal lung tissue is located next to the breathing tubes (bronchi), or before trying more invasive methods, such as an open lung biopsy. The lung, heart doctor and surgeon thought less invasive was best since it following so close after the ablation.
And Karen .....I have felt the same as you after reading other peoples stories.....but I think we are all entitled our poor me moments. And thanks so much for your prayers. Jan

• By frykwoman
• Reply 3150779
• June 20, 2012 at 11:36 am
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Dear Murrk,
No, you're not the only one. While my particular heart diagnoses are a little different than yours, and my big events are are 2,3, and 4 years out, respectively, I still have red flag moments, when something that "other" people (read: nonheart disease people) wouldn't even sneeze at happens, and I go nuts. I think that somehow every pain in my painful body is related to my heart or blood vessels.
Even so, I believe that the reason I react so strongly to body signals is that I do have heart disease, I have almost died a couple of times, and I can't trust the medical system to pick up on the potential dangers of my symptoms, because they didn't in the past.
There's got to be a word for folks like us-- maybe we are "sensitives" or maybe we're just highly evolved to survive.
Still, I'd love to just have a run of the mill little muscle pull in my left chest that doesn't mean squat!
I wish you well.
Oh, and in answer to your question-- I think it takes time and experience to stop perseverating about our pains and dizziness. I figure, for me, it has taken four solid years of trips to the ER, fourteen inpatient stays, one 3 way bypass surgery, 5 stents, 3 airlifts, untold quantities of nitroglycerin and a life time of bad medical experiences to get me to feeling a little tiny bit more comfy with my disease. I finally found a really fine cardiologist, too!
Sending you love and affirmation!
Melissa

• By denisePA
• Reply 3151120
• June 20, 2012 at 1:25 pm
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Karen.. I personally would seek out a second opinion. I finally found a great card, she & I became dear friends. I then had to go to philly for a specialist as I needed a heart transplant. I would love to see my old card now but it would be redundant as I must see the transplant doc for life.

Don't settle for one answer.. it makes it far easier to accept your new norm if you cross all your t's & dot all your i's

peaceful thoughts..denise

• By Murrk
• Reply 3156415 · In reply to 3150779 by frykwoman
• June 22, 2012 at 6:17 pm
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Thank you Melissa for your thoughts and encouragement. I think it's the unknown that really gets to me, and the fact you can no longer trust your body. I am working on learning how to just take this moment by moment and try not to stress.

• By lmrw
• Reply 3174213
• June 30, 2012 at 12:33 am
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Hello all, I am amazed reading all the posts. I too, think I have Afib. I have had a fast heart rate for several yrs now. My family Dr. has me on Toprol XL, I have been taking this for about two yrs. It seemed to help when I first started taking it but they had to increase the dose to 100mg per day. Well now it doesn't seem to be helping much. I cannot get my Dr to understand me, I have done the 30 day event monitor and it showed my heart rate going between 50 and 160 bpm. This has effected my daily routine so much, I get out of breath, heart racing and so tired I don't know what else to do. I went and seen a Cardio Dr today and he wants to do some more test but he still acted as if there was nothing much wrong, (just a fast heart rate)because my heart was beating normal today and didn't here anything abnormal. I also have very high tryglycerides and high cholesteral for 6 yrs now. The cholesteral meds have made my legs hurt and have been on all different kinds due to this. How can I convince my Dr that there is something wrong, even though the test have not shown anything. I know I have Afib, I have all the symtoms.

• By Murrk
• Reply 3174393 · In reply to 3174213 by lmrw
• June 30, 2012 at 5:35 am
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Hello lmrw. Your story is a familiar one. Yes, cardiologists seem to dismiss Afib's fast and erractic heartbeat as "not serious", but then, it's not them having the erratic beats, is it? It is a tricky disease to me if for no other reason than it's here one and gone the next moment nature. You just keep on complaining until they can give you a firm diagnosis and treatment. I wish you well and please keep us updated on your progress.

• By lmrw
• Reply 3176206
• June 30, 2012 at 11:01 pm
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Thank you Murrk, I wish they would just listen to me. The Cardio Dr that I saw just kept interrupting me instead of listening to me. I had an episode last week that lasted all day and all night. Well, in the middle of the night, I get up and get my stethyscope and listen to my heart because I was having unusal symtoms. My heart was stopping for a split second, then I feel a burst sensation go up my throat to my head as if I am going to pass out. I have only had this symtom on four different occations. This is what the Cardio was not interested in, he said and I quote.."No! No! No! Your heart is not stopping! You wore the monitor for 30 days and nothing like that happened!".....I thought well can this not happen before and after 30 days or am I just stupid. I am just so tired of dealing with this fast heart rate, it is making me not myself. Thank you so much for your reply. At least now I know that I am not the only women having this issue.

• By Dootles
• Reply 3176284
• July 1, 2012 at 12:05 am
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wow what an interesting post.. So many awesome comments and stories. Pvc is a hard thing to live with but it usually comes and goes. No one has ever been able to tell me why it happens and how to even get rid of it completely. I called my cardio doc and he is going to see me in a couple of weeks and refer me to a specialist on this matter. I have had some pretty good results with the mag and co 10 and all the other great vitamins i take. I have to admit ive learned alot through this post. Thanks girls your awesome!! :)

• By Murrk
• Reply 3176555 · In reply to 3176206 by lmrw
• July 1, 2012 at 6:19 am
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lmrw, I have the same sensation you describe with the feeling going through my neck and up into my head, causing me to feel dizzy and on the verge of passing out. It's just a second or two and then goes away, but it does time with my heart flutters. It actually feels like pressure in my head. My cardiologist also says this isn't caused by my heart, but apparently it is....you have the same sensation as I do. The heart monitors don't catch everything....which the nurse practitioner explained to me. I think they just don't know that much about this disease. Thank goodness for this site.....it is reassuring we aren't in this alone, isn't it?

• By lmrw
• Reply 3209493
• July 14, 2012 at 12:32 am
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I am so sorry Murrk, I have not been on here for quit some time and I missed your post. I do hope that you are feeling better. I, on the other hand, am still having my bad days. Went for a StressEcho today and it did not go very well. I was only on the treadmill for less than 5min and my heart rate got to 160bpm and I just could not go any longer. It will be five weeks now before I can see my Cardio Dr to find out what the test showed. I just don't know how much more of this I can take..I guess we just have to live one day at a time and keep our faith that the Lord will take care of us....God Bless you and I do hope you find relief.