September 24,2017 I woke about 3AM with a choking cough, due to the chronic rejection. This time nothing would move. I honestly felt it was to be my last few breaths. I managed a slight intake of breath and blasted air out giving it my one last time. Finally- relief, I could breathe.
But, I triggered my A-fib. And it has stayed with me ever since, like a long lost enemy. Believe me when I say - it is NOT a long lost friend.
All the other "episodes" would correct themselves within a few days. The one previous to this, I went to my Cardiologist and received an IV until it corrected back to my normal heart rhythm.
If you follow this blog, you may remember I cannot take any anti-coagulants due to hemorrhaging from my right lung in 2014. A very scary summer I have no desire to repeat anytime soon.
However, I am again taking a chance. October 6, still having an erratic heart rate, I visited my Cardiologist. We had to stop the Multaq, not recommended for long term A-Fib. This has given my heart free reign on being all over the spectrum as to rhythm. Metoprolol went from 12.5mg to 75 mg twice a day, started Digoxin, and Xarelto. Yes, I asked for a blood thinner until we can at least try ablation or anything to keep me from a stroke. Imagine feeling great and so well managed on minimal doses to having Saurons army of Orcs pounding inside your chest wanting out.
We also discussed me getting the Watchman implanted in my left Atrial appendage. This would mean no more blood thinners !
In the middle of all this, I had other appointments, and did battle with my lung transplant team. They did not want me taking Xarelto or having ANY devices implanted at this time. My cardiologist called on the 6th, left them a message and we waited. Monday, I called them and did the one thing I most regret. I told them I was doing as my Cardiologist recommended as I had heard nothing from them. This is the culmination of a few mistakes that I question them making in dealing with my health. My Cardiologist again called and finally got a return call. What ensued between my transplant center may have them kicking me out of the program. I.E. calling in a Rx for Levacquin (I cannot take) and then calling another Rx into a mail order for 3 tablets of Levacquin. Why would anyone call in an antibiotic a patient needs NOW, to a mail order that will take 2 weeks to get to you? Three tablets ??? Seriously ?!? My right lung would laugh hysterically at that paltry defense, break out the catapults and gloriously defeat such a minute attack ! They also called in Gabapentin, to help with my cough, which is getting beyond controllable even with Tussionex. I can count on one hand the number of good nights sleep I've had in 5 years.. Once I read the side effects, I said nope, nada, no way. I am disappointed enough in how this is being handled, I refuse to take anything that could enhance that feeling. So, I am dealing with the cough. As usual.
The 16th was an appointment for a CTA of my heart to see if I can be a candidate for the Watchman. We failed. I was too nauseaus and the contrast (which I had to get permission for from my kidney transplant team) would make me sicker.. Oh yay ! We tried again yesterday, after 3 tries they could not get an IV catheter to go in far enough to inject the dye, plus my heart beat was all over the spectrum.. 19-150-68-120-52-49-113 yep that was me... Now we will try again on the 27th at the hospital where they will access my port instead of a vein.
I am concerned. The contrast could damage my transplanted kidney. To insert the watchman they will have to create a small puncture through the septum wall between the Atrium chambers. The same wall that was repaired 26 years ago to end my Primary Pulmonary Hypertension along with my bilateral lung transplant. The electrophysiologist promised to plug that hole really well... Hopefully I can also get ablation done to correct this darned A-Fib. My shortness of breath has increased 3-fold. AFib causes it as well as my chronic rejection. I need this corrected so I can tell when my rejection gets worse.
It is a lovely sunny Saturday, me & Ozzi are delivering goodies to a local pet rescue and then me, him & the Orcs will relax outside and try to read an uplifting book.
I.Am.Still.Here.
I.Am.Alive
I.Got.This.
Showing posts with label atrium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atrium. Show all posts
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Monday, January 18, 2010
Hearts-broken and otherwise
Well this afternoon I get to wear a 24hour heart monitor. Yay :-(
This seems to be the thousandth time I've gotten one of these jewels and to date have shown nothing to be concerned about. I do have a fast heart rate at times. I mean who wouldn't after open heart surgery and a double lung transplant, a single left lung transplant, a kidney transplant, and a pacemaker implant. Oh and please take into consideration all those meds we love to take. Originally in 1991 after my first transplant I did have to take time and recover from the heart surgery. I had an atrial septal defect which had to be closed surgically at the same time as my lung transplant to be effective. I took Procardia for 6 months and then all was fine for quite a few years.
Then came time for the 2nd lung transplant and all the meds to curtail the chronic rejection. I was also very close to renal failure at the time. All this combined with the fact I was getting progressively weaker by the minute and wasting away wreaked havoc on my poor tired heart. I was once again placed on meds to control and slow my heart rate. Well, after the kidney transplant it was felt I didn't need to take the meds anymore so they were slowly weaned off. It took all of 6 months to prove how I needed them.
Being diabetic the first time my heart truly raced I was unsure if it was my blood sugar dropping or something else. I attritbute it to low blood sugar since I had the cold clammy sweat on the back of my neck, the horrible almost nauseaus feel in the pit of my stomeach, etc. We were at a Harley Davidson shop after enjoying a much needed bike ride. All at once I got these feelings and they were not abating. Seeing a small vending area with a few tables, I made a beeline for the coke machine and a table. I drank the coke and it didn't really help too much. By this time I was literally sweating bullets. I used evey napkin the little metal holder had on my table and then another table too. I was speechless at the amount of sweating since I rarely sweat. I was also sitting directly in front of the AC vent. Well, another coke later and a hot dog, I began to feel better, not like myself but better. So with that off we went on the bike and home. I never truly attributed this to my heart rate. Just a freak blood sugar occurrence. I now know better.
The next time was more vocal. I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I did as normal, walked into the bath, sat down, and promplty woke up on the floor. Not usual. We finally caught the culprit. Dr. Baz immediately set me up with Cardiology to find the reason . What they found was when my heart rate rose if they pressed on my neck it would slow down to normal. Well since I can't walk around with my hand on my neck except maybe in a vampire movie, we made arrangements for ablation. This ablation was for Ventricular tachycardia. It was for the lower chambers of my heart. Before this I also received a pacemaker, another story altogether, believe me.
After the ablation all was perfect. That is up until now. Now it appears my issue is with the Atrium, thus A-fib. I've been told this is more difficult to control with ablation, wow lucky me. Anyway as the story goes, last Thursday I was getting out of the recliner and my heart rate jumped from 51 beats per minute to 101. This may not seem like much to you but those darned butterflies that got trapped in my chest were beating like crazy to get out. Not to mention the slight nausea I had too. I immediately took one of my Metoprolol PRN tablets. I continued with preparing dinner, sweeping, etc. hoping my heart rate would slow down. Well it didn't. I decided to take another tablet before I went to bed around 10:00PM. I got a little sleep and woke in the middle of the night not wanting to get up. My heart rate felt slower and I didn't want to do anything to push it into hyper drive. I could feel it rise, then slow, rise, then slow as if it were trying to correct itself. I got up, took another tablet, checked the blood sugar-low again, ate some yogurt and settled into the recliner for a few hours. Friday morning it was at 85 but holding steady. I called the doctor and he decided on the heart monitor. After taking another tablet I am happy to say I've been at 51-55 heart beats per minute ever since. But I did have to take it easy for all of Friday. If this keeps happening it will seriously impede my exercise routine. After all, I'm scared to death to hop on the treadmill when I'm almost at target heart rate without trying!
Since this only happens about once a month I'm having trouble understanding why I need the monitor. I have a Pacemaker and it should show everything. At least I know it does when the nurse does a printout every 6 months. Why couldn't I just go into the office on Friday and them run a strip? I mean let's be serious if I only have this once a month, I've already had my turn, what's the monitor gonna show? I guess all this stems from the fact I really dread getting this darned thing. I'm allowed this feeling after all these years... Geez, I've earned it right... Oh well, resigned to the fact... Off I go to get wired...
BTW... As I told a good friend when we talked about this yesterday... This is NOT cunducive to a night of great sex nor will it make me feel that way either:-)
This seems to be the thousandth time I've gotten one of these jewels and to date have shown nothing to be concerned about. I do have a fast heart rate at times. I mean who wouldn't after open heart surgery and a double lung transplant, a single left lung transplant, a kidney transplant, and a pacemaker implant. Oh and please take into consideration all those meds we love to take. Originally in 1991 after my first transplant I did have to take time and recover from the heart surgery. I had an atrial septal defect which had to be closed surgically at the same time as my lung transplant to be effective. I took Procardia for 6 months and then all was fine for quite a few years.
Then came time for the 2nd lung transplant and all the meds to curtail the chronic rejection. I was also very close to renal failure at the time. All this combined with the fact I was getting progressively weaker by the minute and wasting away wreaked havoc on my poor tired heart. I was once again placed on meds to control and slow my heart rate. Well, after the kidney transplant it was felt I didn't need to take the meds anymore so they were slowly weaned off. It took all of 6 months to prove how I needed them.
Being diabetic the first time my heart truly raced I was unsure if it was my blood sugar dropping or something else. I attritbute it to low blood sugar since I had the cold clammy sweat on the back of my neck, the horrible almost nauseaus feel in the pit of my stomeach, etc. We were at a Harley Davidson shop after enjoying a much needed bike ride. All at once I got these feelings and they were not abating. Seeing a small vending area with a few tables, I made a beeline for the coke machine and a table. I drank the coke and it didn't really help too much. By this time I was literally sweating bullets. I used evey napkin the little metal holder had on my table and then another table too. I was speechless at the amount of sweating since I rarely sweat. I was also sitting directly in front of the AC vent. Well, another coke later and a hot dog, I began to feel better, not like myself but better. So with that off we went on the bike and home. I never truly attributed this to my heart rate. Just a freak blood sugar occurrence. I now know better.
The next time was more vocal. I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I did as normal, walked into the bath, sat down, and promplty woke up on the floor. Not usual. We finally caught the culprit. Dr. Baz immediately set me up with Cardiology to find the reason . What they found was when my heart rate rose if they pressed on my neck it would slow down to normal. Well since I can't walk around with my hand on my neck except maybe in a vampire movie, we made arrangements for ablation. This ablation was for Ventricular tachycardia. It was for the lower chambers of my heart. Before this I also received a pacemaker, another story altogether, believe me.
After the ablation all was perfect. That is up until now. Now it appears my issue is with the Atrium, thus A-fib. I've been told this is more difficult to control with ablation, wow lucky me. Anyway as the story goes, last Thursday I was getting out of the recliner and my heart rate jumped from 51 beats per minute to 101. This may not seem like much to you but those darned butterflies that got trapped in my chest were beating like crazy to get out. Not to mention the slight nausea I had too. I immediately took one of my Metoprolol PRN tablets. I continued with preparing dinner, sweeping, etc. hoping my heart rate would slow down. Well it didn't. I decided to take another tablet before I went to bed around 10:00PM. I got a little sleep and woke in the middle of the night not wanting to get up. My heart rate felt slower and I didn't want to do anything to push it into hyper drive. I could feel it rise, then slow, rise, then slow as if it were trying to correct itself. I got up, took another tablet, checked the blood sugar-low again, ate some yogurt and settled into the recliner for a few hours. Friday morning it was at 85 but holding steady. I called the doctor and he decided on the heart monitor. After taking another tablet I am happy to say I've been at 51-55 heart beats per minute ever since. But I did have to take it easy for all of Friday. If this keeps happening it will seriously impede my exercise routine. After all, I'm scared to death to hop on the treadmill when I'm almost at target heart rate without trying!
Since this only happens about once a month I'm having trouble understanding why I need the monitor. I have a Pacemaker and it should show everything. At least I know it does when the nurse does a printout every 6 months. Why couldn't I just go into the office on Friday and them run a strip? I mean let's be serious if I only have this once a month, I've already had my turn, what's the monitor gonna show? I guess all this stems from the fact I really dread getting this darned thing. I'm allowed this feeling after all these years... Geez, I've earned it right... Oh well, resigned to the fact... Off I go to get wired...
BTW... As I told a good friend when we talked about this yesterday... This is NOT cunducive to a night of great sex nor will it make me feel that way either:-)
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