Message for Porsch fan.

Hope you are doing well Mark. I haven't been on here too much lately for various reasons, but I wanted to tell you that I am FINALLY going to see a Cardiologist about my Arrhythmia. I've been trying to see one for years and after wearing a holtor monitor and the doctor seeing that I wasn't making it up he decided it was time I saw one! I don't go until March 11th but I'm so happy to finally be seeing one.

Hi Ruth,

Sorry I did not get to you sooner. Wow...it's been a long time since you last posted about the heart stuff! I'm hoping you have something that is either dismissed or treated. If they found an arrhythmia (gosh knows there are many types) that they can treat it easily.

Best of luck! Any q's, just ask.

PF.

Thanks PF, I'll let you know how I get on. Hope you're doing OK.

Hi Ruth,

Do you know what arrhythmia the found or suspect?

I'm up to my 4th stent as of just over a month ago. July I had a heart cath that showed some new problems. Heart Failure and mild Pulmonary Hypertension. Heart failure doesn't mean my heart is shot, it means that it's not pumping efficiently and causing fluid and blood retention in the lungs. It is treatable but difficult to treat. Wishing you the best. And if you don't feel good don't wait for the appointment to go to the ER.

Best,
PF

No, they didn't give me any information. I was actually at the hospital for another reason when I mentioned about all the skipped beats, they hooked me up and gave me an ECG and sent the results to my doctor. He didn't seem to think it was a serious Arrhythmia but I told him I feel so unwell when they get bad, he said it's because it makes me anxious, I told him it doesn't make me anxious it makes me feel unwell! (Sometimes it's hard to get through to him!). So he's finally sending me next month. He said I could go on beta blockers so they aren't as noticeable but I said I'd wait to hear what the Cardiologist says.

I'm so sorry to hear you are still going through all these problems, and I do hope they can treat you well. Are you at risk of blood clots because of the blood retention in the lungs? I have a few questions myself to ask the cardio. I still wonder if the Arrhythmia could have caused the blood clots on my lungs three years ago. I also want to know if it's still safe to take Maxalt. I know my lips go a slight shade of purple when I take them and that worries me a bit.

Thanks for replying, and you take care.

The medical system is mindboggling Ruth.  The doc should have investigated it more deeply when you first complained.  Without them giving you information, it's hard to tell.  It could be PVC or PACs (Pre Ventricular Contractions or Pre Atrial Contractions--essentially and extra heartbeat or more, depending on the chamber of the heart).  There are many arrhythmias - you absolutely must ask the doctor point blank what is the suspected arrhythmia.  Have them write it down for you.

Blood clots can certainly be caused by an abnormal rhythm.  Most clots are caused by atrial fibrillation.  The atrium can beat differently  than then ventricles thus causing a clot.  I will on Aspirin and a medication like Plavix for the rest of my life to prevent clotting issues.

If you're nervous going into the appointment have someone go in with you.  As questions and take notes.

I'm not a doc but this is my personal opinion.  With any heart/vascular issues triptans are absolutely not to be taken until all cardiac issues are ruled out.  Typically if the doc has any cardiovascular issue, they will have you halt all triptans.  Once a full diagnosis and  treatment plan is in place it is possible that something like Maxalt could be used.  I am not allowed to take any vaso-active migraine medications as they can cause the arteries to constrict.

In fact controlling  any underlying heart issues can help treat migraines, and help limit them.  Don't be scared to ask questions--it's your life.  What does your heart do that makes you feel uncomfortable?

Thanks,
PF

Thanks so much for this information, you are so knowledgeable but I'm sorry you had to learn all this because of your own problems. I have written down more questions to ask when I go see her, thanks to your advice.
I asked my doctor once if I should start taking low dose aspirin because they never found out what caused the clots, he said 'I doubt they'll help'! I'm so tired of the medical profession these days.

My husband is going with me so he can remember anything I forget.

I feel uncomfortable when my heart skips especially when it's skipping a lot. Makes me feel a little weak, and sometimes a little lightheaded. My husband has felt my pulse many times when I'm having a bad spell and he agrees that it will beat two or three seconds, then skip, beat two more and skip and this will carry on for ages. It certainly isn't normal.

Thanks so much for your advice, and I'll let you know what she has to say.

Take care.

No problem Ruth....It's become a hobby, LOL  If I was 21 again (and had a pacemaker so I wouldn't pass out in anatomy) I would go to med school.  I'm glad you're taking your husband along.  Questions are good.  Lists are good.  If the doctor won't answer the questions, then fire him.  He should know his heart sounds.  My gosh, anyone can download them off iTunes and learn heart sounds! Did they do a 30 day event monitor last time? IIRC, they didn't.

Yes, aspirin can help thin the blood but it doesn't dissolve clots--but is does make a significant difference if a clot develops.  He is looking at GI symptoms and effects  offset (benefit outweighing risk).  It boils down to answering the question of why the clots formed in the first place.  You've given a few clues here.  I'm not a doc, but I would have guessed atrial fibrillation.  Common, but causes clots.  Treated with thinners such as warfarin, pacemaker, ablation.  Not fair of me to suggest--but that's what would have come to mind.  Dizziness, fluttering feeling in your chest, clots.  I've had a few runs of afib that my pacemaker picked up on.  Luckily every  time it has been in the heart cath lab and rhythm restored to normal.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate your input!

Hi Ruth, it is so nice to see you here again, only I am so sorry to hear about your heart.

I was wondering Ruth if you have any chance to go to a doctor privately? I do not know how does Alberta medical system function
but if it anything like BC I'd rather pay my way to get the tests I think I need or want..

I hope you will get whatever you need done, and soon! I remember your poor heart problems are dragging for quite a time,
and gosh it's darn time for these doctors  to do something about it!

Risa

Hey Risa,

So good to hear from you! I'm trying to remember to come visit this site more often, but with my memory, I keep forgetting! I get so busy with Facebook etc. that I just don't always remember.

Yes I've been having these terrible skipped heartbeats for years now and my doctor has finally referred me to a female cardiologist who I see a week today. I'll let you know how I get on.

Hope you're having better weather in BC, Alberta has been absolutely wicked this winter.

Take care,
Ruth xo

Ruth, our weather on the West Coast is much better comparing to East Coast, but still for us is way too cold and too wet,
even with this year unusually dry winter,
although I am sure you Easterners have every right to call us wimps lololol
what with a 5 cm of snowfall here,  and we are not able to drive anymore lol...

Risa

Risa, they finally forecast warm weather for this weekend, we can hardly wait, it's been too cold to take Kahlua and my neighbours dog (who I look after when they are at work) out for walks.

Yes I guess you guys aren't used to having tons of snow. We have another dump of it coming tonight before the warm up.

Oh no, another 'avalanche' ! At least after that, a bit of warmth for you guys is coming.

Yes, Ruth, it's understandable, if you live in a region where a snow hardly ever falls you don't spend money
on heavy anti-snow equipment, it just doesn't make sense.
so, yeah, it takes time for the road teams to get their job done, plus mostly the main roads are cleared but the lesser one
are still snowed in so the cars get stuck trying to get out or in, and slip on the ice. but it usually last no longer than a day or two,
as the snow is often quickly followed by rain, or sun, sometimes in the same day snow in the morning is gone in afternoon.
So is not too bad. but it does cause accidents.

I remember Manitoba, Winnipeg. wow, that was real WINTER... awesome, woooo.

Ruth, have a great walk with Kaluha and her friend pup!

Risa

I think your weather is very similar to England, when it snows it doesn't last long, then goes all slushy and melts quickly. Here in Calgary it stays until spring pretty well!

Have a great weekend Risa, hope your head is behaving these days.

Ruth-

Alberta has had a wicked winter... DH's aunt lives in Edmonton, and she had trouble getting the engine to start in her car one morning. His grandmother lives in Lethbridge, but is in an assisted living facility, so the snow hasn't been a concern for her.

We got a lot more snow here in Kansas, but we get winters where we don't see much and others where we get a lot. This winter is one of the second type.

On the plus side, we got up to 52F here yesterday, the negative is that this means the roads are soggy with melting snow and ice.

Thankfully our weather is supposed to change for the better this weekend, everyone can hardly wait!