**Diagnosis: Atrial Flutter**

[CaliforniaPeggy]

My very good cardiologist called me this morning, and gave me the news:

The 24 hour Holter monitor showed me in a normal heart rhythm most of the time. However, about 11% of the time, I go into atrial flutter.

Wikipedia says this:

Atrial flutter (AFL) is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs in the atria of the heart.<1> When it first occurs, it is usually associated with a fast heart rate or tachycardia (beats over 100 per minute),<2> and falls into the category of supra-ventricular tachycardias. While this rhythm occurs most often in individuals with cardiovascular disease (e.g. hypertension, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy), it may occur spontaneously in people with otherwise normal hearts. It is typically not a stable rhythm, and frequently degenerates into atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it does rarely persist for months to years.

Atrial flutter was first identified as an independent medical condition in 1920 by the British physician Sir Thomas Lewis (1881–1945) and colleagues.<3>

And to help control this rhythm, I am going to start a new drug. Oh goody, another drug! Hey, I don't care...I'll take as many drugs as I need to stay healthy and alive!

The drug is multaq. There is a risk of liver problems, but he and I are aware, and we will be on the lookout for those.

Anyway......

There you have it!

From your own drug-addled CaliforniaPeggy...

[Arugula Latte]

1. I'm glad you got an answer, Peggy.

Good to hear you're getting treatment for it. :hug:

[Bossy Monkey]

2. Best wishes always. Hope the medication takes care of it.

:hug:

[Bake]

3. Sounds like somewhat encouraging news

Hope the new meds work!

:hug:

Bake

[pink-o]

4. My theory is this:

Your heart is unusual only because it is made from pure gold.:hi: :hi:

Hope the meds work, Peggy, but just sayin': my dad has had a pacemaker for about 7 years now for the same condition, and he's doing great with it. We all hope it's not the next step, but if so it's not so bad.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. Anything that can be managed is good news, CP...

...I "should" be on blood pressure medication (I stopped taking it three or four years ago because it cost anywhere from $3 to $4 A PILL for a 30-day supply).

So the fact that you're taking a new pill is no fun, and I hope you don't have any side effects, but it looks like you won this round of "stay healthy and alive"...

:toast:

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. If your b/p med was simply a waterpill...

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...I would talk to your doctor. Although they CAN be, um... really inconvenient
(I call mine my "YOU GO NOW!!!!" pill), they're pretty much wonderdrugs for
high blood pressure and mine cost me about a dime a day.
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MAYBE your drug has gone generic in those 3 or 4 years or you could talk to
your doctor about a cheaper alternative. High blood pressure is a basic factor,
and what's much worse, eventual CAUSE of so many really major problems, but
it can USUALLY be cheaply and easily controlled.
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[Amerigo Vespucci]

10. I had one pill that he eventually split into 3 generics

One of the three was a water pill but that wasn't all I was taking.

I also had several negative side effects from pretty much any combination he tried on me.

I have had my blood pressure taken at a local senior center that does it free once a week (I am not a senior but they give me a free test anyway), and my dentist also took it for free about 6 months ago.

Every time someone takes it, they look up from the meter, into my eyes, with a look of ashen horror. I haven't been to my primary care physician in about three years. If HE took the test he'd probably take me out back and work me over with a sock full of quarters for not taking my meds. But they aren't free, and neither is the trip to his office.

[MiddleFingerMom]

11. When my high B/P was first discovered, I had JUST taken a job here in Tucson...

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...and the company nurse had taken it as routine. She gave me the impression
that she wanted me to go STRAIGHT to the ER. It was imminent stroke-level.
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However, my health insurance didn't kick in for 30 days, so I just had to try to
mellow out and endure that long. She checked it every day and reiterated the
symptoms of stroke/heart attack every day. At the end of my waiting period,
my B/P was brought down to GREAT levels quickly by the simple little water pill.
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Stroke is one of the few things that concern (OK...SCARE) me. "Living" with the
after-effects of a severe stroke seems like it would be Hell-on-Earth for me.
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Do what you can -- like I said, they come up with innovations and new ways
of treatment all the time -- PLUS... after 11 years, medications can go generic
and AMAZINGLY cheaper.
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Believe me, I KNOW about worrying about the expense, but what you're risking
is EVERYTHING. FIND a way to get in for an office visit.
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After all... it's not like you just MIGHT have this problem.
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Please see what's available.
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[grasswire]

12. there are some other ways to treat blood pressure...

...as you may already know. I'm sure you have been informed about lowering your sodium intake, and the benefits of exercise. But there also are breathing techniques that can lower blood pressure, and there is evidence of cinnamon being useful.

Please don't let it go unchecked.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

13. I went from a high-stress living situation at the end of October...

...to one that I'd say is at least two to three times more stressful than the one I left, and pretty much what I think about from sunup to sundown is how I can move again, which isn't going to happen immediately.

Plus, primarily due to finances, I know I'm not eating right.

I've also told friends recently that I really need to find a way to see my doctor. I have a few things in addition to the high blood pressure that need to be checked out. One friend encouraged me to seek out "indigent care," and I did...they have a waiting list. I have another former acquaintance who, when she needs medical care, goes to the emergency room of the local hospital with no intention of ever paying any kind of bill that may follow. I can;t do that.

It's all about money. Once I get some, I can call my doctor. And since I am self-employed (which makes me my "sales force"), the money doesn't come in until I go out and get it, and I have been sick as a dog for the last three weeks...first, with a cold / flu, and once that got better, I got smacked down with some form of intestinal virus.

I know that "stress management" lies at the heart of my turning this around, and in order to do that, I'm going to have to pretend for a while, "go to my happy place" if you will, because if I look my current circumstances straight in the eye, you might as well start digging my ditch.

[MiddleFingerMom]

15. Limiting sodium intake is HUGE in treating this as one of the biggest, simplest factors...

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..."causing" high B/P is fluid retention. Water pills flush (so to speak)
fluids -- that's why they're so effective. And you can see their pretty
imediate results (others can't see them as easily because you're always
SPRINTING past them towards the nearest bathroom).
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Sodium, on the other hand, retains fluid in your body -- increasing
the "pressure" overall in your body's cells and vessels.
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Our diets are fucking JAMMED with sodium and it's hard to find sodium-free
products. Even so-called "low-sodium" products usually aren't very low-sodium.
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Read sodium labels. Salt-free can be more expensive, but not necessarily so.
Hunt's tomato paste has (I think) about 120 mg sodium per serving. My store
brand (cheaper, even) has ZERO. All the tips given in one of the posts above
are great ones... but no substitute for getting in to a doc when you can. Almost
ALL the pork products in meat counters now are INJECTED with a sodium mixture --
I can't afford the brands that aren't and can't find "normal" pork roasts, etc.
that haven't been turned into fucking salt junkies.
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Baby limas? 120 mg. Same cheap generic brand Forkhook limas? Zero.
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All that said... going to the doctor is NOT a "luxury" that can bide its time.
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It should be UPPERMOST on your "Things to Do ASAP" list.
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I'm gonna quit being such a, well... you know... "Mom" now.
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[grasswire]

19. okay so practice deep calm breathing while you are in your happy place

Breathing to calm your blood pressure costs nothing.

Prescription water pills will cost you $4 per MONTH at Walgreens or Walmart or Kroger or RiteAid.

Food -- well, you are in the best place in the world for fresh produce at good prices. California. Lots of veggies, some whole grain bread and cereal, some California almonds, some low fat dairy -- that is a HUGE start to eating well.

Man, I certainly understand your situation and sympathize. But we need all the Democrats/progressives/liberals we can keep.


Here are three breathing exercises I found on ehow


Abdominal Breathing
Abdominal breathing is a great technique because once you learn it, you can keep doing it to breathe slowly all day. To start off with, lay down on your back and place a book on top of your belly. Breathe into your stomach so that the book rises with your breath while your chest stays still. At the top of your breath, pause for a moment and then breathe out. Continue breathing in and out as slowly and evenly as possible. You don't want to feel tense or make sudden movements with your stomach muscles. Practice this technique for at least 20 breaths or until you feel like you've got a handle on it.

More Abdominal Breathing
Once you've got the basics of abdominal breathing, try doing it sitting upright. Sit down in a chair with your back straight, one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest. Breathe into your belly so that you push the hand on it outwards while the hand on your chest doesn't move. Then, breathe out again letting your belly move back in while your chest stays still. Practice this technique for another 20 breaths or so. Once you've got a feel for abdominal breathing, try to keep doing it throughout the day. You will breathe slower and more deeply, which should help your blood pressure. You should also try to sit down or lie down and practice abdominal breathing consciously for at least 10 minutes a day.

Yoga Breathing
Yoga breathing builds on abdominal breathing, but allows you to take in a fuller breath. Start by lying on your back again and breathing into your abdomen while keeping your chest still (don't use a book this time). Once you've taken as much air into your abdomen as you can, expand your chest to fill your lungs more completely. When your lungs are full, hold your breath for a few moments and then breathe out slowly. First, let your chest fall and then let your abdomen lower. Practice breathing slowly and deeply using this technique for a least a few minutes every day. With practice, you can slow down your breathing to a few breaths per minute and increase your lung capacity.



Read more: Breathing Exercises to Control Blood Pressure | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5297502_breathing-exercises-control-blood-pressure.html#ixzz1GoMhfgjC

[Amerigo Vespucci]

22. Thank you for the link and info...

...the biggest thing that calms me down is physically getting out of this house, getting several miles away (at least) so that temporarily, at least, I can purge it, the inhabitants, and the surroundings from my "reality." So I need to practice the breathing on one of these "field trips" and then I can work toward practicing it at home.

I've started doing something I've put off for YEARS...namely, taking my Les Paul out of the case and PLAYING it. I've had it for decades and learned how to play when I was 14 years old, but over time, as one stressful situation led to another, decades floated by and I just didn't play. I never looked at it as stress relief...I always said "If I sit here and play this it will be like fiddling while Rome burns. I have more important things to do." So I've been playing with musicians at a local church and have had people approach me and say that they enjoyed my playing, which...in addition to the joy I have by being "back in the saddle" as a musician...is quite gratifying, and does relax me.

The part I haven't conquered yet is when I drive home from practice or playing at the church and feel the rapid downward spiral that goes with being back in that house.

The feedback you...as well as MiddleFingerMom...have offered is valid and appreciated (and sorry, CP, I didn't mean to hijack your thread)...

...and I do know that I need to exert more "hands-on" control over my health before I allow stress and my current circumstances to kill me

[grasswire]

29. music hath charms to soothe the savage BP

I also apologize to Peg for hijacking in the thread. But I can't let the opportunity to encourage someone to take charge of BP go by.

Also: "Without music, live would be a mistake" -- Nietzsche. That's my life motto.

[cordelia]

6. Glad you got your answer.

Take the drug, do what the doctors say, and you should live another four or five hundred years. We hope.

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. Not GOOD news... but comparatively GREAT news!!!

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A usually minor and sometimes transient symptom/condition. I have A-fib/A-flutter
(yes, I'm all aflutter when I tell a fib). However, I have a whole lot of other things
going on. Has your doctor talked to you about an implant (although MAYBE they have
to be replaced every 5 years or so)? They're hyper-rarely necessary, but minimally
invasive and majorly protective. I have to take Coumadin (as toxic as rat poison if
I let the blood level get high or low) to guard against potential clotting caused by
the occasional blood pooling in my heart, but as a stroke is the thing that concerns
me the most (death... meh/stroke... OMFG), it's well worth the risk. My case is fairly
severe -- I'm not familiar with multaq (although it sounds based on "multi-tachycardia"),
but it sounds like it may be an entry-level, "kind" med.
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I say rely on your (good) cardiologist's assessment about what the level of your
reasonable concern should be.
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I 'll have big, big, GREAT BIG news soon... but I'm still processing it all before I
post about it.
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Anyways -- I'm glad you KNOW what's going on now.
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:hug:
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[bluesbassman]

9. Glad to hear it's been successfully diagnosed.

:hugs:

[struggle4progress]

14. Here's hopin it works!

[Phentex]

16. Hey!

I'm glad there is something you can do to help. Take good care of yourself! :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. Thanks, everybody...

I can't answer you individually today, and I hope you understand.

Even though I now know what's going on, I am really down about it. This is starting to look chronic, and I hate that.

I need to suck it up, and think about something else, and that's difficult to do.

I do appreciate all your thoughtful, loving responses, more than I can really say...

:grouphug:

[old mark]

18. Peg, as you know, it could have been much worse news. Keep going!

;)

mark

[XanaDUer]

20. Best wishes

it's always good to know what is going on, even if it's slightly scary. I had a similar thing last year.

[blogslut]

21. Great you got a diagnosis

...and that your condition is manageable and not crazy bad.

:hug:

[liberaltrucker]

23. You and Babs Bush have something in common

According to my ex (the RN) AFL is easily
treated. Your doc is very wise in choosing
your medication. Just DO WHAT HE/SHE SAYS!!!

:hug:

[marmar]

24. Hugs......

:grouphug:

[pitohui]

25. take care, and don't worry -- i can offer a very positive example

my friend with a-fib has joined the century club since her diagnosis -- this is the club of folks who have visited 100 or more countries of the world, and some of the ones i've visited with her were pretty adventurous

she has also visited all of the continents, this would include antarctica

i don't know all the medical crap, sounds like you have something that may, or may not, ever develop into AF -- let's hope it doesn't but even if it does, it doesn't have to slow you down

i will say my friend's doctor doesn't necessarily agree w. all her travels but she gives the standard speech of 'stay home,' friend says, 'we both know i'm going,' and they move on from there as far as any necessary meds

[momto3]

26. My mom has A-fib problems

It was pretty scary before her diagnosis. She has to take coumadin now, which has its own set of problems, but her A-fib has been under control for about 10 years. She has to keep close track of her blood pressure and be very careful not to get cut. Last summer, she got hit by a small pool toy and she looked like she had been in a bar fight.

It will be okay. I do not post much, but read your posts and appreciate your kindness.

[Swede]

27. Vibes going your way Peg.

:hug:

[ismnotwasm]

28. Take care lovely lady

:hug:

[applegrove]

30. vibes peggy. Better to know and be on top of it.

[LucySky]

31. good vibes to you CaliforniaPeggy

i know this may not make you feel any better, but i know a woman that has had this for awhile, and she's still smiling and raising hell!

do what the man says to do, and you'll be as good as ever!

:hug:

[Aristus]

32. Sounds like a monthly blood draw for a metabolic panel is in store for you CalPeg.

Any time I prescribe a medication with moderate-to-severe hepatic side effects, I order a monthly metabolic panel to keep track of liver function.

I'm so glad it wasn't something worse. :hug:

[seaker]

33. Thank you

for letting us all know and thank goodness it is something with your new found knowledge will be manageable.
Hooray!

[av8rdave]

34. I'm glad to hear they diagnosed it successfully

I believe my Mom got the same diagnosis. I can't recall what medication she was prescribed, but she had no difficulties or complications with it at all, and it kept everything well under control. Wishing you the same result!