Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Heart

Hi Paul

Just want to say that ,no I don't have asthma. Thanks for the help though.

Maggie

You are so right Joe - this website is the very best place. We all know that

Hope you are going to stay Joe.

Take Care

Maggie

Very good Steve, except that we all happen to know that you are a lawyer and you have a very big heart

Hi Maggie,

In my books that is a high heart rate and if it was me I would want to know why as well. I would make an appt. with my rhuemy and see if he may have a suggestion. Also demand to be referred to a cardiologist.
I am glad to hear the medication is helping but you need to get to find out the cause and not just treat the symptoms.

I also would replace my morning coffee with decaf just to be on the safe side. I can't imagine 1 daily cup causing that big of a jump in heart rate but you never know, you might have developed a hightened sensitivity to caffeine over the years. I can imagine having such a fast heart rate must exhaust you quickly. Keep pushing until you get an answer Maggie. Good luck and let me know how you make out. Take care!

Debbie

Plant a seed of friendship; reap a bouquet of happiness.

Yes! I take medication (Toprol) to control my heartrate. Without it I have a resting heart rate of about 120. I have found cutting refined sugar and caffiene out of my diet completely has made a huge difference as well. Watch for LOW blood pressure when taking medication! I could say more, but I'm on my roommate's computer and don't have the time just now...
'Erie :-)

Well, Maggie, my rule of thumb with drugs that scare me, is not to take them. You wouldn't be taking celbrex by any chance would you? Boy, that drug will cause an increase in BPM, but not 150. The drug that does that to me is viorxx. Any doctor who dismissed your concerns, should be dismissed!
Only my opinion, but you have some very real concerns there. and you deserve to have any and all complaints treated just like a physical symtom.
Maybe your right, change the doctor. and if this thing is really concerning you, go to the e-room. I know its a real pain to go there, but they usually are very completent too.
I'll keep you in my prayers and remember you always have us here.

THe reason I posted was to let you know to watch for that side effect. What I had was *undiagnosed* mild asthma that then became bad enough to diagnose.

-p

Maggie,

In reply to:

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I feel as if I am just waiting for " the big one ".

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You know, beside the absolutely understandable feeling of anxiety that goes with such an abnormal event as having a very high and irregular heart beat (everyone in their right mind would be scared...!) there is also a biological reason for you feeling scared and anxious.
Your adrenaline increases drastically with the symptoms you are having, so even if you were the coolest person in the world you would be jumpy and apprehensive right now - just because your body is releasing the adrenaline hormone.
I am sure this thing will stabilize once you get the right med dosage.

hugs,


Jade

Hi Maggie,

Could to hear the Kickas and the meds have helped some. Hopefully you continue to improve. I will include you in my prayers.

Take care,

Tim

Hope is only a post away with KickAS.

Hi Timo,

Ignore my first post re Steve's heart attack. I didn't have things in the right order and the Doctors in the hospital didn't find out that it wasn't a heart attack . Steve's Rheumy was the one who discovered the real problem.

BELOW is the real story of Steve's so called heart attacks a few years ago..

Steve had his first "heart attack" a few hours after he went to bed. He woke up with major chest pains and had difficulties in breathing. His wife quickly called the ambulance and a few minutes later, a couple of paramedics came rushing in and carted him off to the hospital. The Doctors checked him over thoroughly but his symptoms started to lessen and his breathing and pulse rate came back to normal.

A thorough check up of his heart showed that it was in good shape and no signs of heart problems. However, a week or so later, the same thing happened all over again as he was sleeping in bed. Ambulance and Paramedics and another rush to the hospital. And again, no signs of any heart problems were showing at all.

The heart Doctor couldn't figure it out and Steve went to see his Rheumatologist to see what he could suggest to do. After an MRI and several other tests and the report from the Heart Doctor, the Rheumatologist started to look at the problem from a different view. If the heart isn't the problem, what else could it be?

The Rheumy tracked it down to some calcification build up on the Vagus nerve exiting the spine and compressing that part of the nerve that travels to the heart muscle. Whenever the nerve was compressed too much, it would send the wrong signals to the heart muscles and they would react as if a real heart attack was under way. Once this was confirmed, there were two choices on how to deal with it.

Surgery was a possibility but likely too risky. Removing the calcification from the Vagus nerve could threaten the other vital organs that the same nerve travels to.

The second option was to take a Flexeril tablet whenever he feels the onset of any heart restrictions. Steve chose this option as there was no assurance that the surgery would work.

I imagine that finding an ideal sleeping position may also help to prevent this from happening.

Every once in a while Steve does get enough of a signal that another "heart attack" may be starting and pops a Flexoril and the feeling goes away. He also can sleep now with a greater peace of mind knowing that he isn't having a heart attack and probably won't, (if he keeps his weight down) Just kidding Steve in case you are lurking.

So Timo, you may want to run this past your Doctor so he will know that there are ways that a heart attack can be very well imitated by something far less serious but just as scary.

I feel better knowing that my son is not being rushed to the hospital again for a false alarm.


George