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Lots of procedures lately?? Now a pacemaker??

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Posted 8/11/2005 9:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello I am a new member and I was born with the congential heart disease, Tricuspid Atresia. In the past year, my doctor detected an arrhythmia formed by my condition. He had me see an electrophysiologist. I was put on a pill to maintain current beat, then I was cardioverted in the past month. Later it was detected that the pill was giving me slow heart beats at night, also on average. They wanted to do a cath, so I had that done 2 weeks ago, but they saw nothing wrong, and said everything looks fine. My electrophysiologist tells me my pacemaker is sick in my heart, and this is why I have slow heart beats. Are there any natural cures to try to fix this problem. I am now scheduled for a visit September 27th, which gives me some time to think, but I am worried because I will have to probably get a pacemaker. Is there anything I could do to fix this, or get rid of arrhythmias forever while I am outside of the arrhythmia now? Sorry for all the questions! Thank you ahead of time!
Posted 8/11/2005 7:39 PM (GMT 0)

you said yur pacemaker was sick in yuor heart then worried about getting one. I think I wuld get a pacemaaaker but everyone is different   I am on medicine for CHF and HBP and one of them makes my BP go low  and you are takeing pills for a  so your tricuspid valuve is giving you trouble for this is a fairlu uncommon congential malformation that does cause cynosis aand some clubbing.

do you have any cyanosis along withthis and what is the name of the pill the doctor is giving you maybe you might be able to change pills if yuor Dr said it is ok and also tell him or her of your fears with the pacemaker to  make yuor beats more regular.

Heidi

Posted 8/11/2005 7:52 PM (GMT 0)

jtm297, Welcome to HealingWell!! yeah

Hi jtm, I'm glad you decided to stop by and visit with us and I will try my best to give you the best answers that I can!  We're not Doctors, so our responses to you are our own. tongue

Your EP Dr. sounds like he's been right on so far with all that he's done!  If you have these types of questions, I would strongly recommend that you ask him, or perhaps get a 2nd opinion.  That is after all, what they are there for...I'm going to try and find a couple of links for you to read and see if this helps you to understand your condition better.

Please take care and come on back and keep in touch with us and let me know what happens and what you and your Dr. decide on!!  I'd really like to know!  It sounds like you've been through an awful lot already.

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 8/11/2005 8:18 PM (GMT 0)

jtm, here is one link that I thought you might like to read re your condition...I hope this helps some - I'm still looking... 

Hugs, Teri tongue

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?

Here is another link that really has a lot of info! :)

http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=hrt_dis/9666

 

Posted 8/12/2005 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi jtm!  Did your doctor mention what type of arrythmia you have?  There are several different types and different methods are used to treat them depending on what type.  It sounds like your doctor is referring to your "natural" pacemaker when he said yours is sick.  We have an "electrical type node" that sends the signal to the heart to tell it when to beat.  That is why the specialist for arrythmias are called electophysiologists.  I've heard it explained that the cardiologists are like the plumbers for the heart and the EP doctors are like the electrician.  LOL  Again, the type arrythmia you have determines the treatment.  Not all arrythmias require a pacemaker, only one to replace the natural one if it is sick, some are controlled by meds and some are fixed by a procedure called an ablation.  I had an arrythmia called Supra Ventricular Tachycardia, my heart rate would often get very fast and not slow back down on its own.  For it I did have a successful ablation procedure done a year ago!  Wishing you the best and hope they get yours under control soon.  Hugs, Pat
Posted 8/12/2005 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Pat! Good explanation! :)
Posted 8/13/2005 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for caring and replying everyone. I really appreciate it. I had a shunt put in at birth, and a fontan operation at the age of 2.5. I am now 19 years old, and around the age of 18 it was detected I had an arrhythmia. The doctor I am currently seeing is one of the best EP in the state of NJ. He has me on 5 different medications: Furosemide (water pill), Amiodarone (keep me out of arrhythmia but causes slow heart beats), Enalapril, Warfarin, and Digoxin. I don't know the amounts off hand, but my mother would know as she sets up the medication for me still. I was wondering if there is a type of natural cure that could replace the Amiodarone, and not cause slow heart beats, or even help the Amiodarone. The type of arrhythmia I had I don't know, but I am currently in sinus rhythm. I know that the problem with my heart was that certain parts of it were reaching up to 160 BPS. When I was cardioverted, I was put into a normal rhythm, but I need to keep taking Amiodarone to stay in sinus. My condition currently is about my slow heart beats from my natural pacemaker (as my doctor claims). From what I understand, the cath doctor explained to me that one part of my heart is bigger than another part. Are there any high risks in the pacemaker procedure, and is there a way I could make my heart beat normally through natural methods. Thank you again!! Thank you Teri for those links I will sure check them out!
Posted 8/13/2005 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a tachyarrhythmia originating in the atria. The normal pattern of sinus node impulse generation and conduction through the atria to the AV node is lost. Instead, electrical impulses appear at random in the atria and spread through the atrial muscle in an irregular, uncoordinated way. The atria quiver rather than contracting normally. As a result, blood is not pumped effectively into the ventricles.

This is the problem I had before I was cardioverted.
Posted 8/13/2005 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you're right on top of things jtm!! :) I really hope that you will discuss some of these questions with your Dr. You have a very involved health issue. Please let me know how you are doing - keep in touch!! If you'd like to post on other threads here, we'd welcome that!

Best wishes & Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 8/13/2005 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jtm!  I thought it sounded like your arrythmia is AF.  I know a lot of people online that have this and a pacemaker has helped them tremdously and also the procedure to put it in is not too bad they have said.  I know one gentleman that has AF and he uses a medicine called Rythmol (not sure if that's spelled correct) and it keeps his heart rate pretty stable.  I'm pretty sure that he has not had a pacemaker implanted at this point.  It may be possible that with a pacemaker you may not need to take all those meds that you are taking.  That might be something to ask your doctor. 

 

I'm so sorry your having these problems and at such a young age but it does sound like your doctor is very good so that is a big plus!   Hoping the best for you!  Hugs, Pat

Posted 8/14/2005 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Leah - It's good to hear from you again!! tongue   How have you been doing?  Thanks for checking in with us and sharing your experience, (you were very young!) that can be so helpful to others!! yeah

 

Do you have a list of things that might interfere with either the pacemaker or defibrillator?

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 8/14/2005 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Jtm and Leah please join us in chat on Thursday night at 8 pm cst we would love to see yuo their.

Now Jim be careful of natural  medicine for it might interfer wiht yuor other meds too so please ask your doctor too and keep us updated too. Leah we would love to hear what yuo an and cannot do t=with both of yurs ok.

Heidi

Posted 8/14/2005 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
jtm - you might try CoQ10. It has helped calm down my arrhythmia alot. I still have it but not nearly as much as before. It comes in various strengths - I've seen it from 30mg to 200mg. I take 100mg a day.
hugs,
Oona
Posted 8/14/2005 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, quite a few people that I know have tried CoQ 10  - Thanks for the reminder, Oona!!

Just remember to get your Dr.'s okay before taking this! yeah

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 8/15/2005 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
What does CoQ 10 do? :) I don't have an arrhythmia anymore, I'm just taking medication to stay out of it.

Smiles,
John
Posted 8/15/2005 2:17 AM (GMT 0)

John ask your doctor pleas e before you take any over the counter (OTC) supplements I take it  because I am also on a statin Lipitor 10 mg and it replaces a what I have lost.

CO enzyme Q-10=

helps the body neutralize harmful free radicals in cells.

IT MAY alter enhanced cardiovascular and antioxdant protection.

That is why we say even though you hear different things to take even herbal,vitamins etc ..what may  good for one person may kill another or interfere with your meds you are on , so please and I repeat ask your doctor before you take any OTC  vitamins,herbs etc.,,

Heidi

Posted 8/23/2005 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Leah, it's good to hear back from you! How are you doing?
Yes, with the pacemaker and defibrillator, the MRI would be out for you. They would have to do other tests in place of that. Take care!

Bunches of Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 8/23/2005 4:15 PM (GMT 0)

Yes leah if they can not do a MRI what other  tests can they do in place of that for my husband can not have one .He has wire in his neck due to a neck fusion and I would like to know in case they have to order a MRI .

Heidi

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