Outpatient Heart Procedure - Update Sunday June 3rd

[Bengalz]

Good thoughts and best wishes for you Anne. This is clearly a frightening procedure but a necessary one. Try to stay calm (if that's possible...). Hugs, Betty

[cassiesmom]

insurance has to justify it?..

We do, but for the most part it is very straightforward. Implanted defibrillators are so small and so smart now. It is clearly a life-saving treatment.

[mrspunkysmom]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I'll post once again before I have the procedure. I'll have a friend post on my Facebook page on my status later Friday or Saturday.

[robinh]

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, especially during the waiting period before the test.

[mrspunkysmom]

Just an update on the medicine issue.

I'm now on Warfarin, 4mg per day. I had to research why diabetics have a greater risk for stroke before I took the med tonight. Still it's scary because I have all the risk factors for NOT taking Warfarin, such as frequent falls and stumbles leading to bruising, Celiac disease, diabetes (have to check my blood every day) infrequent kidney stones, frequent kidney infections, infrequent gallstones, hypothyroidism (drug interferes with thyroxine absorption, I believe). I have to drink cranberry juice which is high in Vitamin K. I can't have lettuce so I have to use other greens which are high in Vitamin K. The pharmacist even called the doctor to verify that he wanted me on Warfarin because of some of the issues I face.

So I took one-half of the 4mg tablet. It is not coated, I'm making an appt with my Internist to act as my liaison with the arrhythmia specialist. While my stroke risk is higher than the average population, it isn't that high. Depending on the calculator you use, it's anywhere from 4 to 15%, both of which are reasonable risks considering the probability that I will fall or trip on any day is at least 50%. I am a real clutz.

Given a choice between my thyroid and stroke risk, I'll choose Thyroid every time. I know what will happen there. The stroke risk is still a probability. My diabetes is well controlled as is the BP and both are improving! I'm also losing weight! I am hoping they will let me keep the INR at a low rate but still not too low.

[mrspunkysmom]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. A friend will be posting on Facebook for me. I don't arrive at the hospital until 11 AM and the procedure starts a little later. It will be mid to late afternoon that any results are known. Let's hope I don't get too grumpy from hunger.

[Catty1]

Wishing you all the very best, Anne. I am looking forward to your update - when you feel okay to do so. HUGS!

[Queen of Poop]

You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[Karen]

We're thinking of you!

[mrspunkysmom]

Talked with a former chiropractor yesterday. He thought I looked a lot better than when he last saw me. That made me feel good.

I actually feel better now. It's hard to believe that an erratic heart could make you feel that tired. He did not mention if my heart was enlarged. I don't and haven't eaten an excessive amount of fatty foods. I prefer lite meals. It's a shame it couldn't be caught earlier. I knew I had palpitations but the heart behaved during every test but this years.

But back to feeling better. The chest isn't tight any more. The medicine is also making a difference. I don't feel like I'm carrying a 1000 lb weight around.

Just need to get over the cumadin/warfarin issues and the allergy to Xarelto. Wish I could sell those pills without getting charged with distributing drugs without a license. I'm also still showing symptoms since the Xarelto is a time-released med. I'm lucky the allergist put me on a good antihistamine or it could have been worse.

I called the LifeWatch people this morning and actually spoke with someone that wasn't reading from a script. We have a real conversation. He'll look into my concerns, is sending me a car charger, and reset the machine to indicate which electrode was faulty. He also took down my complaints about the ineffective gel-glue that is supposed to stay 3 days, but only lasts a few hours. I could tell the other techs were reading from a script.

I'll have to tell you about the other techs and my need to take a shower without the cops busting down my door because the machine doesn't register my heartbeat. I am sure my file is flagged and labeled as "crazy woman" at this point.

[Karen]

It sure makes a difference when you are talking to a real thinking human being, doesn't it? Glad you are feeling better!

[Catty1]

Glad you are feeling better, and that others notice?

Hey, join the crazy lady club! I'd rather be crazy and alive than the alternative (sane and dead????? ).

So...you can't get a refund on those meds? DANG!

[mrspunkysmom]

Glad you are feeling better, and that others notice?

Hey, join the crazy lady club! I'd rather be crazy and alive than the alternative (sane and dead????? ).

So...you can't get a refund on those meds? DANG!

No, no refund. I thought of advertising on Craig's list for a split second until reality set in and I realized that I would probably get arrested.

I'll figure something out.