My poor little heart might be broken

from JoeUser Forums

I went to the doctor's this morning to talk to him about my high heart rate.  I got some blood drawn to see if perhaps it was my thyroid that was causing my ticker to run faster than  normal (this morning's rate was 115 in case you're interested).

My thyroid levels are normal.  So we can rule out hyperthyroidism.  My cholesterol is normal - 177 overall, and triglycerides are at 77. 

So, it's not hyperthyroidism or cholesterol that's causing the tachycardia.

Basically, we're not sure what it is. So, I'm going to have to see a cardiologist.  By the time the referral gets authorized, by the time I've called and got an appointment with a civilian cardiologist.....it'll be February or March. 

In the meantime, I'm supposed to be taking it easy and not doing anything high impact or strenuous.  Here's the thing, though - there's a possibility that my heart rate is high because I'm out of shape.  Not being able to exercise in months will do that for a person.  If that's the case, then the best way to get my resting heart rate down is to exercise, right?  Right.  But I've been told not to do that because I have a high resting heart rate.  So, I'm caught between a rock and a hard spot.  Do I exercise in the hopes that doing so will bring my heart rate down?  Or do I sit on my ass and wait to see the cardiologist so he can maybe tell me 'Ms F, your heart rate is high because you're out of shape.  You need to start getting more exercise.' ?

Then again, if there IS something wrong with my heart, exercising and pushing my heart rate up could cause me some serious problems.  Like my heart could tire itself out and simply cease to beat.  Which would kill me. 

I promised that if I had any other symptoms, like chest, neck or arm pain, shortness of breath or fainting and dizzy spells that I'd go straight to the ER.  I don't think that's going to happen, but you can bet your ass that if I have ANY symptoms like that I'll be at the hospital like a shot. 

To summarize, they don't know what's wrong with me, but they're sure that SOMETHING'S not right.  My poor little heart could be broken.  It could just be tired.  It's wiring might be messed up.  Or, it could be out of shape and in need of some exercise. 

Looks like we'll have to wait until next year to find out.

misc
7,880 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't think that even if you're out of shape that it would be *that* high. I mean...I'm a tub and mine's usually between 75-85. And it was 64 when I was at the dr. on Tuesday.

Can you do any walking or anything? Not heavy cardio stuff...just a walk? If there's something wrong with the electrics of your heart, exercise isn't going to help...

I don't know babe...but know that I'll be thinking of you and sending good vibes your way.

How do you *feel*? Can you tell that your pulse is up?
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

I don't think that even if you're out of shape that it would be *that* high

If I'm honest, Marcie, I don't think so either.  I'm just trying to find some benign reason for it being that high.

Can you do any walking or anything? Not heavy cardio stuff...just a walk?

Yeah, and I already do.  I walk all the time....it just pisses me off that I can't do stuff.  I got the green light from the pain guy to start a run-walk-run program yesterday, and now I'm being told I can't do that because of my heart rate.  It's incredibly frustrating.

 

If there's something wrong with the electrics of your heart, exercise isn't going to help...

Yeah, I know that too, and I think that's what they're going to say is wrong.  The electrical signals are all kerflooey...but there's medication I can take for that (if that's what's going on, that is).

How do you *feel*? Can you tell that your pulse is up?

I occasionally get palpitations, where I can feel it beat VERY fast, then stop, beat a couple of times really slowly, then fast again, then go back to it's normal rhythm.  Apart from that, no, I can't tell that it's beating that fast, and I feel fine. 

They had at first thought that it was because I was in pain, and that that was what was causing my heart to beat faster.  But I wasn't in THAT much pain yesterday, or today - and it was 110 yesterday and 115 today.  So, we can rule that out as a cause.

I just want to know what the heck is going on.  That's all.  Once I know, I can get on with stuff.  I just feel like I've been held back and held back and every time I think I'm over one thing and on the road to recovery....another thing rears it's ugly head.

Oh well.  Life goes on.

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wow Dharma, doesn't sound like a fun situation at all, and one that might take the docs a while to figure out.

I hope it turns out to be something minor and very easily fixable.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

might take the docs a while to figure out.

That's the thing that aggrivates me the most.  That it's going to take ages to figure out what's going on.

I'm sure it's something minor and can be easily fixed with medication.  I just wish the damn referral process didn't take so long!

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Geez!  That is high!  When I said mine sometimes spikes, it is to about 102!  Most of the time it is in the 80s or lower.  My Doctor thinks it is just my aversion to giving blood (since everything is normal every time I visit him, but a lot higher when the VBS draws a pint).  I hate the needles, but I try not to get all worked up about it.  Apparently I do.

Since I am on HBP medicine, and give blood 4-5 times a year, I am watching this stuff really carefully (the doc wont write a prescription for more than 6 months, so that means at least 2 visits a year).

I hope it is just the fact that dave is home and your Heart is going thumpity thump thump!  That could be it!

Aha!  I think I have diagnosed your problem!  You are IN LOVE!

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
That would be a frustrating situation. I would say if you do any exercise to just take it slow and stop as soon as you have any discomfort.

Be a pain in Tricare's butt so you can get an appointment ASAP. I have found with Tricare that the squeaky wheel really does get appointments sooner.

We are Tricare Prime Remote here and it is great to be able to use civilian doctors. It makes me realize what a nightmare dealing with the MTF was.

I hope you feel better soon. What a bummer.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Aha! I think I have diagnosed your problem! You are IN LOVE!


Don't be ridiculous; she's married!

Hope you feel better, Dharma.

Dan
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

Aha! I think I have diagnosed your problem! You are IN LOVE!


Don't be ridiculous; she's married!

Some of us old fogies that are married, are still in love!  With our spouses!

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
I got the green light from the pain guy to start a run-walk-run program yesterday, and now I'm being told I can't do that because of my heart rate. It's incredibly frustrating.

You were so excited about being able to start running with D again... I know how very frustrating this must be. Talk about a rollercoaster ride. I hope you take the doc's advice and take it easy, though... don't mess around with heart issues. That's serious business. Just in case something IS messed up, you're better off to listen to the docs and try your best to be patient. I'll be praying that the time flies by, or that they can get you in earlier than they expect. In the meantime... pick up those knitting needles, girl!

Some of us old fogies that are married, are still in love! With our spouses!

Amen, doc!
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Is there a possibility that the high heart rate can be caused by any of the medications you are taking for your other problems? You might want to look into that.
Btw, is walking okay for you to do? It doesn't have to be strenuous walking, and it will keep you moving...maybe you can ask the doc about that.
I am sure this is very frustrating for you to be dealing with yet another problem...my thoughts are with you.

In the meanwhile, just enjoy your family and all the great holiday stuff...great way to keep your mind off things.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I hope it is just the fact that dave is home and your Heart is going thumpity thump thump! That could be it!

Nope. We looked at my vital signs for every visit since we got here, and it's consistently been higher than 110 since April.  That's high, and that's an extended period of time, and that's not good.

I would say if you do any exercise to just take it slow and stop as soon as you have any discomfort

That's the thing...it doesn't hurt.  I've never had any chest pain or arm pain. 

Don't be ridiculous; she's married!

Hope you feel better, Dharma.

HAHAAH!  Funny!  I don't feel ill, Dan.  Not in the slightest.

Just in case something IS messed up, you're better off to listen to the docs and try your best to be patient

You are 100% correct, lady.  My heart is not something to be messed around with - I've only got one, and I can't live without it!  I'm going to try my best to be patient and not freak out...and I've ben knitting up a storm lately anyway, so I've got some good stress relief going on.

Is there a possibility that the high heart rate can be caused by any of the medications you are taking for your other problems? You might want to look into that

We already did.  One of the meds I'm on can cause tachycardia, but when we looked over my history for the past year my heart rate was actually lower when I was on the medication.  The tachycardia started AFTER I had come off of it.  I was put back on it last month, and my heart rate is still the same.  So, we know it's not the medications.  If it was, that would be an easy fix....

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
The elavil could be causing it, dharma.


That's what me and the doc thought at first, but we went back over my records and we saw that the tachycardia was still happening even when I wasn't on Elavil. I was taking Ultram for a little while (a couple of months this past summer) for pain relief, and I couldn't take elavil with it becauase of the risk of seizures. I went to see him twice during that time period, and my heart rates were 113 and 109 both those times. So, we both think that we can rule out the elavil as a cause.

I'm making a log of my heart rates at different times during the day so that I can show it to the caridologist and we can see if there's any activity that affects my heart rate.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

Elavil with Ultram can cause seizures? Im glad I learned that because I have been considering the possibility of asking my doctors to put me on a low dose anti-depressant to see if it helps relieve my pain at all. I do take Ultram as an alternative to the opiates when I'm not hurting too bad, so thats good to know.

Yep, it increases the seizure risk, so most physicians won't let you take both at the same time. 

If you're looking into adding medications that act as catalysts for the pain meds, you might want to ask about gabapentin as well.  It's an anti seizure med, but it works for a myraid of other stuff....and it doesn't have the risks that elavil does. As far as I know, it's not contraindicated with Ultram (tramadol).  Might be worth looking into.

 

Im thinking about asking for trazodone (Desyrel) to take at night, it's always helped me sleep and it makes me have the most bizarre and vivid dreams imaginable, a side effect that I actually enjoy.

I was on that once.  That was after they had misdiagnosed me as having bipolar disorder.  I was on that, lithium, tegretol and some other med that I can't recally the name of.  I do recall the dreams, though.  Very, very vivid.

I took my pulse atr various times during the day yesterday, and when we went to the BX I used the BP cuff thing that you see in a lot of stores.  It ranged from 99 to 112, and the machine rated me at 104.  I had wondered if it wasn't the stress of being in the doctor's office that was pushing it up, but as I wasn't anywhere near a doctor yesterday I can rule that out now.

Thank you for the card, btw.  It should be ME who's thanking YOU, just so's you know.  

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well that stinks...having a high heart rate can really freak someone out. It used to happen to me lots and when my heart started beating faster...it really got me antsy.

For me...Im overweight and after having many panic attacks, I went to the cardiologist who said my heart walls were thicker than normal by just a slight amount so he put me on 2 meds to lower my bp. I went in again as I was getting ready to leave Vegas and I told him about how my heart rate bothers me so he changed one of my meds to slow it down. That has me more tired than normal...but it at least bother me anymore. (in the summer of 04...I went into the E room and a clinic and both times, I had a case of tachecardia.

I also try to drink plenty of water...for some odd reason, im never thirsty, but I force myself to drink water. If you are on the dry side...the ticker will start beating faster.

Until then...just keep an eye on your heart like a hawk...try to jot down anything that you think the doc might want to see or hear from you as far as when it happens or if you notice it at any particular time...etc.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

Until then...just keep an eye on your heart like a hawk...try to jot down anything that you think the doc might want to see or hear from you as far as when it happens or if you notice it at any particular time...etc.

That's what I'm doing.  I'm creating a log of what I do and when and taking my heart rate whilst doing so in the hopes that we can identify a pattern.  The lowest it's been in the past 24 hours has been 97, and that was when I first woke up (before I got out of bed).  That's still really pretty high considering I was laying in bed. 

I got palpitations yesterday and I made a note of it.   I think that I've got so used to having them that I haven't paid them any mind.  That needs to change.  I'm going to have to make myself very aware of what's going on with my heart and report it all to the doc.

And yes, it DOES stink.

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
hopefully its something small...that is what Im leaning towards. I never noticed my fast heart rate at all until the last 18 months or so.

After I got done with dinner one night, I had a diet Coke with it and after a half hour...I got light headed and my pulse rocketed...I tried laying down but it was so fast and hard that the pulse was shaking me. We hopped in the car and I called the clinic to let them know I was coming, on the phone they told me to go to the Emergency room where I felt like I was going to throw up and/or pass out. I can't remember what my pulse was...I think it was 180...it was doing a polka or something. They had me to to one of the beds and I laid down and they hooked me up to an IV and boy did that make me feel better. I had to go through 2 IV bags before I could..........fill a cup.
After that session...I would get light headed and have panic attacks....but if i sat down and chugged water...I could feel my pulse slow down. I normally don't even feel stressed out about anything...but I think its because of the whole new job situation after graduating college, being on my own...etc; must have had me stressed more than I thought. For the next 9 months or so...I would get panic attacks and get antsy and couldnt sit still...felt like I was going to die. Finally this summer, that has pretty much gone away. I'm not totally sure what it was, but I try to walk, or walk even more when Im at work at Wal Mart...and I keep water with me at all times and so far so good...as far as the panic attacks. Unfortunately, I lost 20 lbs this spring and gained a chunck of it back already so I need to change some habits.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

That's the thing, Ziggy.  I DON'T feel bad.  AT all.  I feel fine.  I know I'm not chronically dehydrated because I pee regularly.  I know I'm not overweight (128 as of last week), I know my cholesterol isn't high (177 over all), I don't have panic attacks (I had one back in my 20's and I know how they feel - they're kinda hard to miss)...in other words there is NO reason for me to be tachycardic. 

I walked and ran a little today.  I walked for 2 mins, ran for 1.  Walked for 2, ran for 1.  Did that for 15 mins, then power walked my way back to the car and came home.  I didn't have chest pain, I didn't feel out of breath or faint...I felt like I always do when I work out.  If my doc knew I went running I think he'd be a little upset because I promised him that I'd take it easy, but goddam it I'm fekkin' tired of sitting on my arse and saying 'I just had surgery, I can't'.  So I went, and I ran, and I didn't keel over and die.  I'm going to go again on Wednesday.  And again on Friday.  Matter of fact, I'm going to try and go 3 days a week until I see the cardiologist in the hopes that it will bring my resting heart rate down and we can rule out my being out of shape as a cause.  The less causes we have to look at, the faster I'll get a definitive diagnosis and the faster we can start the treatment.

I'm looking forward to that.

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's what I'm doing. I'm creating a log of what I do and when and taking my heart rate whilst doing so in the hopes that we can identify a pattern. The lowest it's been in the


This is good. Also make a note of what you eat and drink to see if this could be causing any effects. Caffeine and alcohol can cause changes. And with so much caffeine being added to different foods these days you will have to keep tabs on the intake if this is the problem.


I'm glad you're not having chest pains and can walk without stress. I agree with you exercising but I would caution not doing too much until after meeting with the specialist. After all, your doctor has a reason to tell you not to stress yourself too much and that's because since he's not sure what's going on, it's just a precautionary measure.

Walking (and swimming) are good exercises to do though so you're on the right track.

I do hope everything will be alright with your health. Worrying about it, that in itself can be stressful.

My hubby has been stressing lately about his heart. He's a smoker and was told to quit and he hasn't done that yet. But he knows what he needs to do and it's up to him to do it. No amount of bullying will make him change. Anyway, I hope everything will be OK as I said before. Taking care of you is very important and you're doing that.