Health problems, dammit!

I'm just like a guy when it comes to denial and doctor avoidance, but I'm going to the dr. this a.m. A few days ago I had a funny spell and had to sit down and rest. Then I felt my heart pounding and couldn't find my pulse.  I immediately cut my caffeine consumption way back. My pulse is now strong but irregular, but as I was thinking about it I realized that I had been compensating for feelings of weakness by bustling around and then taking long rests. 

Heart trouble has different symptoms in women, as I had heard. I saw several men having classic heart attacks when I did hospital work, but what I am experiencing is nothing like that. I think it's crept up on me and I've learned to live with it. I imagine it's the kind of thing that can be dealt with through lifestyle changes and medication.

All my family members have developed heart trouble at some point, so why should I imagine I would be spared? Anyway, I need a diagnosis and treatment, that much is clear.

This all makes me feel very grateful for the trip to Peru, which probably is not something I will be able to do again. I'm hoping this will not interfere with our plans to go to Mexico. If flying becomes problematic, I'm really going to be upset, because that would mean having to move back to the mainland.

Well, we shall see.

Live it up while you can!

Update: I need to get an echocardiogram before I go to Mexico, and the Hilo Kaiser Clinic is all backed up with appointments through April, which means I have to fly to Honolulu on Friday to get the test. Just over there and back, but Medicare pays for all of it, gracias a dios.

Comments

[marja-leena]

Oh dear, hope it's nothing serious! Good thing you are seeing a doctor. Keep us posted...

[Brandon]

I don't know what to say except I hope your diagnosis isn't dire and your treatment will be successful. And let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

[Henry Hank Chapin]

I recentky had a brief attack of vertigo in the middle of the night. I had some of the thoughts you've been happening. Why should I be exempt? But I'm back to normal now.

[TheQueen]

Wishing you well.

[Hattie]

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. It's atrial fibrillation, and I have to take warfarin. I also need to take blood pressure medication now. Well, I am 73. Thank god for Kaiser and a clinic within easy driving distance, because I need to be closely monitored until they can figure out my optimum dosage. This is a common condition, and the treatments are tried and true.

[Cop Car]

Somehow, I keep thinking of you as a "young chick" - say, of 54 or so. I assumed your physician would tell you to take two asperin, walk two miles, and call him in the morning. ; ) Warfarin isn't all that bad, I think, and I'm glad that you had a session with your physician.

Never, in my life, have I been able to find my own pulse - at least, not reliably. I spent 10 minutes Saturday morning trying to find it - and - gave up! Even in 7th grade, when we learned to take one another's pulses, the boy who was supposed to take mine gave up - as did our teacher. Oh, well, when I feel "funny" beats, I climb up/down the stairs a few times. If I raise my heartbeat rate, it straightens itself out (my brother is the same way and he had two heart attacks within 10 days when he was 45.) OTOH: If I am really religious about my cardio, I never have to do the stair-thing as I'm not irregular.

Hope you get really, really regular - however you achieve the good results. Surely you'll get to fly! (Threaten the doc if he says "no" - lol.)

[Rain Trueax]

Glad your results don't sound catastrophic even if any health problem is scary. Good luck with the treatment.

[Maria]

I came here to wish you luck, and you already have your dx. Good, I hate suspense. Hang in there, girl.

[rodentia]

Uh oh, I thought you were invincible! Hope all goes well on Friday.

[Toni]

Boy, heart problems and high blood pressure sure do creep up on us. I had a heart attack 8 years ago and I now carry a couple of aspirin in my purse at all times--I've heard it is best to take them at any sign of a heart attack. My only symptoms at the time of the attack were extreme weakness and a dull ache in my upper back. And like you, I kept denying that anything was wrong until it was almost too late. BTW, I keep hearing that '70 is the new 30'--but we still have to be mindful of our health.
Enjoy your trip to Mexico City, I will be following you on the blog.

[Henry Hank Chapin]

Warfarin (also known as Coumadin) is not casual. It's very doable, but not casual. The idea is to dissolve the clot. It's a blood thinner. Kaiser has your blood monitored at regular intervals. The good news part of that is they're paying attention. I had a 6-month regimen after a blood clot appeared in my leg after my hip replacement. I also learned how to give myself an injection in the abdomen. I forget what it was for, to tell you the truth. Was I giving myself the Warfarin? No big deal after a while, though it would give some people the creeps. I don't know if that's going to be necessary for you, as you have something different.

[Ingineer66]

Get well soon so you can stay in Paradise.

[TheQueen]

Now THAT is how to deal with illness! Get it diagnosed, take you medicine like a grownup. You are my hero!

[Hattie]

Again, thanks for all the support. I do appreciate it.

[Linda P.]

I'm glad the diagnosis was quick, and the answer obvious. I hope your adjustment to new medications and a new need for extra monitoring is as quick as your diagnosis.

[Z]

Good luck with this and I hope it doesn't put a wrench in the Mexico trip! Which should be restful, the way you are doing it --

[Annie]

Well, shucks! Sorry to hear of your health blip. When do you leave for Mexico, if you go? Would love to see you before then, either in Hilo or at our place. Will call you later today or tomorrow, to check in. Meanwhile, sending all good thoughts your way!

[Maria]

Hattie--Was just reading the NYT about falls. One of the commenters specifically mentioned that you should be vigilant about dizziness while taking blood thinners. So, please be extra careful about falling. Maybe think about putting up some grab bars. Be careful when you rise from a sitting position, etc.

[barbara]

Will be thinking of you -- barbara

[Musings]

Take good care of yourself, Marianna. You do have to listen to what your body is telling you. Thank goodness Medicare is paying for the trip because inter island trips are darn expensive these days.

[Hattie]

I'm fine and just taking it easy for a few days.
Z: If there are no complications, I should be able to go. Lots of people have this condition, as I am finding out, and they don't even bother to mention it. My MIL had it for years. And some young people I know have AF, I was surprised to hear.
Kay: It's a little rough having to go all the way to Honolulu for a routine diagnostic procedure, but Kaiser makes all the arrangements. I do feel looked after.
Maria: I am always pretty careful and will be extra careful now.
Annie: Do call. I'd enjoy seeing you.
Barbara and others: Thanks for everyone's kind thoughts. They really do make me feel better.

[beth]

Hola, dear Hattie -- I'm so sorry you've been having these problems! I have irregular beats sometimes too, and will probably have to take medication eventually. You did the right thing, and I hope it all straightens out quickly once they figure out the optimum dosage for you. You will LOVE Mexico, I am sure of it, and don't worry - your traveling days are not over! xxoos

[Brandon]

I hope you find these links on warfarin useful.

http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?query=warfarin&v%3Aproject=nlm-main-website

[naomi dagen bloom]

Good to know that you now know how to proceed. Watch it in Mexico City with its high altitude: bounding up steps not a good idea even though it might be your preferred style. Take care.

[Hattie]

I am responding to the meds. It's just my heart and nothing else. More later. Again, thanks, everyone, for your concern.