Re: Update and Thanks

[Guest guest]

Very helpful info ... thanks Kat. I'm not sure if I'm reassured or more

scared after reading about digoxin now! They didn't want to give me beta

blockers

or calcium channel blockers as my blood pressure is always low. I'm still

not real sure why they want to give me this one though ... my rate didn't seem

that high. More questions I guess. But thanks for the info. I'm printing out

out.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

Oh, she's with me (my little dog) ... in fact, I went to Urgent Care from the

vet's office. Called the cardiologist from the waiting room while she was in

surgery. She has a " hearing dog in training vest " as she was training to be

one when I was training to be a sign language interpreter, so she's legal to

go into the doctor's office with me (and anywhere, in fact). She was actually

quite a comfort to me while I laid there on the gurney for hours (she's only

10 lbs ... smaller than my cat!). She's also a pet therapy dog, so she's used

to hospitals and is very calm and mellow ... it was actually funny because the

nurses were all worried about HER as she kept coughing from the breathing

tube that had been down her throat! She is a comfort and I am very grateful

she's fine ... now if only this stupid a-fib would convert so I could be too!

:/

Toni

[Guest guest]

Oh, she's with me (my little dog) ... in fact, I went to Urgent Care from the

vet's office. Called the cardiologist from the waiting room while she was in

surgery. She has a " hearing dog in training vest " as she was training to be

one when I was training to be a sign language interpreter, so she's legal to

go into the doctor's office with me (and anywhere, in fact). She was actually

quite a comfort to me while I laid there on the gurney for hours (she's only

10 lbs ... smaller than my cat!). She's also a pet therapy dog, so she's used

to hospitals and is very calm and mellow ... it was actually funny because the

nurses were all worried about HER as she kept coughing from the breathing

tube that had been down her throat! She is a comfort and I am very grateful

she's fine ... now if only this stupid a-fib would convert so I could be too!

:/

Toni

[Guest guest]

Oh, she's with me (my little dog) ... in fact, I went to Urgent Care from the

vet's office. Called the cardiologist from the waiting room while she was in

surgery. She has a " hearing dog in training vest " as she was training to be

one when I was training to be a sign language interpreter, so she's legal to

go into the doctor's office with me (and anywhere, in fact). She was actually

quite a comfort to me while I laid there on the gurney for hours (she's only

10 lbs ... smaller than my cat!). She's also a pet therapy dog, so she's used

to hospitals and is very calm and mellow ... it was actually funny because the

nurses were all worried about HER as she kept coughing from the breathing

tube that had been down her throat! She is a comfort and I am very grateful

she's fine ... now if only this stupid a-fib would convert so I could be too!

:/

Toni

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/04 4:51:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> Did the lighthededness start after the digoxin? It did that to

> me, so it may not be the afib. That was another reason I wanted to

> stop it, although lessening the dose might help

No ... the lightheadedness started this morning before I even went to the vet

with my dog. I almost didn't go (I wouldn't have driven if it hadn't

stopped). Then it started again while I was waiting for her. They gave me the

digoxin in an IV, and about an hour after I got home I did have a VERY weird

spell

where I got so dizzy the room literally spun for a second ... luckily I was

already on the sofa. Maybe that was from the drug? That makes sense ... drugs

are scary things.

T.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/04 4:51:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> Did the lighthededness start after the digoxin? It did that to

> me, so it may not be the afib. That was another reason I wanted to

> stop it, although lessening the dose might help

No ... the lightheadedness started this morning before I even went to the vet

with my dog. I almost didn't go (I wouldn't have driven if it hadn't

stopped). Then it started again while I was waiting for her. They gave me the

digoxin in an IV, and about an hour after I got home I did have a VERY weird

spell

where I got so dizzy the room literally spun for a second ... luckily I was

already on the sofa. Maybe that was from the drug? That makes sense ... drugs

are scary things.

T.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/04 4:51:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> Did the lighthededness start after the digoxin? It did that to

> me, so it may not be the afib. That was another reason I wanted to

> stop it, although lessening the dose might help

No ... the lightheadedness started this morning before I even went to the vet

with my dog. I almost didn't go (I wouldn't have driven if it hadn't

stopped). Then it started again while I was waiting for her. They gave me the

digoxin in an IV, and about an hour after I got home I did have a VERY weird

spell

where I got so dizzy the room literally spun for a second ... luckily I was

already on the sofa. Maybe that was from the drug? That makes sense ... drugs

are scary things.

T.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/04 4:59:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> Is Barracuda Woman going to do anything useful?

Who knows? They actually told me to go to my GP (whom I like quite a bit, so

I liked their suggestion there) to get a follow-up exam and a full

prescription for the digoxen (he only gave me one for 15 days worth). I did

call the

barracuda's nurse again to ask about it, as I'm not sure I want to take it ... I

am having the same experience as you ... I feel like I've converted, so I

take my rate and it's just the same. And if I stand up, I can feel it like

before ... so what's the point exactly? The rate is the same as it was since

Sunday (all over the map) so I don't exactly see what the point is in taking it.

But I'm also taking 's advice and being more assertive and will keep asking

questions until someone gives me answers. And if I can, I will try to switch

from the barracuda bitch to someone more human ... we'll see ... for now

she's my only cardiology resource, and like I said, her nurse is helpful and

asks

the questions and calls me back so I don't have to talk to the barracuda.

It's all just confusing to me ... now if I CAN take meds, how do I investigate

them? I tend to over-react to drugs, so they scare me a lot. And I listen to

what you all have said about the drugs and the reactions and the interactions

and that scares me. I am pressing on and am sure I will be thinking more

clearly once I convert. And I am grateful I have one more day of vacation till

I

go back to work as I don't think I could work right now. That bites too as I

will not allow this stupid a-fib to interfere with my job which I love.

Toni

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/04 4:59:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> Is Barracuda Woman going to do anything useful?

Who knows? They actually told me to go to my GP (whom I like quite a bit, so

I liked their suggestion there) to get a follow-up exam and a full

prescription for the digoxen (he only gave me one for 15 days worth). I did

call the

barracuda's nurse again to ask about it, as I'm not sure I want to take it ... I

am having the same experience as you ... I feel like I've converted, so I

take my rate and it's just the same. And if I stand up, I can feel it like

before ... so what's the point exactly? The rate is the same as it was since

Sunday (all over the map) so I don't exactly see what the point is in taking it.

But I'm also taking 's advice and being more assertive and will keep asking

questions until someone gives me answers. And if I can, I will try to switch

from the barracuda bitch to someone more human ... we'll see ... for now

she's my only cardiology resource, and like I said, her nurse is helpful and

asks

the questions and calls me back so I don't have to talk to the barracuda.

It's all just confusing to me ... now if I CAN take meds, how do I investigate

them? I tend to over-react to drugs, so they scare me a lot. And I listen to

what you all have said about the drugs and the reactions and the interactions

and that scares me. I am pressing on and am sure I will be thinking more

clearly once I convert. And I am grateful I have one more day of vacation till

I

go back to work as I don't think I could work right now. That bites too as I

will not allow this stupid a-fib to interfere with my job which I love.

Toni

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/04 4:59:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> Is Barracuda Woman going to do anything useful?

Who knows? They actually told me to go to my GP (whom I like quite a bit, so

I liked their suggestion there) to get a follow-up exam and a full

prescription for the digoxen (he only gave me one for 15 days worth). I did

call the

barracuda's nurse again to ask about it, as I'm not sure I want to take it ... I

am having the same experience as you ... I feel like I've converted, so I

take my rate and it's just the same. And if I stand up, I can feel it like

before ... so what's the point exactly? The rate is the same as it was since

Sunday (all over the map) so I don't exactly see what the point is in taking it.

But I'm also taking 's advice and being more assertive and will keep asking

questions until someone gives me answers. And if I can, I will try to switch

from the barracuda bitch to someone more human ... we'll see ... for now

she's my only cardiology resource, and like I said, her nurse is helpful and

asks

the questions and calls me back so I don't have to talk to the barracuda.

It's all just confusing to me ... now if I CAN take meds, how do I investigate

them? I tend to over-react to drugs, so they scare me a lot. And I listen to

what you all have said about the drugs and the reactions and the interactions

and that scares me. I am pressing on and am sure I will be thinking more

clearly once I convert. And I am grateful I have one more day of vacation till

I

go back to work as I don't think I could work right now. That bites too as I

will not allow this stupid a-fib to interfere with my job which I love.

Toni

[Guest guest]

> Hi Again Y'all ...

>

> Well, I ended up in Urgent Care today cuz I

Hi, Toni,

Lanoxin and digoxin are the same thing. I think maybe one is the

generic or something.

I took digoxin for awhile, along with my beta blocker, and it seemed

to lessen the feeling that I was in afib, although I was still

fibbing. I had to take my pulse, especially when I was resting, to

see if I was still in afib. But when I walked around, it didn't seem

to have that smoothing effect.

It does require monitoring to see when the appropriate level is

reached.

I asked my cardiologist if I really needed it; and the doc said I

could get just as much rate control by taking more beta blocker, so

we decided to do that.

Lots of people do take it, though.

Is Barracuda Woman going to do anything useful?

[Guest guest]

> Hi Again Y'all ...

>

> Well, I ended up in Urgent Care today cuz I couldn't take it any

more. (And

p.s. Did the lighthededness start after the digoxin? It did that to

me, so it may not be the afib. That was another reason I wanted to

stop it, although lessening the dose might help.

[Guest guest]

> Hi Again Y'all ...

>

> Well, I ended up in Urgent Care today cuz I couldn't take it any

more. (And

p.s. Did the lighthededness start after the digoxin? It did that to

me, so it may not be the afib. That was another reason I wanted to

stop it, although lessening the dose might help.

[Guest guest]

> Hi Again Y'all ...

>

> Well, I ended up in Urgent Care today cuz I couldn't take it any

more. (And

p.s. Did the lighthededness start after the digoxin? It did that to

me, so it may not be the afib. That was another reason I wanted to

stop it, although lessening the dose might help.

[Guest guest]

> The

Urgent Care doctor said they have to monitor levels of it your blood

constantly? That seems scary to me. Shit, everything seems scary to

me right

now.

I would not be scared about the digoxin. I am sure they started you

out on a very low dose. I think that dose is what they started me on.

I know (all too well) the everything is scary feeling. I think the

anxiety from the afib rackets all over everything in the vicinity.

Here's hoping the digoxin makes you more comfortable.

I am so glad your dog is well, and hope he or she is home with you

now and not overnighting at the vet's. Our pets can be a great

comfort.

[Guest guest]

> The

Urgent Care doctor said they have to monitor levels of it your blood

constantly? That seems scary to me. Shit, everything seems scary to

me right

now.

I would not be scared about the digoxin. I am sure they started you

out on a very low dose. I think that dose is what they started me on.

I know (all too well) the everything is scary feeling. I think the

anxiety from the afib rackets all over everything in the vicinity.

Here's hoping the digoxin makes you more comfortable.

I am so glad your dog is well, and hope he or she is home with you

now and not overnighting at the vet's. Our pets can be a great

comfort.

[Guest guest]

> The

Urgent Care doctor said they have to monitor levels of it your blood

constantly? That seems scary to me. Shit, everything seems scary to

me right

now.

I would not be scared about the digoxin. I am sure they started you

out on a very low dose. I think that dose is what they started me on.

I know (all too well) the everything is scary feeling. I think the

anxiety from the afib rackets all over everything in the vicinity.

Here's hoping the digoxin makes you more comfortable.

I am so glad your dog is well, and hope he or she is home with you

now and not overnighting at the vet's. Our pets can be a great

comfort.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/2004 3:12:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

> Anyone have any insights on this drug? In one

> way I'm grateful I can take SOMETHING, and on the other hand, I'm afraid of

> it

> and am not feeling well enough to sit here to do any research right now.

> The

> Urgent Care doctor said they have to monitor levels of it your blood

> constantly?

Toni,

Digoxin or Lanoxin is one of the oldest drugs for treating heart problems.

It originally was derived from the common foxglove plant, but I think it is

synthesized now. You have nothing to fear from Digoxin because it is actually

one of the safer drugs, provided your " Dig " level is monitored regularly. For

my older brother in permanent afib, Digoxin plus Atenolol have made the

difference between complete debilitation and a normal, active life. Before he

started Digoxin, his resting pulse was 160-170 all the time and he couldn't eat,

sleep, climb stairs, or even walk across the floor without turning purple. A

few

hours after starting Digoxin he was back to normal, and now he lives a very

active, normal life in constant afib, taking Digoxin and Atenolol. He has been

taking Digoxin for 15 years and has had no problems.

Because Digoxin seemed to be a miracle drug for my brother, I asked my

cardiologist if I could take it, but he said that it would not be good for my

paroxysmal afib. In his opinion, Digoxin can encourage a permanent afib in a

person

who has paroxysmal afib, as I do. However, I think there is controversy on

this point because I have read here and on other boards that some doctors

disagree with that theory.

Anyway, I would say if it works for you and alleviates your symptoms, it's

better than nothing. Also, I would again urge you to get different medical

opinions as to whether you can or cannot take drugs for afib. If your doctor

has

reneged on her original position by authorizing Digoxin for you, chances are

there's at least one other drug out there that would work for you. If you can

take something, you may be able to take something else since your doctor's

original position that you can't take anything is obviously not true. Maybe the

combination my brother takes, Atenolol and Digoxin, would work for you. I

would pursue more opinions about this.

I do hope you and your doggie are feeling fine tonight. Now that the worry

over your doggie has abated, you probably will be calmer. Studies have shown

that just petting a dog or cat can increase the neurotransmitter Serotonin, an

effect similar to that of taking tranquilizers. Worry over your dog may have

exacerbated your afib. Again, anything you can do to relax will help.

Best wishes,

in sinus in Seattle, with my little Serotonin stimulator (dog) lying at

my feet

[Guest guest]

> Very helpful info ... thanks Kat. I'm not sure if I'm reassured or

more

> scared after reading about digoxin now! They didn't want to give

me beta blockers

> or calcium channel blockers as my blood pressure is always low.

I'm still

> not real sure why they want to give me this one though ... my rate

didn't seem

> that high.

Hi, Toni,

They may be trying to deal with the intermittent peaks in heart rate

you mentioned, and trying to make you more comfortable.

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 6/1/04 4:51:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

trudyjh@a...

> They gave me the

> digoxin in an IV, and about an hour after I got home I did have a

VERY weird spell

> where I got so dizzy the room literally spun for a second ...

luckily I was

> already on the sofa. Maybe that was from the drug? That makes

sense ... drugs

> are scary things.

That's exactly what happened to me on it at the beginning.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/04 9:59:36 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

Starfi6314@... writes:

> Anyway, I would say if it works for you and alleviates your symptoms, it's

> better than nothing.

Thanks . The problem is it hasn't helped at ALL. It's all exactly the

same as before they gave it to me in the hospital. And my rate is still

staying between 90 and the low 100s, so do I really need rate control? And if

it

makes the heart contract harder, why would I want to keep taking it once I

convert (assuming I do)? To me it seems like the atria is still quivering, not

beating, and if a clot IS forming, then converting AND being on digoxin which is

making my heart beat harder all the time increases the risk of throwing a

clot. This is the longest event I've had, and I'm terrified it will turn into

chronic a-fib. I do not think I could mentally handle that ... God knows I'm

not

handling this bout well. If it helped, I could see the point. And I can see

the point more in chronic than mine ... and at this point I'm afraid of being

seen as difficult. Like, gee, we finally give her a medication, and she

doesn't want it. What the doctor said yesterday is that I can't take the rhythm

control drugs, which is really what I need. The rate isn't going that high.

I'm very frustrated. And yes, my dog is a real blessing to me ... I even get

to take her to work ... the big boss is an animal lover (did I SAY I love my

job! ha ha) ... we have 2 other dogs that come in, three cats that live in the

office, and a cage-ful of chinchillas. Interesting place! Was hoping and

praying I'd convert overnight, but I didn't. I'm still going to try going to

a movie today as my last vacation day, but I am really on edge and weepy.

The absolute impotence is getting to me. I feel like my own body is turning on

me or something. And I kind of feel like others about taking meds for the

rest of my life. I've actually not minded not being able to take them up till

now, except for times I need it to just stop, like now. I want to investigate

rhythmol more as someone posted a few days about about it maybe being an " on

demand " drug. That's what I need ... something that will stop it when it starts

but that I don't have to be on all the time. I will keep investigating

though ... I can't go through this again ... assuming it's ever going to stop

this

time!

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/2/04 12:12:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> They may be trying to deal with the intermittent peaks in heart rate

> you mentioned, and trying to make you more comfortable.

>

Hi Trudy ... if they wanted to make me more comfortable they'd have converted

me ... or given me a lobotomy. My brain KNOWS the dangers, so making me not

feel the a-fib as much if I don't move doesn't help at all. If it doesn't

stop anything or slow anything, I still don't see the point. I'm not someone

who

likes to take meds for every little thing (I rarely even take Tylenol for a

headache), so if that's their goal they failed. I wish I could shut my brain

off for awhile. The fear doesn't help. Neither does the frustration. Thanks.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/2/2004 7:24:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

> This is the longest event I've had, and I'm terrified it will turn into

> chronic a-fib.

Toni,

I felt the same way when I had my longest ever, ten day episode three years

ago. I was sure I would never come out of it, but I did. You will come out of

it, also, I am sure, because the path to permanent afib is usually gradual, I

think, based on my own experience and that of my brother. He said that he

would have increasingly longer episodes until he would be in afib for months and

then convert to sinus for a few days. This was just before he went

permanent. Also, he says that afib seems to grow easier to handle the longer he

has

had it. Now that it is chronic, it doesn't disrupt his life as it did when he

was on the way to permanent afib. So maybe chronic afib is not so much to be

feared as tolerated. The heart and body seem to adjust as one progresses in

chronic afib. I don't think you will stay in afib this time, but if you did

wind up in chronic afib eventually, you may find as my brother has that it is

possible to live a normal life once you become accustomed to it and the symptoms

lessen. The important thing, I think, is to stop worrying and distract

yourself from your fear and anxiety. Believe me, I know how hard that is to do,

but it has worked for me over and over again. I fully expect to read soon that

you are in sinus, and you should expect that, too, because it will help.

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/2/2004 7:24:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

> This is the longest event I've had, and I'm terrified it will turn into

> chronic a-fib.

Toni,

I felt the same way when I had my longest ever, ten day episode three years

ago. I was sure I would never come out of it, but I did. You will come out of

it, also, I am sure, because the path to permanent afib is usually gradual, I

think, based on my own experience and that of my brother. He said that he

would have increasingly longer episodes until he would be in afib for months and

then convert to sinus for a few days. This was just before he went

permanent. Also, he says that afib seems to grow easier to handle the longer he

has

had it. Now that it is chronic, it doesn't disrupt his life as it did when he

was on the way to permanent afib. So maybe chronic afib is not so much to be

feared as tolerated. The heart and body seem to adjust as one progresses in

chronic afib. I don't think you will stay in afib this time, but if you did

wind up in chronic afib eventually, you may find as my brother has that it is

possible to live a normal life once you become accustomed to it and the symptoms

lessen. The important thing, I think, is to stop worrying and distract

yourself from your fear and anxiety. Believe me, I know how hard that is to do,

but it has worked for me over and over again. I fully expect to read soon that

you are in sinus, and you should expect that, too, because it will help.

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/2/04 10:45:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

Starfi6314@... writes:

> The important thing, I think, is to stop worrying and distract

> yourself from your fear and anxiety. Believe me, I know how hard that is to

> do,

> but it has worked for me over and over again. I fully expect to read soon

> that

> you are in sinus, and you should expect that, too, because it will help

Thanks, . Your words of support always help so much. I am preparing to

go back to work today after my so-called vacation (terrified days in a-fib

were not exactly what I had planned). Am still in a-fib ... had a melt-down

yesterday. Now am simply in despair and depressed, and actually grateful to go

to

work, hoping that will distract me a bit. I hope you are right that I will

convert ... but knowing myself well, I wonder if this " worse ever " episode will

simply make me more fearful of a return if I do convert. It seems a no-win

situation ... which is perhaps fueling my depression. Actually I don't feel

depressed (despair yes) ... I feel numb. I'm not sure which is worse ... though

for functioning for work, numb should be OK. I thought I had moved into

acceptance till this bout. Not sure what the next step is .... obviously there

is

nothing to " do " per se. Though I am NOT taking the digoxin. If it had

helped I might, but it's done nothing except mask the feeling of squirrels in my

chest whenI sit still (doesn't help at all when moving around). So I'm still at

my " what's the point " of taking it? I appreciate all your good vibes ...

keep sending them, OK? I'm very on edge.

Toni

CA