Re: Hello my friends

[Guest guest]

, hopefully, the doctor's will be able to figure out what is going on with your heart. Medicine is amazing when it comes to the heart! So much can be done to ease problems! I will pray they help you out soon!

Debby

[ ] Hello my friends

Good morning, I haven't posted in quite a while because I haven't been feeling really good. I have managed to trudge through my days at work, but somedays it has been a struggle. I didn't go to the school's prom last night because I just didn't feel like dressing up.I had a consultation with the cardiologist on April 15th, and he scheduled two more tests that will be done this Tuesday (April 29th). I will have an echocardiogram and a nuclear stress test done, so most of my day on Tuesday will be spent in his office. I just want some answers so that I can move on with my life: either I need to have some procedure done, start a new medication, or just learn to deal with my life more effectively.I am still have some chest discomfort, but I try not to think about it. When I become anxious, I just pray for the Lord to hold my heart in His hands. That prayer always works to calm my fears.My blood pressure seems to be controlled with the new medication. For that I am thankful. Allida, I know that you have an appointment on the 30th with your cardiologist. Please know that I will be praying for you. I know that you will find some answers to your questions, too.Ruth, sorry to hear about the death of your dog. Pets can be such a comfort.Lyn, hang in there. You are not alone. Continue to post and to let us know how you are doing.Tony, you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My friend, your witness is a strong one for all of us, but if you need a shoulder, we are here for you, too.Harper, you are amazing. What an interesting life you lead! I love to read your posts.Anita, hang in there. Things will get better soon.Debby, good luck as you return to your classroom. I hope your pain is now under control.Jerry, I have enjoyed the Buckeye information. Your research skills are beyond compare!Joanne, thanks for all you do for us. Please take care of yourself with this "new" development and hurdle.Cheryl, how is Randy's leg? You haven't mentioned how he has recovered. Luann, you and your family have been on my mind a lot lately. I hope that things are going better for all of you.Jan, thank you for the gorgeous sunset photo. It was truly awesome.Loes, thank you for sharing your family photo. To everyone else, I may have forgotten your names, but I read every word of your posts. Keep posting even if no one responds specifically to your message. Many times, others relate to your words, but they do not respond. By writing your message, you are touching someone else's life. May you all have a great week. (in WY)

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I have had you on my mind of late wondering how things were going with your heart. It seems you and I are the only ones who are having heart problems along with the liver problems. I have already had the echocardiogram, and the stress test, but nothing came of that because it behaved so well under those conditions. I can't explain why it won't act up at the right time. I only know it took a long time for them to diagnose my son because they couldn't catch him when his heart was so wild. After months of trips to the emergency room, and mega-tons of patience, they were finally able to catch it and make a diagnosis. I expect that is what is in store for me also. I am still having the same problems with all the racing, and slowing, and quivering of my heart, but am hopeful that the specialist will be able to put a name to what is happening to me. If not tomorrow, in the near future.

I am confident all will go well with your tests today. Know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers all day. I just hope you are luckier than I was, and something will show up today, and you will have some answers. I can certainly relate to your need to find out, and get help, or just come to the realization that it is something you will have to live with, and make adjustments for, and go on with your life. I have felt the same way ever since all this mess started. Here I am seven months later and still have no answers. I will be praying that by the end of the week, we will both have some solutions to our problems. Take good care of yourself, and be sure and let us know how things go today. Allida

[Guest guest]

> Dear ,

>

> I have had you on my mind of late wondering how things were going

with your heart. It seems you and I are the only ones who are having

heart problems along with the liver problems. I have already had the

echocardiogram, and the stress test, but nothing came of that because

it behaved so well under those conditions. I can't explain why it

won't act up at the right time. I only know it took a long time for

them to diagnose my son because they couldn't catch him when his

heart was so wild. After months of trips to the emergency room, and

mega-tons of patience, they were finally able to catch it and make a

diagnosis. I expect that is what is in store for me also. I am

still having the same problems with all the racing, and slowing, and

quivering of my heart, but am hopeful that the specialist will be

able to put a name to what is happening to me. If not tomorrow, in

the near future.

>

> I am confident all will go well with your tests today. Know that

you will be in my thoughts and prayers all day. I just hope you are

luckier than I was, and something will show up today, and you will

have some answers. I can certainly relate to your need to find out,

and get help, or just come to the realization that it is something

you will have to live with, and make adjustments for, and go on with

your life. I have felt the same way ever since all this mess

started. Here I am seven months later and still have no answers. I

will be praying that by the end of the week, we will both have some

solutions to our problems. Take good care of yourself, and be sure

and let us know how things go today. Allida

Dear and Allida,

There are at least a few more of us on the list who have

experienced irregular heartbeat. I was diagnosed with atrial

fibrillation 3-4 years ago. And I know from Miami has also

recently been diagnosed with AF. In my case, like yours, they also

had difficulty with it not appearing when I was tested or wore the

Halter monitor. There was another type of recording device that they

ordered for me for a one-month period. I could hook it up and record

the times when I actually had the irregular heartbeat. I had to

carry it around with me in a lunchbox type container, so it really

wasn't too cumbersome. Unfortunately, I can't remember what it is

called, but I would think that any cardiologist would know. That was

the only way for the doctors to actually get the reading.

I hope this helps and that you get some answers soon. In my

case, I have been able to control the condition with medication.

Since some of the meds interact poorly with the liver, they found one

that works well for me that doesn't affect the liver. I know how

uncomfortable it is to have your heart racing and jumping.

Please let me know if you want me to call my cardiologist's

office to find out the name of the recording device.

Sharon G.

AIH, 1986

[Guest guest]

> Dear Sharon,

>

> I have heard of the monitor you mentioned. My liver specialist

suggested it when I saw him last, and that is one reason why I am

seeing the heart specialist today. Would you please explain to me

what arterial fibrillation is, and how it affects you? I think I

know, but would like for someone who has it to describe it to me, so

that I can compare it to what I am experiencing. Does it seem to be

connected to any other specific disturbance that goes along with

these crazy liver diseases? Do you have a heat sensation in your

chest that accompanies the jumping, and racing of your heart? Do you

have the feeling that your stomach is upset whenever your heart acts

up? If you could provide me with some more information I would sure

be grateful. I am just about at my wits end trying to deal with this

heart and everything else that is going on. Thank you so much for

thinking of me, and responding to my post. Allida

Dear Allida,

When I experience Atrial Fib, I feel a sense of anxiety and

dizziness. I have learned to take my pulse at these times and

always my heartbeat is irregular. I don't have the heat sensation or

stomach upset that you describe. Many times I feel like I have to

lie down, but I feel jumpy and uncomfortable at the same time. Even

on the medication (I take a Beta Blocker, called Betapase AF, for

Atrial Fib), I still have a few episodes a week, but they don't last

the full 24 hours, which is the danger point according to my

cardiologist. By the way, my current cardiologist specializes in

arrythmias, which are the irregular heartbeats, including Atrial

Fib. I was referred to him by a general cardiologist who felt he

didn't know enough to treat my condition. If you don't get some

answers soon, you may want to consider going to an arrhythmia

specialist at a teaching hospital/university.

By the way, I don't associate this heart problem with AIH in my

case. That is because when I was diagnosed with A.F., I was in

remission with the AIH. My liver enzymes had been normal for several

years and I was on no AIH medication. I recently have gone back on

Prednisone and Imuran because of rising LFTs since last summer, but

again that was several years after being diagnosed with Atrial Fib.

However, why I got the Atrial Fib remains just as mysterious to me as

why I got the AIH. All the testing I have had, including echos,

stress EKGs, etc. have never revealed any physical anomaly that could

cause the problem.

I hope you get some answers soon. Please let me know how your

appointment goes.

Sharon G.

AIH, 1986

[Guest guest]

So proud of you, .  Congratulations on your graduation!!!! 

 

Wishing everyone well.  Ellie

From: brenda myers <reading_mother@...>

Subject: [ ] Hello my friends

Date: Sunday, March 29, 2009, 7:19 PM

I have been missing all of you and have finally graduated from school. Today I

turned in my final papers (barring any last minute issues) and will have more

time to catch up now.

I am looking forward to catching up and getting to know all the newbies.

Hope all my friends are doing good and looking forward to spring.

the WV hillbilly

LOVE IS IN ALL THINGS AND IN ALL THINGS IS LOVE