Chiropractic Healthiness

Question:

How do I mention this to my MD w/o him getting ticked off? — TIA, HK

Response:

> How do I mention this to my MD w/o him getting ticked off? > — > TIA, > HK

E-Z!  Tellya.  Your doc is your diagnostic technician; (s)he will be looking to see if this is a bad arrythmia, or a benign arrythmia. One of the faults of doctors is that they think diseases, and patients think symptoms.  For example, a doctor who checked this out and found, say, frequent isolated premature atrial complexes, might say "it’s nothing – don’t worry about it."  Bad answer. Th’ patient still has the symptoms, and wants it to get better! If the arrythmia is benign, tell the doc "hey, I’m interested in alternative/complementary treatments.  I don’t like medicines unless they’re necessary.  I want to try something on my own to see if it will help.  You want to work with me?" A good doc will listen.  Maybe not agree, but help you stay away from anything that might not benefit. PS:  My 2cents worth – If it’s benign, change the lifestyle before adding "stuff" – I look at herbs/botanicals just like I do drugs.  Lots of benign arrythmias get better or go away if ya drop coffee, quit the cigs, and exercise every day. — Good health to you! Doc Steve (These are just my personal impressions.  I’m not intending them as professional, expert advice.) Before you buy.

Response:

Moses here: Thanks, for the interesting comments. I’ve heard that large hiatal hernias sometime cause enough pressure on the heart to irritant and cause problems. Which matchs with one of your comments. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Since this is an alternative NG, let me suggest an alternative > approach > based on my own experience. I had an irregular heart beat where the > rhythm would slow and then the heart would contract strongly to > regain > the rhythm. I did not see an MD about it, but eventually, went to > an > accupuncturist. That individual was not able to help with these > symptoms. Then I went to a Chiropractor who gave me a treatment > that > took care of the situation such that I had no more trouble. >    The problem was with my stomach and abdomen tension. The > Chiropractor > "pulled down my stomach" with immediate results. The situation is > also > associated with some lower abdomen pain from a resulting iliocecal > valve > malfunction. >    I have heard an herbalist say that this situation is often > mistaken for > a serious heart condition, perhaps 50% of the time. At any rate I > would > suggest professional treatment without delay, but alternative > treatment > could save the person drastic, but unnecessary, medical > intervention. > Don > Moses here: There many variations of arrhythmia. Some are rather > mild > but very disconcerting to those that can kill. If your friend > drinks > coffee now is the time to quit. A visit to the Doc is in order. > Now > I’ve some topics I want him or you to read up on. First the > subject of > CoQ-10…yes the supplement. Next read up on l-carnitine. It > said these > are helpful with arrhythmias. Magnesium would another thing to > consider. He should be reading everthing ranging from the > current Merck > Manual to …..well it will depend on what he is able to handle. > Some > are bright and others are dull. It would also be good for to > consider > what meds he has been on. Or what recreational drugs he’s been > taking. > Has he reformed his diet? Has has blood lipids check? Visit the > Doc. > Sincerely Moses Clarke > PS Typos typos….a species of bird that went extinct because it > missed > the beat. > * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s > Discussion Network * > The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet > – Free!

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Moses here: There many variations of arrhythmia. Some are rather mild but very disconcerting to those that can kill. If your friend drinks coffee now is the time to quit. A visit to the Doc is in order. Now I’ve some topics I want him or you to read up on. First the subject of CoQ-10…yes the supplement. Next read up on l-carnitine. It said these are helpful with arrhythmias. Magnesium would another thing to consider. He should be reading everthing ranging from the current Merck Manual to …..well it will depend on what he is able to handle. Some are bright and others are dull. It would also be good for to consider what meds he has been on. Or what recreational drugs he’s been taking. Has he reformed his diet? Has has blood lipids check? Visit the Doc. Sincerely Moses Clarke PS Typos typos….a species of bird that went extinct because it missed the beat. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Since this is an alternative NG, let me suggest an alternative approach based on my own experience. I had an irregular heart beat where the rhythm would slow and then the heart would contract strongly to regain the rhythm. I did not see an MD about it, but eventually, went to an accupuncturist. That individual was not able to help with these symptoms. Then I went to a Chiropractor who gave me a treatment that took care of the situation such that I had no more trouble.         The problem was with my stomach and abdomen tension. The Chiropractor "pulled down my stomach" with immediate results. The situation is also associated with some lower abdomen pain from a resulting iliocecal valve malfunction.         I have heard an herbalist say that this situation is often mistaken for a serious heart condition, perhaps 50% of the time. At any rate I would suggest professional treatment without delay, but alternative treatment could save the person drastic, but unnecessary, medical intervention. Don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Moses here: There many variations of arrhythmia. Some are rather mild > but very disconcerting to those that can kill. If your friend drinks > coffee now is the time to quit. A visit to the Doc is in order. Now > I’ve some topics I want him or you to read up on. First the subject of > CoQ-10…yes the supplement. Next read up on l-carnitine. It said these > are helpful with arrhythmias. Magnesium would another thing to > consider. He should be reading everthing ranging from the current Merck > Manual to …..well it will depend on what he is able to handle. Some > are bright and others are dull. It would also be good for to consider > what meds he has been on. Or what recreational drugs he’s been taking. > Has he reformed his diet? Has has blood lipids check? Visit the Doc. > Sincerely Moses Clarke > PS Typos typos….a species of bird that went extinct because it missed > the beat. > * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * > The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Thank you very much for your gritty & honest response.  I do hope my friend (who’s a male in his 50’s) sees his doctor VERY soon, as I strongly suggested.  Honestly not sure if it’s a doc who can shut up, listen, & think.  I hope it is!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A friend is experiencing arrhythmia (fast heartbeats), & would like > to know > what may be causing them, what it may portend, & what treatments are > available. > Many thanks in advance! > Whoo!  That’s a broad topic.  It needs to be checked out by a doctor. > There are a dozen different ways you can get a fast heart rate, from > the common to the rare. > Sure, low potassium or magnesium, as the next poster said…but I could > easily rattle off a dozen others without breaking a sweat. > To hit this with a shotgun Internet guess is not at all helpful or > safe – I could get you to waste your time looking up Lowry-Gardner- > Levine syndrome, Hashi-toxicosis, or pheochromocytoma – but what she > needs is a doctor who can simultaneously: > 1) Shut up. > 2) Listen. > 3) Think. > Don’t need to start with a cardiologist – your family doc can start. > But make sure that the doctor she sees can: > 1) Shut up. > 2) Listen. > 3) Think. > If not, get one who can. > — > Good health to you! > Doc Steve > (These are just my personal impressions. >  I’m not intending them as professional, expert advice.) > Before you buy.

Response:

No need to feel defensive. Problem is that a person, if there is indeed an arrythmia condition, still can’t get a handle on ‘what it may portend’. Look in the PDR for the most innocous, common medication you can think of. Try aspirin. There should be all kinds of really distressing stuff about it. Same thing for a topic like arrythmias. The gloom and doom that could be shared with your friend could convince him that one foot is already in the grave, the other on a banana peeling. And you refered o your questions as basic, even stupid. Nope. You were asking your questions because of your acknowledged ignorance of the subject, not stupidity. Ignorance can be cured. That’s why we ask when we don’t know something. Stupidity, however, is forever. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I started this thread for a friend.  And if I learn more than I know about > this subject in the process to satisfy my own natural curiosity, great. > But, as with anything else in life I have little or no knowledge of, I’d > have  to ask the most basic, even the stupidest, questions as a start. > > > A friend is experiencing arrhythmia (fast heartbeats), & would like > > to know > > > what may be causing them, what it may portend, & what treatments are > > > available. > > > Many thanks in advance!

Before you buy.

Response:

A friend is experiencing arrhythmia (fast heartbeats), & would like to know what may be causing them, what it may portend, & what treatments are available. Many thanks in advance!

Response:

Consider low potassium, and/or magnesium. > A friend is experiencing arrhythmia (fast heartbeats), & would like to know > what may be causing them, what it may portend, & what treatments are > available. > Many thanks in advance!

Before you buy.

Response:

> A friend is experiencing arrhythmia (fast heartbeats), & would like to know > what may be causing them, what it may portend, & what treatments are > available. > Many thanks in advance!

Whoo!  That’s a broad topic.  It needs to be checked out by a doctor. There are a dozen different ways you can get a fast heart rate, from the common to the rare. Sure, low potassium or magnesium, as the next poster said…but I could easily rattle off a dozen others without breaking a sweat. To hit this with a shotgun Internet guess is not at all helpful or safe – I could get you to waste your time looking up Lowry-Gardner- Levine syndrome, Hashi-toxicosis, or pheochromocytoma – but what she needs is a doctor who can simultaneously: 1) Shut up. 2) Listen. 3) Think. Don’t need to start with a cardiologist – your family doc can start. But make sure that the doctor she sees can: 1) Shut up. 2) Listen. 3) Think. If not, get one who can. — Good health to you! Doc Steve (These are just my personal impressions.  I’m not intending them as professional, expert advice.) Before you buy.

Response:

Thank you. Used to be a nurse in the cardiac business, and it is very disturbing to see people trying to use the internet as a replacement for professional evaluation. The poster didn’t even identify the arrhythmia source site, if known. Problem is that in many cases, they don’t have a clue of who or how to ask, and their internet experience may well be helpful in giving them that direction. As you helped provide. And the poster, after getting more info from the friend after legitimate assessment, will then be able to more appropriately ask about specifics, and alternative considerations. Such as hydration and electrolyte, caffeine usage, etc., etc. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A friend is experiencing arrhythmia (fast heartbeats), & would like > to know > what may be causing them, what it may portend, & what treatments are > available. > Many thanks in advance! > Whoo!  That’s a broad topic.  It needs to be checked out by a doctor. > There are a dozen different ways you can get a fast heart rate, from > the common to the rare. > Sure, low potassium or magnesium, as the next poster said…but I could > easily rattle off a dozen others without breaking a sweat. > To hit this with a shotgun Internet guess is not at all helpful or > safe – I could get you to waste your time looking up Lowry-Gardner- > Levine syndrome, Hashi-toxicosis, or pheochromocytoma – but what she > needs is a doctor who can simultaneously: > 1) Shut up. > 2) Listen. > 3) Think. > Don’t need to start with a cardiologist – your family doc can start. > But make sure that the doctor she sees can: > 1) Shut up. > 2) Listen. > 3) Think. > If not, get one who can. > — > Good health to you! > Doc Steve > (These are just my personal impressions. >  I’m not intending them as professional, expert advice.) > Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

Thank  you for the input . . . I guess. First of all, my friend, who’s a male in his early 50’s, asked me to look up Arrhythmia, which his brother suggested he may have.  Naturally, I strongly advised him to have it checked out by his doctor for a proper evaluation/diagnosis.  In the meantime, I assented to his request of finding what information I could on the Internet (including from this NG) regarding his questions.  My friend, nor am I, "trying to use the Internet as a replacement for professional evaluation."  What he wanted to know is what he could expect now and down the road should his doctor discover he has this disorder, which he, & I as well, don’t know much about . . . How could I begin to learn how to "more appropriately ask about specifics" if I don’t start with the *basic* asking about something I don’t know much about? I started this thread for a friend.  And if I learn more than I know about this subject in the process to satisfy my own natural curiosity, great. But, as with anything else in life I have little or no knowledge of, I’d have  to ask the most basic, even the stupidest, questions as a start.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thank you. Used to be a nurse in the cardiac business, and it is very > disturbing to see people trying to use the internet as a replacement > for professional evaluation. The poster didn’t even identify the > arrhythmia source site, if known. Problem is that in many cases, they > don’t have a clue of who or how to ask, and their internet experience > may well be helpful in giving them that direction. As you helped > provide. And the poster, after getting more info from the friend after > legitimate assessment, will then be able to more appropriately ask > about specifics, and alternative considerations. Such as hydration and > electrolyte, caffeine usage, etc., etc. > > A friend is experiencing arrhythmia (fast heartbeats), & would like > to know > > what may be causing them, what it may portend, & what treatments are > > available. > > Many thanks in advance! > Whoo!  That’s a broad topic.  It needs to be checked out by a doctor. > There are a dozen different ways you can get a fast heart rate, from > the common to the rare. > Sure, low potassium or magnesium, as the next poster said…but I > could > easily rattle off a dozen others without breaking a sweat. > To hit this with a shotgun Internet guess is not at all helpful or > safe – I could get you to waste your time looking up Lowry-Gardner- > Levine syndrome, Hashi-toxicosis, or pheochromocytoma – but what she > needs is a doctor who can simultaneously: > 1) Shut up. > 2) Listen. > 3) Think. > Don’t need to start with a cardiologist – your family doc can start. > But make sure that the doctor she sees can: > 1) Shut up. > 2) Listen. > 3) Think. > If not, get one who can. > — > Good health to you! > Doc Steve > (These are just my personal impressions. >  I’m not intending them as professional, expert advice.) > Before you buy. > Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. >    Coffee doesn’t usually bother me either.  In late high-school, > I used to have a 16-oz cup every night right before bed. >    Nowadays I’m likely to fall asleep anytime I lay in bed.  I lay > down about 7:45 last night intending to watch "That ’70’s > show" at 8:00.  The next thing I knew, it was 10:45.

You can’t (and should not) compare yourself, assuming you’ve no medical "condition" to others who have a condition, such as arrhythmia. Coffee may well not bother someone who has no susceptibility problem. But caffeine, as a stimulant, may well affect someone with a heart problem, even if, as Ed claims, he doesn’t normally feel the effect. It’s sort of like salt and high blood pressure. For a person without high blood pressure, salt in almost any form or quantity seems to not cause any symptoms or problems. But for someone with high blood pressure, it can cause serious or maybe even fatal problems. These days, by the way, coffee, or rather caffeine I should say, seems to have an almost opposite of the expected effect on me. If I feel drowsy and drink a cup of coffee to ward of the drowsiness, I practically fall asleep on my feet in about 20 minutes. Taking a walk or drinking some orange juice seems to perk me up. But coffee seems to just put me to sleep. Maybe it’s a matter of my expectations. I drink the coffee, sit down, and expect wake-up magic – and then it doesn’t work. Chuck

Response:

Hatcher Person;;; I can put you in touch with a very close friend who has had severe arrhythmia and has been relieved, for the most part, by care in an Air Force Hospital…….  If you are interested, e-mail me. Oh yes, and there is a wealth of info. on the net—– try—-    http://cardserv.hosts.jhmi.edu/cardio/electro.htm And the many links you will find there.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it > has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the > trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? > What meds do you take for the condition? > I ask because mine is getting more frequent, and while the doc tells me > to take a pill and take it easy, etc, and it isn’t going to kill me (not > right away), it IS damned debilitating, even when it goes on at night > during sleep. > I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night. > Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. > I can sometimes sort of wash it away with a couple glasses of hot water > …  I take a beta blocker that also blocks my heart from pumping hard > enough when it oughtta, thus causing disgusting lack of energy. > Lemme know if you’ve got any secrets. > — > EAH >      Otium cum dignitate

Response:

>I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night.

Does taking an antacid have any effect?  Sometimes upward pressure on the diaphragm triggers these attacks. Rochester Minnesota USA

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. > I think you’re kidding yourself about the above.  I can’t take caffiene in > any form.  And that includes non-drowsy anti-histamins like Sudafed. I > drink decaf, and ration my chocolate. I once drank tea in a chinese > restaurant and got a bad case.  Now I bring my own herbal tea bags. > I find that strenuous aerobic activity, approved by my doctor, makes me > feel better and makes me less fearful and more confident. > Try the sci.med.cardiology newsfroup. It’s one of the frequent threads > there.  Watch out for MSG.  There was a list give on one article: > Glutamate, Glutamic acid, Gelatin, > Monosodium glutamate, Calcium caseinate, Textured protein, > Monopotassium glutamate, Sodium caseinate, Yeast nutrient, > Yeast extract, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Hydrolyzed protein, > any protein that is hydrolyzed > Others blamed too many vitamin supplements. Others like you had them after > meals. I remember some articles on radio frequency(?) ablation to improve > the conduction paths for the controlling electrical impulses. > I assume that you’ve been given good medical advice, and maybe had a holter > monitor.  I understand that even if your doctor calls them benign, it’s > hard to take. Try to think of it as an attitude problem, in that worrying > about it won’t help.  Good luck. > Russ

"You have almost nothing to worry about," said my cardiologist. Saw a new doc yesterday.  Wants to change from beta blocker to calcium blocker. Says it’s better for many. On the other hand, the Mayo boys on the internet seem to prefer the betas. The notion of getting lots of exercise is sort of like telling an insomniac to sleep it off.  If I had energy for exercise I wouldn ‘t give a hoot how rhythmic I was. — EAH      Otium cum dignitate

Response:

>Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night.

I think you’re kidding yourself about the above.  I can’t take caffiene in any form.  And that includes non-drowsy anti-histamins like Sudafed. I drink decaf, and ration my chocolate. I once drank tea in a chinese restaurant and got a bad case.  Now I bring my own herbal tea bags.   I find that strenuous aerobic activity, approved by my doctor, makes me feel better and makes me less fearful and more confident. Try the sci.med.cardiology newsfroup. It’s one of the frequent threads there.  Watch out for MSG.  There was a list give on one article: Glutamate, Glutamic acid, Gelatin, Monosodium glutamate, Calcium caseinate, Textured protein, Monopotassium glutamate, Sodium caseinate, Yeast nutrient, Yeast extract, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Hydrolyzed protein, any protein that is hydrolyzed     Others blamed too many vitamin supplements. Others like you had them after meals. I remember some articles on radio frequency(?) ablation to improve the conduction paths for the controlling electrical impulses. I assume that you’ve been given good medical advice, and maybe had a holter monitor.  I understand that even if your doctor calls them benign, it’s hard to take. Try to think of it as an attitude problem, in that worrying about it won’t help.  Good luck. Russ

Response:

>>Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night.

   Coffee doesn’t usually bother me either.  In late high-school, I used to have a 16-oz cup every night right before bed.    Nowadays I’m likely to fall asleep anytime I lay in bed.  I lay down about 7:45 last night intending to watch "That ’70’s show" at 8:00.  The next thing I knew, it was 10:45.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it >has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the >trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? >What meds do you take for the condition? >I ask because mine is getting more frequent, and while the doc tells me >to take a pill and take it easy, etc, and it isn’t going to kill me (not >right away), it IS damned debilitating, even when it goes on at night >during sleep. >I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night. >Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. >I can sometimes sort of wash it away with a couple glasses of hot water >…  I take a beta blocker that also blocks my heart from pumping hard >enough when it oughtta, thus causing disgusting lack of energy. >Lemme know if you’ve got any secrets. >– >EAH >     Otium cum dignitate > I know that when one has a heart attack and you call 911 the medics > usually start a magnesium drip in your arm. > I have a collection of millions of shareware files and one article > says most heart problems are a magnesium deficiency. > I had my blood and hair analyzed at my own expense by a specialist > in Dallas and he said I needed Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, > and a high potency vitamin along with C and E. > A Zinc deficit cause one to have tiny white spots on their nails. > Also when I start taking a cold I. > I believe in vitamins and experience someone close to me > who was about to explode with high blood pressure and so > I went and got them a sack of vitamins and in 6 weeks > time the BP had dropped. > Hope you get better fast, no make that an order (GET WELL!)

Thanks.  I shall follow orders. I saw a new ticker man today, associated with a different hospital. He thinks I’ve been tkaing the wrong med and will presecribe another regimen once he has looked at previous ekg’s doc # 1. This makes about the fifth recommendation over the past ten years.  I would be that if I saw four more docs tomorrow I would get four more meds.  so far, the one I am taking is the only one that has worked most of the time without some wretched side effect. We shall see what we shall see.  Meanwhile, I take my a to zinc every day, and have the blood workups to prove it.  that’s the trouble:  I am healthy as a horse, only have the energy of my cat after a big meal. (Oscar is purring so loud I can hear him across the room.  I think he is dreaming of another dish of Friskies.) — EAH      Otium cum dignitate

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it >has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the >trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? >What meds do you take for the condition? >I ask because mine is getting more frequent, and while the doc tells me >to take a pill and take it easy, etc, and it isn’t going to kill me (not >right away), it IS damned debilitating, even when it goes on at night >during sleep. >I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night. >Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. >I can sometimes sort of wash it away with a couple glasses of hot water >…  I take a beta blocker that also blocks my heart from pumping hard >enough when it oughtta, thus causing disgusting lack of energy. >Lemme know if you’ve got any secrets.   >– >EAH >     Otium cum dignitate

I know that when one has a heart attack and you call 911 the medics usually start a magnesium drip in your arm. I have a collection of millions of shareware files and one article says most heart problems are a magnesium deficiency. I had my blood and hair analyzed at my own expense by a specialist in Dallas and he said I needed Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, and a high potency vitamin along with C and E.   A Zinc deficit cause one to have tiny white spots on their nails. Also when I start taking a cold I. I believe in vitamins and experience someone close to me who was about to explode with high blood pressure and so I went and got them a sack of vitamins and in 6 weeks time the BP had dropped. Hope you get better fast, no make that an order (GET WELL!)

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it > has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the > trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? > What meds do you take for the condition? > I ask because mine is getting more frequent, and while the doc tells me > to take a pill and take it easy, etc, and it isn’t going to kill me (not > right away), it IS damned debilitating, even when it goes on at night > during sleep. > I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night. > Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. > I can sometimes sort of wash it away with a couple glasses of hot water > …  I take a beta blocker that also blocks my heart from pumping hard > enough when it oughtta, thus causing disgusting lack of energy. > Lemme know if you’ve got any secrets. > — > EAH >      Otium cum dignitate

Thanks to one and all. I’ve taken the advice of Arthur and arranged that my father should depart this world at 88 and my mother at 93. But in the meantime… I just got off the phone with another doc who is both a cardiologist and internist for old crocks, and his nurse in making the appointment clucked sympathetically.  If I learn anything, such as a dose of rhubarb mousse, I will share with you. SWMBO says I have to discount my usual Christmas depression, and she may be at least partly right. I can empathize with Earl in re drive.  My father in his later years had every single dividend or interest check sent to him at home, so that he would have some reason to get out of the house and walk to the bank to deposit them.  I may hae to give up home delivery of The Times. — EAH      Otium cum dignitate

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>: >:Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it >:has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the >:trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? >: >… >: >:Lemme know if you’ve got any secrets.   >:– >choose healthier parents.

Besides your "do something posts", how about a real contribution to this newsgroup. Or should your posts go into the circular file. Ed Christie

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– – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ed, > I have an arrhythmia that started after I had open heart surgery 11 years > ago…..I take Toprol, which I am told evens out the electrical signals in > the heart…it has worked great for me… > Tom Jones > Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it > has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the > trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? > What meds do you take for the condition? > I ask because mine is getting more frequent, and while the doc tells me > to take a pill and take it easy, etc, and it isn’t going to kill me (not > right away), it IS damned debilitating, even when it goes on at night > during sleep. > I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night. > Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. > I can sometimes sort of wash it away with a couple glasses of hot water > …  I take a beta blocker that also blocks my heart from pumping hard > enough when it oughtta, thus causing disgusting lack of energy.

I found the lack of energy aspect lasted for a number of months and then went away.  We live in a place which has no elevator and three floors up, about 70 steps.  At the start of my taking blockers and sister medicating which slowed my hear beat down to around 55-60 in a rest state,  I had problems climbing the stairs.   Now I only have a problem just prior to coming down with a cold (an early warning system!).   The last floor is a bit of a struggle if I am ill or getting hill.   Otherwise I race up them. My medication runs around $30 a month (paid for by the French medical insurance system) and is comprised of one pill containing the chlorohydrate of betaxolol.  I am an chemist but not a biochemist and all these name are undechifferable unless one has a Merck index.  The other stuff I take is "felodipline", again I have no idea what that is. I used to have arryhythmia of sorts,  skippng beats and the heart racing along a bit to fast.   This medication seems to handle everything, my pressure is kept around 120/70, if it gets too low (like 110) I do get swimmy headed.   I have taken this medication for 5 years with any does change.  I am monitored by my GP every three months unless I have a problem and go early.  I am 70, I have had no heart surgery. The problem for me is not "energy" but "drive".  Being retired I have nothing I have to do.  I have taken over the shopping since Donna is working full time on her book and so I do the normal every day stuff. Anywy, the drive aspect means that I I have a repair to do which is not serious, I might put it off until I get around to it.  I found this drop in drive right after taking the medication 5 years ago, just prior to retirement.  Prior to that I was supercharged so the change in behavior was a bit brutal.  But I am definitely in a "what, me worry" frame of mind on this "stuff". Earl

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Ed, I have an arrhythmia that started after I had open heart surgery 11 years ago…..I take Toprol, which I am told evens out the electrical signals in the heart…it has worked great for me… Tom Jones

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it > has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the > trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? > What meds do you take for the condition? > I ask because mine is getting more frequent, and while the doc tells me > to take a pill and take it easy, etc, and it isn’t going to kill me (not > right away), it IS damned debilitating, even when it goes on at night > during sleep. > I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night. > Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. > I can sometimes sort of wash it away with a couple glasses of hot water > …  I take a beta blocker that also blocks my heart from pumping hard > enough when it oughtta, thus causing disgusting lack of energy. > Lemme know if you’ve got any secrets. > — > EAH >      Otium cum dignitate

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Anyone else got any sort of cardiac arrhythmia?  Besides knowing that it has one more r and an h it doesn’t need, do you have any tricks of the trade for turning off the palpitations when they start up? What meds do you take for the condition? I ask because mine is getting more frequent, and while the doc tells me to take a pill and take it easy, etc, and it isn’t going to kill me (not right away), it IS damned debilitating, even when it goes on at night during sleep. I’m more apt to be afflicted after meals or after a late night. Coffee doesn’t usually bother me, though a late cup got me last night. I can sometimes sort of wash it away with a couple glasses of hot water …  I take a beta blocker that also blocks my heart from pumping hard enough when it oughtta, thus causing disgusting lack of energy. Lemme know if you’ve got any secrets.   — EAH      Otium cum dignitate

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > Ed, after having rheumatic fever as a child I too suffered arrhythmia, > > > fibrillation and occassional crushing pain. I did notice it seemed to > > > bother me more in the winter months. One time, in the middle of an EKG > > > my heart started beating at 280 beats per minute. That always left me > > > feeling dizzy and weak. Then a strange "miracle" happened ten years ago. > > > I caught  what ever kind of flu that was going around, and was sick as a > > > dog. After that I never had any heart symptoms. Pretty strange, huh? Now > > > I can run up stairs with no problems. > > > Nancy > > Wouldn’t you know — I just got my flu shots about two weeks ago. > > Q:  Since this fibrillation stuff can go on without one’s knowing it, > > couldn’s someone cobble up a little wrist device that would go off with > > a beep after a few minutes of arrhythmia?  Twould give us time to let > > next of kin know how to contact soc.retirement for a final posting. > > Little humor there. > > PS. After long night’s sleep, the ticker is ticking fine and I am > > considering ordering some wine, just in case I catch the flu. > > — > > EAH > >      Otium cum dignitate > Ed, for a man of your means, I believe they can go beyond simple > detection and setting off alarms for fibrillation. I believe there is a > recently developed device with which you can be outfitted that can > actually perform "defibrillation". I think it is some sort of next step > beyond the pacemaker. I’m also not sure if they’ve got the battery pack > sufficiently small to place beneath the skin. So one might have to > suffer the inconvenience of a belt mounted battery system. But, what’s a > little inconvenience and a modest pile of dough compared to the big > slumber? > Chuck > PS – it is possible to set up an icon on your computer which, upon > activation, could automatically connect to the internet and send off > that "final posting". Thus, anyone capable of turning the bugger on and > manipulating the mouse sufficiently to poke that icon could fulfill your > wish. I suspect one of your grandchildren could do this task quite > nicely, but please admonish them to not frighten the crap out of us with > any inadvertant "live" testing. more ’s > But does it work by summing the counts per t time? > I run a nice 80 per, but in clumps of ten to twelve fast and ten to > twelve slow, and a couple of caboose clicks, followed by shave and > haircut two bits.  I just want something that says: Sit down and hold > your breath, have a glass of warm water and pretend the market is up > five percent. > — > EAH >      Otium cum dignitate

I did the same HotBot search as for Glenn’s request. Though I didn’t see obvious equipment for sale for arrythmia detection, probably because I’m unfamiliar with the proper terminology, there was recording equipment available. It seemed quite expensive – anywhere from about $600 to well over $2000. But on the other hand, there’s the problem of leaving excess funds behind due to an too early departure. One of the results from the search looked a bit like a newsgroup. Several folks were talking about wearing monitors that hook to a phone for transmitting in to the doctor periodically. These apparently are good at pinpointing the type and maybe even the cause/correction for the arrythmia. Perhaps you should lean on your doc for the loan of such a device. My daughter wore a similar device for a couple months, the result indicating a prolapsed, but otherwise benign heart valve abnormality. Someone on the ng looking thing talked about wearing a monitor for 3 months and getting much improved care as a result. I believe there are chemical (drug) mechanisms for addressing some heart abnormalities including some arrythmias. There is also an implantable device similar to a pacemaker for defibrillation. Everything probably starts with your doc, though. Chuck

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>What I want is a personal, not connected with any exercise >device, pulse monitor for walking outside, in the malls, and in >the subway/skyway system.

I have two of them.  Made by Pulsar.  The Phase II cardiac rehab people gave it to me.  You should ask your doc to prescribe one, and get your health insurance to pay for most of it. Jim GA.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > . . . >Q:  Since this fibrillation stuff can go on without one’s knowing it, >couldn’s someone cobble up a little wrist device that would go off with >a beep after a few minutes of arrhythmia?  Twould give us time to let >next of kin know how to contact soc.retirement for a final posting. > I find it impossible to accurately take my pulse during or > immediately after exercise.  So, I asked the physical therapist > if there was a pulse monitor that could be worn on the wrist. > No, all they had was one with a band around the chest and it was > expensive.  As an EE and judging by the other monitoring > equipment, I suspect this lack of cheap (and accurate) personal > monitors is due to marketing (not enough potential customers), > not engineering, considerations. > Rochester Minnesota USA

You invent it, Glenn, I’ll sell it. — EAH      Otium cum dignitate

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> . . . >> >Q:  Since this fibrillation stuff can go on without one’s knowing it, >> >couldn’s someone cobble up a little wrist device that would go off with >> >a beep after a few minutes of arrhythmia?  Twould give us time to let >> >next of kin know how to contact soc.retirement for a final posting. >> I find it impossible to accurately take my pulse during or >> immediately after exercise.  So, I asked the physical therapist >> if there was a pulse monitor that could be worn on the wrist. >> No, all they had was one with a band around the chest and it was >> expensive.  As an EE and judging by the other monitoring >> equipment, I suspect this lack of cheap (and accurate) personal >> monitors is due to marketing (not enough potential customers), >> not engineering, considerations. >> Rochester Minnesota USA >I’m kind of surprised that you’ve had that reaction Glenn. I have a >relatively inexpensive and about 15 year old treadmill (Sears Lifestyler >with a DC motor) in the basement that included a module with a long wire >and an ear clip. It gives your pulse on the lcd module with no problem. >I hadn’t used the pulse monitor for a while, but I put a battery in it >and tried it and it still works. Gives your pulse before, during and >after exercising. The only thing that seems to interfere with it is >tugging on the wire. So when I was using it regularly, I always clipped >the wire to my shirt near my neck with a plastic clip. The ear clip goes >on your ear lobe. The module reads treadmill speed as well, but it can >be detached from the treadmill and put in a shirt pocket or taped onto >another treadmill or even attached with a rubber band. It then still >gives your pulse. I don’t know if you can get these things separately, >but someone put an ad in a local paper last year trying to sell one of >these very same used treadmills for $75. I called to see how it compared >to mine. It was the same and their’s had the module on it, still in >working condition. >I don’t know the availability of these type monitors for sure, but I’d >be surprised if there isn’t another reasonable source. Also, when I >belonged to the fitness center where I used to work, they had us taking >our pulse manually on the carotid artery, below the ear both during and >after exercising. Once I figured out where to find it, this seemed >fairly easy and accurate. >Chuck > The only treadmill I use is at the rehabilitation center and they > have a real spiffy HP monitor attached by three EKG like > connections and a pocket transmitter to the main console.  When I > try to take my pulse with my fingers on the same side carotid > artery I’m off by varying amounts compared to their readings. > What I want is a personal, not connected with any exercise > device, pulse monitor for walking outside, in the malls, and in > the subway/skyway system.  I believe Ed wants that plus a > intelligent analysis of the heart rhythm with alarms.  The sort > of thing most imbedded microprocessor can do well. > Rochester Minnesota USA

Glenn, I just did a HotBot search on the words "Heart Pulse Monitors". I received several hits for monitors from some outfit called Polar and several others. These things seem to run in the $60 to $80 range for the most part. Though I didn’t read the writeups that thoroughly, some of them seem to be about what you need. Some seem to have two parts – a chest strap with some sort of transmitter, and a wrist watch looking thing that does the actual pulse display. Some are for use in swimming (waterproof) and some for just running or other non-water exercise. These things certainly appear to be of use away from the treadmill. Unlike the wristwatch only touch types sold in the discount stores, these things appear potentially more accurate. I didn’t see anything that would fit Ed’s needs. When I get a chance I’ll try to see if there is something along those lines as well. Chuck

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Ed, after having rheumatic fever as a child I too suffered arrhythmia, fibrillation and occassional crushing pain. I did notice it seemed to bother me more in the winter months. One time, in the middle of an EKG my heart started beating at 280 beats per minute. That always left me feeling dizzy and weak. Then a strange "miracle" happened ten years ago. I caught  what ever kind of flu that was going around, and was sick as a dog. After that I never had any heart symptoms. Pretty strange, huh? Now I can run up stairs with no problems. Nancy

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> Ed, after having rheumatic fever as a child I too suffered arrhythmia, > fibrillation and occassional crushing pain. I did notice it seemed to > bother me more in the winter months. One time, in the middle of an EKG > my heart started beating at 280 beats per minute. That always left me > feeling dizzy and weak. Then a strange "miracle" happened ten years ago. > I caught  what ever kind of flu that was going around, and was sick as a > dog. After that I never had any heart symptoms. Pretty strange, huh? Now > I can run up stairs with no problems. > Nancy

Wouldn’t you know — I just got my flu shots about two weeks ago.   Q:  Since this fibrillation stuff can go on without one’s knowing it, couldn’s someone cobble up a little wrist device that would go off with a beep after a few minutes of arrhythmia?  Twould give us time to let next of kin know how to contact soc.retirement for a final posting. Little humor there. PS. After long night’s sleep, the ticker is ticking fine and I am considering ordering some wine, just in case I catch the flu. — EAH      Otium cum dignitate

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Wouldn’t you know — I just got my flu shots about two weeks ago. Q: Since this fibrillation stuff can go on without one’s knowing it, couldn’s someone cobble up a little wrist device that would go off with a beep after a few minutes of arrhythmia? Twould give us time to let next of kin know how to contact soc.retirement for a final posting. Little humor there. PS. After long night’s sleep, the ticker is ticking fine and I am considering ordering some wine, just in case I catch the flu. — EAH