atrial fibrillation / heart palpitations

[Richy]

Howdy,

I'm 61 now, and doing well considering all. I'm undetectable, Ts are in the 800s, and on Sustiva/Epivir/Videx (diagnosed in late 1998). I also take Boniva once a month, though I'm not a postmenopausal woman (what marketing, Sally). Back in 2003 I had some heart palpitations, but very infrequently. My Dr prescribed fish oil and they went away. But now they're back and more frequent. I wore a Holter monitor for 24 hrs last week, and fortunately he says I do not have heart disease, just this electrical abnormality. But to be sure, he's sending me to a cardiologist. Meanwhile, he says it is nothing to worry about, but if untreated it could increase risk of stroke. I have doubled the fish oil intake (Dr recommended this). I'm hoping the cardiologist will agree with my Dr and simply prescribe a beta blocker which I hear really works.

I'm just curious to hear from others who may be in the same boat and what your experience has been. While I'm keeping the worry at bay, sometimes it's not so easy, when that fluttering sensation gets going. And have any of you discovered any tricks to stop the fluttering? Or do you just ride it out? I'm stopping the morning coffee, and am already only a very moderate consumer of alcohol.
Thanks!

[aztecan]

Howdy Richie,

I went through something similar to what you describe a year ago. I did the Holter monitor for an entire four-day weekend, then did the whole cardio work up.

I had been having palpitations, or fluttering as you described it,  for no good reason and my doc was being thorough.

I wound up with a leaky mitral valve, but checked out otherwise.

I also take fish oil, I take 6,000 miligrams a day, mostly to help control my triglycerides. I think I am growing gills  

I presume they already did the stress test on you and that came out OK, right?

I hope you problem turns out to be something small and easily corrected.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

HUGS,

Mark

[Richy]

I have an appt with the cardiologist/electrophysiologist in 2 weeks. I hope the Holter report from my reg doc will be sufficient, but I'll do what he says. Wow, a 4-day weekend without being able to bathe? Or did you disconnect yourself for a quick shower? What about your leaky mitral? Anything you have to do for it? Thanks, Mark, for your caring input, Richy.

[aztecan]

Yes, the glories of a sponge bath!  It wasn't my idea of a great weekend, but I can't complain.

The leaky mitral valve is just one of those things. The doctor (cardiologist) said it most likely won't cause any problems and is pretty common for someone my age. I always groan when they say that.

I just keep plugging along. Let me know what the cardiologist says.

HUGS,

Mark