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Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: aztecan on March 25, 2014, 08:27:30 pm

Title: Another new med
Post by: aztecan on March 25, 2014, 08:27:30 pm
I had a bit of an issue yesterday and when I mentioned it to my doctor in passing today, he decided I needed another medication.

It is nitroglycerin.

As some of you know, I have battled lipids for some time, in part probably because of heredity, but also in part because of years of taking protease inhibitors.

I also have a strong family history of cardiac issues - on both sides.

I also smoked for 32 years.

Add all this together, and you have a good probability of cardiac issues.

Well, I have had a few episodes in the past, but didn't think much of them. They went away after a while and I went on with my life.

Yesterday, I had another episode: the crushing pain in the chest, that ran up to my neck and shoulders. This time, it was pretty poignant.

It happened while I was driving. I didn't lose control or anything, but it wasn't a pleasant drive.

I had trouble standing when I stopped. Not really bad, but trouble nonetheless.

OK, the doctor is probably overreacting. But, I now have a vial of nitro in my pocket and a date with a cardiologist and a stress test and ultrasound next week.

Getting older isn't for sissies, and neither is being an LTS.

Put them together and it is a royal pain at times.

But, it beats the alternative.

Onward and upward.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: Jeff G on March 25, 2014, 08:45:57 pm
I'm wishing you the best . Please take care of yourself we need you ya know .
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: Theyer on March 26, 2014, 11:20:51 am
Better to be safe dear Mark , so I am with the Doc on this one , so phone, keys, credit cards , pepper spray and Nitro all lined up in the Hall ready for your departures .  Pip-Pip-
m
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: AusShep on March 26, 2014, 11:41:00 am
Glad you mentioned it to your Dr., best not take any chances.  I've had a couple of cardiac scares myself, they're no fun.
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: mitch777 on March 26, 2014, 12:45:40 pm
Good luck with you upcoming tests Mark!
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: J.R.E. on March 26, 2014, 04:08:21 pm



OK, the doctor is probably overreacting. But, I now have a vial of nitro in my pocket and a date with a cardiologist and a stress test and ultrasound next week.



Mark


Hi Mark,

In this situation it's probably best to overreact. Wishing you the best on the tests next week.






Getting older isn't for sissies, and neither is being an LTS.


Onward and upward.

HUGS,

Mark



You got that right Mark !


Take care of yourself----Ray

Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: Buckmark on March 26, 2014, 04:39:30 pm
Mark,

I am glad you are not ignoring your symptoms, and hope that your date with your cardiologist goes well.

Hugs,

Henry
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: BT65 on March 26, 2014, 05:03:11 pm
Wow, Mark.  That would have scared the crap out of me.  I'm glad your doctor gave you that nitro, since the episodes seem to be getting worse, don't they?

Good luck with the stress test etc. and I will be looking for updates. 

Betty
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: pozniceguy on March 27, 2014, 01:04:33 pm
mark   so sorry  the  family  history is catching up  with you   but  pleased  you are  treating it  as the  obviously  very  correct  thing to  do......  I have similar  family history  (  heart problems, high BP, diabetes, breast  cancer, and high  lipids)   so far  have  kept  control of  all  but  the   diabetes  starting to  kick in..keep getting marginal test results,  looks like  starting  some  control with meds soon...

so  just add it to the  ritual  pill taking  and go on with life... you know there are dozens of us out there  praying,sending happy thoughts...


Nick
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: aztecan on April 04, 2014, 12:41:15 am
Well, the stress test/echocardiogram was done. I finished the full six or seven minutes on the treadmill.

I haven't seen any results as yet.

However, I almost didn't get to do the test. As I was being hooked up, they did a preliminary EKG.

Now, I am not typically too nervous, but I have to admit I was pushed a bit off center yesterday morning when they prepped me.

As the tech is reading the preliminary EKG, I hear her say, "Hmmm, that's not normal.

She then called the other tech, who was probing me with the echocardiogram thing and asked him to come look at the EKG read out.

They were trying to be quiet about it, but I hear him say, "That doesn't look right."

Of course, they wouldn't tell me what they saw.

They did turn around and tell just to relax and they they were going to have to show the EKG to the cardiologist before they could continue with the stress test.

OK, at this point, I am watching my blood pressure going up on the computer screen - without the need of getting on the treadmill.

So, I waited for about 20 minutes while both techs hightailed it out the door looking for the cardiologist.

I was finally given the green light to get on the treadmill. I still have no idea what is was they saw.

The only thing the first tech would tell me was, "I am not sure is this is a good not normal or a bad not normal."

Not reassuring.

So now, I am just waiting to see what the results were.

Oh what fun we have as we get a bit more seasoned.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: Theyer on April 04, 2014, 06:57:29 am
Well dear heart you did not need that sort off patronizing behaviour, the last time a similar thing happened to me I,m afraid I picked up the chart saying, I think you will find I have full copyright on my own body,

So lets get back you did the full test and am now awaiting the results , will they be delivered by your ID doc or at least a Doc you have a good relationship with . I am assuming there has been no more blips since the one you posted , the one while you where driving.

I am convinced that the people attracted to Radiology / any high tech testing are the ones with the worst inter personal skills. I reduced one Doc after a Cat Scan to stuttering by the heathen crime off asking questions .

lots off love
m
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: OneTampa on April 04, 2014, 06:47:04 pm
Mark, wishing you the best on receiving the results of your tests.  I know how anxious the whole situation can make you.

And Theyer, gold twirl snaps on your bit about having "the full copyright on my own body". Fierce!
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: aztecan on April 05, 2014, 11:56:20 pm
Well, the results are back and the news is pretty good.

The doctor told me my heart function is better than 85 percent of men my age.

I guess that is pretty good.

Oh, the things the techs were looking at on my EKG turned out to be little additional beats my heart makes.

The doctor said it was more or less an extra flutter or two and not particularly worrisome.

So, that was good news, too.

We have no idea where the pains came from. I still think it has something to do with my back, but my doctor isn't convinced.

But, it isn't my heart, and for that, I am very grateful.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: Theyer on April 06, 2014, 07:12:20 am
That counts as good news Mark  , whatever caused the episode you did the right thing , On wards onwards . m
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: mitch777 on April 06, 2014, 11:16:26 am
That's great news Mark! Good to hear your heart is strong. It even seems to have enough strength to pound out a few extra beats.  :)

I've been through two cardio tests in the past 6 or 7 years due to odd pains but they found nothing either time. I still wondered what the cause was but I doubt I ever will.
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: wolfter on April 06, 2014, 06:02:27 pm
Glad everything is ok with the results.  With your severe lipid issues, did you Cardiologist check to verify you don't have any clogs happening?  I had those same crushing pains predating both of my heart attacks and continued on until I switched doctors.

Long story short, I had one artery with an approximate blockage of 90%.  After a simple procedure of installing a stint, I've not experienced any further pains.

Additionally, that's when I truly decided to deal with my horrid lipids and I now have them to optimal numbers.  It wasn't diet alone, as I tried experimenting with eliminating the pravastatin and saw an immediate decline in my numbers.  I've simply accepted that I'll remain on that statin.

hugs
greg
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: deibster on April 06, 2014, 10:27:40 pm
I'm glad your tests went well Mark. I also have cardiac issues on both sides of my family; I'm the only sibling who's not on blood pressure meds.
Big hugs, Deiby
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: AlanBama on May 09, 2014, 04:50:32 pm
Mark, I'm glad your test results are good!  Cardiac issues are no fun. 

Your heart (which is a heart of GOLD!) deserves to be healthy.

HUGS -- Alan
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: LongTimeSurvivor on July 29, 2014, 09:54:45 pm
Just wanted to say I have the same thing...extra beats. Doc says not to worry...only worry if you start missing some beats... ;D
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: aztecan on July 31, 2014, 10:17:05 am
When I received the usual copy of my records from the doctor (I always get a copy of the labs and such), they had added another new diagnosis to the list - angina pectoris.

From what I have read that means I had chest pains most likely related to blood flow to the heart.

I guess they had to put something in there after all the testing, etc.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: wolfter on July 31, 2014, 10:26:48 am
Does that simply mean they can't determine the cause of the angina attacks?

OH, and a huge ole happy birthday to you.  Hope you have a wonderful day buddy.

hugs
greg
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: aztecan on July 31, 2014, 10:30:23 am
Hey Wolfie,

Yes, I think that is pretty much what it means.

Oh, and thanks you!

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: Jeff G on July 31, 2014, 10:30:31 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK  !
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: aztecan on July 31, 2014, 10:33:36 am
Thanks, Jeff!
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: mitch777 on July 31, 2014, 10:40:41 am
Happy Birthday!  :)
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: BT65 on August 01, 2014, 04:12:56 am
Happy birthday Mark!
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: OneTampa on August 02, 2014, 08:56:03 am
Just wanted to say I have the same thing...extra beats. Doc says not to worry...only worry if you start missing some beats... ;D

As they used to say on the old Dick Clark Show, American Bandstand: "It has a beat and you can dance to it!"   ;)

And Mark, Happy the Day you first tumbled out into the world and said "Hello Everybody!"   :D
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: AlanBama on August 04, 2014, 02:17:20 pm
Mark, I tried to read back through but don't see it:  are you taking carvedilol?

I nominate Coreg (carvedilol) as my "favorite" miracle drug. (yeah, the HIV meds are miracle drugs, blah blah blah, but they make you feel like shit and cause a ton of other problems).  Coreg REVERSED my Congestive Heart Failure!  When I was first dianosed in the late 90's, my Ejection Fraction was approx 20%.   Now, it is in the normal range, at about 55%.   It has never had any side effects (for me).

I have some mild angina, but it is very infrequent, and doesn't bother me too much.
Glad you have the nitro, it makes you feel better to have it around.  Mine is in a bottle, in a huge rubbermaid container, under my bed, with all my other meds.  Probably not so smart, huh?   :P

Love from Alan
Title: Re: Another new med
Post by: aztecan on August 04, 2014, 09:06:07 pm
Thank you all for the great wishes!   ;D

Hey Alan,

No, I'm not taking carvedilol, just the nitrostat.  I guess I really should get serious about dropping my cholesterol even further, but you know my history of doing that isn't all that great.

But, I will mention the drug to the doc to see what he thinks.

Thanks much!

BIG HUGS,

Mark