No Answers from Cardiologists after hospital stay...
 

Went to the ER on Wednesday afternoon after experiencing tingling and sudden feelings like I was going to faint from Tuesday evening into Wednesday. They admitted me overnight, and watched my pulse go down to 41 bpm...
They blamed several meds I am on, including Copaxone, for the drop in pulse...but I've been on all of the meds for a long time...the latest drug Rxd was almost a year ago.
They took me off of that drug, and told me to see the neuro pronto. They gave me a list of at least 5 meds that could cause this.
They released me with no real answer as to why this occured. I also lost 5 lbs in 2 days:eek: I voided like crazy. It scared me, because when my late sis would go into the hospital for her heart, she would lose 30 lbs of water weight.
The cardio docs went over all of the tests/procedures I had done last September when I had chest pains, and feel that my circulation is fine, that it might be electrical...but then backed off of that and blamed the meds.

I have an appt with my pcp and neuro next week before we take off for Hawaii. Such fun...:(

Wow, Debbie. :eek: Are you sure it's a good idea to fly right now? What did the doctors say about that?

Are you still off all your meds? There must have been some that didn't interact well with each other but can you tolerate not taking them? Sometimes it seems like the things that are meant to help us do more harm than good.

I hope you feel better soon. :hug:

:circlelove:(((((Debbie))))) :circlelove: Feel better soon.

Hope you feel better soon:hug:
Please keep us posted.

Cindy

I hope it's only the meds. Keep us posted. :hug:

keeping you in my prayers. :hug:

We'll see...I feel like having an honest sit down with the neuro when we go in on Wednesday. The docs told me copaxone zanaflex and sanctura all can contribute to this. They recommended getting off of all of them...uh no.

But...I read a medical article about a condition that sounded exactly like what the cardio guy told me. It stated that if you have a lesion above T6 and bladder or bowel goings on that either retain or are urge related, it can put the patient into an episode exactly like I had. The advice in the column? Get thee to the ER immediately...so glad I did. I think I'm going to print out the article and take it with me to the docs. I do have a lesion in the cervical spine...hmmm...

I'm also considering printing out the blog about seizures and MS, and how it is rare but can occur, and seem as if you're zoning out, or causes periods of unconsciousness. That describes me to a T.

debbie,
that's a good idea to print the articles.

the thing about stopping more than 1 med is if the problem improves it will be hard to know which med helped. so if it's 1 med you might be able to go back on the other 2. i'd discuss that with the dr.

have a great time on your trip.

keep us posted.

try to take it easy
 

it is always hard to figure out what problems may be caused by a medicine, but if none have been started/changed recently it is hard to attribute new symptoms to it

Cervical problems can definitely mess with the autonomic nervous system (which controls HR)--I was diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction a couple of years ago---my heart rate would randomly go from the 140's to 40bpm with exciting changes in blood pressure

The docs had no idea what specifically caused it, IVIG helped get rid of it for me

Be careful flying as the cabins are generally underpresurized---one long flights I often get short of breath and majorly fatigued

Take care:)

Thanks for all of the advice...I found a site that discussed autonomic dysreflexia...this is what occured for me. They discuss bladder or bowel distention and problems causing it if a lesion is above the T6. So I will definitely bring this up to all docs involved.
An article also discussed using botox for bladder dysfunction instead of anticholinergics like the one I am taking. My urogynecologist discussed using botox...so has my neuro-for spasticity. Maybe that's the way to go for me.

Again thanks for the info/support.

UGH! How frustrating for you Debbie! I hope they can find the answer soon. Maybe today at your PCP visit, she'll shed some light on the situation. Let us know.:hug:

Saw my pcp this morning. She stated that the dx in the hospital was dysarrythmia. We discussed the various meds and their possible effect on this situation, and we also discussed what I'd found on line. She said that what I found could be a definite cause.
We also discussed the impact of stress on MS, and how it is a vicious cycle, with one affecting the other...and she is my inlaws' doc also, so she knows how much that has affected me stress-wise. We discussed their situation again...she againn recommended hospice come in and begin dealing with them to help them transition. But my MIL doesn't even allow the nurses at their place do anything but help her in the shower...she doesn't take well to people coming in...

Anyway, my pcp gave me copies of all of the hospital reports/tests to take with to the neuro and to Hawaii in case I have problems. Said to discuss all of this with the neuro and what I'd discovered on line.

Then I got a call from a nurse at the insurance co...my DH works for a corporation that has a special department at the ins. co. for it's employees & fam members. We talked for a long time about what occured, what the docs said, etc. We discussed stress (again) and making sure I take this seriously...esp the MS and how stress can exacerbate the disease process.

We discussed possible home visits from one of their nurses (not needed). and they also have a wellness phone number that can give you vendors for things like BP monitors, heart monitors, etc. They also have nutrition counselors. It was quite a good conversation.

So now we will see what the neuro thinks about all of this. So far I've only gone off of one medication. I just need the others too much for symptom management at this point, at least until I return from vacation.

All in all, this episode has me scared straight...I'm eating right, drinking more water, cutting down on my alcohol consumption, and trying mightily to relax...that's the most difficult part tho...:(

i'm rooting for you debbie.
i'm glad you had such a good visit.