I haven't participated in my beloved BTD forum lately because I have been trying to figure out what is wrong with me.  First, my blood pressure was concerning me enough to ask my doctor about going onto blood pressure medication.  I definitely don't like taking medication so this was a big step for me.  The only med I have been on since my thyroidectomy in 2004 is Westhroid.  I felt that was enough for me!     Well, the laugh is on me.  My BP was not coming down even though the med was increased.  I had an appt. with the nurse one day for my BP to be taken in the office and to have my home BP monitor checked.  While I was sitting there I finally said I believe I have a worse problem than just blood pressure!  Oh? she says.  Tell me about it.  So, I proceeded to tell her that my heart was pounding and erratic and I just couldn't stand it.  Also, it gives me a tremulous feeling, inside.  So, she whips out the EKG machine and proceeds to hook me up.

Then, she gets the doctor who comes in after speaking with the cardiologist and tells me I have atrial flutter.  What?!    Heart problems don't run in my family and I thought the last thing that would ever happen to me was a problem with my heart!  So, I gulp a few times and he and I had a talk.  So, next thing I know he has added warfarin and Cardizem to my regimen and an appt. is made with the cardiologist pronto.  Good grief!  Oh, yes, I also had an echocardiogram in the radiology lab.  Everything pointed to atrial flutter----there may be atrial fib in there but I don't really know about that, yet.

During the visit with the cardiologist he set me up at the hospital in Manchester for cardioversion.  Aack!  Now, we're going in for Big Time!  First, there would be the tube with the camera that will be put down the esophagus to check for clots and then if no clots go for the cardioversion.  I have trouble swallowing large pills, never mind having a tube stuck down into never-never land.  But, of course, he said I would not remember any of it.  Small consolation to me as now that was the one thing I was really worried about.

But, last Thursday, I went through the whole procedure like a trooper and the cardioversion was successful.  Of course, I was so happy about that and I hope my heart stays in sinus rhythm forever and ever.  My problem after the procedure was that I did not want to swallow.  It felt like boulders were lodged in my esophagus.  That was the after effect of the dreaded tube w/camera.  However, I am very happy to tell you that as of today I can swallow quite well, I can take my vitamins again and I feel like my very own self.  

So, that's why I haven't visited the forum much lately.  I'm very happy to be back amongst my forum friends.

Yikes! What an ordeal! Glad you are back among us and not worse for the wear.

welcome back!!

Glad you made it through all of that and are doing well!

I wonder if your thyroid hormone needs to be adjusted?  After all, don't hormones control just about everything?  Have they checked your levels lately?  The reason I ask is that my 92 year old mother, who is usually the ENERGIZER BUNNY had been feeling dull and lethargic for some time.  She has a non functioning thyroid and has been on thyroid meds.  They FINALLY tested her levels and found that her levels were "sluggish" as the doctor called it, they increased her meds and she was amazing!  Her usual ENERGIZER BUNNY again.  My husband and I commented that we would barely keep up with her!

Wow!  Good to have you back!

Quoted from Patty H

Glad you made it through all of that and are doing well!

Me too!!

Quoted from Patty H

I wonder if your thyroid hormone needs to be adjusted?  After all, don't hormones control just about everything?  Have they checked your levels lately?  The reason I ask is that my 92 year old mother, who is usually the ENERGIZER BUNNY had been feeling dull and lethargic for some time.  She has a non functioning thyroid and has been on thyroid meds.  They FINALLY tested her levels and found that her levels were "sluggish" as the doctor called it, they increased her meds and she was amazing!  Her usual ENERGIZER BUNNY again.  My husband and I commented that we would barely keep up with her!

Patty H - glad your MiL is doing so well at her age

NewHampshiregirl,

Glad you made it through that ordeal!
Wow, you must be in pretty good shape. My hubby is 59 years old and just had an angiogram then a pacemaker and de-fibrillator put in due to A-fib and out of sync sinus rhythm. He has to be on warfarin unless he now does eblation...yuck....
He is an O hunter and the cardiologist said he bled horribly during surgery and needed 2 doses of Vitamin K! I joked and told him he just needed my thicker than molasses A blood!

Thanks to everyone!  I love you all!!

I was feeling so good the day I sent my original message so what a shock it was to call an ambulance about midnight thinking I was having a heart attack!!!  At the hospital of course they checked the enzyme they always look at to see if there is an indication of heart problem.  Over the course of my stay they checked more times, as they usually do, with the first one being okay, the second and third being elevated and the fourth was okay.  The cardiologist felt it could have been a very mild attack and made an appt. for me to be taken by ambulance mid-week back to Catholic Medical for catheterization.  Yikes!  Here we go again but I was willing to do whatever had to be done.

Of course, now, they had to undo the effects of Coumadin, which they did successfully in time for the procedure.  I was happy to learn the catheterization can be done through the wrist, now, so they did not have to go through the groin.  I was awake throughout the procedure and found it fascinating to hear how the team worked so well together.  Then, the cardiologist said, "Wow, all your arteries are clear."  Immediately I thought to myself, aha, that is due to Dr. D'Adamo and the blood type diet I've been on for 13 years.  I was just sooooooo elated!!!!!!!

Well, to make the story short, I did not have a heart attack and between seeing the cardiologist and my own doctor this coming month perhaps we will get a clue as to the cause of the dull ache through the left chest area.  Of course, being scared didn't help that night.

So, suddenly, for a sunny person like me who whizzes along in life figuring out things for herself and being quite successful at it, this was quite the experience.

Thought you would like to know and again for the second time it is great to be back.

its great to have you back and so motivated!!!
keep up the compliance!

my mom is your age
she doesn t take the least care of herself
if she ever had what you had, I don t think she d be telling your story
sad but true and there s no way of convincing her

Thanks, Lola.  Wish I could have a chat with your mom.  

I just saw this thread New Hampshire Girl.  I'm so glad you are ok!  I'll say you're a trooper!  ((Hugs)) to you.  ♥

I hope you continue to do better – good luck

Thank you, O in Virginia.  Hugs right back to you, too.
And, RedLilac, thank you.  I have high expectations and am looking forward to summer.

NHG, I just saw this thread.  I'm so glad to hear that you are better.  I had some chest pain last year and went through all kinds of tests, EKG, then echocardiogram, etc and all was OK with me.  I think mine was just stress.  
When Patty H. asked if you've had your thyroid checked lately, it echoed my thoughts.  When did you last see your endo?
I haven't forgotten about wanting to get together - it's just been one thing after another.  My mother fell and was in the hospital and now she's in a rehab until she gets back to baseline although I'm not sure she will.  I had to sell the ski house at Loon and haven't been to NH in a while.
I've missed all your great advice and I'm glad you're back.
Stay well.
(((HUGS)))

Jane, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother.  And, your place in NH, will you miss it?  You were lucky to be able to sell it with the real estate market at such a low point.

I forgot to address the thyroid question.  I take Westhroid, as you know, and last month I decreased the dose to 1-1/2 grains from 2 grains in case I was taking too much.  My TSH always is near zero and the doctor never likes that.  Every year, I have my thyroglobulin checked as a rise in that might signify return of papillary cancer.  It has been normal for seven years, now, thank goodness!!

We'll get together one of these days, Jane.