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[MartyVA]

A couple of weeks ago, I joined this community after experiencing High Heart Rates (HHR) and faced the possibility of an Ablation. I was waiting to see my PCP for some lab work and discuss other possible causes of my HHR. Since then, the HHRs have stopped. Just as fast as they started, they stopped. I did experience some low heart rates, but I have had that before. The low heart rates related to one of my meds.

I met with my PCP, and she thought that my anemia could be contributing to my HHR. The lab work showed that my UIBC is normal, but my Iron and TIBC are low, and my magnesium is a little high (Iron 24, TIBC 229, Iron saturation 10%, magnesium 2.5). My PCP wants to start me on erythropoietin, and my nephrologist has concurred if I qualify. After reading about erythropoietin, I have some concerns. I have an appointment in two weeks with a new cardiologist. I am thinking I can wait two weeks before doing anything new. Any thoughts? Has anyone had any experience with erythropoietin? Thank you in advance for your responses.

[Desanthony]

We are not medical professionals here so can't really help you make up your mind about taking a particular drug every one is different and possibly on varying medications and amounts so will have different experiences whilst taking the same drugs. I know of no one who has received this particular drug but I hope someone who has had experience can help you. I do know my wife had very low iron and was put on iron tablets for about a year. It takes a long time for iron levels to get back to normal. If your iron count is that low you are unlikely to be able to get it back up with either diet or off the shelf iron tablets without help from prescribed medication but it may be an idea to start making dietary changes if you are able to, to up your dietary iron intake. If you are uncertain about taking a drug it is best to ask your medical professional to explain why that particular drug has been suggested for your situation and not other drugs and how long you should be expected to take it and tell them of your concerns about possible side effects that you may have read about or heard about . Maybe see a dietician to work out why you have low iron and to find the best way for you to up your dietary intake.

All the best.

[MartyVA in reply to Desanthony]

Desanthony, thank you for your response. I fully understand that the responses, I might get are not from medical professionals or even specific to my situation. I am, like others, are looking for experiences others are or may have had with a given situation. We are all different and are experiencing things differently. My situation is new to me, and after researching my symptoms and the proposed solution, I was concerned and needed more information. The personal experiences of others are a great source of information. I was able to greatly reduce my learning curve, and develop a list of questions for my care team. I would never take the advice of one individual as gospel, but that one person may help me better prepare for discussions with my care team.