James: I have heart failure. Approx 3... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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James

Genteel1 profile image
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I have heart failure. Approx 38% ejection fraction. I'm on Entresto and 6 other tablets including Dapagliflozin, eplerenone , beta blocker, aspirin, and a statin.Tested for new drug to enter trial, but my BNP was too low (44). Feel very fatigued at times but try and walk or do some sort of exercise every day. Cardiologist says I have LVSD and LBBB.

I'm on holiday at the moment but tired with the heat....decided maybe better than the cold UK.

I may need a pace maker at some stage, if it's an option.

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Genteel1
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CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

As this is a forum for Atrial Fibrillation you may find you get more understanding and information from the BHF forum?

Hello Genteel, welcome to the forum, is James your name or does it have some other significance. I don’t have any experience of heart failure but it sounds as though you are receiving good medical attention. I don’t know much about pacemakers either but there are plenty of members who do.

All I can say is enjoy the rest of your holiday and drink lots of water, dehydration can cause big problems for people with heart conditions…….

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to

Thank you flapjack

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

Just had my 'frozen shoulder' repaired.

Our ACC would not touch until bursitis resolved.

Whether bursitis responded immediately after falling a year later solved the pain awaking 5 times per night.

ACC made the 2nd orthopaedic Surgeon stay on first ACC number so he could not the tests needed after the 2nd accident.

So I went to a 3rd Orthopaedic. He had the tests done said that he could see the resolving bursitis.

I got it done 30 October and it was wonderful and successful. 7 weeks, no sling and being careful. Driving!!!!!

Surgeon said burred 1"off the bony spur which developed - lack of rotation of rotator cuff.

Then he cut the rest of almost thickness tear and reconstructed it. Also trimmed the small tears. Also said shoulder was popping out with each rotation so he recontructed that too. Very long and delcate operation.

He had written "routine"! It was 3 years 3 months between the first accident and operation.

That should be the last operation. 2 in 1yr 7mths.

Back to swimming, easy to dress, bowling, gardening, swimming, fixit Joy, fishing!!!! etc.

Manipulation I did myself in the second accident. Could be done under anaesthetic.

That will get you down

Take care, Joy. 74. (NZ)

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

Was this the Empag.............. new drug?

In NZ only given to those with Heart Problems and diabetes. I'm told I need to be Maori with Diabetes.

It has a few side effects.

You do have AF so forget what CDreamer said. You can join whoever you want.

Lots have other problems as well. E.G. Ca-thyroid, did have frozen shoulder. etc.

I would not be entitled to it either and I was told not 'heart failure' but severely dilated Left Atrium, RV regurlitation in tricusid (Mitral Value).

I take CCB Diltriazem 120mg AM for rapid Heart Rate

I take BB BisoproIol 2.5mg PM for BP. I have been diagnosed with. soft Systollic Heart Murmur.

I've been discharged as an outpatients as there are so many who need to see a H/Specialist! My Locum Dr (who has left) sent me privately to a H/Specialist. I was left with rapid AF at 186 then 156! Private guy introduced me to CCB Diltiazem.

Metoprolol first BB is banned from my med list. I remained at 186Day H/R avge no energy, breathless and very fatigued. Actually Afers are better on Bisoprolol as it does not interfere with breathing systems. Interesting.

There is research headed as Drs "Are we doing the right thing by giving our AFer Patients Beta Blockers?" So there is alot of new research going on.

I guess you have had an ECHO emphasizing the different diagnosis.

6 meds for heart!

I take daily 1 for Ca thyroidectomy (125mg = 100mg & 25mg)

2 for Heart - Diltiazem & Bisoprolol

2 PRADAXA 110mg x twice

1 nugget Solgar B12 1.000ug 3 days in each week

4 x Poly Gel for Dry Eye

If Necessary for constipation 1 x COLOFAC 135mg 1 hr before breakfast with glass water

You could say 3 for heart.

I do not know what your refs in INITIALS are ???

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49

Have you been referred for a pacemaker joy, my friend had afib and has one fitted now?

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Genteel1

Hi

No.

Usually a Pacemaker is for LOW H/RATE.

Had Rapid but now CONTROLLED.

Afers have the first hurdle to be controlled by meds first or an appropriate and safe procedure like cardioversion, ablation or an anti-arrhymid drug like Flec..... either pill in pocket or daily.

But if a heart shows abnormally the above cannot be done.

Whilst controlled, no symptoms of greatatude one is left. The abnormalty could have been caused by being left in the rapid state.

But in the first state of stroke with AF I was waiting for tests and thyroidectomy to remove the cancer. But I was internally referred for surgery. I waited 4 months whilst internally my triage team were arguing with an endocrinologist wanting it to be left 6 months.

Finally done in 4 months although surgeon wanted a.s.a.p.

Then left with Metoprolol and breathless, no energy, fatigued and pauses.

We can't blame medical as we have ACC. Last year had TVT Kit Johnson & Johnson AFTER damage done. ACC were warned and a 3D scan showed it would.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

Silvasava profile image
Silvasava

I have Afib and HF too, and on similar drugs to you. Can you increase your fluid level to increase your BP? When mine is low I am breathless and light headed. I take a electrolyte tablet in water that seems to do the trick.

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to Silvasava

My BP is low but that's how they want it with me it's generally around 95/70 but varies up or down. I do get a little dizzy at times but not often. Thanks for your reply..

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac

both my husband and I were put on Dapagliflozin but were told it could give men genital infections and women UTIs.

It was basically made for diabetes 2 but was apparently found to have a side effect of helping the heart.

I immediately stopped that drug as felt that I didn’t want UTIs as well as afib and everything else, but my hubby kept on with it for a couple of months. He didn’t get the genital infections but he lost his appetite. Went off food snd generally felt a bit unwell snd very very tired. Anyway he stopped that drug with medics permission and within a week felt much better

All the best to you

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to Tapanac

Thank you Tapanac. They did warn me that there could be side effect of thrush using Dapagliflozin, as it gets rid of some sugars in the system, but I've been very vigilant on personal hygiene, so I've been ok in that regard.

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac in reply to Genteel1

Good glad you’re ok in that regard. Stay well and enjoy Christmas 🎄

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to Tapanac

Thank you. Have a good Christmas too.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

My friend has just been told he has this, partly caused by his COPD and asthma. My cousin is similar. Both are doing well, but, like you, get fed up with the breathlessness on exertion.

Steve

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to Ppiman

For me, the worst thing is the fatigue at times, but I stil try to exercise daily, as recommended. Thanks for your reply

Pommerania78 profile image
Pommerania78

You might investigate the use of a type of B1 supplement called Benfotiamine. Many, such as my neighbor, with congestive heart failure use it and it helps.

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to Pommerania78

Thank you for advice and response Pomerania.

Tako2009 profile image
Tako2009

Hello Genteel1

If you have heart failure, can I recommend the Pumping Marvellous charity for support for HF patients. They have a website also a Facebook site - my son finds them really helpful and supportive.

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to Tako2009

Yes, I've heard of that website but never used it. Thank you for jogging my memory Tako..

solarjdo69 profile image
solarjdo69

Genteel1, I have occasional swelling in left leg in particular, but incidence of it has dropped dramatically this summer. I ascribe the better health to using my "Drano" MRM Cardio Chelate. In another post I explained how my Cardiologist was delighted and amazed that my condition and skin tone had improved dramatically. In July he wanted to do an angioplasty to potentially unblock heart arteries which a CT scan with the radioactive solution in my veins showed saying heart function at 40%. I didn't want to do that and at that time I had swelling several times a week. I saw him November 21st and he said "John you look good!" He stated my skin tone shows him that my circulation is better, He did an EKG and said it was much improved from July's EKG. He said keep doing what you are doing and see me in 6 months.

I didn't want to take the "water pills" prescription after reading that so many have other issues while using them.

1. You can try pumping your feet to and from the front of your legs which will help pump the "fluid/blood" helping the heart while sitting or laying in bed.

2. Look into taking the MRM Cardio Chelate or other company's version which has the EDTA in it that acts like Drano in the blood vessels.

Good luck and Merry Christmas,

Genteel1 profile image
Genteel1 in reply to solarjdo69

Thanks for the information and all the best to you

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