Dennis's Posts

January 2, 2016 - I have stayed healthy until November 2015 when I ran into a bump in the road. I went to me cardiologist for my annual checkup and discovered I was in atrial fib. It was not even noticeable. He put me on beta blockers, blood thinner and sent me to the electrical specialist, Dr. Varahan. Dr V increased my blood thinner and said she would shock me in a month. I sure looked forward to that as I was concerned I might not convert. But she seemed confident and made me feel good about it. When that day came, I checked into the hospital at 6AM, got my shock at 8AM and was home before 10AM. The shock treatment was performed in the day patient room where I stayed. The nurse brought the machine into my room and Dr V came in, put the pads on my chest and back, put me out for a few minutes and gave me one shock. It only took the one shock and my heart converted to normal rhythm. During that month waiting, I continued my normal morning workout routine and never really noticed that I had a problem except my heart rate would only peak at 110 while doing my cardio on the elliptical and just stay there. After the cardioversion, my heart rate does not go above 88 on the elliptical. I think the beta blockers have caused this. I go to Dr V for my follow-up visit on Monday and then maybe I will find out about the low heart rate...looking forward to that visit! The blood thinner I am taking is Eliquis and I don't have to do the monthly checks that I had to do on warfarin. I like this new medicine because of that.

It has now been two years since my heart valve surgery. It took quite a few months to get over the back aches and chest pains from the "opening". But my life is so much better and less stressful because I do not have to carry the burden about my heart situation. Now I am on to my next challenge. Nine months after the surgery, I learned I had MS and MS has become my next life long battle. I have started taking a newer oral medication for that and have had no issues since. I do not have to take any heart medications so I guess I traded heart meds for MS meds. I go to the gym at my work facility every day at 5:00 a.m. and continue my nutrition efforts to keep my weight in check which is a battle for me. But I have a great support team at the gym and they have become my good friends. Because of my past and new challenges, I now view life and people in a different and positive perspective. I have more appreciation for everything...it was my enlightenment! God gave me a message..."PAY ATTENTION to the great things in your life and enjoy them...relationships, friends and family are the most important!" God Bless, Dennis