Glen Beamish
10-05-2005, 11:47 AM
For over 30 years, I'm 57, I have been pretty lucky with my HCM. Not really restricted in anything I do within reason and my meds, Monocor (Zebeta in the U.S.) and Amiodarone for my A-Fib have done the job.
However that maybe changing.
In another posting the other day I said I was going to see Dr. Wigle for my annual HCM check up.
But first lets back up a couple of months.
Dr. Wigle's office called two months ago to set up the appointment.
I then arrange to go to my family Doc for a complete physical, blood work and a Holter Monitor so that Dr. Wigle has all that when I see him.
I take Amiodarone to control my A-Fib, but just after Dr. Wigle's office called I started having several episodes of A-Fib, sometimes 2-3 days which I have not had for a many years.
The Holter Monitor did pick this up as I was in A-Fib for most of the test.
This is where it gets interesting, my blood tests also detected Hyperthyroidism.
So now as the Doc said, things have become very complicated.
As most of you know one side effect of Amiodarone is Hypo or Hyperthyroidism with Hyper being over active.
Some effects of Hyperthyroidism are palpitation, tachycardia and A-Fib.
So taking Amiodarone to control my A-Fib may in fact be causing it.
There is another Cardio Doc in the Toronto HCM Clinic that has dealt with patients with hyperthyroidism from Amiodarone. Dr Wigle is going to talk with him and I may see him.
I will also have to see a Thyroid specialist to determine the actual cause, rule out Graves Disease etc. and what treatment I need.
Hyperthyroidism due to Amiodarone is treatable in most cases, but the worry is if it's not and I have to stop taking Amio, Dr. Wigle feels I maybe in A-Fib most of the time or even permanently.
Also while I was having these longer episodes of A-Fib I did gain 8 pounds in three days and then lose it in two. Dr. Wigle fears that may have been CHF. So that would be a big concern if I cannot take Amio or something that controls my A-Fib.
So that's where I am now, as I get these tests and results, I will update.
Oh by the way, I have been in regular rhythm for the past two weeks, but since I did go into A-Fib several times over the two months, I now have to take Coumadin to thin my blood.
However that maybe changing.
In another posting the other day I said I was going to see Dr. Wigle for my annual HCM check up.
But first lets back up a couple of months.
Dr. Wigle's office called two months ago to set up the appointment.
I then arrange to go to my family Doc for a complete physical, blood work and a Holter Monitor so that Dr. Wigle has all that when I see him.
I take Amiodarone to control my A-Fib, but just after Dr. Wigle's office called I started having several episodes of A-Fib, sometimes 2-3 days which I have not had for a many years.
The Holter Monitor did pick this up as I was in A-Fib for most of the test.
This is where it gets interesting, my blood tests also detected Hyperthyroidism.
So now as the Doc said, things have become very complicated.
As most of you know one side effect of Amiodarone is Hypo or Hyperthyroidism with Hyper being over active.
Some effects of Hyperthyroidism are palpitation, tachycardia and A-Fib.
So taking Amiodarone to control my A-Fib may in fact be causing it.
There is another Cardio Doc in the Toronto HCM Clinic that has dealt with patients with hyperthyroidism from Amiodarone. Dr Wigle is going to talk with him and I may see him.
I will also have to see a Thyroid specialist to determine the actual cause, rule out Graves Disease etc. and what treatment I need.
Hyperthyroidism due to Amiodarone is treatable in most cases, but the worry is if it's not and I have to stop taking Amio, Dr. Wigle feels I maybe in A-Fib most of the time or even permanently.
Also while I was having these longer episodes of A-Fib I did gain 8 pounds in three days and then lose it in two. Dr. Wigle fears that may have been CHF. So that would be a big concern if I cannot take Amio or something that controls my A-Fib.
So that's where I am now, as I get these tests and results, I will update.
Oh by the way, I have been in regular rhythm for the past two weeks, but since I did go into A-Fib several times over the two months, I now have to take Coumadin to thin my blood.