tachycardia lady now going to lose job this month...

[graciegram]

I was posting before under "heavy sweats and tachycardia." Now I am facing losing my job this month. Trying to plan ahead and order any Rx's I am eligible to refill. Saw the sleep doc last Monday and he said I seem to be doing fine in terms of am I being treated adequatedly for the apnea as a possible source of problems in the tachycardia area. My overnight oximetry was good. Now I need to go back and see the heart doc again. Was about to start a blood thinner med Pradaxa. Called the heart doc's nurse to ask if I should look at taking the cheaper med, Warfarin. The nurse was telling me about a number of tests you must have to see that your blood is being thinned to the right viscosity (or whatever it's called). Does anyone have any input on what med is more sustainable - Pradaxa or Warfarin - (on Medicare or whatever I will have)? I am 61 and don't think I will be finding a new job super quickly. The state (which I work for now) is making facilities available for us to go to and do job search, print resumes, etc. but it's at a brand-new building where one must pay for parking (gee, thanks!). I know they are always saying in tv commercials, "and if you can't afford the medicine, just contacy us..." Does that apply to blood thinners as well? It would seem there would be a world of patients who could not afford meds nowdays. I am still doing walking routine and have lost some weight when I went to the doc last week. Lowest since I had lap band installed. It seems my two new heart meds - digoxin and metropolol - are acting as appetite suppresants. Is that possible? Pat in OlyWA

[HoseCrusher]

Sorry to hear about your job situation.

If you are one of the lucky ones, Warfarin has a long history of use and once you are adjusted to a dose it isn't all that bad. On the other hand many find that they can't find the correct dose and that is why Pradaxa was developed. Given your uncertainty, I would suggest going with Pradaxa.

Sometimes heart irregularities can be addressed by adjusting the magnesium in your diet. This is a delicate process because too much magnesium can lead to an electrolyte imbalance and diarrhea. Also, remember that magnesium by itself works differently in the body than a combination of calcium and magnesium. To deal with heart irregularities you want to concentrate on magnesium by itself. A good magnesium to try is magnesium malate. You will have to do some research on this and discuss is with your medical professionals, but many find it very helpful.

[tst29m]

I have been on Pradaxa from the very start (January 2011), but I'm fortunate to have good insurance. I do know, however, that Pradaxa does have a program that will help with the purchase of this product. Go to their website (http://www.pradaxa.com) to get the details. Your doctor should also have this type of information available. The good thing about Pradaxa is that one takes it and that's it . . . no blood tests, no hassle!

[Perrybucsdad]

I am on Warfarin, and the good news is it is cheap. The bad news as you mentioned are the blood tests. Will you save money with doing the tests in the long run vs doing on the other Rx, I don't know the answer to that.

My other question though is why is the Dr treating the tachy with Warfarin? There are beta blockers out there (which are also very inexpensive and many are on the $4/month rx plans at some of the various drug stores) that can treat it just as effectively.

I also have tachy, but I am on a beta blocker to treat it. I am on Warfarin to treat the mechanical heart valve that I have so they are two different drugs. You may want to ask your doctor if there is any reason you can't be placed on the beta blocker or another less expensive treatment for the tachy (if in fact you are being prescribed the blood thinner for the tach).

John

[Janknitz]

I'm just throwing this out there FWIW. I have congenital heart problems and had issues with tachycardia when I was younger. The cardiologist was stumped.

One day I realized it was worse right after a cup of coffee. I was doing a lot of caffiene in those days, multiple cups of coffee and sodas.

I cut out the caffiene and the tachycardia was gone.

I'm not saying that will work for you, but worth a try as it's an easy thing to control.

[BlackSpinner]

I'm just throwing this out there FWIW. I have congenital heart problems and had issues with tachycardia when I was younger. The cardiologist was stumped.

One day I realized it was worse right after a cup of coffee. I was doing a lot of caffiene in those days, multiple cups of coffee and sodas.

I cut out the caffiene and the tachycardia was gone.

I'm not saying that will work for you, but worth a try as it's an easy thing to control.

My ex had a similar problem once. We traced it to the "non toxic" stripper I had been using on the fireplace and built in book shelves. After I did a many hour blitz and multiple scrubbings the living room became safe again and the problem never re-occurred.

[drewtrey]

Sometimes heart irregularities can be addressed by adjusting the magnesium in your diet. This is a
Minicab To London City Airport delicate process because too much magnesium can lead to an electrolyte imbalance and diarrhea. Also, remember that magnesium by itself works differently in the body than a combination of calcium and magnesium. To deal with heart irregularities you want to concentrate on magnesium by itself. A good magnesium to try is magnesium malate. You will have to do some research on this and discuss is with your medical professionals, but many find it very helpful.

[graciegram]

I agree with Janknitz on the caffeine problem. It seems to help to avoid doing much caffeine. I've found I can have a small cup of decaf once in a while but no more huge Starbucks drinks.

[M.D.Hosehead]

My ex had a similar problem once. We traced it to the "non toxic" stripper

You didn't expect the stripper to make his heart race?

[Slinky]

Ya beat me to it, MD Hosehead!!!! Brilliant minds think alike.