Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
IHSS
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
IHSS
by Vince58, Jun 19, 2003 12:00AM
I am a male, 45 years old with diagnosed Cardio Myopathy (IHSS).
The progression of my condition is that I have now been in both v- fib and A-fib, have a mild valve prolapse and left bundle branch blockage. The corse of treatment thus far has been with beta and calcium blockers and they have been reletively effective.
My latest problem was with a-fib ( 8 days ago)which after two attempts to cardioconvent still exists. My dr. has put me on digoxin, sotalol and cumidin.I feel as though I have converted into a better rythym, but not entirely out of a-fib and my heart rate has stabilized (down form near 200). I will see my GP today and my Cardiologist next week. I feel much better and stronger every day and would like to return to work next week.
These are my main questions:
1.I have an enormous amount (over 200 days) of paid sick leave accumulated, should I stay home and rest more, or should I get back to work ASAP? I'm a department manager in a non- laboring position, however I drive a company vehicle most of the day. Whats the prospect of my having a "problem" while driving in a-fib?
2. If the drug therapy does not convert me into the proper sinus rythym, is a pacemaker my only next option or how long can I go on in a-fib?
Thanks for your response!
The progression of my condition is that I have now been in both v- fib and A-fib, have a mild valve prolapse and left bundle branch blockage. The corse of treatment thus far has been with beta and calcium blockers and they have been reletively effective.
My latest problem was with a-fib ( 8 days ago)which after two attempts to cardioconvent still exists. My dr. has put me on digoxin, sotalol and cumidin.I feel as though I have converted into a better rythym, but not entirely out of a-fib and my heart rate has stabilized (down form near 200). I will see my GP today and my Cardiologist next week. I feel much better and stronger every day and would like to return to work next week.
These are my main questions:
1.I have an enormous amount (over 200 days) of paid sick leave accumulated, should I stay home and rest more, or should I get back to work ASAP? I'm a department manager in a non- laboring position, however I drive a company vehicle most of the day. Whats the prospect of my having a "problem" while driving in a-fib?
2. If the drug therapy does not convert me into the proper sinus rythym, is a pacemaker my only next option or how long can I go on in a-fib?
Thanks for your response!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Jun 19, 2003 12:00AM
Vince,
Thanks for the post.
(1) I cannot recommend work or rest to you. That decision has to be made with the assistance of your doctor. The decision depends on whether or not you had symptoms with the afib or vfib, and whether or not you have ever passed out (or almost passed out) before.
(2) Many options exist to treat the afib. You are a very special case due to your IHSS. You need expert care by an IHSS (also called HOCM) specialist. Several centers exist. I would strongly encourage you to seek an opinion from one of these centers. Three well known centers for HOCM include University of Minnesota, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic. This might be a good use of your sick time.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the post.
(1) I cannot recommend work or rest to you. That decision has to be made with the assistance of your doctor. The decision depends on whether or not you had symptoms with the afib or vfib, and whether or not you have ever passed out (or almost passed out) before.
(2) Many options exist to treat the afib. You are a very special case due to your IHSS. You need expert care by an IHSS (also called HOCM) specialist. Several centers exist. I would strongly encourage you to seek an opinion from one of these centers. Three well known centers for HOCM include University of Minnesota, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic. This might be a good use of your sick time.
Hope that helps.
