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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Blanca you only do Cardioversion with a doctor's order. You can't order a doctor to give your husband a Cardioversion. They have to hook him up to a
monitor and see what he has. Go to the ER and have them put him on a monitor. A cardioversion is not like getting an enema, it is a very serious
procedure that needs to be monitored closely. It is essentially an emergency procedure. It is only done when medications and other options do not
work. I wouldn't chance it in Mexico unless no other treatments have worked. Sometimes an injection of Diltiazem will slow the atrial fibrillation
down to an acceptable level till you can get him back to the US. Most likely you got this answer from the Cardiologist because it isn't an option in
his hospital. Get back to the United States if you absolutely insist on a cardioversion. Make sure he is well hydrated and is not drinking alcohol
and stays out of the heat. Guaranteed Les' doctor in San Diego would advise the ER as well.
[Edited on 5-11-2014 by EnsenadaDr]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17295
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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What are you waiting for?!?!?!?
Fly to San Diego!!!!
Crikey! Use common sense! Get to a real hospital!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Blanca you only do Cardioversion with a doctor's order.
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But they'll sell a de-fib machine to any kid who walks in off the street?
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Blanca and Les are showing all of us the importance of MediVac insurance.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
What are you waiting for?!?!?!?
Fly to San Diego!!!!
Crikey! Use common sense! Get to a real hospital! |
Sheesh, Blanca isn't an idiot.
Chances are she's looking at flights while at the same time posting here to see if anybody has found an expeditious way to have the procedure done
locally. They're in La Paz, so think about it- she has to consider landing in TJ and taxi to the border, walking across the border, and a taxi on the
other side... Maybe Les' CA cardiologist told her if they flew up there they couldn't get him on the schedule for elective cardioversion (see below)
for a few more days so in the meantime she's looking at possible local options.
She's never said what his heart rate or rhythm is, or what his normal rhythm is. His normal rhythm could possibly be atrial fib which is why his
doctors are recommending optimizing the conditions before cardioverting due to the increased potential for dislodging blood clots. He could have been
in atrial fib for the past 20 years and be tolerating it fine, but has switched to a different rhythm which is causing his symptoms. Without obtaining
Les' complete past history along with all his present signs and symptoms, there are too many variables to give her responsible input.
There is emergent cardioversion for life threatening conditions, and elective cardioversion for situations where the
heart has kicked in to a rapid rhythm, but the patient is tolerating it fairly well and there would be risks to start shocking the heart. Of course
his rapid rhythm needs to be treated but it's always best to have as many facts and as much control as you can before performing a procedure that has
it's own inherent risks.
They can't just grab the paddles.
It sounds like his doctors are being cautious before proceeding and she is trying to figure out the logistics and wondered if anyone has already been
through this and could offer advice. I'm sorry Blanca, wish i could help.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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Quit YELLING you guys...sounds like dinner and drinks went just fine.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=73372&pag...
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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The doctors shouldn't be deciding anything before hooking him up to a monitor. They don't know if he has SVT, PVC's,PAC's. uncontrolled atrial
fibrillation, or Ventricular tachycardia. Doubt he has Ventricular fibirillation because he only would last a few minutes with that. Just because
cardioversion has worked in the past doesn't mean he's a candidate for it each time. I have seen it done dozens of times in the US but never once in
all the facilities I have been in Mexico. How could the doctors be deciding what to do when they don't even know what they're dealing with.
[Edited on 5-11-2014 by EnsenadaDr]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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You OK, Ralph? Are you having a bad dream? 
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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BajaBlanca
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Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Thanks, Oladulce.
You hit it on the nail. Absolutely brilliant and I could not have said it better. Les is elective as the docs sayhe could live forever just like he
is. He does not want to. Hence, elective.
Les has checked into flights and San Diego doc is indeed calling us Monday with a date.
I simply wanted a future plan B for La Paz. This is bound to happen again.
We did find a local place that does ECGs for 100 pesos, right around the corner and have done them consistently the last couple days.
Les is on blood thinners in preparation for San Diego. We have been around the block, folks, no one is playing around. The heart rate is high but not
that high.
Dinner and drinks were fabulous, that was right on the nail too (((:
All that being said: the doc here, before we heard back from our san diego cardiologist (who said it would not work in Les's case) suggested Les try
to control the arrythmia (sp) with meds. It was horrible. Terrible. Beyond scary. He could not take 2 steps without being winded. We wish we had
never started this option. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.
[Edited on 5-11-2014 by BajaBlanca]
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Alcohol after a scare like that? Anyone knows that alcohol exacerbates atrial fibrillation. and a huge dinner should be avoided as well.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/atrial-fibrillat...
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
You OK, Ralph? Are you having a bad dream? |
Between internet sleuthing for missing people, forum medical diagnosis, and a continuing theme of economic downsizing I think it was a night mare.
But I have a remedy....cooler full of beer, couple of burritos, the boat and a fishing pole.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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If that is all you have to do with your time, have at it. Remember the beer might just jumpstart atrial fibrillation though!! Have a great Mother's
Day! OH yeah watch out for the lard laden burritos as well. | Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
You OK, Ralph? Are you having a bad dream? |
Between internet sleuthing for missing people, forum medical diagnosis, and a continuing theme of economic downsizing I think it was a night mare.
But I have a remedy....cooler full of beer, couple of burritos, the boat and a fishing pole. |
[Edited on 5-11-2014 by EnsenadaDr]
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Another thing I would like to mention is shortness of breath. Many might want to relate it to being medicine induced but it is the actual atrial
fibrillation that causes shortness of breath especially when it isn't controlled. Your heart is pumping ineffectively therefore not enough oxygen is
being distributed to the tissues hence shortness of breath. Get the rhythm and rate controlled and you will not have problems feeling short of
breath!
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
If that is all you have to do with your time, have at it. Remember the beer might just jumpstart atrial fibrillation though!! Have a great Mother's
Day! OH yeah watch out for the lard laden burritos as well. | Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
You OK, Ralph? Are you having a bad dream? |
Between internet sleuthing for missing people, forum medical diagnosis, and a continuing theme of economic downsizing I think it was a night mare.
But I have a remedy....cooler full of beer, couple of burritos, the boat and a fishing pole. |
[Edited on 5-11-2014 by EnsenadaDr] |
Yes there is more to life than the internet!
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redmesa
Senior Nomad
Posts: 580
Registered: 3-12-2008
Location: Van Isle and Bahia Asuncion
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Blanca do you have a good blood pressure gauge? John kept his blood pressure daily, weighed himself, and definitely was aware of shortness of breath
and swelling. Our BP gauge also has a AFib alert on it so that helped if he was unsure. After 3, week long stays in ICU, 2 heart ablations, 4 or 5
cardioversions, many ECGs, 24hr heart monitors, stress tests etc. several medications for arrhythmia including amioderone (which should be avoided) I
feel I am a minor expert. We were also schooled and prepped for a study group for efficacy of ablations + or - medication support.
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