Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
Hi all,
I'm posting this for a dear friend. He is having terrible symptoms with Atrial Fibrillation. He is on Coumadin (blood thinner) and Flecanide (anti arrhythmia).
Upon our urging, he finally went to a LLMD about 2 1/2 months ago and was diagnosed with Lyme, Babs and Bart. He is on Mepron, Zith, Bactrim, and Nystatin.
Do you have any encouraging stories you can share that I can pass along? He is feeling very discouraged.
Thanks friends, Tammy
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I can say that I had severe chest pain and was sure that I was having a heart attack in the beginning (before I knew I had Lyme). This symptom went away with treatment.
Has he had a CBC lately? He may want to check his hemoglobin, low hemoglobin can cause that symptom. Babs kills red blood cells, hence low hemoglobin.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged |
lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
I've had these symptoms and so has my daughter. They do get better with treatment. He should get started on magnesium (either citrate or glycinate) and CoQ10.. Both of these are very helpful for heart rhythm.
We found that Zith actually made it worse and switched to Biaxin.
posted
He needs to be careful with certain drugs if he has A-fib. I have it too. It may not have much of anything to do with his having Lyme & Co.
I cannot take Biaxin or Avelox due to my heart. Zith does not seem to bother me. ( I DID, however, get WELL on Biaxin before the A-fib showed up many years later.)
I don't know what to say to encourage him. I AM better after going to cardiac rehab the past 2 yrs and taking Verapamil for the A-fib. I also take mangosteen, which Mayo is studying for its effectiveness in keeping A-fib at bay.
PS .. I DO take magnesium glycinate .. took it before I got A-fib .. still take it.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had episodes of tachycardia and PAC (premature atrial contraction) that sent me to the ER several times, once on a stretcher in an ambulance. This was before my Lyme diagnosis, but I know now it was all Lyme-related.
I was prescribed a beta-blocker which helped for awhile. Also drastically cut my caffeine consumption. Eventually cardiac symptoms would flare again and the only thing the beta-blocker did was make me feel dizzy like I was going to pass out.
2 1/2 years of aggressive treatment with oral antibiotics, and my cardiac issues are mostly GONE. There is HOPE.
Your friend should be tested for sleep apnea, which many Lyme sufferers have. Untreated sleep apnea will eventually cause or worsen cardiac arrhythmia. This was the case with me. I use a CPAP device when sleeping to prevent the apnea. I credit this and the antibiotics with "curing" my cardiac issues. I still take a tiny dose of a beta-blocker, which I may be able to discontinue at some point.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
Thanks for sharing some thoughts. I will pass along to my friend.
Many thanks.
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yes, he should be checked for sleep apnea. My cardiologist had me evaluated for it. Don't have it.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Camp Other
Unregistered
posted
Has your friend been evaluated for long Q-T syndrome? Certain medications can cause arrhythmias or aggravate an existing condition, and I believe macrolides like Zithromax and Biaxin can cause Long Q-T syndrome as well as other meds.
Page through the next few pages and see if it may apply. Your friend may need to be evaluated for this. If this is the problem, usually just switching meds helps a lot.
I can say that in my case, I had a lot of chest pressure and a racing heart which improved with Babesia treatment. But it's important to be sure that it isn't meds causing the problem and just Babs acting up instead, because continuing on the same medication can cause more problems than they are worth (esp when there are alternatives).
IP: Logged |
-------------------- Urge Congress on EMF Safety, FCC Must Change Exposure Guidelines for Microwave Radiation Exposure: http://tinyurl.com/2cjq54y Halt Universal Broadband, A Public Health Hazard: http://tinyurl.com/3x7xrmq Posts: 495 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I had afib - episodic - for seven years & finally had an ablation. I took Taurine, Magnesium & Potassium supplements to help it - things I think the Lyme can drain from our bodies. Although I am not sure that Lyme caused the afib, I know it exacerbated it. If you have afib, ablation may be the way to go, since over time it tends to progress, damage the heart, and lead to heart failure. If you go the ablation route, make sure you go to someone who is recognized as an expert. Check out afibbers.net & a-fib.com. I had an ablation & am really fine now.
Posts: 360 | From New York | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Encouraging story, psr! I may one day need ablation.
Atrial fibrillation is a specific condition. Not the same as other arrythmias. I agree that Lyme may not be the cause. It runs in my family.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Tammy N.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26835
posted
Thanks again everyone for sharing these thoughts and ideas. Have a beautiful day, Tammy
Posts: 2238 | From East Coast | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic