New medication

Ok, last post was Wednesday, let's think of what's happened since then?

Hmmm, I'm starting to think blogs are more successful when short, so maybe I better try to be more 'daily'. That said, here's a long one...

Thursday I met with the Cardiologist to review past tests. My BP is high but that's not his major concern. My HR is very high and that worries him. Focussing on the HR, I have an average HR over 24 hours of about 105. That's crazy! I don't even understand it - I remember by heart rate as always being 'clock-work', as in 60 bpm.

Regardless, the Doc doesn't like the rate. He said it's like "running around everywhere, even when you sleep", can't be good.

So, he ran through theories:
a) Possible thyroid problem. Blood tests organised.
b) Sleep apnoea? Since this is the reason I had nose surgery, he agreed to continue pursuing this.
c) Something genetic that makes my heart run fast.

Well, since a) and c) are resolved the same way, the next action is clear. New medication. Beta-blockers that slow down heart rate, with the added benefit of lower BP as well.

He stressed to me that these pills will 'make you feel kind of unwell' and pointed out that the hardest part of his job was convincing people to keep taking medication that makes them feel unwell. We all think medication should make us feel well. Struggle through 1-2 weeks and I'll feel better, he assured me.

Given the warnings, I decided to start the first pill on saturday rather than friday.

On Friday, I did another SAN workout. Pushed the limits again, it was all good. What was funny on this case was that that the Cardiac nurse really wanted me to be fully monitored through the workout even though the tabs always fall off my hairy sweaty body. So, I borrowed some surgical tape and went into the men's room.

I taped myself up like crazy. I showed her when I came out and she was impressed but pointed out it would hurt to remove the tabs. The only goal here was 'stay connected', so I didn't care.

Short story...I worked out hard for an hour and didn't lose a tab. The nurse was very happy. I'll spare you the few moments of pain in the men's room later.

However, this all just confirmed that my heart rate is way too high. She's very keen to see me after the beta-blockers, because she's confident my HR will be way down.

Trying to cut this post short, let's jump to Saturday. I started my new medication with a lot of concern. Blood pressure is such a 'side effect', I can't really measure it, so who cares what medicine does to it, I guess. But heart rate is more key to me - lower my heart rate too much and it....stops. That sounds bad. Worse, I can check it anytime. I can measure any effect with a simple finger on the wrist.

Anyway, I took the medicine and tried to relax for a while. I couldn't relax. I had a host of symptoms I ran off to Suz including that I felt like my head was pounding, but in afterthought I think I was making it all up - I think this was just anxiety about the medication and whole process. Hours later, having gone about a busy Christmas-prep day, I decided I felt great.

And I do - I feel very relaxed. My HR is now down in the 70's again, whereas it was > 110 before. I never realised that I was feeling 'anxious' before, but I assume i was given that now I feel really chilled. It's good.

I think I'll sleep well tonight (soon - it's 1am!). Tomorrow I'll do a run and see how things go.