My family needs your prayers

[SunnyBrook]

I probably should have posted about this sooner, but things have been rather hectic.

Back in August, we discovered that my dad had quite a few blockages in his arteries. He had open heart surgery and 6 bypasses on 8/31. Although he's 78 and lives a very active, healthy lifestyle, he's had some difficulty recovering and is just now getting back behind the wheel.

While my dad was still in the hospital, my husband went to an endoscopy scheduled to examine an esophageal problem he has had for awhile. The EKG before the procedure revealed an electrical heart problem, so the endoscopy was cancelled.

We went to the cardiologist Tuesday, to get a diagnosis and treatment plan based upon the Holter monitor results, but we still don't know what they are going to do to treat him. The cardiologist had never even seen the test results or case until he walked into the room and glanced at it. He told us he has to consult with an Electrical Physiologist first (cardiologist who specializes in the heart's electrical malfunctions). Evidentally, dh has a 2nd degree AV (atrioventricular) heart block. I've been reading a ton about all of this, and it appears to me that it is a 2nd degree Mobitz Type II. In simple terms, his heart rate goes something like this: ...beat beat miss beat miss beat miss beat miss beat miss beat beat miss beat beat miss... This isn't a blockage caused by physical obstructions like chloresterol/plaque buildup, but rather an electrical conduction malfunction between the atria and ventricles. Causes for this particular disorder can range from hyperkalcemia to multiple sclerosis. It can also be congenital; I find that unlikely, since dh had a normal EKG 3 years ago. One cause that I find particularly interesting is Chagas Disease, which effects both the esophagus and the heart.

My dh may have to take heart meds or even have a pacemaker installed. We're less than impressed with the VA cardiologist, and may seek a second opinion if he doesn't address the issue to our satisfaction.

Anyway, we now realize why dh has been so tired and draggy for the past couple of years, even though he is so young and healthy otherwise.

Please remember us in your prayers as we try to find the right answers to our concerns.

[Wyatt_Junker]

Definitely will pray as soon as I'm done posting this.

However, Western docs are nearly illiterate in regards to basic nutrition. I would get him to start taking CoenzymeQ10 immediately, 60 mg's a day. Then, I would get him on copper supplementation pronto. Sometimes it can be electrical problems with the AV, and yet other times what he's experiencing could just as well be a metabolic issue where his body is not manufacturing enough energy at the cellular level(inside the mitochondria). This will have the same effect of irregular heartbeats and PVC's or missed beats. IOW, his body is not making enough energy to contract the heart muscle and thus the blood pools which in turn causes the ryhthm to go hop-skip-and-a-beat like a bad record.

It should be attempted to determine what is causing the lack of energy getting into the cell. It could be a basic deficiency of a major bio nutrient. Calcium, magnesium or phosophorus. For me, it was copper which I supplemented for. The misbeats went away almost immediately after conducting a hair analysis program/treatment. Western dox prescriptions, the only other alternative, are 1) Expensive 2) Compromises to the real problem and 3) May have serious side-effects or at least some very unpleasant ones.

Nutrition, exercise and prayer/spirituality will do wonders compared to an Rx. That's just my opinion.

[Charles]

prayers here.

[BEST45CAL]

We're prayin' for y'all.


My dad went through a triple bypass two years ago. It's not fun.

Wyatt's got some great advice. We put dad on CoQ10, too.

[Beowulf]

Prayers here, Sunny.

[Pendragon_6]

Sounds like the same problem as my dad. The solution in his case was a pace-maker.

Prayers for all your family.

[MSGT]

Prayers sent

[aaron11]

Praying for you and yours Sunny...

[Longhorn_Platinum]

:unsmile: Dear Father in Heaven,
Please grant Your healing power to SunnyBrook's husband. You know I'm not good at long prayers. Just heal him, please. And give SunnyBrook the strength to endure this trial, & to watch after all those kids. In Jesus's Name, AMEN.

[UhUhNoWay]

So sorry to hear of your families health trials lately! I will keep your family in my prayers.

[SunnyBrook]

...It should be attempted to determine what is causing the lack of energy getting into the cell. It could be a basic deficiency of a major bio nutrient. Calcium, magnesium or phosophorus...


Thanks Wyatt (and others). I have read a bit about these possibilities. One of the main reasons I'm peeved at the doc was that he basically ruled out (with no reason) anything rather than congenital cause and that he pretty much told us dh would either receive a pacemaker or do nothing. We asked about the possbility of some electrolyte or vitamin/mineral imbalance and he said that those couldn't cause this problem. Really, much of what he said I found to be inaccurate after reading just a few medical articles and websites (and these weren't even "alternative" type websites.

I realize you all here aren't medical experts, but I do value your imput and suggestions. Many of you have had to deal with this in your families and have had success with various treatments.

Let me explain a bit more. My husband is 39 and is in terrific physical shape. He doesn't need to lose weight at all, although he could cut down on the cokes and potato chips for nutrition's sake. I cook from scratch a lot, and try to sneak veggies in wherever I can. Lately, the only time he feels really good is when he exercises. The week the problem was found, he had played racquetball twice and walked the golf course once. We also take walks one or two nights a week. Right now, the doc doesn't want him playing racquetball, but dh did anyway last week because he was feeling too bad without having a good workout. (I wasn't very happy with him about that!) We have noticed, though, that after the exercise "high" wears off and the adrenaline is gone, he is really exhausted. When he comes in for lunch...or anytime...and sits down, he's out like a light in less than a minute. His secretary finds him sitting up in his chair sound asleep. It seems he is either going strong or totally lethargic.

Based on those details, do you have any more suggestions?

Thanks, everybody!

[Wolfcounsel]

I suspect a potassium deficiency. Prayer is sent.

[SunnyBrook]

I suspect a potassium deficiency. Prayer is sent.

Ok. I've read that this can cause it...but why?

Do you have personal experience with this? Will just any OTC Potassium supplements work to treat this? Can they test for this? Will they? How do I ask without offending the docs who can't stand people who read medical materials, etc?

[Wolfcounsel]

"Do you have personal experience with this? Will just any OTC Potassium supplements work to treat this? Can they test for this? Will they? How do I ask without offending the docs who can't stand people who read medical materials, etc?" --SunnyBrook

People masquerading as doctors just because they think all those years they spent in medical school makes them that, are a dime a dozen. Ask the doctor, and if he goes ahead with your suggestion, then at least he is being professional. I don't know the cost for a potassium deficiency test. It should not be much. Yes, I had low potassium, and the doctor prescribed potassium chloride. I don't know about whether just any potassium supplement will work, so it's better to get a doctor's opinion. I am 55 years old, and my heartbeat averages "55" bps.

[Wyatt_Junker]

I wore a belt monitor to detect my irregular hearbeat back in '95. They got something like 800 extra beats or 'quivers' a day. Feels like somebody's tickling your sternum with a feather from the inside of your chest. The anxiety that comes from it is more from thinking something is wrong with you than anything really serious.

SB, it sounds like your hubby has an energy problem in general. I would have him first modify his workouts to a less extreme, less competitive nature. This may be hard for him, but necessary. Yoga, light treadmill at a moderate incline, relaxing breathing exercises coupled with stretching and prayer with eyes closed.

It sounds as if his adrenals are overtaxed. I would also add to the CoQ10(which needs to happen immediately BTW) an adrenal supplement, one that contains no licorice. Have him start something with pantothenic acid, riboflavin and B6 from a respectable brand that also has bovine adrenal extract. He needs to take the workload off his adrenals yesterday. He should also consider, at a later point, adding juniper supplements to help clean out the entire kidneys. I would also suggest he start taking alpha lipoic acid immediately to help detoxify the liver. Short of that, a fresh squeezed lemon added to a tall glass of water every day in the morning right when he wakes up; this will also clean the liver. If you can't find it, use milk thistle.

In addition to all this, I would suggest checking into his electrolyte balance like you suggested. If its off, you will get skipped heartbeats. Be wary of the potassium though. My potassium levels were toxic. I needed more sodium to help achieve balance. The complete opposite of most people. Copper was recommended to help get rid of the potassium. The copper helped my energy level also immediately.

If you do go the alternative route, and if you decide to do a hair analysis, find one that has no tie-in with the supplement manufacturer. Make sure that whoever does the test is independent of the products used to achieve better metabolic balance and efficiency.

[DesertFox]

All the best, SunnyBrook. We're all with you.

[Wyatt_Junker]

Another thing I was thinking about and its also true with me is that a lot of men really do go through a mid-life mental schism. Its a 30 something thing. And guys who have worked out their entire life, like your husband, and myself don't want to face the reality of age. We want to keep thinking like we're 21 years old and when we go to the gym, we forget that our repair time is longer than it once was. But our effort remains the same. You will suffer the consequences of this illusion sooner or later.

We have to scale down in our late thirties. Not a lot, but a little. You can't stress your tendons like you used to, you can't load the barbell, in fact its not even worth it anymore to 'see what you can bench'. Its irrelevant. Those days are over. You don't want a tendon snapping off its bone and then have to watch your sagging muscle bob like a broken yoyo. Its enough that you are healthy. Its enough that you are alive. At this point, there should be no more yelling in the gym. No more poor form. You should be breathing regularly as you lift. You should be relaxing even, not stressing a point.

Its just a guess, but for men, the late 30's is one of the hardest times to reconcile your decline with what used to be. And if you don't face that, you will go out there on the racquetball court and try to prove you aren't what you are. And this is where the problem occurs in a lot of guys. They'll push themselves to the point of exhaustion, adrenal overload or worse a cardiac arrest. At this point it is important to inject your spiritual man into your working world and bring the humility, which really is a gift, into the center of your being.

Skipped heartbeats could also be someone trying to live like they shouldn't anymore. And perhaps it is time to make an inventory of your character and your life's trajectory. I'm speaking about myself here(if you haven't already caught on), so don't worry about an accusation of any sort.

And here's the ironic thing, when I slow down, I find that I am stronger than before. I can still find that 20 year old prick in the gym shouting until his face beats red, spit flying out his mouth. And with the control of a Shaolin monk, calmly, I walk up to the bar, slap on a third more weight than him and, reaching into Christ within me, I just deprive gravity of its boast with all the ease of lifting a peacock's feather. And I can watch with quiet satisfaction as the young kid sees that I can outdo him by a large margin and not even make a peep along with having a wrinkle free face and not a cheat in the lift. But, then I quit playing, and go back to being my age, which isn't ancient mind you, but is enjoying the transition.

It also helps to find a club that isn't a gym/whorehouse. Find one that is for families. It eliminates the temptation to compete with all those swans.

[Peachdiane]

In simple terms, his heart rate goes something like this: ...beat beat miss beat miss beat miss beat miss beat miss beat beat miss beat beat miss... This isn't a blockage caused by physical obstructions like chloresterol/plaque buildup, but rather an electrical conduction malfunction between the atria and ventricles.

Sunny, that's what I was dX'ed with when pregnant with my third boy. But, my EKG showed up normal after the pregnancy. it was very odd.

Wyatt mentioned mitochondria. My other son, Ty, had a muscle biopsy for genetic testing. The geneticist then drew blood from him, me, the other boys, and their dad and living grandparents. The genetics found the boys to have mitochondrial disease. The neuro (working with the geneticist) immediately placed them on CoQ10, B complex vitamins: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), B6, folate, B12, biotin, pantothenic acid. and, Vitamin E as well as L-carnitine (Carnitor). The most important ones are L-Carnitine and CoQ10 (according to him). The results were inconclusive for me but he put me on them anyway. You have my prayers....

[SunnyBrook]

Wow! Thanks for all of the advice. I'm looking into it. The COQ10 sounds like a must-have--sounds good for me to take as well.

Our Activity Center here is definitely the family kind. What's funny is that dh has never been into weightlifting much; I'm the one that enjoys that, and I have to beg him to come spot me. He likes competitive sports. I don't think he's pushing too hard for the sake of feeling younger, but rather just because he loves a good, challenging game. His diet, however, could definitely improve nutrition-wise. He doesn't overeat at all, but he does like the cokes, junk food, chicken-fried steak, burgers, etc..

Would you be willing to recommend a specific lab for the hair analysis? PM me if you want. BTW, are you some sort of nutritionist?

We did go through a really stressful time the past few years. DH is a pastor and we went through a new church building program. Besides the stress of overseeing that whole process, he was very active in the physical labor involved as well, since we had to use lots of volunteer work for financial reasons. The physical labor, however, never seems to bother him like the mental and emotional stress do.

I have had major adrenal insufficiency issues in the past myself. For quite awhile, I was taking hydrocortizone pills for this, but finally quit after having some side effects and little to no improvement. Just today, a friend gave me a bottle of adrenal supplement to try which has a lot of the things in it that you mentioned above (her dh is a chiropractor). Maybe we'll both have to try it out and see if it helps. At this point, I'm reluctant to put dh on anything until we have some tests done to see where he is lacking. I would hate to jeopardize him by giving him something he had too much of already.

At any rate, I'll be calling the doc tomorrow to see if he has "consulted" with the EP and if they have plans to do anything more. Financially, it's to our benefit to pursue this course of action until we hit a dead end. Everything after that is out of pocket expense--or let me rephrase that, out of EMPTY pocket expense. (LOL--KWIM?)

Thanks for your support, everybody!

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I'm so sorry for your trials Sunny. I know nothing of the medical, so I won't even bother to add my 2 cents which would be worth about nothing. However, I an offer my prayers ---


Great Father, Holy Physician,
We honor You above all things, and give glory to You as Creator and Ruler of All. We recognize our place as children of the King, and as such when Your Body is in pain, we bring our suffering before the One Who Can Heal. Mighty God, we humbly present these events before Your Throne, and ask that a great work be done, if it pleases You. Through a healing a Great Blessing can be shone, and directed back to You Who Provided it. If this not be in the Plan You have engraved, we then request an understanding and a contention be shared with those who are going through such troubled times. Hold them Lord, in the Palm of Your Hand, and please let them know You Are in control. Grant peace, and grace and mercy, we pray, but most of all Your Will be made manifest in their lives, and so others may see Your Magnificence. United as one voice, we lay these petitions at Your Feet, in the wonderful Name of Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ,
Amen.

[SunnyBrook]

Just wanted to update to say that I spoke with the nurse today. We were supposed to find out whether the EP recommended a pacemaker. Instead, she told me they are scheduling an extended version stress test--probably in the first part of November. At this rate, we may have a diagnosis by dh's 40th birthday in February! Yeehaw! I did ask about some of the lab results. She said they tested calcium and potassium and that they were normal. I'm requesting copies of all of the labwork, etc. so we can look at the numbers and such.

HomeS:

Thanks for the prayer; it was lovely and heartfelt as always. You're a real jewel.