wrepete1951 asked:


I am 55 and have been under treatment for an erratic heartbeat since I was in my late 20′s. However, the treatment I’m presently receiving – 320 mg. of Inderal per day plus 1.5 mg of Xanax – is only partially effective. I am wondering if there might be a more effective treatment available to me. The condition doesn’t bother me much when I am resting or relaxed. Though it seems to be triggered mostly by my emotions, I have noticed that more and more it flares up under physical strain as well. I seriously doubt if I could endure a stress test simply because the fear of such a test would probably trigger an episode before they could even start it. I’ve never had any chest pains or any other symptoms of heart disease. I am also being treated for mildly high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and an anxiety disorder. What bothers me most is the degree to which I am affected psychologically by all this. It puts a crimp in my lifestyle and keeps me from doing things that I might ……
otherwise do. Oh, and by “erratic heartbeat”, I am not alking about a rapid or racing heart. I am talking about a condition where the heart seems yo lose its rythm and creates a sensation of having a butterfly lose inside my chest. Also, I would prefer that only qualified medical personnel answer this question. Thanks.

JOYNER

Jennifer G asked:


A week and a half ago, I was in an accident at work. I breathed in a large amount of nitrogen, which the doctor said combined with the oxygen in the air and resulted in nitrous oxide poisoning.

I went to the hospital with some burns (frostbite, really), headache, confusion, and a sore throat and lungs. By 6-7 hours later, I was having difficulty breathing. At the hospital (again), they just did a chest x-ray and gave me Albuterol and send me home.

By 3 days later I had bad chest pains and shortness of breath, was coughing up (dry and phlegm) and had a headache. I went to a different hospital this time, and they did a full workup with blood tests, breathing treatments, intravenous steroids, etc. My pulse ox went back up to 98% while I was there. I was diagnosed with chemical pneumonia and sent home with breathing treatments, steroids, an antibiotic, and tylenol with codeine.

I was supposed to follow up with a pulmonologist yesterday, but workers comp hasn’t approved it so I have to wait. I am worried because I keep having these wheezing fits were I can’t breath (like asthma I guess) and if I hadn’t had the Albuterol inhaler a couple of times I would have been in trouble. I am also worried because each time I went to the hospital and now when I check it my blood pressure is WAY high. It’s always been super low, around 105 over 70, now I’m averaging around 140 over 95.

No previous respiratory problems, blood pressure problems, really any problems but knee surgery. I’m only 26. Any ideas as to what’s going on.

P.S. My coughing and chest pain isn’t clearing up, either.

WHITLOCK