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What Causes Breathing Difficulty After Cardiac Ablation Procedure?
Question: I used to run & walk 2-3 miles a day on a track by the local XXXXXXX Center. I also had afib at the time which was OK. In 2011 Little Rock Heart Hospital did a cardiac abligation to burn the afib away. As soon as I was up and walking I couldn't breathe. I have seen pulmonologists etc. and they all say "No, it's AFib." My only symptom is I can't breath and walk. Walking up stairs takes me minutes as I have to stop every few steps. I was fine before the ablation.
MEDICATIONS as of 3/8/2017
WALGREENS:
Atorvastatin 40mg Tablets
Metoprolol ER Succinate 100mg Tabs
Trazodone 50mg Tablets
Paroxetine 20mg Tablets
Spironolactone 25mg Tablets
Amlodipine Besylate 5mg Tablets
Digoxin 0.125mg Tablets (Yellow)
Nystatin Cream 30 gm
Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray USP 50 mcg per spray
Spiriva Handihaler (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) 18 mcg caps 30S & handihaler (only one I need help with paying co-pay is $96/mo)
WAL MART:
Pradaxa (dabigatran extexilate) 150 mg Capsules (with savings card from Pradaxa)
Valium 10mg Tablets (Blue) (as needed for relief of back dislocation)
LINCARE:
Budesonide Inhalation Suspension
Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) 15 mcg*/2 ml
Albuterol 0.083% (NPH) 3 ml (1 vial daily as needed)
OVER THE COUNTER:
Mucinex DM
Equate Anti-Diarrheal Capsules 2 mg
Zyrtec 10 mg Tablets
Zaditor Eyedrops
Instaflex
Papaya Enzyme (for indigestion)
Garlic 1000 mg
Baby Aspirin
Multi Vitamin
MEDICATIONS as of 3/8/2017
WALGREENS:
Atorvastatin 40mg Tablets
Metoprolol ER Succinate 100mg Tabs
Trazodone 50mg Tablets
Paroxetine 20mg Tablets
Spironolactone 25mg Tablets
Amlodipine Besylate 5mg Tablets
Digoxin 0.125mg Tablets (Yellow)
Nystatin Cream 30 gm
Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray USP 50 mcg per spray
Spiriva Handihaler (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) 18 mcg caps 30S & handihaler (only one I need help with paying co-pay is $96/mo)
WAL MART:
Pradaxa (dabigatran extexilate) 150 mg Capsules (with savings card from Pradaxa)
Valium 10mg Tablets (Blue) (as needed for relief of back dislocation)
LINCARE:
Budesonide Inhalation Suspension
Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) 15 mcg*/2 ml
Albuterol 0.083% (NPH) 3 ml (1 vial daily as needed)
OVER THE COUNTER:
Mucinex DM
Equate Anti-Diarrheal Capsules 2 mg
Zyrtec 10 mg Tablets
Zaditor Eyedrops
Instaflex
Papaya Enzyme (for indigestion)
Garlic 1000 mg
Baby Aspirin
Multi Vitamin
Brief Answer:
Could you please upload echocardiogram report
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and have checked the long list of medicines. I doubt if all the medicines are required. Your problem seems to be related to your cardiac condition. Apart from taking medicines you need to walk regularly in the morning. Even if it is for a brief period, walk only upto the point you get tired. Set that as the cut off for a week. After a week you would be able to increase the distance. Increase it to the point where you get tired again. Stick to it for the next few days and then try increasing it. Keep doing this continually. This is called physiological training of the heart.
I would insist you to avoid climbing stairs for the time being, if possible.
In case an echocardiogram has been done, please upload the report. In case it has not been done, I would insist for one.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Could you please upload echocardiogram report
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and have checked the long list of medicines. I doubt if all the medicines are required. Your problem seems to be related to your cardiac condition. Apart from taking medicines you need to walk regularly in the morning. Even if it is for a brief period, walk only upto the point you get tired. Set that as the cut off for a week. After a week you would be able to increase the distance. Increase it to the point where you get tired again. Stick to it for the next few days and then try increasing it. Keep doing this continually. This is called physiological training of the heart.
I would insist you to avoid climbing stairs for the time being, if possible.
In case an echocardiogram has been done, please upload the report. In case it has not been done, I would insist for one.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You say "walk only upto the point you get tired". I can only walk about 20 steps and have to sit to catch my breath. I cannot even walk to the bathroom in my home without getting tired and having to wait for my breathing to catch up to me -- usually about 2-3 minutes. I have tried to keep up with my exercise, but it is now impossible!
Another doctor suggested it might be phrenic nerve damage or paralysis????? Or
pulmonary vien stenosis?????
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Another doctor suggested it might be phrenic nerve damage or paralysis????? Or
pulmonary vien stenosis?????
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Further details needed
Detailed Answer:
Fine. As of now start with the 20 steps that you can. Walk it regular for a week. Thereafter increase it to 30 steps. Possibly you would be able to do so.
Speaking about the cause, I would need to check your echocardiogram as well as your EKG report. I would be glad if you upload them. Based on them I could guide you about the possible cause.
Regards
Further details needed
Detailed Answer:
Fine. As of now start with the 20 steps that you can. Walk it regular for a week. Thereafter increase it to 30 steps. Possibly you would be able to do so.
Speaking about the cause, I would need to check your echocardiogram as well as your EKG report. I would be glad if you upload them. Based on them I could guide you about the possible cause.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Dear Dr. Saha, I sent the echo results, attached them to report as a file. I can send them again.
Please let me know.
XXXX
Please let me know.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Due to respiratory cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Pardon me for having missed the reports. I have now checked them. The echocardiogram is fine and indicates that your heart is functioning well. So, my suggestion for physiological training of the heart is irrelevant in your case. Rather, your problems seem to be entirely due to respiratory cause. The gaseous exchange capacity of your lungs is severely impaired due to your COPD (comprises of bronchitis, bronchiectasis, emphysema and may lead to atelectasis) and the condition seems to be gradually worsening. It might be worthwhile to visit and remain under the follow up of a pulmonologist. A regular arrangement for bipap ventilation should also be helpful.
Regards
Due to respiratory cause.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Pardon me for having missed the reports. I have now checked them. The echocardiogram is fine and indicates that your heart is functioning well. So, my suggestion for physiological training of the heart is irrelevant in your case. Rather, your problems seem to be entirely due to respiratory cause. The gaseous exchange capacity of your lungs is severely impaired due to your COPD (comprises of bronchitis, bronchiectasis, emphysema and may lead to atelectasis) and the condition seems to be gradually worsening. It might be worthwhile to visit and remain under the follow up of a pulmonologist. A regular arrangement for bipap ventilation should also be helpful.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you, I am attempting to get a referral to a leading Pulmonologist in another larger town. My current Pulmonologist doesn't seem to care as I see him every 6 months and he listens to my lungs, has me breath 4 or 5 times and says "you're fine, see you in 6 months".
Brief Answer:
Treatment can be administered at home
Detailed Answer:
It would be a good idea to get a referral. You can get a pulmonary function test in order to get things clearly documented. Ask your doctor to prescribe bronchodilators like salbutamol inhalers and see if they help. Chances are that they would. You may also get a home neubulization kit. A home bipap machine would be even more meaningful if deemed required.
Regards
Treatment can be administered at home
Detailed Answer:
It would be a good idea to get a referral. You can get a pulmonary function test in order to get things clearly documented. Ask your doctor to prescribe bronchodilators like salbutamol inhalers and see if they help. Chances are that they would. You may also get a home neubulization kit. A home bipap machine would be even more meaningful if deemed required.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I have home oxygen for use when lying down - which I may have to use during the day too. I have also a neubulizer I use with these 3 meds:
Budesonide Inhalation Suspension
Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) 15 mcg*/2 ml
Albuterol 0.083% (NPH) 3 ml (1 vial daily as needed)
Dear Dr. Saha, I have also requested a referral to the Mercy Hospital Pulmonologist in XXXXXXX MO which is better rated than Cox Health in XXXXXXX MO
Thank you for all your help.
Budesonide Inhalation Suspension
Brovana (arformoterol tartrate) 15 mcg*/2 ml
Albuterol 0.083% (NPH) 3 ml (1 vial daily as needed)
Dear Dr. Saha, I have also requested a referral to the Mercy Hospital Pulmonologist in XXXXXXX MO which is better rated than Cox Health in XXXXXXX MO
Thank you for all your help.
Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service
Detailed Answer:
Glad to know that. Keep using the nebulizer. It works better than inhalers.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Glad to be of service
Detailed Answer:
Glad to know that. Keep using the nebulizer. It works better than inhalers.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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