LAB RESULTS FROM CARDIAC CLINIC

My Lab results all look good except for one.

LIPID PANEL

CHOLESTEROL 143 MG/DL 0-199 - F
TRIGLYCERIDES 146 MG/DL 10-250 - F
HDL CHOLESTEROL 47 MG/DL 30-85 - F
Non-HDL 96 mg/dL 0-129 - F
VLDL 29 MG/DL 5-40 - F
LDL CHOLESTEROL DIRECT 70 MG/DL 0-130 - F
TOTAL CHOL/HDL 3.0 MG/DL 0.0-4.4 - F

COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC

GLUCOSE 104 MG/DL 70-106 - F
UREA NITROGEN 11 MG/DL 7-25 - F
CREATININE 1.0 MG/DL 0.6-1.3 - F
SODIUM 143 MEQ/L 135-145 - F
POTASSIUM 4.2 MEQ/L 3.5-5.0 - F
CHLORIDE 108 MEQ/L 98-109 - F
CO2 29.0 MEQ/L 22.0-34.0 - F
CALCIUM 9.6 MG/DL 8.6-10.5 - F
TOTAL PROTEIN 6.2 G/DL 6.0-8.5 - F
ALBUMIN 4.1 G/DL 3.5-5.7 - F
GLOBULIN 2.1 G/DL 2.0-4.5 - F
A/G RATIO 2.0 RATIO 0.7-2.0 - F
BILIRUBIN TOTAL 1.1 MG/DL 0.3-1.9 - F
ALK PHOS 111 U/L 34-104 H F
AST/SGOT 29 U/L 13-39 - F
ALT/SGPT 23 U/L 7-52 - F

eGFR

eGFR 54.7 mL/min/1.73/m - - F
eGFR (African-American) 66.1 mL/min/1.73m - F

CARDIAC TEST RESULTS

My CT Calcium Scoring Test results were 315.  This means that I have mild coronary artery disease with significant narrowings possible.  The number should be below 100.  So I am at a very high risk for stroke and heart attack.  Contributing factor is high cholesterol LDL and high blood pressure.

I have mild Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.  My left ventricle diastolic function is impaired.  I have Trace Pulmonic Regurgitation.  I have Mild Mitral Valve Regurgitation.  I have Mild Aortic Regurgitation.  I have Mild Tricuspid Regurgitation.

My results of the heart monitor I wore for two days showed periods of Rare Sinus Bradycardia with the minimum heart rate recorded at 42 beats per minute.  The maximum heart rate was 117 beats per minute meaning Tachycardia was noted with the longest run at 4 beats.  There were Rare Premature Atrial Contractions noted.  Rare Multiform Premature Ventricular Contractions also were noted.

That explains the heart palpitations I have experienced for many years - almost on a daily basis.

I am now on 3 heart medications - none of which I have ever taken before.  I monitor my blood pressure daily and show my Cardiologist my progress.  I have seen a decrease in my high blood pressure readings.  However, I feel side effects like dizziness and weakness.  

Last night I couldn't sleep due to sensations in my chest of gurgling that was happening all day and night.  Today the sensation is gone as I discontinued the diuretic medication.  I've never done well on that med in the past.

I go in for blood work in 2 weeks and will see my Cardiologist again in 6 weeks.

So glad I decided to see a specialist instead of continuing with my Family Doctor who tried me on many different types of blood pressure meds but we could not get it under control.  So I just sort of figured I had to live with high blood pressure and continue to take meds that weren't helping.

The last time I saw my Family Doctor I told him I was concerned about my low pulse rate of 52 which was due to the recent increase in dosage of my meds.  So he told me that he did not want me on any meds for a while and did not schedule me for a follow up visit.  That's what made me realize that I needed a specialist. 

I've had a hard time recovering from Gallbladder surgery but am getting some of my strength back.  My legs are still very weak.  I don't think I can take any more anesthesia.  The after effects have been long lasting.  I had the surgery while in Bradycardia so that could have put an unnecessary burden on my heart.  

It saddens me that I am missing out on going to the beach during all this great weather we've been having.  With summer coming I'll be stuck in the house till November.   

CARDIAC CLINIC APPOINTMENT

On March 18th I had an appointment with cardiologist Dr. Abben.  Due to my abnormal EKG showing Left Ventricle Hypertrophy and my heart palpitations I felt it necessary to make this appointment.  My family doctor has not been able to get my high blood pressure under control and that is what leads to LVH. 

Dr. Abben ordered a holter monitor for me to wear for two days and I am to see him again on April 1st for an Ultrasound and a CAT Scan.

EATING BAR-B-Q

I was getting used to being a vegetarian but did still crave meat and seafood.   However, today was the first time in 2 years that I was able to enjoy eating meat.   I had to dip every bite of Applebee's riblets in sauce so it would go down easy but had no trouble swallowing.  Had mashed potatoes with it as well as cole slaw.  

I do still have trouble eating lots of different foods especially chicken.  Rice is still a big challenge.  I have been eating bread again as long as I dip it in tea or coffee I can enjoy it.

It appears that I have had an increase in my saliva production lately.  This is probably why I can swallow some types of meat more easily.  

I feel so normal today.   Yes, today is a good day.

Going camping tomorrow.

DR. HAYDEL VISIT

Had a visit with my family doctor today to go over all that has happened since the gallbladder surgery.  He ordered more blood work and tested me for Mono and checked my white blood count.  They were both normal.  I have no bacterial infection.

He checked my stomach and asked if there was any pain on examination and there was not.

He wants  me to continue to monitor my fevers and to call him on Monday if I still have them and he will order a CAT Scan at that time. 

He wants to keep me off all blood pressure meds for a while.

I feel much better knowing that the blood work is all normal but will always wonder why I'm getting these fevers only at night.

STOPPED ALL MEDS

Since I have been having so many complications since surgery I have decided to stop taking all meds.  I am convinced that the blood pressure medicine is too strong and making my heart rate low- 52 at one point.  Not sure why no one has suggested to request a lower dose from my family doctor.  They were concerned but made no recommendations.  Seems like a simple solution to me. 

I will continue to take the antibiotic Cipro for the suspected liver infection.  Last night I had fever of 100 and took 2 Tylenol tablets which lowered the fever and I slept well without Xanax. 

Blood Pressure Readings on no meds:

150/76 - Pulse 81- 2-4-2019

135/62 - Pulse 73 - 2-5-2019

125/72 - Pulse 87 - 2-6-2019

Am still waiting for the results of my Ultrasound.  It has not yet been posted on the Portal.

Just spoke to Dr. Jukes and he said the results of the Ultrasound shows a little fluid on the liver which is to be expected.  It will resolve in time.  The fever is not from anything they can find in my scan or x ray or blood work.  Maybe just a virus.  He suggested I be checked for Mono.

I think that if it is a virus I picked it up in surgery as I have had fever ever since that day and it is now 8 days since that time. 

The antibiotics I have been given are for a bacterial infection and not for a virus.  So I will not be needing them if that is the case.

Made an appointment with my family doctor to review all of this and to get a different script for the blood pressure meds.

ANOTHER ULTRAOUND

Had Ultrasound on stomach area.  Hoping it shows what is causing the fevers.  Had lots of lab work done yesterday which came back all negative.  Chest x-ray was clear too.  So they don't know why I'm having fevers but think it has something to do with the surgery.  Maybe they are looking for a blood clot.

Last night at around 3:00am I had a temp of 100.  I have not taken any pain meds or xanax sinch day before yesterday.  Last night I had a rash that got worse since I first noticed it a few days ago.  It covered all of my stomach area and itches really bad.

Ate lunch today at IHOP.  It is just a little too soon to eat like that after gallbladder surgery.  I had scrambled eggs and grits and bacon.   Didn't eat all of it as I started getting nauseated.  Sure hope I don't have to throw it all up.  Won't be doing that again.

Stopped taking my blood pressure meds a few days ago due to my heart rate of 52.  Took 3 readings today and heart rate back to the 80 range and pressure 150/70 which is good for me especially on no meds.  I'll talk to my doctor about reducing the dosage.

My brother told me today that the surgeon told him he had to scrape the gallbladder off of my liver and that it bled.  I don't have a memory of being told that.  So now I'm kinda pissed that I was sent home on no antibiotics after a liver bleed.  

Another doctor in the clinic gave me two different antibiotics and I took one tonight.