New Policy on Comments

I understand if this post is blocked. But, by a previous poster’s request here we go:

#1
About 25 years ago I realized that my long term alcoholism was going to result in a long overdue DWI, a fatal car crash or premature death. I talked to my GP about this and requested a scrip for antabuse. It seemed to be going well with my ritual of taking antabuse before bedtime every night and I was alcohol free. The only problem: I started feeling worse and worse — almost worse than any hangover I had ever had! I consulted my GP and he told me my body was going through such a radical readjustment after decades of alcoholism that this withdrawal symptom was to be expected. I believed him but I sure wasn’t feeling better. Meanwhile my wife talked to a friend — not a doctor — who had once worked as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor. She immediately told my wife, “Oh. the antabuse can do that. We used to see that a lot. Some people react to it very badly.” Discontinued antabuse and obtained immediate relief. Still alcohol-free to this day.

#2
Two years ago last October I suffered cardiac arrest. I was fortunate that bystander CPR and timely EMS/Fire presence saved my life. So, while very grateful to be alive and even going on my bike rides again, I was disappointed that I lacked my previous stamina. I had many echocardiograms during this period and they all came in at 37.5% — read by the same cardiologist every time. I was determined to regain my previous heart function and did too many Google searches for “improve ejection fraction” to count, but to no avail. I considered stem cell injections but had trouble qualifying for a legitimate study. I told my cardiologist WHATEVER it might take to improve my cardiac function I was willing to try it. He discussed mediterranean diet, my weight, (not far from ideal) my exercise level, (possibly excessive in his opinion) and my meds. So I was left with doing my best with a damaged heart. Then I talked to Jack. This casual friend had experienced cardiac arrest and complained to his cardiologist that he ran out of breath lifting a bale of hay to feed his horses. His cardiologist referred him to a course of EECP therapy and he felt much better. He wanted to do a repeat for even more improvement but was told it would not qualify for insurance reimbursement because his ejection fraction had improved to 55%. So I looked into this odd therapy and found studies that showed improvement in stamina, ejection fraction, less shortness of breath and that medicare has covered it for those purposes since 2002. (At one time they only covered it for angina which I have never experienced.) Given a negligible cost, especially compared to the $600k + medicare had spent on my 3x bypass and ICD implant, and given it’s totally non-invasive nature and lack of risk or harmful side effects I wanted to check, it out. I proposed it to my cardiologist and at least he signed off on it saying, “Oh yeah, those (Legacy Heart Care) are good folks!” So credit for that, but why did he not suggest it before? Early on, my perception, obviously subject to placebo effect, was “Wow! I no longer stop the cycling group so Don can catch up on O2!” My echocardiogram shortly after the round of therapy came in at 45% — a substantial imrpovement. I have recently finished a repeat of the therapy with my cardiologist’s belated blessing, again medicare approved: “I am glad we found something that worked so well for you!” “Say WHAT?? WE??” Without my friend’s anecdote I would never have known this therapy existed — and not for a lack of looking! Next echo is May 18th. If further gain is documented, great, if not, I have given it my best shot.

These are only two of many examples of the positive potential for medical anecdotes that I am aware of. Are anecdotes a good tool for managing AF? I highly doubt it! Can they open a patient’s eyes to that which they might otherwise never know? Absolutely! This leaves it up to the patient to investigate and ask questions wisely.

Don in Austin