Any cardiologist in the house? Atrial Flutter content.

[Tricia]

I caught this re reading the thread. Yes, while this has been with me for a while...and no idea how long, the blood thinners have not been and that is the concern and this falls under "Where the cure is as dangerous as the ailment".

Yup. I’m more concerned with the blood thinners than the flutter
One thing that makes me feel better about it is that Phil is skiing with me and @Andy Mink, so we will be able to respond with the knowledge that Phil is on thinners.

 

[crgildart]

Yup. I’m more concerned with the blood thinners than the flutter
One thing that makes me feel better about it is that Phil is skiing with me and @Andy Mink, so we will be able to respond with the knowledge that Phil is on thinners.

DW has a Medi Alert bracelet that designates her as being on blood thinners.

 

[fatbob]

Sounds like you are thinking about risk/reward in the right way:

MTB - landings hard, rocks and stumps possible, locked into your track etc

Skiing - snow generally softer, trees and rocks can be mitigated much better by route selection and speed control.

Ultimately you need a strategy re bleeds. Do you accept that thinners make a rare bad bleed event worse and live with the risk or do you attempt to mitigate for the event that a minor bleed becomes more critical.

Then consider that it's probably not MTBing or skiing that is your real biggest risk - that for most people would be a car crash.

 

[johnnyvw]

Last August I found out I am deathly allergic to wasp stings, so I wear one indicating that, as well as my wife's phone# as emergency contact and my hospital network info (since all of that is on record there)

 

[SugarCube]

Phil, just found this thread and wanted to wish you and Tricia the best. Navigating serious health issues is a path we're all getting familiar with (ugh). Keep on living your lives, find really good docs you trust, and listen to them. Greg and I send you both good healing, good health, and great turns.

 

[John Webb]

Most know I love my bourbon and scotch. I asked if that needs to be cut down, they were clrear it needed to be eliminated. Not a problem ...., while I might miss the occational 1.75L single serving bottle, it is just more for everyone else. You are welcome.

May want to check back with the Dr in several months. I asked the same alcohol question when I had A-fib (now gone) and was told a drink or 2 was OK but no more.

 

[Jwrags]

Yup. I’m more concerned with the blood thinners than the flutter
One thing that makes me feel better about it is that Phil is skiing with me and @Andy Mink, so we will be able to respond with the knowledge that Phil is on thinners.

Unless Phil is hucking cliffs or skis into a tree his risk being on blood thinners is pretty low. He might bruise a little more easily but that’s better than a stroke.

 

[Rod MacDonald]

I've got/ had a-fib (never heard of atrial flutter but I've read in the threads about the difference). I had several years pre diagnosis where I'd suddenly have a heart rate of 200 bpm + for no real apparent reason (although I was exercising) . Some days I'd simply feel that someone had turned off the petrol supply to my engine. Usually after a rest and some food I could go again . Sometimes I just had to stop and go home, which was annoying, as I was a regular hiker/hillwalking.
Under the cardio clinic testing I was doing the treadmill stress test - walk - up pace - faster - faster suddenly lots of red lights started flashing, an alarm sounded and several medical staff burdt in like a "Code blue". My bpm was 230.
I spent 2 subsequent years on a beta blocker, and had the Jump Start, where they shock the heart into regular rhythm.
Didn't work for me.
I've since had a pulmonary ablation, and had no real symptoms since then, although I often feel my resting pulse is slow, or fluctuating.
I just feel " less" , than I did, and tire much easier. It's undoubtedly a slight handicap, but I wouldn't say it should hamper your skiing.

 

[crgildart]

Unless Phil is hucking cliffs or skis into a tree his risk being on blood thinners is pretty low. He might bruise a little more easily but that’s better than a stroke.

Ya basically just means no more spring skiing without the helmet. Taking a shower is just as dangerous or more for a fall causing a brain bleed. Getting blasted from behind is a risk, but that can happen walking or in a car too.

 

[graham418]

I am on Xaralto, among many other meds, and there is really nothing to worry about. Keep a couple of band-aids in your car or pack. You are much more likely to cut yourself slicing olives for your pizza (spoken from experience, bled like a stuck pig)
My doctors have never advised against any of my activities.

 

[Seldomski]

Anecdote --

One of our friends tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, but was asymptomatic or very mild symptoms in late January. The rest of her immediate family was positive as well with varying symptoms (mild or none). She has recently developed some heart issue (not sure exactly what) and went to a cardiologist. She noticed at check in that just about everyone else there checking in responded "Yes" when asked "Have you tested positive for COVID/virus previously?"

 

[crgildart]

^^^I had the same thought that it could be a lingering aftereffect/complication from COVID. No doubt they tested Phil for antibodies to check that aspect out..

 

[SpikeDog]

Well, Phil, one of the reasons I brought up sleep apnea was the alcohol issue. I too like my bourbon, scotch, and beer. My first cardiologist took a look at me (tall skinny) and didn't think traditional obstructive overweight lumberjack snorer. We were left with 'holiday' heart, where a few binge drinking bouts cause all the trouble. My wife clamped down on my drinking immediately, and since I'm not a snorer I pretty much went along with the diagnosis. I switched to another cardiologist after the first one turned out to be out of network (sort of; long story).

I really wanted to rule out sleep apnea after doing a lot of research, and had to push my primary care physician to get me tested. After going through an ablation procedure, I really didn't want to backslide back into a-fib. A couple of take home tests later, I found I had moderate sleep apnea. I never got a traditional sleep lab test, due to my insurance throwing up roadblocks at every turn. Apparently everybody who ever gets tested for sleep apnea gets diagnosed with it. I think my apnea got labeled obstructive because my paperwork said I was 5'6" instead of 6'5", and a contractor physician remotely reviewed my case from their Maui condo balcony. Once I got my CPAP, I found I had way more central apneas than obstructive, which are far more rare.

Moral of the story: I get to blame sleep apnea, not heavy drinking, so I get to have a couple of drinks a day.

 

[crgildart]

20 years living with a "clotter" on blood thinners and the main thing the experts keep warning about when it comes to recreational activities along with everyday life is this.. It's a blow to the head and potential uncontrollable brain bleed that's the biggest risk. Cuts and scrapes, even bad cuts can be coterized or field managed with a tourniquet. A seemingly minor bump to the head can be big trouble for someone whose blood is too thin.

 

[Tricia]

Patroller story: This one time where I worked a guy that was on blood thinners faceplanted pretty mildly (to hear him tell it), nothing serious, but he couldn’t stop the resultant nose bleed, like, at all. We rolled up, and there was some serious blood on the snow. Ended up using a bunch of 5x9 abdominal pads to pick up the flow while he was tobogganed to the aid room. Poor rookie ‘troller and yellow jackets had to dig up the bloody snow, put it in a big ol’ hazmat bag for proper disposal then fill in the ‘sitzmark’. Big production for an otherwise unremarkable nose bleed. So, it might not be a bad idea to slip in some absorbent medical padding in one of your pockets when you’re skiing. Just sayin’.
</random unrequested advice>

That said, I’m sorry to hear about your condition(s), get well soon.

Stories like this are what generate concern. Mind you, I don't think Phil need to wrap himself in bubble wrap, but, it generates a sense of caution.

Today was the first day back on snow and well, it was OK...at best, because of still a higher level of anxiety. Knowing that if something was to happen, like having a run in with another skier, things could not turn out well so I was not able to commit to my skiing as I usually do and I am not sure that is good. Maybe it was first day jitters, I am not sure but I hope this sensation goes away. I go in to get talk to two specialists next week and planned on skiing up till then.

Until I read this post I had no idea that Phil was anxious because of the risk while we were skiing together. He was definitely acting differently but then he's a guy who doesn't take drugs at all and was prescribed 4 different drugs in the ER so I figured it was his body figuring out the drugs.
That being said, due to this post, Andy and I brought a bag for an ice pack and some packing material just in case Phil had an accident. The reality is, he rarely crashes skiing and when he does, its pretty minor.

Unless Phil is hucking cliffs or skis into a tree his risk being on blood thinners is pretty low. He might bruise a little more easily but that’s better than a stroke.

I am on Xaralto, among many other meds, and there is really nothing to worry about. Keep a couple of band-aids in your car or pack. You are much more likely to cut yourself slicing olives for your pizza (spoken from experience, bled like a stuck pig)
My doctors have never advised against any of my activities.

Thank you for reassuring that the risk isn't something to fret about but just be cautions about.

 

[pais alto]

Stories like this are what generate concern. Mind you, I don't think Phil need to wrap himself in bubble wrap, but, it generates a sense of caution.
[...]
That being said, due to this post, Andy and I brought a bag for an ice pack and some packing material just in case Phil had an accident. The reality is, he rarely crashes skiing and when he does, its pretty minor.

I don’t think you need to be too concerned, just be prepared. It’s not life-threatening, just messy...more alarming than anything.

 

[Philpug]

I'm not sure I have even cut myself skiing. If anything it might have been a branch catching my nose when skiing trees. I am not even sure that was even me. There is mroe if a chance cutting myself when sharpening skis or helping @Andy Mink with a project . Honestly, the worst part of this whole thing has been the hydrocodone, no more of that for me.

The one thing I have been more conscience of is double checking my binding settings, I don't want to deal with a pre release.

 

[Kneale Brownson]

Last August I found out I am deathly allergic to wasp stings, so I wear one indicating that, as well as my wife's phone# as emergency contact and my hospital network info (since all of that is on record there)

I was diagnosed with bee sting allergy when I was about seven years old--sting on shoulder made arm swell and put me in a bed for several days. I started getting anti-sting allergy injections when I was a teenager. Stuff was made from ground up stinging insects. Today, the stupid gummament requires that a specific insect product be used and the cost of the injections went way off the reasonable scale. I was buying a vial of serum for about 60 bucks that lasted about a year. Price went to over $600. I had been getting injections for about 30 years at that point and the physician guessed my allergy might actually be cured. I hope so. Other option is epipen type thing to carry.

 

[Kneale Brownson]

Get some of those cut-proof gloves for tuning. Always wear some kind of glove while handling skis. I've cut my palm just pinching sharp skis together to carry. I'd stop helicopters and tree skiing.

 

[mikel]

It's good you caught this Phil. I couldn't tell from the pic if you were at St. Mary's or Renoun. My dad's cardiologist was affiliated with St. Mary's. I'm pretty sure Renoun has some very good cardiologists. I will send you a msg with some info. I think one of the Dr. above mentioned the easy bruising. My dad certainly experienced this but never had anything worse than that happen.