AUD and Heart Problems?
Posted , 14 users are following.
So in the last two months I’ve been diagnosed as having two serious conditions, one of which could be the result of alcohol abuse.
Bronchiectasis, which I found I’d got two months ago, no cure but can be managed. This causes umpteen chest infections and poor lung function.
Went to my gp for yet more antibiotics and discovered I’d got a very rapid pulse 170 beats per minute. My pulse has always been high side of normal, 70/85 bpm, but never 170 (well not to my knowledge).
Had to go to A&E immediately. Luckily as I’m near the hospital, I pursuaded gp not to call an ambulance. Had X-rays, ECG and loads of other tests and discovered I’d got supraventricular tachycardia.
This can be caused by excessive alcohol abuse, smoking and too much caffeine. Guilty of all three!! No point trying to cover up anything, although I tried to explain the excessive alcohol was years ago, waste of time as all the dr heard was ‘alcohol abuse’ and that it’s a common problem in alcoholics.
Saw another dr who said I could have alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Yes I’d obviously heard of and knew about cardiomyopathy, but was unaware of alcoholic cardiomyopathy. He also mentioned Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, (although I’ve no symptoms, apart from AUD) so great I’ve now got dementia (wet brain) too!
?I was told ‘ it’s up to you whether you give up alcohol as the damage has probably been done by now’ ?
Watch this space
0 likes, 24 replies
vickylou
Posted
So I saw consultant cardiologist yesterday and now feel much happier.
I don’t have Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy, or cardiomyopathy at all. ECG yesterday showed pulse was 95 bpm, so significantly lower than previous rate. However it still showed a slightly irregular heartbeat.
When I have a flare up of bronchiectasis like a chest infection, I need antibiotics and a course of steroids. I also take 100mg Sertraline daily.
Consultant explained that both steroids and Sertraline can cause an irregular heartbeat! and he’s 99% certain it’s nothing to do with alcohol, phew!
He will see me for follow up appointment in six weeks. Obviously if I feel any chest pains, severe palpitations, then either phone 999 or go straight to A&E
As for Wernicke/Korsakov Syndrome, no signs or symptoms at all.
Feel much happier and more positive now..
Thanks for the good wishes on here, and also thanks for the pm messages of support. Shows what a great forum this is.
Happy Christmas to all 😄😄????🌲🌲
ADEfree vickylou
Posted
JulieAnne101 vickylou
Posted
A much happier Christmas awaits you
JulieAnnex
gwen45436 vickylou
Posted
Glad you did not succumb to any craving - strong stuff you are.
So glad you can enjoy Xmas.
Nat666 vickylou
Posted
Nat x
RHGB vickylou
Posted
vickylou RHGB
Posted
Said before I felt a hypocrite, but thanks to private health care, been seen by excellent consultant cardiologist within a week, and can now enjoy Christmas with the family.
Very pleased I didn’t hit the bottle, but was very tempted
Hope you and your wife have a good Christmas. Or are you like my OH, bar humbug lol!
RHGB vickylou
Posted
I had private healthcare with my job, for 20 years, never used it once. The missus used it a couple of times and I know the Nuffield hospital/consultancy she went to, is not cheap. NHS only for me now, but luckily I live in a nice part of the country, where treatment is good and you're seen fairly quickly.
Merry Christmas to you. Nope, I've always loved Christmas, it's a lovely time of the year and most people are happy, except perhaps for those living alone. I hate New Year with a passion, because it always marked the return to work and dealing with my moronic boss.
keith65161 vickylou
Posted
Im awaiting a visit to lung specialist next week to find out exactly what my lung condition is. Ive had asthma most of my life, but for 2nd time in my life has become uncontrollable. I also used to smoke, but quit 20 years ago. How did you get your final diagnosis? My CT scan showed hyperinflated lungs and mild diffuse bronchial wall thickening. Ive also had a drinking problem for over 20 years im trying to kick again. Ive got gastritis and acid reflux and continued to drink with these problems. Anyway, maybe you have some acid reflux going on too, making things worse. Just a thought. Im not sure if its the bad reflux or what with my lungs, but I used to exercise and now Ive hardly been able to do anything in recent months. I wish you the best at conquering all issues the best you can.
Best Wishes -
Keith