cherryfizz - I know your situation is really serious but your writing was so descriptive you had me chuckling a couple of times. And YES, I agree with your conclusion - you have to, have to, have to, take care of yourself. If you're not yet 65 you have a lot of years left and you want to live them free of pain and free of ailments.

Did they check the sleep apnea that the nurse commented on? I'm always amazed at what nurses know. They've seen it all.

Take care, it sounds like you're getting a handle on things thanks to the great diagnostic care that you are getting.

Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that can be successfully treated many different ways. Consult with a sleep doctor.

It's up to you to decide how you want to live and what you want to do but regular exercise and other simple techniques will do more for your health than this or that pill. You should of course follow the medical advice you received from doctors but there are many other things you can do on your own that may help. Another thing that may or may not be relevant to you is that sleep apnea and mobility limitations can be a consequence of being overweight. If that applies to you, that's another thing for you to consider acting on.

Good luck and feel better soon.

I am glad you had good nurses and were on top of things. With that much fluid you are now pounds lighter along with a better heart rate. I agree that nurses and even aides know a lot more than they are given credit for so when you talk to whatever doctor/doctors they have advised you to see insist on having a sleep study.

Thanks, I am not one for wanting to take pills, I can only think of a handful of prescriptions I have taken over my life so the sooner I am off these meds the better. I gained weight since hurting my back and then the pandemic because I just was basically sitting around. Once my back is strengthened and the pain is relieved I will become more mobile. I won't take meds for the pain unless it is a Tylenol. My sister was addicted to oxycontin and no way would I go near the stuff. Other issues caused the edema because I don't use much salt and watch how much sodium is in pre packaged foods. I usually cook from scratch so know how much salt I use if any. I asked for the sleep apnea testing so waiting for a call back. Even when I was awake my bpms were in the 40s. I just know I have to start moving. The 20 beats per minute scares me.

Yikes! Those are some pretty scary symptoms. To what do they attribute the cardiac symptoms, pneumonia? Were you given anything to treat it? I’m surprised you were discharged with your 20 bpm heart rate.

Maifleur, I was surprised how much fluid I was retaining as were the nurses when they saw how much was coming off. I already feel I can breath easier, no more water around my heart. I always do deep breathing exercises because at one time I had asthma. I knew it was not because of my lungs that was causing my shortness of breath. It was the water around my heart.

Sammy, they did all kinds of tests for my heart function. No blood clots, no heart attack, no infection. My tests did show lots of inflammation in my body. I asked about the pneumonia, how sudden the pain came on but they treated it quickly with intravenous and oral antibiotics while I was there for 5 days and still on antibiotics at home for the next 2 days. My blood pressure elevated while I was there, it was normal for awhile then went up so now they put me on a blood pressure med that won't affect my heart beat like the one they tried out that dropped my bpm really low. Before they sent me home I asked should I be worried about my heart rate going so low. They didn't seem as concerned as they first were. Maybe this is just my normal heart rate. I do have an appointment to continue my care at a Critical Care Clinic with an internist. They collected the fluid that came out of me and had to keep it on ice for 24 hours to do specific tests. They found my body produces high levels of steroids and cortisol and something else I couldn't hear what she said. I thought she said amphetamines but I know that isn't right haha. The Internist will follow up on that to see what is going on and why the edema and inflammation. Could be my adrenal or pituitary gland that isn't working right. I came home last night with 5 scripts - blood thinner, high blood pressure pill, diuretic, bone strengthening pill, antibiotics.

Sounds like a pace maker may be needed.

Well, it sounds like the hospital has provided the internist with a lot of the “stuff” s/he needs to get a head start on figuring out what’s going on. Did you have a primary care doctor before your hospitalization? Really good ones seem to be in short supply.

Edited to add that I began having occasional bouts of (mild) pitting edema of unknown etiology in my lower legs about five years ago. And, like you, I consume very little salt so it was/is perplexing.

It sounds like you've been through a very scary experience, Cherryfizz. It's good to hear that your medical issues have been investigated and hopefully you won't have any more health crises.

I hadn't been to my family doctor in a four years. I know I should have gone for my physicals like I always did. He has to be in his 80s now, there is a younger Dr that is opening a practice near me that I would like to see if she will take me. Judy, last thing I want is a pace maker. My sister's 2nd pace maker infected her heart and the area around it until the pacemaker starting coming out of her skin, it was awful. She had to go out of town to get it checked out and when they went to replace it the leads were all infected, she said if you can't do it let her go but they were able to put the pace maker on the opposite side of her chest and they had just enough leads to reach the heart. So scary for her.

Could there be a correlation between why your sister needs a pace maker and your own low heart rate? Maybe a familial correlation? Just asking a question. Maybe mention it to your internist.

Bifenton, my sister who was almost 17 years older than me was born with arrhythmia. She was on meds all her life for it but when was about 70 they thought a pace maker might help out and it did. There is a congenital heart defect a few of my cousins share and they had to have new valves put in. When I first went into the hospital my pulse was 65 and then it lowered as I was in there. I don't normally take my pulse but the day when I thought I was having a heart attack I measured my pulse at 80. It was a steady beat which is why I didn't think I was having a heart attack

Thanks Walnut, I have to look into that. The calcium they prescribed is calcium carbonate 500 mg 3 times a day, the weekly bone pill is called Actionel and I was told not to take calcium that day. I have to inquire about the magnesium. I was taking 1000 IU of D3 every day but they have doubled it now. I have had friends that have had issues with their bones after the osteo injections. One of my friends couldn't have dental work done because of the damage to her jaw bone. I remember years ago when I first started taking calcium and I did use the citrate I remember it caused me problems, not sure what it was now but I stopped taking it. I remember my family Doctor telling me at that time I didn't need to take calcium if I was eating a proper diet. I was probably in my 30's early 40s

Calcium carbonate is what is in most supplements. Very little of the calcium carbonate goes into the bones; that is why calcium citrate is the way to go. The only thing I can find with calcium citrate is the Citrical, Truly wish I could find just pure calcium citrate, but so far have not been able to do so. It is a true shame that pharmaceutical companiel tout taking calcium for the bones, but then don't package the calcium that actually works in their supplements; I think I read because it is so much cheaper than calcium citrate.

Glad I posted this, wasn't going to but I am getting information that helps.

I am a recently retired RN who specialized in critical care and research.

I hope that you had an echocardiogram, and will see a cardiologist or cardiac electrophysiologist (a cardiologist who specialized in heart rhythm) at that clinic. They need to get to the bottom of that slow pulse.

Very very unlikely that is your normal heart rate.

BTW having a "steady heart beat" is absolutely no indication for whether one is having a heart attack or not. Having a slow heart rate can be one of the symptoms of a certain kind of heart attack so may need more follow up - sometimes the tests aren't positive right away, or could be that you were just teetering on the edge so the tests didn't see it. Pneumonia is something that I not uncommonly saw "push people over the edge". For you to have retained that much fluid is concerning.

Good for you to get the sleep apnea looked at too.

I wish you well!

I second the seeing a cardiologist along with having an actual visit with a GP. The fluid surrounding the heart if there is enough of it and the right kind can slow the heart rate. Did the one time in the nursing home it happened to my husband. Some heart doctors will only take a referral which is why you need the GP but do not be surprised if you are referred to a kidney specialist also.

Edited to make a correction and add depending on which blood thinner you may have to limit certain foods so if you still have the piece of paper that is normally with most bottles read it.

cherryfizz, here's the calcium citrate plus magnesium and vitamin D that I take: https://www.gnc.com/calcium/119713.html

And walnutcreek, they also make a plain calcium citrate pill.

wow, that was quite an experience! I would have been so scared. It sounds like you're getting very good medical care, that is reassuring. And I appreciate the education you are giving us all. Who knows when it may come in handy.

Those hospital workers are worth their weight in gold -- yes indeed!

Wow...you've got a whole lot going on. So glad you're on the road to recovery. I had low pulse at one point, but it was because of all the aerobics I was doing, my resting pulse was down to 46. But that was in much younger days.

Get fully well soon!

Cherryfizz, so sorry to hear about your ordeal. It does sound like they were pretty thorough at the hospital . Hope you are feeling better and can get some concrete answers as to what is going on. Take care.

Maifleur, this blood thinner is unlike Warfarin or Coumadin. You don't have any food restrictions and you don't have to have lab tests. I even asked about taking my daily Turmeric tablet because my sister had to discontinue taking it when she was taking Coumadin because Turmeric can also thin the blood. I was told I can still continue to take it. Taking the blood thinner scares me a bit. Last time I had a bloody nose after taking an aspirin it wouldn't stop and I felt I was drowning in blood, even filled my hand as I was running to the bathroom. Today I felt a tiny dried pimple/bump on the back of my leg. I rubbed my leg taking the little tiny scab off the top of it and it bled. I used 5 paper towels up before it stopped bleeding. So I am going to be extra careful with preparing vegetables, etc using sharp knives.

Did you try using direct pressure where it was bleeding? That usually works.

My daughter-in-law was on blood thinners for a year due to multiple blood clots in her lungs. She had to be very, very careful working in the kitchen and garden. Also, shaving legs and underarms switched to an electric razor. It sounds like she was on the same type of blood thinner you are on, as she did not have food restrictions or frequent lab tests.

I'm sorry to hear of all that you are going through. Hugs!

(((((Cherryfizz))))) I am so glad you got excellent nursing care. Good thing your heart rate went down while you were in the hospital so you could be monitored. Hope that's it for that mystery illness.

My sister has heart problems, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and is on blood thinners. She's not allowed to have certain foods. The one she misses the most is grapefruit.

Although her heart rate is erratic it doesn't drop as low as yours. Erratic is scary enough, low is very scary. Again glad you are all right.

I'm glad that you chose to share your story of recent health problems here, cherryfizz, and think that the details enabled a number of people here to offer suggestions that I'm sure you'll find helpful, along with the feeling of support from friends.

I always have a warm feeling when I see your posts, remembering the happy time we had with Dances and others, my first face to face one with KT folks. I saw a party favour the other day from Dances, for the first time in years, that said "Fall 2005": hard to believe it was that long ago.

I send good thoughts and hopes that you may fully recover your health soon and without complications or worry. Also I offer some prayers on your behalf.

Be well again soon, my friend.

((((( cherryfizz)))))

ole joyful

raee_gw, you gave Cherryfizz some very good/helpful information.

I would suggest keeping a journal of the amount of sodium taken in everyday. Although we often think we are not eating much salt, it can be very surprising how much we really consume in a day, especially if canned food is used in your cooking. Something is causing the retention of fluid and normally the first thing we look at is the sodium intake. The next thing that is suspect is the functioning of your kidneys. I do hope the doctor(s) scheduled you to see a Nephrologist as well as a Cardiologist.

Take care and I hope you are feeling better soon.

Edited to add: Like raee, I am also a retired ICU RN.

Maybe I missed it, but I'm confused as to why you are on a blood thinner. Did you have blood clots or a pulmonary embolus? I don't recall reading that. Perhaps because you are sedentary due to your back pain? If you don't know, I would get that clarified because a blood thinner is not something you would want to take if you don't need to. And get into see a heart specialist as quick as you can, sounds like there are some issues with your heart working properly. The fluid buildup and the slow pulse are concerning. Also, many people don't understand that untreated sleep apnea can cause heart failure, so get that checked out too. You sound like you are on the mend, but now is the time to take charge of your health and plan your follow up visits. No more 4 year hiatuses from seeing your doctor. Best of luck.

Both my son-in-law and daughter-in-law have very low BP and heart rates. Doctors don't know why. My son-in-law has had the odd seizure over the years, but they *think* it's due to whenever he had one, he was working graveyard shifts at the time. His internal clock didn't like the change. He hasn't had one in about 9 years now, not a grand-mal one anyway. He never faints. Doctors say his low heart rate is the sign of a very healthy strong "athletes heart". He's not the least bit athletic....

My daughter-in-law faints at the drop of a hat. She too has seizures but hers are stress related and only started about 2 years ago. 75 grand mal seizures in 72 hours is how she was introduced to them. She still has them now and then.

Not sure if the seizures and low heart rate and low bp on both of them are related at all, as her seizures only started a few years ago, his started in his late teens.

Both have had test after test done to find out why their bp and heart rates are so low, but nobody can figure out why.

@Bookwoman, thank you so much for the info about the calcium citrate at GNC. As a result, I did another Google search, changing my wording a bit, and lo and behold I found pure calcium citrate at Walmart, of all places. Since I have a grocery order to pick up there today, I was able to add it to my order. The only thing I see wrong with the calcium citrate that you are taking is that it does not have Magnesium Glycinate in it. It has magnesium oxide which is also very poorly absorbed by the bones, as is magnesium carbonate. Here is a link to the calcium citrate I found at Walmart.Pure Calcium Citrate. I am so glad to have found this and owe it to you @Bookwoman.

And @Cherryfizz, I am thankful that you did post your ordeal and ask questions. It has led to all of us learning a lot. I take the blood thinner Xarelto. I used to have to take Warfarin and hated the diet restrictions and weekly going to the lab for finger sticks to get blood for testing. It was awful. With Xarelto, none of that is required! Also, have high blood pressure and take Verapamil morning and evening, Furosemide in the morning, and Lisinopril at night.

Hi Cherryfizz, I grew up where you live now, and we've chatted online before, but I lost that username when it changed to Houzz. I'm so sorry to hear that you were hospitalized, but I'm glad you went home with some meds and without all that extra fluid. Unfortunately, there are multiple conditions that can be dangerous for our hearts, if left untreated, so it's often a medical detective game, to discover the cause. Possible sleep apnea, as mentioned, should definitely be explored.

Our doctors have to discover the source of the problem, not just treat the symptoms. Please advocate to get more testing, until they can discover what is causing your very low heart rate. It doesn't necessarily mean you will need a pacemaker, like many do, with bradycardia. When was the last time you had your thyroid checked? Years ago, my mother (at age 63) went into acute heart failure and was rushed to (your city) Regional Hospital. They got all the extra fluid out, then did a full cardiac workup and blood tests.

The blood work showed my mother had off the chart Hyperthyroidism, which meant her thyroid wasn't functioning at all. Her untreated thyroid disease had led to Atrial Fibrillation, which she was unaware of, and it then caused her heart failure. Likewise, an underactive thyroid doesn't just cause dry skin, hair loss, fatigue, weight gain, but it can affect heart function as well, due to a slow heart rate.

So since you haven't had a full physical in a while, you need one, and to have your thyroid tested promptly. I know you want to become more fit, but your body will feel fatigued and unable to handle much exercise, until you get your heart rate back up to a healthier speed. That low rate is only normal for very fit people, so persist in advocating for yourself, and let us know if they discover the cause of your low heart rate. Take care, you're in our thoughts!

Thanks all for your tips and advice and questions to ask the Doctor. I probably won't be seeing the Internist for a few weeks as she still has yet to set up her practice here. Sleeper, I was sedentary because of my back pain. I thought it would heal like it did before after taking care of someone and lifting then, etc. I didn't know this time the pain was caused by a fracture and then after talking to the Drs in the ER I remember feeling a severe pain when helping to get off the floor. She had tripped on her oxygen cord. After a CT scan and many ultrasounds they determined I did not have an blood clots. When I first went into the hospital my blood pressure was normal as was my heart rate but then the next day my blood pressure elevated and that was when they gave me just a tiny shard of a blood pressure pill and my heart rate plummeted. They knew it was the wrong drug and said it would take awhile for it to get out of my system. After so many tests they still didn't know what was causing the inflammation in my body nor the edema. I put the edema to lack of movement on my part. Over the next 24 hours they collected my urine and had to keep it chilled for specific tests. They wanted to test for Cushing's but then when I asked if that was what I had they didn't give me an answer. The test showed my body produced too much steroids and cortisol and something else and they were concerned with that. Hopefully the Internist will figure it out.

Gmatx, I have always watched my sodium intake. I cook most of what I eat, I like to add spices, peppers and herbs to my food over salt. I do use a little salt if I boil potatoes and if I eat a sliced tomato so it is not a salt shaker problem for me. I maybe eat cheese once a week and maybe a bag Cheetos Crunchy every month or so, Until my brother moved in I had the same box of salt for 10 years. For over a year or more I haven't bought frozen premade foods. We have been treating ourselves to pizza or fast food at the end of the month but not every month. I do eat packaged cookies but they aren't very high in sodium, I drink no sodium or sweetened fizzy Buble instead of pop. I never checked how much sodium was in bread though and I would eat a non deli meat sandwich everyday. I do use salted butter but not in great amounts. I will just have to chart the amount of sodium in the foods I eat now. They never did tell me how much sodium I can have on a low sodium diet and I looked online and the amounts still seemed pretty high for me. The Drs also said my kidneys were okay as well as my thyroid. I had been concerned about my kidneys because I was retaining too much fluid. I was surprised I didn't have Diabetes but then I didn't have any of the symptoms. Even my cholesterol was good.

I walked down to the nearest corner last night with my rollator, just a few houses down further than my brother wanted to and then I went out for a ride today. My clothes are fitting less tight because I have lost fluid retention, my legs are getting better, and I can breath so much better, like a weight has been lifted off my chest. My back was sore this morning and I know that was from the walking last night. It is going to start raining for the next few days so I will walk up and down my hallway. I have been doing leg exercises the physio therapist wanted me to do and the marching in place. Instead of eating one meal a day and a snack I have been eating 3 meals a day now. I adjusted my sleep pattern so I wake at 8:30 and go to bed before 1 am. Before I only went to sleep when I was tired and sometimes would stay up for more than 24 hours. I have to see an Gynecologist in April because they couldn't see my uterus fully during the ultrasound.

Again thanks for the advice and well wishes. I am going to keep on top of my health now. I already have a new family doctor that will take me once I see the Internist and all my records were sent to the family doctor I still have and I can go see him if something arises in the meantime. I lost both my sisters to cancer, my Mom to pancreatic cancer. I have waiting a long time to be able to collect my Canada Old Age Pension and the Supplement and I am not giving up on getting that money now haha that I am so close to getting it.

I am so glad that you are taking charge of your own health and doing what the doctors say. When you feel better as a result there is such an impetus to keep doing those things. And I do agree with being on a schedule of sleeping and eating. It makes you keep more in control of your life.

PS you would not have retained that much fluid just from being sedentary. I have a suspicion of what kind of blood pressure pill you are on and that is probably why (along with the diuretic) you are breathing and feeling better.

Don't wait too long for that new internist. You are on some new medications and you need to be followed up with in 10 -14 days, not several weeks.

Please understand the importance of what raee ^^^^^ has said. Don't just rollover and accept being put off. Demand action, otherwise your situation could further deteriorate, and then what?

Cherryfizz, I'm glad to hear that your thyroid already was tested and is normal, as well as your cholesterol. Hopefully the internist will be able to solve this with further testing. Continue taking good care of yourself, since as you said, you need to collect your long awaited CPP. I just started getting mine and it is nice to have that extra amount coming in each month!

Wow Cherryfizz, you have really been through some trying and scary times! I'm very glad to see you are taking control and putting healthful habits into place! Keep up the good work, we here at the KT are cheering you on!

Rusty