Heart arrhythmia and drug prices

[SjoGirl]

 

These two items might seem related though they are not:

1. I've been having irregular heartbeats for several months now. It's becoming more concerning since my BP is dipping quite low, this a.m. I got 90/71 at one point, though it was 113/71 a bit later. I just realized that my BP monitor checks for irregular heart rate, it was quite busy the other night. 

This seems to happen when I'm really tired, which is happening more often. I've had bloodwork done to check vitamins and other stuff, so far just slightly low Vit D everything else is well within normal. I'm waiting on cholesterol, which hasn't been checked in a long time.

2. We changed insurance because my husband switched jobs. The good news is that he pays no premiums, the bad news is that we have a $4k deductible and the insurance doesn't seem to pay for much. I went to pick up Restasis today and the bill was $295, if my heart was already aflutter it was even more so then. FYI I learned that Good RX does not count toward Restasis and that Restasis is $695 without insurance (outrageous!). I also got a $495 bill for bloodwork and am sure there are more bills to come.

I only work PT and consult so this is going to take a real bite out of my income. Now I'm praying the heart issue is no a big one!

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

[irish]

WE have had a fair number of people on this forum with Sjogrens who have had heart involvement. They have suffered from several different types of heart irregularity. Some have needed pacemakers and some defibrillators. I would advise you to see a cardiologist who is familiar with Sjogrens patients with neuropathy type heart involvement.

This is something that needs to be taken care of early on cause it could cause you to have more severe problems.
the pacemakers can be done on an outpatient basis I believe but heart tests would be needed. Just a thought cause this is not normal and you could pass out when driving, etc. Could be a dangerous situation for you. Good luck and keep us updated. Irish

P.S. And then again sometimes a medication could take care of it.

[Skylar]

Sorry for the change in health insurance but I do think you should get it checked out if you are not feeling well. Perhaps a call to your PCP to see if you need to be seen by a cardiologist. As Irish mentioned it could get worse and there may be serious consequences to waiting.

While monitoring at BP home is wonderful, sometimes there?s a hidden price of seeing things that normally are not seen. Irregular heartbeats are fairly common and normally harmless. Becoming aware of them through monitoring is added stress ... stress that didn?t exist when you were unaware of them.

Your blood pressure seems to be falling into a normal low blood pressure. If you are dizzy, fainting or feeling ill when it dips then you should get that checked out. I have normally low blood pressure with no problems and no health issues. For me it?s a good thing, my heart doesn?t have to work too hard to oxygenate my body. But for others is a health issue.

Here?s what Mayo Clinic says on line so you can google it because I know I can?t add a link due to this forums policies. This is a info for low blood pressure, above these numbers are considered normal pressure. ?blood pressure reading lower than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mm Hg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure.

The causes of low blood pressure can range from dehydration to serious medical or surgical disorders. It's important to find out what's causing your low blood pressure so that it can be treated.?

I was surprised that Good RX didn?t have a lower price for Restasis..... blatant price gouging to my way of thinking. Have you looked into the Restasis coupons through the company?  I had to pay full price a few years ago and it was around $400 back then. I was shocked and upset but I have decent insurance for drugs now.

[SjoGirl]

Thanks all. I have been in touch with my PCP's office and been discussing the heart rhythm issue with a PA (my PCP is out until later this month). I have an appointment with my PCP on the 26th and will definitely talk with her about the issue.

By the way, my PCP is a godsend -- I would not be writing this had she not stood by me when I first got sick. She sent me to doctor after doctor for years until someone finally properly diagnosed me. She really understood years later when she developed an AI and it took her, a doctor, two years to get a diagnosis and treatment.

I have been checking my BP and heart rate at home so that I have a record of what is happening, not to replace seeing a doctor. When I had the EKG they seemed to think all was well because it was well even though my rhythm was good for that moment in time. I am planning to shell out for an Apple watch so I can more easily track and show her or a cardiologist a record of what is going on.

I did read that Salagen can cause a slow heart rate, but that was not the problem because I just started taking it yesterday. It so happens that Evoxac, which I had been on for several years, can cause the same problem. It will be interesting to see what transpires with the change in meds because the Salagen does is much lower, only 2.5 mg v. 15 mg (I can't take 30 mg) for Evoxac.

Thanks for the thoughts and support, I am being careful about driving and other matters. I work at home for the most part which is a huge help.