O.K. I can celebrate. Had an incident with my ticker last week. The boys had to carry me to Columbia, SC and fix my heart. Severe pain, thought I would not see my wife again or be on this forum and work on my railroad, but modern medicine came through.
To celebrate I purchased some MTH passenger cars from the Norfolk Southern. I have one but bought more and the one I have is great. The detail is fine, the coupler height is perfect, I really like the interior lighting and it looks beautiful trailing behind my E units. I recieved notice that they are on the way, so I hope to be running them by the end of the week. This is a great hobby, and I am so grateful to be a part of it, again and run trains.
Robert Sylvester
Newberry-Columbia, SC
Keep your health up...
We are glad thqat you came on through.
Green over Green!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
A few months ago, my heart doctor told me I had a severe blockage and sent me to the hospital to get checked out further. Turned out to be nothing, so I celebrated by buying a Railworks PRR L1 with factory paint.
Two weeks ago I was taken off the job for suspicion of sleep apnea. Yest showed negative, so I'm back at work with full pay for time lost. Just bought me an Oriental set of PRR Baldwin BP20 sharks (A-B).
Now if I could just get motivated to build a layout for them to run on.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
Glad you are doing better, Robert.
I have the MTH 10-car set of the NYC 20th Century Limited passenger cars and have been very pleased with them. I really like the capacitor light module for the interior lighting. No batteries...no switches to turn on or off...No flickering.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I love hearing stories like this where we get slapped by reality and manage to bounce back, even if needing some help along the way. Good for you, Robert. And I hope you enjoy the cars as much as you are hoping to.
I'll be 67 in a couple of weeks, and the past two years were somewhat troubling for me. My father went through a tough spell, he being in his very late 80's, and I had to help get him through some surgery done across the continent. Then, near the end of a 10 km run, I felt all the energy drain out of my body. I had to sit on a curb and catch my breath. Long story short, after two trips to the ER six weeks apart, I have paroxysmal AFib. The wonder, though, is....why?!? Had all sort of tests, and even my carotid arteries are squeaky clean...unlike my Dad's, which were pretty much blocked. (???). Last resort was to a sleep lab, which determined that I have severe apnea. Went from a somewhat smug and fit man to a pill-popping and chastened old fart inside of 15 minutes with a cardiologist. I now have to wear a mask and use CPAP therapy for the rest of my life, not to mention the pills to prevent more AFib and potential clots in the left atrium.
We're all headed to a reckoning of some kind or another. I'm glad you managed to stave this one off, Robert, and hopefully you'll be around for a while yet.
Selector: Been there and done that too. My trains are therapeutic for me. The really nice thing about the MTH coaches, along with the Rapido and Broadway limited is how the companies managed to get the couplers to meet a standard and all couple in such a fashion they run well together.
Of course the detail and other additions are absolutely great. Detailed coaches that run well and look really good. I even add the Kato business coaches at the end for the appropriate consist. Previous coaches from IHC and others where I had to attach the body mounts don't always do as well. They are constantly de-coupling.
I go to the basement and just relax with a good cup of coffee and watch trains, what a sight; it will help your heart too.
Newberry-Columbia Line, SC
Hang in there guys. I went through a minor stroke event in 2003, followed by 2 heart attacks all over a 19 month span. I had never been overnight in a hospital before.
Losing 25 lbs and changing my diet worked wonders - I now workout 3 days a week at 6 AM with some other retired guys from church. Not too bad for someone who will be 70 in December. The Mayo Clinic cardiologist and my family physician are very pleased(so am I).
I worked out this morning for an hour, walked 3 miles and have been doing a lot of yard work on the farm. I have model trains to build and a 1 year old granddaughter to see. And my sweetie is taking me out to ride a diner train on Thursday(I am going to need that workout Friday morning).
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
selectorI now have to wear a mask and use CPAP therapy for the rest of my life, not to mention the pills to prevent more AFib and potential clots in the left atrium.
Be glad they didn't stick you with a complex programmable pacemaker and defibrillator! I have an ejection fraction slowly sagging down from 14% with the same amazing absence of the 'usual suspect' causes you have. The sleep apnea is a symptom, likely related to what your Lasix is taking down, rather than any kind of 'cause' of the problems ... if that helps you any. And if you have treatments that prevent AFib, tell me what they're giving you, so I can get my folks to evaluate it too.
Did you, by any chance, take ephedra or supplements containing it earlier in life?
Robert
Glad to hear they fixed you up.
Like others on this thread, I had a heart attack 9 1/2 years ago at age 62. Fortunately, I was passing a hospital and pulled in. Mine was caused by high blood pressure and have been on medication ever since. I also retired the next day which really relieved a lot of stress.
Every day now is a gift.
Paul
I was brought into the hospital a year ago. I received a stent for a clogged heart artery and the warning that I had AFIB too. My heart's ejection fraction was around 30% and I didn't realize that I was a mess at 71 years.
I've had a cardioversion for AFIB, which did no good for me. Later in the year I had ablation surgery and a pacemaker. The AFIB is gone, but my drug intake seems to be making me worse.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Glad you made it through, Robert! Knock on wood (raps self on head), I'm a 2-time cancer survivor, with an artificial half-hip, wearing glasses with special lenses to compensate for Brown's Syndrome--and livin' life to the fullest. I have had the motto, "Non Carborundum Illigitimi" (Don't Let the Bas____s Grind You Down") for years and am always glad for the help of God and good friends.
Deano
I too have paroxysmal afib. I take a handful of pills twice a day, including a couple of expensive ones (Multaq and Xarelto). What a pain - the Xarelto gives me what I call "old man bruises" from even the slightest scrape on my forearms - I've taken to wearing long-sleeve shirts whenever I'm mowing the grass, working on a car, etc. because of the protection it provides for my skin.
But the doctor tells me the afib is not a major thing as long as I take the anti-coagulant, and there are no real limitations on my physical activities. Stil, some days I feel pretty fragile!
Getting older sucks, but not as much as the alternative.
Glad you're okay, Robert.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Robert glad you are doing well now
Overmod tried to send you a pm, but it won't let me enter text in the box. Ask you doc about the Watchman device. Won't prevent a-fib but will block off the part of the heart where clots form
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2016/07/29/17/08/effectiveness-of-left-atrial-appendage-exclusion
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Overmod selector I now have to wear a mask and use CPAP therapy for the rest of my life, not to mention the pills to prevent more AFib and potential clots in the left atrium. Be glad they didn't stick you with a complex programmable pacemaker and defibrillator! I have an ejection fraction slowly sagging down from 14% with the same amazing absence of the 'usual suspect' causes you have. The sleep apnea is a symptom, likely related to what your Lasix is taking down, rather than any kind of 'cause' of the problems ... if that helps you any. And if you have treatments that prevent AFib, tell me what they're giving you, so I can get my folks to evaluate it too. Did you, by any chance, take ephedra or supplements containing it earlier in life?
selector I now have to wear a mask and use CPAP therapy for the rest of my life, not to mention the pills to prevent more AFib and potential clots in the left atrium.
So far, I have been auto-reverting...which they said is a good thing. I can feel the change, and seem to correct my rhythm on my own. So, cardio-version and ablation haven't even been introduced to me as potential interventions, even though I've obviously researched them and know what is involved.
I am on a low dose of metoprolol tartrate, a drug that goes back to the horse 'n buggy days, but which seems to have a good record. It has two functions: slows the heart and reduces blood volume by making it 'weaker'. The gentleman said that I have an 'irritable' heart that doesn't respond well to stress hormones any more, so the metoprolol (muh-TOP-pro-lol) clips the ability of my heart to pound and to speed itself. I would give it an efficacy rating, so far, of at least 97%.
I'm on a brand of apixaban called Eliquis, one of the new gee-whiz clot blockers that doesn't currently have an antidote. How's that for hubris on the part of my cardio guy? But, I don't need bi-monthly blood assays to see how my liver is doing as if I were on warfarin. It's a low dose, 5mg X 2, and I have had plenty of scrapes to shins stacking cordwood and such that I am confident only a serious internal bleed would do me in. I think of that now and then when riding my 16 speed road bike in traffic.
I have only taken ephedrine on a few occasions for colds, but this is a rare thing. I am not a user of vitamins as a rule, not deliberate oral doses, and have not used supplements. Because I am now on a statin, also imposed at the same time, I take 200 mg of Co-Q10 because statins inhibit the body's ability to produce its own. The heart is a big user of Co-Q10.
Robert et. al,
What great news reading that you are all ok. Taking care of yourself is critical at any age. While somwhat younger than you (43), I know the importance of a supporting family, health living, sleeping well, and running trains (not always in that order of importance!).
I pray each day that the Almighty grants me continuing enjoyment with this frustratingly fun hobby (obsession). Associated with that is learning from each of you. Keep staying healthy, happy and wise!
I'm taking two blood thinners and one beta blocker. I hope I can get off them one of these days. The slightest scratch has me reaching for Band-Aids, and the beta blocker makes me tired while the doctors want me to exercise more.
selectorI'm on a brand of apixaban called Eliquis, one of the new gee-whiz clot blockers that doesn't currently have an antidote.
Eliquis for me is a wonder drug, it almost makes my blood feel like a silicone oil when rubbed (which is strange, but it's doing its job). You should look into asking if your cardiologist will give you some boxes of samples instead of just writing a prescription; the detail men apparently load 'em up with product...
Be wary of statins. I'm sensitive to them all, apparently including rosuvastatin -- know what the symptoms of liver problems are, and at the first sign of any of them consult your cardiologist. With some care, especially since you're remaining active, you may be able to manage cholesterol with diet rather than medicaments.
Overmod selector I'm on a brand of apixaban called Eliquis, one of the new gee-whiz clot blockers that doesn't currently have an antidote. Eliquis for me is a wonder drug, it almost makes my blood feel like a silicone oil when rubbed (which is strange, but it's doing its job). You should look into asking if your cardiologist will give you some boxes of samples instead of just writing a prescription; the detail men apparently load 'em up with product... Be wary of statins. I'm sensitive to them all, apparently including rosuvastatin -- know what the symptoms of liver problems are, and at the first sign of any of them consult your cardiologist. With some care, especially since you're remaining active, you may be able to manage cholesterol with diet rather than medicaments.
selector I'm on a brand of apixaban called Eliquis, one of the new gee-whiz clot blockers that doesn't currently have an antidote.
Thanks for the advice. It happens that my liver has been tested twice since commencing the atorvastatin, and it seems to be tolerating the drug.
Diet isn't going to do the trick for me. Even when I was a skinny competitive runner, I had borderline high LDL levels, but my high HDL allowed me to skate. I have always eaten sensibly, low sodium, moderate sugar, low fats, natural non-homo peanutbutter, no butter, few eggs and little cheese, etc. Fresh fruit daily, broccoli most days, and so on... My dad has a better ratio than I, but I'm the one with the clean pipes. And the heart problem. Go figure.
I want to thank Model Railroader for not interrupting this little chat we have been having. I know this is a model railroad site but it is really nice to see and read the responses from people you have never met. There is a comoradery (spelling?), between those of use that share in this hobby. I recieved my post hospital gift of MTH Norfold and Southern smooth sided coaches and ran them early this AM. WOW, what a sight, they are georgeous, the lighting is fantastic and with the matching coupling mechanism on these coaches, they just moved together almost in concert.
I even attached some Rapido coaches and Broadway limited coaches, what a consist but just watching them round the bend is a beautiful sight. I noticed several manufacturers are getting the message just with coupler heights, with better matching when it comes to coupling. I hope this practise continues, it makes for better running.
To answer a few questions, never any drugs, I do take cardiac meds, ablation times two for Atrial Fib at Vanderbilt and Charleston. Pacemaker, and two stents. Check cardio for possible need for Ablation for Atrial Fib, it works. I do take sacubitril-losartin for failure and Brillinta for clots.
Again thanks railroad friends,
[/quote]
I'm on Multaq (a relative new and pretty costly drug that one doctor calls "wimpy") for rhythm control,and diltiazem for heartrate control (spikes to 180 without it when in Afib; about 130 with it). Statins for cholestrol, but they cause significant muscle and joint aches. Started with simvastatin, then went to rosuvastatin, now atorvastatin every other day. Seems better, but still I have to push through the achiness and feeling of exhausted muscles to walk very far (and I like to walk!).
My blood thinner is Xarelto.
I learned from a pharmacist that diltiazem interacts with simvastatin (don't know about the other statins), acting as a dose multiplier. So reduced the statin and things got a bit better.
I get the occasional funky heartbeat or two every now and then, seemingly in clusters, but no afib for over a year. Stress plays a big role. Model railroading really helps with that last part, as did retiring and moving back home.
We should all hope to have you around for a bit yet, Mark. We need to see more of your new build.
I'm taking two blood thinners and my cardiologist shows no sign of letting me cut back. Right now I'm soaking the sheets and washing the other bed stuff because I have what seems to be spontaneous episodes of bleeding from cuts I didn't realize I had.
Between those and the beta blockers, my quality of life has suffered. I think I felt better before the ablation and pacemaker.
Mr. B, I hear what you are saying. I have been fortunate with bleeds so far, perhaps because my dose is so small. But between the apnea treatment and the statins, plus the blocker, it has meant that I gained 15 pounds over the past year and need a new wardrobe. I still get out and run/walk 10 km ever other day, but I wonder if I should save myself the trouble...I'm still heavy, and can't seem to lose.
selectorMr. B, I hear what you are saying. I have been fortunate with bleeds so far, perhaps because my dose is so small. But between the apnea treatment and the statins, plus the blocker, it has meant that I gained 15 pounds over the past year and need a new wardrobe. I still get out and run/walk 10 km ever other day, but I wonder if I should save myself the trouble...I'm still heavy, and can't seem to lose.
I'm fortunate in that, though bleeding takes a bit longer to stop than it used to, I don't have any sort of "spontaneous" bleeding.
Crandell, just think about how heavy you might get if you do stop the 10 km walks/runs. I'm sure they help limit the weight gain, or at the very least slow it down. And I'll bet your doctor would tell you it helps mitigate the effects of the afib, too...
And thanks for the comment about my "new build." Unfortunately, it may be ending soon - we're planning on taking a house-hunting trip to Wyoming in the near future. Success there would mean another layout re-start. AACK!
I think losing weight and keeping it off is one of the best things we can do, both for us sufferers but for the rest of us, too.
I weighed 235 when I decided to lose some weight. I realized that I had gained 50 pounds since getting married 30 years earlier, so losing that over a few years shouldn't be too difficult. I wasn't going to crash diet or deprivation diet, just be sensible. I was down to 205 when I developed AFIB, and after a week in the hospital I reached my target of 185.
Retirement helped a lot, because it gave me time to bicycle 3 seasons a year, and I could walk or ski in the winter.
But, I guess I started losing weight too late, and it caught up with me. So, everyone should drop some weight, for your own sake.
Hello Jim,
So glad you survived your 2003 event, one we never expect. Mayo is a great facility.You have been at this almost as long as me ( 72) and counting. How long is your exersize routine, After a Heart attack in 2006, I started swimming an hour a day( 3 days a week) I read that you have used TAT V throttles in the past. I have one and love using it,( along with an Innovator 2000 and Variplus). ANY idea where DC guy can get a TAT V's ? Fred Scott
Just to let folks know, I bit the bullet and invested in a Prodigy DCC, first time in that direction. They posted it on another forum because of electronics but I am excited, I now have twelve engines with DCC, so I guess it is justified. I will still run both DCC and DC, I've got a bunch of DC engines that I still like, to much money to convert them all.
Newberry-Columbia Line
Newberry, SC
MisterBeasley I think losing weight and keeping it off is one of the best things we can do, both for us sufferers but for the rest of us, too. I weighed 235 when I decided to lose some weight. I realized that I had gained 50 pounds since getting married 30 years earlier, so losing that over a few years shouldn't be too difficult. I wasn't going to crash diet or deprivation diet, just be sensible. I was down to 205 when I developed AFIB, and after a week in the hospital I reached my target of 185. Retirement helped a lot, because it gave me time to bicycle 3 seasons a year, and I could walk or ski in the winter. But, I guess I started losing weight too late, and it caught up with me. So, everyone should drop some weight, for your own sake.
I'm not convinced they really know why a person develops AFib. I gained perhaps 12 pounds over the 13 years since my retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces before I developed my defect. I averaged about 150 lbs the last 8 years in the service. I have gained another 10 pounds just since going on CPAP and taking the three medications.
Good for you, Robert. Some advice: take your time. Read the manual, don't be afraid to seek help or some tips in order to get the most out of your system, and you'll have more fun that way.