Today I woke up feeling badly. It was very much like last Monday when this all started. I felt a little dizzy and numb-headed. I could tell that my heart was completely uncoordinated. After lunch I remembered that I had stopped taking taurine a couple weeks ago. It is an amino acid that I have used for years to prevent asthma symptoms and even eye fatigue. By eliminating the asthma symptoms I could avoid many arrhythmias too. In short, it helps muscles get more oxygen.
I suddenly wondered if that had anything to do with my increased heart troubles of late. I took a few capsules and ran to the computer to do a quick Google research. In less than five minutes I discovered that taurine had been proven to eliminate many harmless arrhythmia's including PVCs!!! The doses were large 3-10grams a day. Taurine comes in 500mg capsules. I had never taken more than six capsules in a day. I was extremely excited about the news and hoped it would work for me. Before I went to my echocardiogram I took several more (for a total of 3 grams) and noticed that my pulse had increased to 6o but I still had many PVCs. I also left a message for my chiropractor so that I could get her advice.
During the echocardiogram I could see my abnormal rhythm and the associated pictures of my heart. Basically the structure of my heart was looking good. The last test was called a bubble test. We were able to see actual bubbles inside my left chambers. The test was for an atrial septal defect. When that part of my test was complete the demeanor of my technician changed completely. She'd been communicative, friendly, and interactive. Suddenly she shut down and sent me out. I hesitated long enough to ask her about it but she reminded me that she wasn't allowed to make any diagnoses. My stomach sank and filled with butterflies. I won't know for sure until the cardiology office communicates with my primary care...hopefully tomorrow he'll call us.
At this point I've had enough time to research adult ASDs and it seems to make sense, if it's true. If I have one, it should be repaired. I'm hoping that taking taurine will keep my heart rhythm regular until our baby is finished nursing. I took a few more taurine tonight and I'm having NO PVCs! Praise the Lord! I cannot wait to tell my (traditional) doctor that this supplement is working. And I am so thankful that my chiropractor sweetly advised me how to manage it.
Today I am thankful that my doctor insisted that I have the echocardiogram with the bubble study. He may have led us to the problem that has been bothering me for atleast twenty years. (Since it is congenital I would've actually had it for forty years) Traditional medicine will need to make the repair if my suspicions of the results are true. Alternative medicine will keep me strong until I'm ready and help me recover when it's over.
Well those are the facts of the day. The feelings...they are a different story for another day. But, God is still God no matter what path my life takes. We sang tonight during family worship:
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
chorus
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
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