Unwelcome interruption

I omitted some crazy happenings in my previous post, so I'll tell you about them now.  I will not be linking this post to Facebook as I usually do, because I'm not interested in making a big sensation.

Last Wednesday evening, as I was packing up the cookies we had baked, my heart suddenly began to pound and race.  It absolutely would not settle down.  I reluctantly checked my blood pressure, and it was higher than normal.  I checked it a few more times, and each time it was higher than before. My heart continued to pound hard and fast.  We had gotten ready for bed and prayed together when I took my blood pressure one more time.  It was even higher.  I felt afraid to lie down or go to sleep, remembering that my sister Janet had died in her sleep.  At that point we decided to head to the ER.  It was probably 11:30 pm when we left home.  

At the ER they pretty quickly called me back for an EKG.  I learned later that I was experiencing atrial fibrillation, a first for me.  It was another hour or more till my heart finally settled down.  My blood pressure had continued to rise.  Throughout the wee hours of the morning I was given fluids and was constantly monitored.  I was given a new blood pressure med and a blood thinner, as well as some huge potassium pills.  They sent me home with a couple of extra pills and orders to pick up the new prescriptions at my pharmacy. It was 5:30 am when we left.  I think we had both dozed a good bit during the night.  I felt sorry for Dick sitting on an uncomfortable chair all night.  

Of course it was Thanksgiving day.  We went home and slept for about two hours, then got up and got busy.  My Thanksgiving day story is in my previous post. 

On Friday, after Destiny and family left for Lancaster for the weekend (see previous post), I got a call from the pharmacy telling me that they had two prescriptions ready for me.  The one (Elilquis) would cost me $500 to pick up.  What?????  I told them I'm not going to pick it up.  I sent a message to my family doctor.  Later I went to pick up the Metoprolol (blood pressure med).  They said they had two prescriptions ready for me to pick up, the Metoprolol and also Xarelto, a different blood thinner that my doctor had just called in, hoping it would be less expensive.  It was not.  It too would cost me $500 to pick up!  I realized that it was a deductible, and would be less thereafter.  However, this is the end of November.  In January we would need to pay that deductible again!  I just didn't feel willing to spend $1000 at this time of year!  

I tried to call my doctor's office while I was still at the pharmacy.  I talked with someone, probably an answering service.  She said she would send an urgent message to my doctor.  But it was late Friday afternoon by then, and I never did hear back until Monday morning.  

I spent a good bit of time on the phone on Monday with a pharmacist from Geisinger, our health system here.  She ended up finding me a coupon for a 30-day free trial of Eliquis, which she sent me.  I picked up the medication last evening.  Thirty days will take me almost to the end of this calendar year.  Then we'll figure out what's next.  Anyone on Coumadin and happy with it?

This morning I had an appointment with my primary doctor.  I have been referred to a cardiologist.  

My biggest concern is that because of being on the blood thinner I may no longer take the pain medication I've been taking ever since 2002 for arthritis.  Neither may I take ibuprofen.  So Tylenol it is.  I was given a tube of topical diclofenac at the hospital.  They said I can apply that everywhere it hurts.  Ugh.  I also ordered Tumeric Curcumin from Amazon that my sister Mary Ellen's rheumatologist recommended to her.  She thinks it makes a difference.  

All this at a time when we are in the middle of trying to switch to a less expensive Medicare prescription plan as well as a less expensive Medicare supplement.  I am wondering now if we'll even be accepted.  And time is running out.  

And all at the same time I have this knot in my shoulder blade that is better some days and worse other days.  It started a week ago, even before the a fib.  I apply heat, vibration, cold.  We even have this almighty massager that almost looks like a gun.  Dick has used that on me several times and I think it helps.  I just want it to go away so I can turn my head without pain.  

Well, how's that for a dismal update?  Good grief!   We actually had a good weekend anyway.  I'll post about that some other day and link it to Facebook.