sudden cardiac death and medications

i now am considered pacemaker dependent after having what was a third degree block incident while I was in the hospital for a C-diff stomach infection caused by taking ciprofloxacn 500 mg for a kidney infection. thank God I was in the hospital because if I had been any where else I would have died forever instead of temporarily.My heart just stopped. I was paced externally for 4.5 hours waiting for an operating room as I had v/tech during that time and they could only keep me alive by doing that. it was like being kicked in the chest by a mule for that time,but I endured it as it was keeping me alive. | then got a temporary pacer and then an hour later got a 2 lead pacer installed. After 6 weeks I now feel really good but I am still a bit breathless with mild exercise and | still have higher than normal blood pressure... 160/80 or consistently over 140. I have also have been told that I have sleep apnea and need to have a cpap mask at night as the apnea is contributing to my HBP .
Any one else out there who thinks that meds may have created their condition? My ldl and hdl is like that of a 20 year old, no colesterol problems at all and no other heart problems before my heart just stopped! To say I was shocked (Tee Hee) by all this is an understatement. I did strangely come out of all this with a new sense of humor and a new joy for life. Ain't it grand to be alive and kicking it at 64!

3 Comments

Happy you are alive!

by heartu - 2010-05-08 09:05:16

To be perfectly honest, if you just got off with getting third degree heartblock after a C diff infection, consider yourself extremely lucky. I have third degree heartblock, but the doctors have no idea why. You have many wonderful years ahead of you.


C Diff is exceeding MRSA as the number 1 most difficult bacterial infection to treat. It exists normally in a tiny percentage of the adult population and is usually contracted during a stay in the hospital or in nursing homes. C diff is related to the bacteria that causes botulism. When it is dormant it is in a spore stage and it is extremely difficult to destroy. So even if you use antibacterial hand cleansers and sanitize hospital rooms, it won't kill this bacteria when it is dormant (spore stage). But once it comes out of its dormant stage, as in your case, it will release toxins. I do understand that there has been some progress in identifying which toxin it is (currently scientists had been focusing on toxin A, but now believe that toxin B is the real culprit). What this ultimately means is that once researchers unravel this toxin(protein) there may be a vaccine that will protect us aginst this killer bacteria.

Don't know if this would ever help prevent a C Diff infection or not, but whenever I take antibiotics I eat at least 2 containers of yogurt (with live cultures) or take 2 capsules of Acidophilus to keep the good bacteria from being killed off in my gut.

BTW, in case anyone was wondering, yes, I was a microbiologist.

cause of electrical problems

by Tracey_E - 2010-05-08 10:05:42

Working out, eating right, having low cholesterol... those things all keep your heart muscle strong and your arteries clear, they will prevent plumbing problems like blocked arteries and heart attacks. A block is an electrical problem. The heart is structurally normal but has a short circuit. A block can come on at random or be caused by meds or disease. In my case, it's congenital. It can happen to the fit and the not so fit, it's completely unrelated to how you take care of yourself. However, having a structurally healthy heart and being fit will get you back on your feet faster.

Glad to hear you got the sense of humor implant also, it's a good thing to have :o)

Thank You heartu

by donb - 2010-05-09 12:05:03

Very good posting as I have been a C-Diff patient twice in the last 10 years from being hospitalized. First time for a 4.5 hour laminectomy and last year following PM removal, site restoration twice, and final new PM & lead installation.

I was put on 500mg Cipro before PM removal and again after which soon allowed the C-Diff to get started. I refused any antibiotics for the last 2 surgeries but had to go on Vancocin oral a couple months later to clear up the gut. For the record it took 6 months using Flagyl 10 years ago. This time it took another 6 months again and at age 78 I have to really watch my diet and also do the Yogert and Acidophilus.

I really appreciate the input of your experience as this C-Diff issue usually gets swept under a rug, bad. I have been 18 years of PM, on my 4th PM, second pair of leads and have been very fortunate. I did develop some Atrial Fiab during the 2 months without a PM last year. Medication change took care of that, I hope at least for a while. Your posting did through a scare in me as with the 4 surgeries last year things could have been much worse.
donb

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