Alcohol, Jacuzzi, Meds with PM?

Going on a cruise and just checking a few concerns.

Not a "drinker" but I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner occasionally, and a Bailey's once in awhile. I only have wine with dinner if I am home...too cheap to buy it when eating out. Usually go to the Captains Party on the ship and have one or two of what they are offering. Probably the only alcohol I'll have on the ship.

I also love to use the Jacuzzi on the ship. The arthritis in my knees is really helped, as I can't take the anti-inflamitory I took previously because of new meds since the new PM (June 6th, 2013)

I am on Furosemide, Digoxin, Xarelto, Metoprolol, and Propafenone. Also take tylenol once or twice a day for arthritis.

Thanks,
Connie

6 Comments

check with doc

by dolly74 - 2013-11-18 07:11:21

hi i would always say alcohol in moderation but im only on one beta blocker a day so u need to check with doc but would def say no to jacuzzi as in most places it does say that if u have heart problems to steer clear of them and i loved them

Check with doc too

by Theknotguy - 2013-11-18 08:11:00

Same for me. Went on trip to Caribbean. Doc said OK to a drink with dinner. But I checked first. Mostly no drinks and a lot of water.

Hot tub on ship wasn't as warm as my shower in the morning. There are ledges so you can sit in the hot tub with only your sore knee in the hot water. And yes, with the PM you've got to watch your core temperature.

I think you can also snorkel but you have to watch the arm movement. I used to swim in high school so it was just a paddle around for me - no big deal. For the spouse it was a real stresser. Don't drink the rum drinks back to the ship - they're killers.

You gotta taste the rum concoctions, but stop at two max. They're killers. It was a lot more fun to watch everyone else overindulge. Then see the hangovers the next day while you were still in good shape.

Take plenty of water on the excursions. It gets really hot! You're not in the USA so the only good water is what you carry.

Have a good time on the trip! St. Maartens has the best deals on the French side. Take money.

Theknotguy

Ask your doctor 3

by cuhead - 2013-11-18 08:11:27

Ask your doctor. They will likely tell you not to drink, and they may be right. Alcohol is a depressant which may induce a higher duty cycle on your pacing system.

Jealous

by rnff2 - 2013-11-18 09:11:18

I'm so jealous, I had to cancel my Jan 2014 girls cruise because I had to be off work most of this past summer after getting my pacemaker and used all my vacation time. :(

My advise is that I would make sure to check with your doctor before you go and ask these questions. I would also make sure to drink plenty of water, but your are on Lasix, so you also need to be careful you don't fluid overload yourself too. If you drink a glass of wine at home and tolerate it I would think 1-2 would be ok while on the ship. I'm not a big fan of the Jacuzzi but I would think putting you feet/knee in would be ok.

"Funny" story...we were on a cruise this past March (our 10th). I would indulge in a pre dinner drink and a couple of glasses of sparkling wine with dinner. After dinner it was 3 flights of stair up to our cabin and then a LONG walk from the aft of the ship to our mid ship cabin. I was short of breath and had palpitations going up the stairs and then felt a little dizzy walking the LONG hallway. I felt dizzy and like I could pass out. I blamed it on too much food and alcohol. I got to the cabin and sat on the bed, checked my HR and it was irregular and fluctuating in rate. But I have SOB and palpitations a lot and so long as they go away I usually don't worry much. I sat for a couple minutes, felt better and then went on my way for the evening. This happened 2-3 times after dinner, so I stopped drinking alcohol altogether. It didn't really change the symptoms I was having and always went away a quickly as they started. I just decided it was because I was on vacation, my food and fluid intake was different than normal and went about my cruise. We came home, didn't think much of it...until I May when I found myself in type 2 AVB...thinking back...I was probably going in and out of the AVB while I was on the cruise. OK, so not really a funny story...but now that I have my pacemaker I am ready to cruise again and tackle those stairs. (maybe being and ER nurse and a heart patient isn't the best combination...and did I mention my husband is a paramedic)

Have a great cruise!!!

drink and hot tub

by KathyB - 2013-11-19 06:11:52

Yes it is true, you should always drink in moderation whether or not you are on meds or have a pacemaker. I enjoy an occasional wine or beer. As for hot tub, Jacuzzi I have one at home and use it. I have not had any issues since the pacemaker. I like my water hot and my shower is probably hotter. Everything in moderation. Even without a pacemaker people get wuzzy in a hot tub. Enjoy the things in life you enjoyed before. The pacemaker was put in for you to continue with your life not restrict it. At least that is how I feel. Enjoy your cruise

Cruise

by Ger - 2013-11-20 03:11:16

tried sending you a private message, did you receive? Am going on the DREAM on 11/30.
Ger

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My pacemaker has ultimately saved mine and my unborn child’s life for which I am thankful.