I have recently been enlisted in a pharmaceutical trial. I am the only participant. My doctor is the overseeing physician.

The objective is to find alternate methods to successfully treat symptomatic sinus bradycardia other than Theophylline or a pacemaker.  Theophylline is thought to be too hazardous (by my primary doc- even though the cardiologist recommended it) And no one wants to put a pacemaker in a 33 yr old if they don't have to.

Let me first make it clear that I have the utmost respect for my primary care doctor. She has been with me for quite some time. And knows me better than any other doc could. She is thorough and thoughtful and has caught on to some issues in the past that others missed. She is a really good "detective".

That being said...  Being a guinea pig is not at all fun. I have tried a half dozen prescriptions in the last week and a half. I have become a frequent flyer at the local pharmacy. Some of those medicines have been tried and discarded after one or two doses. I can't help but wonder... sick people in poor countries could surely use my left overs..... any ideas where I could send them?

My current experimental treatment consists of over the counter sudafed ( the good kind that you have to show I.D. for) and tea.  Yes......regular old tea.  I am fine with the tea. I generally drink a lot of it in the summer anyway. Sun tea is so refreshing. And unlike my significant other, who transplanted from Texas several years ago, I don't take sugar. (Gross!)   The sudafed was a bit of a shock though. I have been advised for years to NOT take sudafed due to it's potential to cause seizures. I already have epilepsy...so I don't need any help in that department.  But here I am. Taking sudafed around the clock to raise my heart rate to a normal level so I will remain upright. Upright is good.

I have been on the phone with...or in the office to see...my doctor almost every day. Today it was to report the alarming effects of using the atrovent inhaler she gave me to try. Massive Chest Pain...and heart rate of 140 ish....from a baseline of 43. OUCH!!   I hate hospitals...but even I was tempted there for a little while! Didn't go...it eventually simmered down. Called the doc......" ummm, excuse me.....but I am NEVER taking that stuff again!!!"

She thinks it may have been the combination of the sudafed and the atrovent....not one or the other. I don't really care as long as it doesn't happen again. Sheesh. I keep hearing that country song.... how does it go?  .."I'm much too young to feel this damned old.."

So. Now I have to not take anything for a while. To get the meds out of my system. Heart rate is bouncing up and down without any rhyme or reason. Seriously? I would almost prefer the pacemaker. Just set it and forget it.

I keep meaning to ask.... Do you get paid for being a guinea pig?

if so....I want my check now please!