ONGOING EXISTING PROBLEM: I have a defective heart valve (stenosis) and atria-defibrillation. 2+ years ago I had a very bad situation with a 30 lb weight gain within a few days and a heart rate of over 120. In the emergency room the irregular heartbeat was discovered. After getting me stabilized, the next challenge was fixing the heart valve. Apparently replacing a defective heart valve has become quite common and successful even though it may still be a major surgery. That was the solution for me until the group of Physicians/Surgeons reviewing my situation realized that I was 85 yrs old and had had 3 major abdominal surgeries within the last 5 yrs including the removal of a large sack (polyp about the size of a grapefruit filled with a variety of cells, etc. some cancer-but not malignant) and a abdominal aortic aneurysm. Consequently ... I am not a candidate for another major surgery. SOLUTION: To fix my defective heart valve situation, my cardiologist prescribed Bisoprolol and Lasix. This has worked well addressing the weight gain and the heart rate (now consistently ranging between 68 - 88 daily) until recently when a few days ago when my heart rate was going up and down from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. to readings over 100 to a high of 130 and back down to 106, etc. ADDITIONAL CURRENT PROBLEM. I was able to see my primary Dr. right away yesterday (cardiologist is on vacation) and he gave me a strong new medication to take in 2 5-day sessions. DILTIAZEM. I was advised to continue taking my existing meds: Bisoprolol and Lasix. I took 2 Diltiazem pills ... one yesterday afternoon and the other at bed time. This morning I wake up with many/most of the side effects listed in the Diltiazem info information: dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, flushing, constipation, stomach is bloated, stomach/adominal pain (took a Tylenol for pain - was that a bad thing to do}. Do not want to take Bisopropol or Lasix. My vitals this a.m. are within normal acceptable range - 139/88/85. (systolic is a little higher than usual). After a couple of hours, my condition and symptoms have not changed. Not better/not worse. I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY PRESCRIBED DILTIAZEM PILL THIS MORNING ... AND REALLY DO NOT WANT TO. I have not appetite. MY QUESTIONS TO YOU DOCTOR ARE: 1. Should I take my regular prescriptions (Bisoprolol and Lasix), and the Diltiazem; and 2. Is my current situation as described above normal? Is there anything more or less you would suggest that I do or not do? Thank you. Jack NOTE: The above dissertation has been provided and written by Jack s wife, Carol)