I am not suggesting that any ofmy ills are a hill of beans compared w others and their loved ones here.
I had an episode of difficulty breathing and a rapid heart rate late last year. Since then I have had an echo (results are ok) a sleep study (#3) and been treated with a new model C Pap machine.
Today was the fun part: A nuclear stress test. Due to excessive BMI (flame away) this is a 2 part test. Since I could not adequately exercise, they use a drug to mimic exercise. They read me (as was mandatory) a laundry list of POSSIBLE side effects and assured me they could happen but are fleeting and if truly dangerous can be reversed. And the percentage of people reacting is miniscule.
I did react, very very quickly and very very seriously. Simple, I could not breathe. Panic quickly set in, they say my cheeks got very flushed. All I knew was i felt paralyzed regarding breathing, this was a true WHAM bronchospasm.
Treatment is a dose of Aminophylline that asthmatics are familiar with. It was open and resting on my chest (lots of real estate) The nurse teleported herself from my left to my right, had the BP cuff going and assured me they knew I was in trouble. I did get a breath, then another. I signaled I was coming out of it. They agreed and kept the aminophylline there. Then I was perceptively better. No new drug, necessary, the radio-opaque tracer drug which chased the nasty drug had then circulated enough for the test to be valid.Maybe the incident lasted 90 seconds, maybe less.
Shortly I was disconnected, invited to have my snack and a beverage and wait until the first films would be ready to be taken.
We all know how when our natural adrenaline kicks in, as it resolves you have a float-y feeling.
Then I went to the office and worked for 8 hours.
You folks and your loved ones who have such huge physical troubles all the time, much good luck. I am a wimp and don't think I could do it.
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Minds are like parachutes, they work best when open
Wow. Sorry you happened to be the one to experience a serious side effect. You must have been in near panic mode. I would have been.
Please don't beat yourself up. You had a very frightening experience. We are all familiar with that feeling.
Glad that is over for you.
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I drink coffee so I don't kill you.
I quilt so I don't kill you.
Do you see a theme?
Faith isn't something that keeps bad things from happening. Faith is what helps us get through bad things when they do happen.
Glad you are OK and the personnel were professional and able to react immediately to get you through this. Yes, I agree, it does not sound like an experience that one would like to do again....
What amazes me is that you were able to work 8 hours after that!! You are a tough woman. (almost said lady, but then realized that is no longer PC)
I have had this test three different times. The first time I was able to do the treadmill. The last two times my legs would not allow it and I had to do the drug. It is scary. Mine mimicked my heart attack.
I will warn you however not to be at all surprised when they want to do a heart cath. Seems the stress test always has something wrong with it and that is the next step.
Praying for good results.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Oh, my, a heart cath. I have had this a couple of times and the only part I did not like was when they injected anesthetic in the area in which they were going to put the catheter. Otherwise a piece of cake; got to watch the procedure on a kind of TV. Awesome to see the inside of your heart...
-- Edited by karl271 on Friday 16th of January 2015 02:43:18 AM
Oh, my, a heart cath. I have had this a couple of times and the only part I did not like was when they injected anesthetic in the area in which they were going to put the catheter. Otherwise a piece of cake; got to watch the procedure on a kind of TV. Awesome to see the inside of your heart...
-- Edited by karl271 on Friday 16th of January 2015 02:43:18 AM
They used a cream on me. Painted good and thick. It was like novacane.
I didn't like the having to lay there for so long afterward. But I was having complications with my blood pressure. Made everything a little trickier.
The second time I was up and going home in about 2 hours. Would have been sooner if I wasn't so easy to knock out. They gave me a little something for my nerves and I was a loopy head for a while.
I think the thought of it is worse than the actual thing.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
my follow up md appt is next week. There was nothing emergent enough to do a cardiac cath. But I am preparing myself IN CASE.....like I side, this was just scary to me.
Thanks for the good thoughts and more power to us all!!
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Minds are like parachutes, they work best when open
All I am saying is don't be surprised by the suggestion.
It really isn't terrible. Like I said, the thought of it is worse that the actual thing.
I am sure that everything will be just fine.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
And they will give you a lovely shot in the IV to help you calm down if you get too nervous. They also give atavans(sp?) like candy. So there is that. I swear they have them in PEZ dispensers in their pockets.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I carry my own xanax at all times.....
now that this is over, whatever is next is no longer as terrifying
If someone had come screaming into the room shouting get her prepped.....
I would be nervous....but no calls and enough xanax and I am feeling somewhat zen right now.
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Minds are like parachutes, they work best when open
