I realized that I forgot to update my blog as to my heart rate issue and the heart monitor.
Well to make a long story short I went to the Cardiologist, he wasn't there, so I asked the pacemaker nurse
why I needed a heart monitor since I had a pacemaker recording every beat my heart makes?
The response I received was that a heart monitor records everything in real time.. Doesn't the pacemaker?
Well, yes. I then asked that since this only happens about once a month, and I just had my monthly occurrence what would the monitor record? Nothing was the answer.. So she ran a copy of my pacemaker and I came home.
Wednesday morning I received a phone call from the office and the doctor wanted me to come in earlier and speak with him... Uh oh..in trouble now...:(
I recently went to the doctor and we had a nice chat about my options. I now have Atrial Fibrilation where I had a type of Ventricular Tachycardia before. The ablation worked last time because it is not as invasive and difficult as the a-fib.. Lucky me again.. I had the option of taking meds as needed when the A-fib started like I was doing, taking a daily med to keep my heart calm (yeah right), or trying for ablation.
since ablation for A-Fib is more difficult and does not work as often I'm not ready for this right yet.
I've chosen to take Multaq at a half dose to keep my heart calm and prevent the A-Fib from happening.
I wanted to do something because the longer a person stays in A-fib the more likely they are to have a blood clot or a stroke. Count me out on this score. I have enough to deal with, without dealing with this too.
Feeling a thousand butterflies beating to get out of my chest is bad enough, but to worry about blood pooling in my heart and a stroke... Not this girl..
Sometimes I truly wonder if I would have been better off receiveing a heart and double lung transplant like I was originally listed to receive.. I am positive my doctors (all of them) will have reasons to veto this train of thought.
Showing posts with label heart ablation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart ablation. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Hearts-broken and otherwise
Well this afternoon I get to wear a 24hour heart monitor. Yay :-(
This seems to be the thousandth time I've gotten one of these jewels and to date have shown nothing to be concerned about. I do have a fast heart rate at times. I mean who wouldn't after open heart surgery and a double lung transplant, a single left lung transplant, a kidney transplant, and a pacemaker implant. Oh and please take into consideration all those meds we love to take. Originally in 1991 after my first transplant I did have to take time and recover from the heart surgery. I had an atrial septal defect which had to be closed surgically at the same time as my lung transplant to be effective. I took Procardia for 6 months and then all was fine for quite a few years.
Then came time for the 2nd lung transplant and all the meds to curtail the chronic rejection. I was also very close to renal failure at the time. All this combined with the fact I was getting progressively weaker by the minute and wasting away wreaked havoc on my poor tired heart. I was once again placed on meds to control and slow my heart rate. Well, after the kidney transplant it was felt I didn't need to take the meds anymore so they were slowly weaned off. It took all of 6 months to prove how I needed them.
Being diabetic the first time my heart truly raced I was unsure if it was my blood sugar dropping or something else. I attritbute it to low blood sugar since I had the cold clammy sweat on the back of my neck, the horrible almost nauseaus feel in the pit of my stomeach, etc. We were at a Harley Davidson shop after enjoying a much needed bike ride. All at once I got these feelings and they were not abating. Seeing a small vending area with a few tables, I made a beeline for the coke machine and a table. I drank the coke and it didn't really help too much. By this time I was literally sweating bullets. I used evey napkin the little metal holder had on my table and then another table too. I was speechless at the amount of sweating since I rarely sweat. I was also sitting directly in front of the AC vent. Well, another coke later and a hot dog, I began to feel better, not like myself but better. So with that off we went on the bike and home. I never truly attributed this to my heart rate. Just a freak blood sugar occurrence. I now know better.
The next time was more vocal. I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I did as normal, walked into the bath, sat down, and promplty woke up on the floor. Not usual. We finally caught the culprit. Dr. Baz immediately set me up with Cardiology to find the reason . What they found was when my heart rate rose if they pressed on my neck it would slow down to normal. Well since I can't walk around with my hand on my neck except maybe in a vampire movie, we made arrangements for ablation. This ablation was for Ventricular tachycardia. It was for the lower chambers of my heart. Before this I also received a pacemaker, another story altogether, believe me.
After the ablation all was perfect. That is up until now. Now it appears my issue is with the Atrium, thus A-fib. I've been told this is more difficult to control with ablation, wow lucky me. Anyway as the story goes, last Thursday I was getting out of the recliner and my heart rate jumped from 51 beats per minute to 101. This may not seem like much to you but those darned butterflies that got trapped in my chest were beating like crazy to get out. Not to mention the slight nausea I had too. I immediately took one of my Metoprolol PRN tablets. I continued with preparing dinner, sweeping, etc. hoping my heart rate would slow down. Well it didn't. I decided to take another tablet before I went to bed around 10:00PM. I got a little sleep and woke in the middle of the night not wanting to get up. My heart rate felt slower and I didn't want to do anything to push it into hyper drive. I could feel it rise, then slow, rise, then slow as if it were trying to correct itself. I got up, took another tablet, checked the blood sugar-low again, ate some yogurt and settled into the recliner for a few hours. Friday morning it was at 85 but holding steady. I called the doctor and he decided on the heart monitor. After taking another tablet I am happy to say I've been at 51-55 heart beats per minute ever since. But I did have to take it easy for all of Friday. If this keeps happening it will seriously impede my exercise routine. After all, I'm scared to death to hop on the treadmill when I'm almost at target heart rate without trying!
Since this only happens about once a month I'm having trouble understanding why I need the monitor. I have a Pacemaker and it should show everything. At least I know it does when the nurse does a printout every 6 months. Why couldn't I just go into the office on Friday and them run a strip? I mean let's be serious if I only have this once a month, I've already had my turn, what's the monitor gonna show? I guess all this stems from the fact I really dread getting this darned thing. I'm allowed this feeling after all these years... Geez, I've earned it right... Oh well, resigned to the fact... Off I go to get wired...
BTW... As I told a good friend when we talked about this yesterday... This is NOT cunducive to a night of great sex nor will it make me feel that way either:-)
This seems to be the thousandth time I've gotten one of these jewels and to date have shown nothing to be concerned about. I do have a fast heart rate at times. I mean who wouldn't after open heart surgery and a double lung transplant, a single left lung transplant, a kidney transplant, and a pacemaker implant. Oh and please take into consideration all those meds we love to take. Originally in 1991 after my first transplant I did have to take time and recover from the heart surgery. I had an atrial septal defect which had to be closed surgically at the same time as my lung transplant to be effective. I took Procardia for 6 months and then all was fine for quite a few years.
Then came time for the 2nd lung transplant and all the meds to curtail the chronic rejection. I was also very close to renal failure at the time. All this combined with the fact I was getting progressively weaker by the minute and wasting away wreaked havoc on my poor tired heart. I was once again placed on meds to control and slow my heart rate. Well, after the kidney transplant it was felt I didn't need to take the meds anymore so they were slowly weaned off. It took all of 6 months to prove how I needed them.
Being diabetic the first time my heart truly raced I was unsure if it was my blood sugar dropping or something else. I attritbute it to low blood sugar since I had the cold clammy sweat on the back of my neck, the horrible almost nauseaus feel in the pit of my stomeach, etc. We were at a Harley Davidson shop after enjoying a much needed bike ride. All at once I got these feelings and they were not abating. Seeing a small vending area with a few tables, I made a beeline for the coke machine and a table. I drank the coke and it didn't really help too much. By this time I was literally sweating bullets. I used evey napkin the little metal holder had on my table and then another table too. I was speechless at the amount of sweating since I rarely sweat. I was also sitting directly in front of the AC vent. Well, another coke later and a hot dog, I began to feel better, not like myself but better. So with that off we went on the bike and home. I never truly attributed this to my heart rate. Just a freak blood sugar occurrence. I now know better.
The next time was more vocal. I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I did as normal, walked into the bath, sat down, and promplty woke up on the floor. Not usual. We finally caught the culprit. Dr. Baz immediately set me up with Cardiology to find the reason . What they found was when my heart rate rose if they pressed on my neck it would slow down to normal. Well since I can't walk around with my hand on my neck except maybe in a vampire movie, we made arrangements for ablation. This ablation was for Ventricular tachycardia. It was for the lower chambers of my heart. Before this I also received a pacemaker, another story altogether, believe me.
After the ablation all was perfect. That is up until now. Now it appears my issue is with the Atrium, thus A-fib. I've been told this is more difficult to control with ablation, wow lucky me. Anyway as the story goes, last Thursday I was getting out of the recliner and my heart rate jumped from 51 beats per minute to 101. This may not seem like much to you but those darned butterflies that got trapped in my chest were beating like crazy to get out. Not to mention the slight nausea I had too. I immediately took one of my Metoprolol PRN tablets. I continued with preparing dinner, sweeping, etc. hoping my heart rate would slow down. Well it didn't. I decided to take another tablet before I went to bed around 10:00PM. I got a little sleep and woke in the middle of the night not wanting to get up. My heart rate felt slower and I didn't want to do anything to push it into hyper drive. I could feel it rise, then slow, rise, then slow as if it were trying to correct itself. I got up, took another tablet, checked the blood sugar-low again, ate some yogurt and settled into the recliner for a few hours. Friday morning it was at 85 but holding steady. I called the doctor and he decided on the heart monitor. After taking another tablet I am happy to say I've been at 51-55 heart beats per minute ever since. But I did have to take it easy for all of Friday. If this keeps happening it will seriously impede my exercise routine. After all, I'm scared to death to hop on the treadmill when I'm almost at target heart rate without trying!
Since this only happens about once a month I'm having trouble understanding why I need the monitor. I have a Pacemaker and it should show everything. At least I know it does when the nurse does a printout every 6 months. Why couldn't I just go into the office on Friday and them run a strip? I mean let's be serious if I only have this once a month, I've already had my turn, what's the monitor gonna show? I guess all this stems from the fact I really dread getting this darned thing. I'm allowed this feeling after all these years... Geez, I've earned it right... Oh well, resigned to the fact... Off I go to get wired...
BTW... As I told a good friend when we talked about this yesterday... This is NOT cunducive to a night of great sex nor will it make me feel that way either:-)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Butterflies, Blocks and A Heart
The title may not make much sense, but it's how I've come to rationalize last night.
In 2006 I had Ablation therapy on my heart due to the inability of medication to control a rapid heart rate. Everything has been awesome! until last night.... For the last 3 years my heart rate has been in the low 50 range, something I never thought I'd see or experience.
About 9:30P.M. as I got out of my recliner to get ready for bed, I felt a bit of nauseau on standing up, followed by a cool sweat. My insulin sometimes makes me feel this way when it starts to work, sort of wheels churning in my abdomen. I checked my blood sugar and it was a nice 103 so this was not the problem, and it still continued.
I checked my blood pressure and heart rate.. my eyes popped out of my head! Heart rate of 120! No, this can't be ..So I checked it again, and again in another 15 minutes. It got to 100 beats per minute, but still not where it should be. I've always had the nagging fear that the Ablation could reverse itself and prayed I wouldn't be one of those unlucky ones. But I must say, this really set my mind reeling... We all know that when things like this happen we're told to keep calm and let it drop naturally. BUT HOW DO YOU STAY CALM WHEN YOU'RE WORRIED? I took one of my PRN tablets for heart rate and waited for a result. My PRN medication is 2 years old and this is the first time I've had to take it.
After 30 minutes, no results... I had to do the one thing I dread. Call my lung transplant coordinator on a Friday night and wake her and her kids up. I placed the call, she and my doctor both said since it was steady and not erratic just try and get some sleep, but take another pill in the morning to keep it low and correct the problem. Please tell me how to get sleep when it feels like a concrete block is on my chest and a thousand butterflies are fluttering around inside looking for a way out? After awhile it felt like those butterflies hired a few thugs who were using bats and clubs (anything available) and trying to beat their way out!. Ever have one of those headaches where you feel the pound each and every time your heart beats? That's the beating those thugs were giving me. Only at 116 beats a minute! Darn little buggers! One might think I was charging them rent or something, they way they were going at me!
I went from the recliner to the couch, to the recliner. Each and every time with 3 little 4-legged boys following me. I was seriously tired. (I thought dead tired or dog tired took it to far) Not enough sleep or rest makes for a terrible day to follow, especially for the chronically ill. Finally about 3AM the pounding stopped, guess the thugs came to an agreement with my chest. Anyway it was calm enough for me to try the bed again, not slower but calmer.
I dozed in and out of sleep until 6:30, no deep restful sleep tonight. Back in the recliner for my morning date withe the boys, take the blood pressure, read a little of my book. My heart rate was 75. WHEW..... I can't begin to explain the relief. Now to get it back to where it should be, and prevent the nightmare journey of 3 years ago when I walked into the Emergency room at Shands with a heart rate of 196.
One good thing about all this..... It made me forget about the pain in my left side. Possible fractured ribs from coughing... well at least until this morning when all was calm and it returned..
Now for hte morning walk and keep my heart as healthy as I possibly can.
In 2006 I had Ablation therapy on my heart due to the inability of medication to control a rapid heart rate. Everything has been awesome! until last night.... For the last 3 years my heart rate has been in the low 50 range, something I never thought I'd see or experience.
About 9:30P.M. as I got out of my recliner to get ready for bed, I felt a bit of nauseau on standing up, followed by a cool sweat. My insulin sometimes makes me feel this way when it starts to work, sort of wheels churning in my abdomen. I checked my blood sugar and it was a nice 103 so this was not the problem, and it still continued.
I checked my blood pressure and heart rate.. my eyes popped out of my head! Heart rate of 120! No, this can't be ..So I checked it again, and again in another 15 minutes. It got to 100 beats per minute, but still not where it should be. I've always had the nagging fear that the Ablation could reverse itself and prayed I wouldn't be one of those unlucky ones. But I must say, this really set my mind reeling... We all know that when things like this happen we're told to keep calm and let it drop naturally. BUT HOW DO YOU STAY CALM WHEN YOU'RE WORRIED? I took one of my PRN tablets for heart rate and waited for a result. My PRN medication is 2 years old and this is the first time I've had to take it.
After 30 minutes, no results... I had to do the one thing I dread. Call my lung transplant coordinator on a Friday night and wake her and her kids up. I placed the call, she and my doctor both said since it was steady and not erratic just try and get some sleep, but take another pill in the morning to keep it low and correct the problem. Please tell me how to get sleep when it feels like a concrete block is on my chest and a thousand butterflies are fluttering around inside looking for a way out? After awhile it felt like those butterflies hired a few thugs who were using bats and clubs (anything available) and trying to beat their way out!. Ever have one of those headaches where you feel the pound each and every time your heart beats? That's the beating those thugs were giving me. Only at 116 beats a minute! Darn little buggers! One might think I was charging them rent or something, they way they were going at me!
I went from the recliner to the couch, to the recliner. Each and every time with 3 little 4-legged boys following me. I was seriously tired. (I thought dead tired or dog tired took it to far) Not enough sleep or rest makes for a terrible day to follow, especially for the chronically ill. Finally about 3AM the pounding stopped, guess the thugs came to an agreement with my chest. Anyway it was calm enough for me to try the bed again, not slower but calmer.
I dozed in and out of sleep until 6:30, no deep restful sleep tonight. Back in the recliner for my morning date withe the boys, take the blood pressure, read a little of my book. My heart rate was 75. WHEW..... I can't begin to explain the relief. Now to get it back to where it should be, and prevent the nightmare journey of 3 years ago when I walked into the Emergency room at Shands with a heart rate of 196.
One good thing about all this..... It made me forget about the pain in my left side. Possible fractured ribs from coughing... well at least until this morning when all was calm and it returned..
Now for hte morning walk and keep my heart as healthy as I possibly can.
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