Another ER visit... -_-

[Fayde]

It's sad when you run into the same nurse twice in two weeks...
When I was at work, I had a pretty "major" heart episode, which is a first in a long time. It went for about 20-25 minutes, then went to normal, then started up again for another couple minutes, then went back to normal. By this time, I was freaking out, sense I haven't had a long episode like that since I went on my medication. Plus, I've been sick, and still feeling a bit dizzy.
So to the ER I went! Of course as soon as I got there I started feeling better (stupid psychological effects..).
However, it was not in vane... I am now attached to a mobile heart monitor that is about the size of a large cell phone, and hooked up to me via two sticky pads on my chest.
How long do I have to wear this sticky patch of helpful goodness?
30 days (that is, thirty). Oh yes, and better yet, I have to find a land line phone, because cell phones poorly attempt to block out idle noise in the background. Apparently, it uses audio signal to transmit to some random place who gives it to my doctor.

Also, I did have a doctors visit yesterday about my dizzy spells. She thinks it could be related to my heart, and actually appointed me to get a mobile heart monitor this Monday anyway. It was only going to be for 24 hours though.
She did say that maybe because of all the things happening that it could be stress related, but she wanted to check a few things first.
It may very well be stress related, but she wants to check a few things first before she jumps to any "easy" conclusions.

Anyway, so yeah... YAY MEDICAL BILLS!!!!!!

[itsallgood]

You know, I expect a phone call when stuff happens. I know I am just your mom, but I am your mom and I need to hear your voice. I know you have Mel and she is wonderful, but I am your mom. Keep me updated and let me worry and cry if I want to. Not hearing your voice and not being able to ask questions, worrys me even more and hurts. I HATE it that you are that far away and you are not okay and Mel is pregnant and you are having a baby and you are a million miles away. I know her family is there but I am still your mom! We both need to get web cams and Skype. That would help. ASAP Call me today and let me know what's up. I love you more than you will ever understand.

[Waspman]

I was afraid that your so called "dehydration" was actually heart related.. hopefully that's not the case.
What did the Doctor say about the episode you had at work? Was it just something to be expected or are your meds going to have to be adjusted again? Might not be the case for you, but I know people can build up drug resistance in some cases.

I don't know how you're feeling right now about the whole thing but I will say that even though our situations are different, I know what you're going through as far as having these random episodes that effect your life. It's tough.. and in my case, I honestly didn't think it was going to be resolved but it was. Took years but it was. Opened me up, found and removed the tumor and BAM! Cured just like that with no real complications. I'm sure it's going to be the same for you. Eventually, they'll finish the surgery and then it'll all just be behind you and you don't have to worry about taking medications or at least worry about having episodes and you're just going to be so estatic. Like a new man.

[Fayde]

Yeah, I was totally fine with the dehydration explanation until it continued happening for several days afterwards and thousands of ounces of fluid later.... Although, I really do not believe it is related to my heart condition. I monitor my pulse (as does Meli) when these "dizzy spells" occur, and my heart is totally fine. I personally believe that I am "backed up"... lol, which can cause dizziness and a hard time breathing, and can also actually bring on my heart palpitations.

As far as my heart episode, I think because I was sick (cough + allergies), and I had just physically escorted a kid, and I've been "backed up", was all a good mix for a good ol' fashioned 200 bpm heart party. While I do think this whole heart monitor thing is a good idea, I am beginning to tire of it GREATLY.
Get this. Last night, I had a very mild palpitation, which is very common for me, and never lasts more than a second or two before my meds kick it back down. However, since I am hooked up, why not try it out? I press the record button, and it records a very high-pitched annoying sound for about 1 minute. Once it's done, I realize the memory is full. It's not supposed to be full, I should have 2 more minutes of record time!!!! SO! I go to send it over my cell phone (it's kinda like a fax-machine...?), and it seriously continued for almost 10 minutes before I ended up just stopped it. The best thing is, all I have is a cell phone, and they didn't get any of the transmission! So this morning, I sent it into a pillow (no phone involved) and it seriously continued for 15 minutes!!! I didn't even record for 2 or 3 minutes!!! What the heck!? The real kicker about this is that the thing will continue beeping until you send it, and you cannot reset the memory until it FINISHES sending... I will be calling the hospital tomorrow to see about getting a regular holter monitor (a 24 hour monitor that records every second of the 24 hours).

Edit: I didn't even finish reading what you said!!! That's embarrassing... Just mad about the whole situation, sorry.

Thank you though for the encouragement. While I do feel like you had it WAY worse than I do, I also can understand what you went through too. We're all hospital buddies!!! WEEE!!!
My doctor has no idea honestly. While they spouted a bunch of possibilities, I felt like I had a better idea than they did (which isn't really a bad thing). I really feel like because my stomach has been so out of wack lately, it's bringing things on. I can feel a different sort of pressure on my chest when my stomach isn't working right, and it felt that way right before my heart party started. While I do think a little extra meds may be in order due to the fact that I have been on them for so long, I don't want to push it, cause they are pretty serious meds (I take them too lightly sometimes) and can really screw me up if I don't use it correctly.
But yes, I do feel pretty hopeless about the situation, and I do feel like this is something that I'll just have to deal with for my whole life. But I also cannot imagine my child seeing me like this. I hate it, but I have also been challenged by it as well. I have really had to push myself to stay calm, and be patient. The Lord will see it through either way.

Again, thank you for the encouragement. It means a great deal to me.

[Waspman]

Oh, so it's like a monitor that you have to actually push a button when you're having an episode?

Well, definitely keep us up to date. We're all here for you, if you just want to talk or whatever.

[Fayde]

Yeah, it's like a panic button or something, only it doesn't actually do anything except record your heart beat... So basically if I died of a heart attack or whatever, they would know what my heart was doing when I died... lol. Seriously, I think it's useless.

Thank you. It's oddly comforting knowing that you've gone through a similar thing. Same with Justin. We're all hospital buddies... hehehe... I think I said that before.... Yup, I did, lol.

[Fayde]

Ok, so a little update. I called about the stupid heart monitor, and got it changed to a holter monitor, which is a constant running monitor for 24 straight hours. It worked out well and turned it in about a week ago (maybe a week and a half). I've been off the stupid monitors ever since.
Got a call while I was out with Meli about what they found, and it turns out I have a "low heart rate, with a abnormal rhythm". It was just a nurse calling me, so she couldn't give me any details, but I am now signed up to see my cardiologist in August (still waiting on the actual date). Needless to say I was a bit freaked out, until Meli had me realize that those things are to be expected with my medication (low heart rate), paired with my heart condition (abnormal rhythm). Meli looked up the slow heart rate causes, and beside heart attacks, thyroid issues, and other chemical imbalances, all which I got checked green for, the other 2 common causes are Arrhythmic Stabilizers, and Beta Blockers, both of which are the types of medication I take.
Now, that doesn't seem like a big deal at all, and I don't get dizzy any more (or at least not nearly as bad, nor as often). However, why the heck would it effect me all of a sudden? I've been on these meds (same dosage) for about 2 years in August. Though, I have not really been tested while doing every day things, and only been tested in a hospital setting (which of course raises your heart rate).
I'm not too worried any more, but man that freaked me out for a minute there. Thank the Lord I have Meli though. ^_^

Just keeping ya'll informed I suppose.

[Waspman]

It bugs me how long it takes to see a specialist. Having to wait months to see a Doctor, especially for an ongoing medical condition, is ridiculous in my opinion. At least you'll get to see your cardiologist next month.

Well, like I've said before I know people's reactions to medications can change. Like people develop drug resistance, drug sensitivity, or have side effects out of the blue.
Although it's a different situation, I think it's kinda like how people will randomly develop food allergies.

[Fayde]

Indeed, I guess I am up for a August 9th appointment to check up with it.

I can almost bet money that they will either have to put me on different medications, or lower the dosage. You're probably right about the idea that I am probably developing some weird reaction to them.

This whole thing would explain a lot of my feeling unnaturally brain-dead lately.

Anyway, thank you for your support through this though. Nice to know that someone I know has experienced something similar (in your case, much worse thing).

[Waspman]

So did you have another Doctor visit? How did it go?

[Fayde]

It was pretty disappointing actually. They guy (a different doctor than I normally see) went over my heart monitor records and saw nothing that would have even warranted a phone call. He said my heart rate was low... AT NIGHT, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSES!!! and the "abnormal rhythms" were just my heart condition. I checked out A-ok.
While that is good, it just leaves me with more questions. I am growing more and more fond though of the idea that it's just stress and whatever. Things have been more stressful than normal with external stuff.
Oh well, I am thankful for all the little (and Meli) things, but yeah, I suppose it could be stress.