Outpatient Heart Procedure - Update Sunday June 3rd

[mrspunkysmom]

Today I had an appointment with an arrhythmia specialist. My heart has some severe scarring and the beat is irregular. SO I have to have an EP cath to see if I am vulnerable to sudden death (his words) and if so, have a defibrillator implanted. (Why do they like to scare you silly?)

Right now my emotions are vacillating from annoyed to cavalier to depressed. This scarring could have resulted from blunt force trauma such as car accident, hard fall. It could also have been a silent heart attack. I had an echo two years back and nothing was noticed so maybe the stress test picked this up. I could have had a silent heart attack this Christmas season when I had all that stress and allergies. I was on 4 different antihistamines per day. My blood pressure was up and I was tired. I wouldn't have even noticed.

Despite my weight, I've kept check on my BP and kept the cholesterol low. Right now I'm feeling frustrated.

I'll let y'all know when the procedure is scheduled.

[Scooter's Mom]

Best of luck in your procedure!

[Pinot's Mom]

Please do keep us posted...prayers and {{{hugs}}}.

[Lilith Cherry]

Best of luck Anne.. and don't worry because it isnt painful

[Karen]

We'll keep you in our prayers.

[mrspunkysmom]

Best of luck Anne.. and don't worry because it isnt painful

I'm not worried about the pain. I'm worried because their goal is to see if they can initiate a sudden death heart attack to determine whether I need a defibrillator. I just don't like the way he tried to scare me.

Thank you all for your wishes.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that everything will go well. Good luck.

[mrspunkysmom]

the date of the procedure is May 25th at 11Am

a friend is taking me. Most everybody was involved with memorial day trips but one friend is with me. Great person.

I'll let y'all know the details later.

[pomtzu]

Wishing you good results. I don't think I'd like the idea of them trying for a heart attack. That sounds pretty darn scary to me.

[Karen]

I cannot imagine they'd try to induce a heart "attack," that doesn't sound right. Maybe he meant a heart stoppage, to see if it restarts on its own?

[phesina]

Prayers and good wishes that all goes well for you, Anne.

[Randi]

It sounds scary, but I suppose they know what they're doing. There'll be experts around you.

Try to read up on the procedure - or perhaps it's better not to, just trust them and live healthy in the meantime.

Best of luck!

[mrspunkysmom]

Wishing you good results. I don't think I'd like the idea of them trying for a heart attack. That sounds pretty darn scary to me.

It is pretty darn scary. They are afraid that might heart might speed up and then quit causing sudden death. The scarring and electrical issues make this likely since my heart has already sped up several times. Sounds scary. I don't know why they just can't put in a pacemaker or defibrillator in without trying to kill me.

But I am trying to keep my spirits up and stay positive.

[mrspunkysmom]

It is pretty darn scary. They are afraid that might heart might speed up and then quit causing sudden death. The scarring and electrical issues make this likely since my heart has already sped up several times. Sounds scary. I don't know why they just can't put in a pacemaker or defibrillator in without trying to kill me.

But I am trying to keep my spirits up and stay positive.

I'm wondering if this has more to do with insurance. My heart's already erratic. Why not just put a defibrillator in? Insurance has to justify it?

I'm taking two days off before the procedure. I have things to do..

[Bengalz]

Good thoughts and best wishes for you Anne. This is clearly a frightening procedure but a necessary one. Try to stay calm (if that's possible...). Hugs, Betty