Outpatient Heart Procedure - Update Sunday June 3rd

[mrspunkysmom]

I saw your post in Kirsten's thread and thought YAAY! She made it!

Thank you. Yeah, I'm doing okay.

I guess there's no one who could drive you to work? Would one of your friends be willing to be a "check-in"? You phone them before you leave for work and give them a quick call when you get there.

That might work. My boss is okay with me being out. He has a math teacher in there and this is exam time. I think they prefer continuity so insure stability. Our kids are easily upset. I teach at an alternative school so behavior and maturity is a big issue.

I am thinking of letting people take me to interviews if it is a long drive. Right now, I can tell you that my blood sugar levels are more of a danger than me fainting. I just checked it because I felt dizzy, tired, nervous, and it was 82. That is low for me. My eating schedule is off today.

I am getting ready to go out just for a short trip. I am driving.

As for being single, I think that translates as 'living alone' - though the doc could have phrased it better - the concern being that if something DID happen to you there is no one there to dial 911.

He wasn't stressed out over me being single. I was. Family is elsewhere and we are rural here. No public transportation.

FYI, neither the doctor's office or the hospital has called to see how I am doing since I was discharged. My really horrible former GP was more attentive.

If you do have atrial fibrillation, thank God you are getting it looked at. A 48 year old guy here in town was majorly into fitness, doing marathons, biking everywhere and he had AF. He did sit a few things out if he felt unwell. Being a man, he put off seeing a cardiologist. He finally made an appointment. Two weeks before the appointment he fell off his bicycle and was dead before he hit the ground.

That's why I went ahead and scheduled the procedure. I'm mad at the doctor for not being honest, but I've known for years that I had a problem. The problem is that the doctors kept checking cholesterol levels and artery blockage and my numbers are good. When tested years ago for electrical issues, none showed up.

I think most of this damage happened recently when I was suffering from allergies, taking loads of antihistamines so my BP soared, and my doctors were messing with my thyroid levels (which probably set off the allergies). I found out that damage can occur if you ahve an accident or from blunt force trauma to the chest. The heart bruises and develops scar tissue.

I am NOT trying to scare you, really - just underscoring that the discharge instructions aren't made strict just so the doctors can power trip.

Hope you feel better soon!

I know you aren't. Thank you so much for responding!

Oh I do believe he is on a power trip. He's an A$$, but did respond "if you do drive, I don't want to know about it." Covering his bases? It's been more than 90 days since my one and only fainting spell in my life. And Candace, I am a very careful person. If my doctor changes some meds, I take the first dose at work. When I had the female surgery 12 years back, I was allowed to drive at 3 weeks; I waited another week.

I'm so careful that I will probably not take the blood thinner. It's too new and sounds very dangerous. I also get kidney stones and I don't need to bleed to death from even a small stone. I probably shouldn't take any blood thinner and I'm allergic to Ibuprofen so I can't take aspirin either.

Thanks again for responding.

[Karen]

Are there devices now that you can use to check blood sugar without jabbing yourself? If so, maybe you should keep one with you as a matter of course, and but some simple hard candies to keep on hand incase you find your blood sugar dipping too low. Do you have a blood pressure cuff you can use at home? We actually have two, I think, as Paul has to regularly report his BP to one of his doctors as of course everything is all linked, and when they are changing his medication for one thing, he meeds to make sure his BP doesn't end up being affected in either direction too much.

[mrspunkysmom]

Are there devices now that you can use to check blood sugar without jabbing yourself? If so, maybe you should keep one with you as a matter of course, and but some simple hard candies to keep on hand incase you find your blood sugar dipping too low. Do you have a blood pressure cuff you can use at home? We actually have two, I think, as Paul has to regularly report his BP to one of his doctors as of course everything is all linked, and when they are changing his medication for one thing, he meeds to make sure his BP doesn't end up being affected in either direction too much.

don't know about the blood sugar test jabbing thing (embarrassed to admit I didn't think of that.) I keep good snacks with me. I got off schedule and in an attempt to limit my fat intake, I didn't eat any protein this morning. Dumb mistake. I have two wrist cuffs that do pretty good.

One thing I will admit: I can now take my pulse again on my wrist. It's been several months since I've been able to feel my pulse.

I've had metabolic issues since my 20s but it wasn't severe enough to be caught back then and I used diet until it didn't work anymore.


Thanks Karen

[kaycountrygal]

Hi, I just read the entire thread. I'm so glad you got through the procedure. Dont overdo and Good Luck in the future.

[mrspunkysmom]

Hi, I just read the entire thread. I'm so glad you got through the procedure. Dont overdo and Good Luck in the future.

Thank you, Kay. I won't overdo it. Promise. I have goals.

[mrspunkysmom]

Sorry about posting late. I was too sick with that danged virus to think straight.

I went to see my Internist Friday. I got to see one of his partners. I wrote a long letter the night before explaining why I needed his help with my ongoing heart problems. I hadn't had a chance to let him know about the procedure. I was too tired to think that far ahead. The arrhythmia specialist hasn't told me anything about the procedure. I have not been told what the actual diagnosis is. What I know was from listening in to their conversations while I was doped up. My discharge papers said syncope. Duh. Fainting? I looked up the medication and found out it was prescribed for arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation. I kept hearing the word ablation. And none of this was discussed before the EP study / ablation. I found out there was not pooling or clotting in the lower chambers from my friend on Tuesday. She has enough problems so I didn't want to stress her out by grilling her.

When I picked up the heart monitor on Tuesday, I was able to get some info from the nurse/tech. I really had to press my point on why I needed some medications. I'm just told to take this medicine and do such or don't do such. I really felt left out of my own health decisions.

I later found out another co-worker had an ablation a few years back and was given two weeks sick leave. I was given three days. My bosses gave me more. I was exhausted and needed it.

So I didn't expect to see my doctor but he was there and I gave him the letter. (He was getting ready to go on vacation or something.) I asked him to be my advocate. I got to see his partner and got some meds for the sinus infection so my nose doesn't start bleeding.

He called me about two hours later (not expected) and said that before he left for his trip, he was going to put some things in place. My need for a doctor that would speak to me was immediate, especially concerning my heart. He's referred me to another cardiology group. He is also setting me up with a nurse that is a diabetic specialist to help me understand my diabetes. My former GP just gave me medicine and said not to use it as an excuse to eat more sugar. His partner will be following through so that the group calls me for an appt hopefully next week. Hopefully there will be a change in blood thinners.

Hope this wasn't confusing but it is late and I was trying to keep it short. Shorter than that 2 page narrative I wrote.

[Karen]

Hopefully the new group will clear things up for you - it is good that your doctor happened to be there, and could help!

[mrspunkysmom]

Hopefully the new group will clear things up for you - it is good that your doctor happened to be there, and could help!

Yes it is. It just made my day when he called.

[Catty1]

What a great doc - to look into all that before he leaves on vacation! Looks like you'll be getting some more answers in the future!

[mrspunkysmom]

Sorry I didn't check in earlier, folks. Been sick with a virus, food poisoning, or both. and YECH for a few hours! And a sinus infection brought about by that allergic reaction because the sinuses are stuffy. Sleeping a lot. don't worry. This is just life, but I really didn't need it now. I'm going to take it easy for a few days, but I so need to do some cleaning, as in putting away garbage and picking up empty water bottles.

This is the one step backwards. Don't worry. More sleep and easy food, I'll be as good as new.

I think it was a virus. I had a headache Friday evening that wouldn't go. I thought I might have done too much Friday. It was a good day.

I have lots to tell you, but for right now this is enough. I will say that my Internist is fantastic!