Outpatient Heart Procedure - Update Sunday June 3rd

[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]

Had a good day today, although I may have overdone it. And I didn't do much. This just could be the let-down after the high of surviving the procedure.

Walked slowly (1.5 mph pace) on the treadmill for 12 minutes. Did a little shopping and bought some baked chicken since I didn't feel like cooking.

Took a nap earlier. No one involved in the surgery has called to check on me. My GP's office did. The NP called when I wasn't home. She returned my return call. I found out my heart rate that caused me to faint was 48 which is good if you are an athlete but not good if you are not, like me. These are good people.

Time for bed. I'll update more tomorrow. The boss said to take all the time I need BTW.

[Catty1]

Have a good sleep - sweet dreams!

Glad your boss is being nice (for a change).

[mrspunkysmom]

Have a good sleep - sweet dreams!

Glad your boss is being nice (for a change).

Oh naps are annoying because they mess up the sleep cycle. So I am up right now. ARGH!

[mrspunkysmom]

And another update! 9:53 PM I'm allergic to the blood thinner. The outrageously, drop a small fortune on the medicine, blood thinner. Developed subcutaneous hives aka mild anaphylactic shock. No fear. I have an EPI pen but didn't have to use it. Called the doctor's emergency line and spoke to the on call doctor.

Take a benadryl and he said they'll get back to me on other courses of action since my stroke is NOT that much higher than the lowest risk for A-FIB.

I'm allergic to aspirin too. i knew I was screwed years ago when I had a reaction to Ibuprofen.

[Alysser]

I am glad you got through the procedure fine! I don't have much time to read the entire thread, but I will attempt to tomorrow!! GOOD luck!

[Catty1]

OH man - I hope you can get SOME kind of refund on that medication!

Glad you are ok for now.

[Karen]

And another update! 9:53 PM I'm allergic to the blood thinner. The outrageously, drop a small fortune on the medicine, blood thinner. Developed subcutaneous hives aka mild anaphylactic shock. No fear. I have an EPI pen but didn't have to use it. Called the doctor's emergency line and spoke to the on call doctor.

Take a benadryl and he said they'll get back to me on other courses of action since my stroke is NOT that much higher than the lowest risk for A-FIB.

I'm allergic to aspirin too. i knew I was screwed years ago when I had a reaction to Ibuprofen.

So sorry to hear that. At least you didn't need to use the Epi pen, as many folks don't realize that also means you then have to immediately get to a hospital, so they can monitor heart rate and blood pressure, as the adrenaline in the dpi pen does save your life, but it's nothing to be taken casually!

And ooooooh how I hate hives! You so WANT to itch, know you shouldn't, but MAN is it maddening!

[mrspunkysmom]

So sorry to hear that. At least you didn't need to use the Epi pen, as many folks don't realize that also means you then have to immediately get to a hospital, so they can monitor heart rate and blood pressure, as the adrenaline in the dpi pen does save your life, but it's nothing to be taken casually!

And ooooooh how I hate hives! You so WANT to itch, know you shouldn't, but MAN is it maddening!

I'm thankful, too. I was on the phone, talking with a friend, monitoring my reaction to the drug, when I realized it was not an adjustment phase, but an allergic reaction. I thought about waiting to call the next day, but my friend said I should let them know immediately.

I knew you had to go to the hospital if the epi pen is used, but I thought it was to monitor the allergic reaction and get the right medicine. I didn't realize it was also for the effect epinephrine has on the body. Thanks for the info.

Subcutaneous hives usually don't cause an itch, at least not for me. Think of this as a mild case of shock. Airways (nasal passages) are constricted, lips swollen, eyes swollen, and skin is tight, tingly, and a little warm. After 3 benadryl, they are still somewhat swollen, but the drug is a 24 hour drug, so I will probably react for 36 hours.

Time to go back to sleep. The 3rd Benadryl is kicking in.

[mrspunkysmom]

Just an update on the medicine issue.

I'm now on Warfarin, 4mg per day. I had to research why diabetics have a greater risk for stroke before I took the med tonight. Still it's scary because I have all the risk factors for NOT taking Warfarin, such as frequent falls and stumbles leading to bruising, Celiac disease, diabetes (have to check my blood every day) infrequent kidney stones, frequent kidney infections, infrequent gallstones, hypothyroidism (drug interferes with thyroxine absorption, I believe). I have to drink cranberry juice which is high in Vitamin K. I can't have lettuce so I have to use other greens which are high in Vitamin K. The pharmacist even called the doctor to verify that he wanted me on Warfarin because of some of the issues I face.

So I took one-half of the 4mg tablet. It is not coated, I'm making an appt with my Internist to act as my liaison with the arrhythmia specialist. While my stroke risk is higher than the average population, it isn't that high. Depending on the calculator you use, it's anywhere from 4 to 15%, both of which are reasonable risks considering the probability that I will fall or trip on any day is at least 50%. I am a real clutz.

Given a choice between my thyroid and stroke risk, I'll choose Thyroid every time. I know what will happen there. The stroke risk is still a probability. My diabetes is well controlled as is the BP and both are improving! I'm also losing weight! I am hoping they will let me keep the INR at a low rate but still not too low.

[mrspunkysmom]

Talked with a former chiropractor yesterday. He thought I looked a lot better than when he last saw me. That made me feel good.

I actually feel better now. It's hard to believe that an erratic heart could make you feel that tired. He did not mention if my heart was enlarged. I don't and haven't eaten an excessive amount of fatty foods. I prefer lite meals. It's a shame it couldn't be caught earlier. I knew I had palpitations but the heart behaved during every test but this years.

But back to feeling better. The chest isn't tight any more. The medicine is also making a difference. I don't feel like I'm carrying a 1000 lb weight around.

Just need to get over the cumadin/warfarin issues and the allergy to Xarelto. Wish I could sell those pills without getting charged with distributing drugs without a license. I'm also still showing symptoms since the Xarelto is a time-released med. I'm lucky the allergist put me on a good antihistamine or it could have been worse.

I called the LifeWatch people this morning and actually spoke with someone that wasn't reading from a script. We have a real conversation. He'll look into my concerns, is sending me a car charger, and reset the machine to indicate which electrode was faulty. He also took down my complaints about the ineffective gel-glue that is supposed to stay 3 days, but only lasts a few hours. I could tell the other techs were reading from a script.

I'll have to tell you about the other techs and my need to take a shower without the cops busting down my door because the machine doesn't register my heartbeat. I am sure my file is flagged and labeled as "crazy woman" at this point.

[Karen]

It sure makes a difference when you are talking to a real thinking human being, doesn't it? Glad you are feeling better!

[Catty1]

Glad you are feeling better, and that others notice?

Hey, join the crazy lady club! I'd rather be crazy and alive than the alternative (sane and dead????? ).

So...you can't get a refund on those meds? DANG!

[mrspunkysmom]

Glad you are feeling better, and that others notice?

Hey, join the crazy lady club! I'd rather be crazy and alive than the alternative (sane and dead????? ).

So...you can't get a refund on those meds? DANG!

No, no refund. I thought of advertising on Craig's list for a split second until reality set in and I realized that I would probably get arrested.

I'll figure something out.

[mrspunkysmom]

My BP is 122/63 and pulse is 63. Earlier the BP was 110/58 and the pulse was 51. Woo-Hooo. The BP hasn't been that low in years.

My chest hurts a bit, which is why I was checking it. hmmmm. Just stress? A bit tired and sleepy, too, but yesterday was a long day. Slow but steady progress.

Lost a day. Thought it was Wednesday. I'll blame it on the three day weekend.

Still the BP is lower. YEAH!!!!! :d :d