I’ve debated whether or not to share this with you, but figured why not. I share so much of what happens in my life with you anyhow, right?
So Monday I had this this thing inserted under the skin in my upper chest – it’s called a loop recorder and it basically records my heart’s rhythms. The goal will be to determine what’s causing these random episodes of racing heart I seem to have.
I’ve had them ever since I was 16 and they can be rather disturbing. I’m not in any pain when they happen, it’s just that all of a sudden my pulse will go from normal to like 160 in nano-seconds. The last episode I had was around Christmas and it lasted a good hour and sent me to the ER. But of course, by the time I got there the episode had ended. I finally met with a doctor who thinks he knows what it is that I have and if he’s right, it’s benign. But after dealing with these episodes for half my life I just really wanted the diagnosis, so here I am with this thing in my chest. (I feel very Hunger Games.) The good news is my heart is healthy – I have normal blood pressure and the last time they took my pulse it was 64 (I credit this to my new healthy way of eating).
Anyhow, I’ve been in a fair amount of pain and discomfort the past couple days – more than I anticipated – and have been dosing in and out (thanks to the painkillers). So if I’m a bit incoherent or sporadic with my postings for the remainder of the week – you’ll know why. I hope to be more with it here in the next week.
Thanks, friends. I’m off to sleep and watch random shows I’ve DVR’d over the past few days.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck to you! Take care of yourself you have a few people there that need you.
Healing wishes to you! I was reading your posts this week and thinking…something is different. HOpe everything is ok. Took guts to share your experience. but know you have lots of support out there!
Hope it’s nothing but I’m sure it’s scary …my nephew had something similar … http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7418. Have you ever heard of it? I’m sure there are lots of things with a sporadically fast heart beat though… Anyway…hope they find your specific problem soon to relieve your mind
I hope you’re feeling better soon.
I know that sometimes just having a name for what you’re experiencing is such a relief.
Wow–I hope the docs are able to get the information they need to figure out what to do to stop the fibrillations! My 5y/o has a congenital heart defect & at one time he almost had to get a holter monitor after he had an event (they decided not to since keeping a holter on an active kindergartner is next to impossible!). I’m curious what that device is called since that might be an option for our son in the future. Good luck–keep up with the pain meds & enjoy your DVR!
Yes! It’s called a loop recorder. It’s about the size of a thumb drive and if I have an event, I have a small pager like device I hold up to my chest and hit “record.” it feels very sci fi!
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to answer to help you or your son!
Angela thank you for sharing this with us because this gives us the opportunity to send you well-wishes and say a few prayers for your health! Your loop insertion sounds painful for sure but hopefully itll get things back on track for you. For now just take it easy and rest up, ok? Take care!
Praying for a good outcome! Hang in there Angela.
Wow, that has got to feel weird! And kind of cool, too. You’re kinda like the Bionic Woman with that loop-de-doop implant. You’re a super-hero of some sort, matching up coupons with sales and fighting the crime of paying for things at full price. I hope you feel better soon, and take really good care of your ticker!
HA HA HA!! I needed that laugh today! THANK YOU!
Hang in there, my friend! I hope you’re back to your old self in no time. Thanks for sharing with us your human side
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Thanks for sharing. My father, who is in his 70′s has something similar to that. He had a pacemaker inserted about 5 years ago to help with his episodes. My prayers are with you, it is very difficult not knowing what is going on.
I have had a similar thing my whole life ..they thought it was either LGL syndrome or WPW syndrome…guess it is not exactly either. Hormones with pregnancy brought it on, but have had since 9 years old. Something to do woth how my heart is wired so to speak, slight vessel abnormality. Presently symptom free and not on any medicine. Wish you the best
Sounds quite similar! At this point, I just want the diagnosis. I don’t know that I care to do anything to treat it if it is what they think it is. Just knowing what it is (and what it’s NOT) would be such a peace of mind for me. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! I have had similar events with my heart too (had one yesterday in fact), so I would love to know what you find out from this test. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Hoping you get some sweet rest during this time and you get the answers you desire… peace of mind to you!
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