September 4th I noticed my heart feeling like it had a rubber band around it. The first hard beat would pound up into my throat, like it was trying to gag me. Then 2 - 12 gradually lighter beats until it just felt like a vibration in my stomach, making me feel nauseas - not puking, but just like you feel when your pregnant. Have you ever veered too far off the road and run over those rumble strips? Like that. Only in my stomach. Then no beats at all. Then WHAM there goes another first beat again.
So Friday (before WI) I went to Urgent Care where the PA heard what I was describing, and ordered an EKG. Then he sent me to my primary care guy to also took an EKG and ordered bloodwork. He heard what I was describing, too, and sent me to a cardiologist. He hooked me up to a monitor for 24hours, sent me for an echocardiogram and an MRI. (If you are not claustrophobic, the MRI machine will convert you.)
So, the cardiologist called me yesterday afternoon.
You've got a problem with your rhythm and it appears to be viral in nature.
The echo looks okay.
The MRI shows that all your parts are the right size.
The holter monitor indicates that you are indeed experiencing this all day and all night.
Start taking these two medications (Metoprolol and Flecainide) and come back Monday for another EKG.
Your test from your primary care guy indicated hypothyroidism, so we need to do some more blood work on that.
No, you can't go to Colorado on the 19th for the relay, and no, you should not do Twin Cities Marathon.
Hypothyroidism? I read the symptoms and I'm nothing like that. (Although I wouldn't mind having an excuse for not losing those last 10 pounds or so). I have not fainted, but get dizzy when I stand up fast; and I am experiencing shortness of breath, but nothing that a good long inhale doesn't fix.
But I am freaked out about the virus. And I'm a little freaked out that the cardiologist gave me a number where he can be reached all Saturday and Sunday. And he said if I feel really lightheaded to go straight to the ER.
Do you guys know anything about this? Am I about to be one of those freakish stories? I gotta tell you I was so happy and relieved when I woke up this morning.
http://www.youtube.com/v/5nTjCf-_Ia4
go here for fun... Ally (7) singing to Hannah Montana with the hedphones on.
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26 comments:
Wow. I have nothing to offer but best wishes and confidence that this will resolve.
You've got such a big heart- It's gotta get strong again.
We'll miss you next week!!!
Take care of yourself.
jenny - how scary! it sounds like you're getting excellent care. i will be thinking of you as you ride this out.
Yikes. I can't say that I heard about anything like that before, but I hope everything goes OK. I'll keep you in my prayers!
I hope you get this resolved quickly and painlessly. It sounds like you have some sharp professionals on your team who are on top of your issues.
I will be sending good thoughts your way.
Wow! That is indeed scary, but it sounds like you acted promptly. No experience to share with you, but I want to add that I hope you are able to get it resolved quickly!
Wow. Sounds like my heart deal, but it's viral in nature. I'll be praying for you that you have peace through this and that the doc's find a resolution quickly!
Love ya
I feel your pain, sistah! I have an echo cardiogram on Tuesday and I'm scheduled for a Holter and a consult. My EKG looks like I'm either in the throws of a heart attack or I'm an athlete. I hope I don't die tomorrow.
But back to you - I would think that if you have hypothyroidism you would be struggling with your weight and I fail to see where you'd find 10 pounds to lose. The viral thing sounds odd. I hope it is something that goes away.
Bummer about your races, though. My doc did not tell me to sit still so I'm going for it but I must admit that it is bothering me a bit.
Ally is truly a 21st Century child. Glued to the internet, iPod in ears, groovin' to tunes.
Too cute.
We will ride side by side again some day in the future. "You will do this."
Not that my prayers are anything special, but they are yours.
Jenny,
My thougths and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Never heard of it before..
Take care of yourself one day at a time. Stay strong IronMan..
I'm so sorry. I can't think of anything else decent to say. I'm praying for you...
Our family is praying for you and your family Jenny!
I know I have a heart murmer, MVP, and low blood pressure...I often have my heart missing beats and palpatations that scare the crap out of me..however..I keep..keepin on!!I'm thinking of you can sending calming vibes your way. The Dr's will take care of you.
Thinking about you Jenny, and praying for you. Having heart issues myself, I can relate to how scarey and unsettling this can be, especially in the middle of the night. You did the right thing going in, and they acted quickly, and did all the right tests. I don't know a lot about the virus aspect, but your dr. is on top of things. Your endurance, faith, friends and family, and strong fitness will only help your heart get stronger again. You have a big heart, filled with lots of love, and going through this will only make it bigger and stronger. I know it will. Take care, and sending you lots of hugs, and good wishes.
Oh my...that's scary. I will be praying for you.
That really is a shock! Take care- you're so strong and healthy, I know you'll get through this.
You're in my prayers too.
oh, jenny. sorry to hear about this. it's got to be so scary, though i know everything will be fine. you know you are making me pray again! and i'm thinking about you. call if you want a friendly ear.
oh cwap - I wish I could see you myself at the Relay and give you a big hug and tell you in person IT'LL BE OK!!!
so online will have to do...
IT'LL BE OK!!
Yikes. I hope this works out well for you. Best wishes.
There you are, ;)
Loved the video too!!
xoxoxo
oh my gosh, jenny, i haven't been on the computer in a few days - and i come back and find this. hang in there, my friend, and please let me know if i an do anything for you. praying is a given...
much love.
Make sure that it's just not "athlete's heart" going on...I mean this guy KNOWS you are a multi-time IM finisher, right? Some times it's "normal" to have "abnormal" heart fluctuations...but he is the cardiologist and I am just speaking from having heard a little bit about this when I went in for a routine EKG before surgery, and they found abnormal/fluctuating rhythms.
I have experienced the "stop...flutter...flutter...boom, boom" but not frequently. ("Chitty, chitty, bang, bang") Keep us up to date and I will be sending my prayers your way lady! xoxox
Sound you your doctors have all the bases covered and that you're in good hands. For the Hypothyroidism you don't need to have ALL the symptoms to have it ... and it's pretty easy to take care of if you do.
Take care!
(sorry about all the typos...I gotta go to bed!)
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