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Day spent in Hospital Emergency room.
84Bravo1
Member Posts: 10,461 ✭✭
Mitral Valve repair back in 2005. Still occasionally out of the blue, go into Afib, with an added bonus of Tachycardia.
Was at work, been there about an hour to hour & a 1/2. 7:30 am.
Had the Heart click into an abnormal rhythm. Add a beat, skip a beat, going about 200-220 BPM.
As another on here previously described it. "Feels like a big fish, flopping around in your chest." Perfect description.
I can usually through very deep regular breaths and concentration, get it to click back to a normal rhythm within 5-15 minutes.
Not this time. Lasted a good hour and a half. I had taken a knee when it first started, then got my tool belt and hardhat off, and went on down to full prone.
After about 10 minutes of not being able to stop it, and being on the edge of blacking out, I called for a medical cart to get me to first aid.
Pulse so weak, could not get a reading from fingertip monitor, or BP cuff. (That was new, and strange.) Started off as usual, nauseas and dizzy, sweating like a pig, tunnel vision, flushed and "beet red."
Later went to all of the above but "white as a ghost."
After another 30 minutes of not being able to get it under control, relented to "let's call an Ambulance." OK.
5 minutes before Rescue Squad got there, began to make some progress on getting my Heart back to a normal rythm.
Spent from about 8:30-9 am (I had somewhat lost track of time) until about 3:30 pm in the ER.
Lots of tests, blood work, multiple IV's "just in case," EKG, Chest X-ray etc. etc.
When my blood work came back, hours after being drawn, an enzyme (Troponin) that shows or is indicative of Heart damage, was at the "Critical/High level, as well as 5 other indicators being in the High range.
Not labled a " Heart attack," was labeled a "Damaging Heart episode." Due to an extended period of Afib and Tachycardia. Heart damage in the "Moderate" range.
They wanted to admit me for 48 hour observation. I declined. I live alone, and my dog was crated, inside.
They hooked me up to a portable monitor, with leads all over, for a 24 hour period, that I'm wearing now, and I signed out AMA.
Filled a prescription of Metoprolol Tartrate. (??)
Just ate a 6" Subway, with a Coke, took my first pill. Chilling with the dog.
Aaaaahhhhh Mondays. [:0][B)][xx(]
How was your day?? [:D]
Bills I've been shown so far, are approaching $1K after Insurance.
Lovely.
After turning in the monitor tomorrow evening, having it analyzed by a team of Cardiologists, I will go back in for a consult and admittance if warranted.
Good wishes, thoughts and Prayers welcomed.
Was at work, been there about an hour to hour & a 1/2. 7:30 am.
Had the Heart click into an abnormal rhythm. Add a beat, skip a beat, going about 200-220 BPM.
As another on here previously described it. "Feels like a big fish, flopping around in your chest." Perfect description.
I can usually through very deep regular breaths and concentration, get it to click back to a normal rhythm within 5-15 minutes.
Not this time. Lasted a good hour and a half. I had taken a knee when it first started, then got my tool belt and hardhat off, and went on down to full prone.
After about 10 minutes of not being able to stop it, and being on the edge of blacking out, I called for a medical cart to get me to first aid.
Pulse so weak, could not get a reading from fingertip monitor, or BP cuff. (That was new, and strange.) Started off as usual, nauseas and dizzy, sweating like a pig, tunnel vision, flushed and "beet red."
Later went to all of the above but "white as a ghost."
After another 30 minutes of not being able to get it under control, relented to "let's call an Ambulance." OK.
5 minutes before Rescue Squad got there, began to make some progress on getting my Heart back to a normal rythm.
Spent from about 8:30-9 am (I had somewhat lost track of time) until about 3:30 pm in the ER.
Lots of tests, blood work, multiple IV's "just in case," EKG, Chest X-ray etc. etc.
When my blood work came back, hours after being drawn, an enzyme (Troponin) that shows or is indicative of Heart damage, was at the "Critical/High level, as well as 5 other indicators being in the High range.
Not labled a " Heart attack," was labeled a "Damaging Heart episode." Due to an extended period of Afib and Tachycardia. Heart damage in the "Moderate" range.
They wanted to admit me for 48 hour observation. I declined. I live alone, and my dog was crated, inside.
They hooked me up to a portable monitor, with leads all over, for a 24 hour period, that I'm wearing now, and I signed out AMA.
Filled a prescription of Metoprolol Tartrate. (??)
Just ate a 6" Subway, with a Coke, took my first pill. Chilling with the dog.
Aaaaahhhhh Mondays. [:0][B)][xx(]
How was your day?? [:D]
Bills I've been shown so far, are approaching $1K after Insurance.
Lovely.
After turning in the monitor tomorrow evening, having it analyzed by a team of Cardiologists, I will go back in for a consult and admittance if warranted.
Good wishes, thoughts and Prayers welcomed.
Comments
Prayers sent.
I take Metoprolol daily along with Cozaar for HBP. My Dad gets A-fib on occasion. Will your insurance still pay the bill if you leave AMA?
I was not told my Insurance would NOT pay if I left AMA.
It was not an insistence, just a recommendation for observation, not treatment.
I'd think my Insurance would be thrilled. I just saved them a two day admittance charge.
I accepted treatment, was told I was good to go, although they recommended admittance.
When do they NOT recommend admittance??
That Stupid crap started immediately again this AM.
Do you believe that??
What she did not know was that the Foreman I had spoken with on Sat. Was hanging back and watching Her.
After 3 times of her turning it off within 30 minutes, and other people turning it back on, He pulled her aside for a fairly lengthy chat.
She was put in her place, in no uncertain terms.
I had planned on using my 1st break at 8:30 to speak with HR. (Stacy, we are on very good terms.)
Then this started.
At 8:05 am while in 1st Aid, I asked if Stacy was in.
She had just come in. I asked to be helped to her Office about 20 feet away. While going through this episode, I relayed the background details leading up to this incident, as well as the incident itself while She made notes.
I think I scared her, as it appeared I was gonna black out, a couple times.
I had also got a chance to speak with the Foreman in depth about the same incident and facts involved, when he came into first aid to check on me. (After he had confronted and counciled the worker in question) after observing her behavior and actions unbeknownst to her.
We discussed their conversation, and I filled him in on background info leading up to this behavior I had not laid on him Sat.
They could both see I was in obvious distress.
I think they are getting the picture.
I'm sure the stress of this past Sat. and this AM precipitated my episode. I'm sure they are not i ignorant to that tidbit.
I had a full morning.
I relayed my facts, was first to see HR and the General Foreman, and the offending employee got ambushed with her own stupidity.
It felt good.
I had also, first thing clued my immediate Supervisor in, as he had been out Sat. All bases covered.
I did exactly the same thing, 3-4 years ago, when the same type episode occurred. I declined admittance. My Insurance paid that one.
I was tested, monitored and received treatment.
I simply declined admittance for "observation" not treatment.
If I end up paying the whole ball of wax, I guess that will be the way it is.
I have the right to appeal that decision, and state my case.
I am also currently wearing their monitor, so I am still under observation. I will be returning tomorrow.
The only way I see getting screwed, is if something were to happen prior to getting back in tomorrow evening.
(Also) My main reason, for declining admission is that I live alone, and have my dog crated inside my residence.
I'm supposed to (required?) leave him crated for 72 hours with no food and or water??
I don't think so.
If he was not at home crated, I would have accepted admittance.
Heart stuff is the scariest; you have no idea whether it will keep chugging along, or something else.
So many times, I was told that they were gonna install a defibrillator in my chest, and if I'd had a few more WOW episodes; they would have.
Glad that miserable little witch got a talking to, but not cool with what you had to go through to make it happen.
Hang in there, Ken! It's a tough job raising a dog, but somebody's gotta do it!
Stay calm and don't drink any alcohol right now.
If you die you will break our hearts over your missing posts, we really do care about you. We want you alive and healthy as possible.
Afib is not good, strokes suck, heart damage is a big problem when you get the years under your belt most of us have.
Please find a caring soul to watch your doggie and get back to the hospital for observation.
Sounds like something you might want to talk about with your doctor. (if you should be on it daily)
At any rate I wish you well health wise, and hope the issue with that moron fan lady is resolved. I was a supervisor/manager for 15+ years and if she has a job tomorrow she is lucky I was not hers.
Listen to the doctors and watch diet and exercise.
I appreciate your comments and input.
As usual between the somewhat rare (I like to think) episodes, I feel fine.
The biggest impetus for me getting this taken care of, is my fear of having a stroke.
My Dad had multie Heart issues, had several bad strokes, and spent the last 10 years of his life more or less incapacitated.
(A very big reason why I moved back down here for his final couple years.)
Not the way I want to go.
Stress can be a significant precipitating factor in episodes.
I've been a witness to that fact over the years.
The stupid juvenile BS at work did not help, I'm sure.
Thanks though Barz. I recognize you as a Health care professional and a very smart guy in general.
I appreciate your input.
Heart Attack- self explanatory#8203;
Hope that helps[:)]
oh, and stop doing that.
Peace
Dan
May be beating a Dead Horse here, but I plan on appraising HR that I believe her actions, and increased stress levels resulting from those actions precipitated my Heart issue.
Not only damaged my Heart, but will end up costing me around $1k in $$, out of pocket.
I'm gonna press this hard.
I can and will play hardball.
It cannot hurt but if your state is an "At will" state they may just fire you to make you go away. Going down that route is a double edged sword. It might be a good idea to let HR know what has happened and the stress from your co-worker "Could" have contributed to this condition. But be careful.
There is always North Dakota[:D]
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
May be beating a Dead Horse here, but I plan on appraising HR that I believe her actions, and increased stress levels resulting from those actions precipitated my Heart issue.
Not only damaged my Heart, but will end up costing me around $1k in $$, out of pocket.
I'm gonna press this hard.
I can and will play hardball.
It cannot hurt but if your state is an "At will" state they may just fire you to make you go away. Going down that route is a double edged sword. It might be a good idea to let HR know what has happened and the stress from your co-worker "Could" have contributed to this condition. But be careful.
There is always North Dakota[:D]
I agree Sam.
I will evaluate the situation and only bring it into play if I feel it is warranted.
Thanks for the advice.
(And) Chris - No way was I not gonna take my dog (and Buddy's) situation into account.
May seem stupid to some, but he was forefront in my concerns and I felt an obvious responsibility.
I take Metoprolol daily along with Cozaar for HBP.
I take Metoprolol also for Arrhythmia. Used to my heart would go into that flip-flop feeling and it finally got so bad that I went to Atlanta Heart and they prescribed Metoprolol which took care of the problem.
The doctor said that Arrhythmia leaves blood in the heart chamber that can clot and that I also needed to be on a blood thinner. I was already taking a blood thinner, Eliquis, so he didn't have to prescribe anything else.
Also, sounds like you're dog has a great owner. [:)]
Jon
You probably shouldn't be drinking caffeinated coffee.
I do not drink coffee. Switching to non-caffinated sodas will not be that hard.
To stop drinking beer, is going to be difficult and challanging.
quote:Originally posted by droptop
You probably shouldn't be drinking caffeinated coffee.
I do not drink coffee. Switching to non-caffinated sodas will not be that hard.
To stop drinking beer, is going to be difficult and challanging.
Alcohol is a big trigger for a-fib,....better tackle it right now.
Every run of a-fib you have makes it more likely the condition will become chronic. The heart muscle actually 'likes' the a-fib arrhythmia over normal sinus rhythm since it is far less work.
never could get up the guts to have mitral valve fixed..now it can be done thru artery/vein?..just like a coronary catheritization...no open up chest... new valve is rolled up and can be slid up into place and unrolled ,pushing old valve aside...fixed in place zippity doo-dah and done....still scary though to me
my aunt who is 92 had that procedure done last year in florida, not much more than a catherization. she is doing good now says she feels 20 years younger..
My Mitral Valve repair was an 11 hour surgery. I was told prior to the surgery that it was one of the worst they had seen.
I could see it was in tatters when viewed in motion. Like fingers waving in the wind, so to speak.
Glad your Mom had positive results hillbillie.
Thinking about you as well.
You take care of yourself you hear buddy? Take care of your dog "Buddy" too[:D]
I took anotber day off (today.) I did not feel up to going in.
I also need to set up some follow up appointments.