Be still my beating heart...update

[malkin]

Well, no, don't be completely still, but somewhere way under 200 bpm is really best.

So, I've got this heart thing...met the cardiologist, and he's not someone I'd want to date, but I trust his reputation and all that. I'm set up to get ablated next week and I'm a good candidate and all, but I'm screamin' nervous, and of course still having bouts of crazy heartbeats.

I learned that these episodes can sometimes be aborted by holding your breath & bearing down or massaging the carotid artery. ( There is also something about dipping your face in ice water, but I haven't tried that one.)

So this afternoon, I was at school chatting with a mom of one of the kidsand I feel this wild rapid heart rate starting. So while she's talking, I take a huge breath and PUSH while nodding my head and trying to look perfectly casual. The breath isn't really helping so I continue trying to look natural while squeezing my neck like I'm trying to strangle myself.

It worked and stopped the palps; I'm not sure how ridiculous I looked.

[Catrin]

Yikes! I do hope that the procedure goes well - sending thoughts and prayers your way.

[solobiker]

Yikes! I do hope that the procedure goes well - sending thoughts and prayers your way.

+1 Positive vibes heading your way.

[OakLeaf]

Sending good thoughts your way. Hope all goes smoothly.

[redrhodie]

What is the procedure? Is it surgery?

I know how nervous you feel. You should get a massage.

[Crankin]

Good luck, Malkin.
When is it?

[pll]

Good luck, Malkin.

+1
And I second Red's suggestion of a massage.

[Chicken Little]

So what are they calling it? SVT? Atrial Fib? You are about to undergo a fascinating procedure. Just for fun, you could also try a good cough when your heart rate flips out in public. It would seem awkward to do the bear down thing, I can see your point! Massage is a good suggestion- have them leave your neck alone until after the procedure.

[malkin]

Thanks everybody. Massage is a good idea.

Dx: PSVT probably AV nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Tx: catheter ablation. Snake a tube into whatever artery they like best. I guess they tease my heart to set it off so they can locate and zap the naughty bit out.

Good news: I get to be knocked out.
More good news: 95% success rate
However: Possibility of stroke or death (Hardly ever happens, but when it does it's really bad.)

Best bit: My DD the med student got permission to watch. Not sure if it works with her schedule yet.

I think the whole thing is pretty enormously cool--except for the part about it taking place in my very own, one and only body.

[malkin]

Oh-- I missed a couple.

Tuesday.

They call it an "invasive non-surgical procedure" which is a nifty piece of jargon, if I've ever heard one.

[redrhodie]

I bet getting through the next few days will be the hardest part. You should put your stress level first, and do whatever it takes to stay relaxed. If that means shoe shopping and cake eating, so be it. It's time for pampering.

[goldfinch]

I think the whole thing is pretty enormously cool--except for the part about it taking place in my very own, one and only body.

Now we know the influence that took your daughter to med school!

I trust all will go well and you won't have the worry of your heart flipping out on you any more. Take care!

[Kazzy]

I've had the procedure you're about to go through done about 4 years ago. Yeah, it's kind of freaky to have someone (even a highly qualified electrophysiologist) fiddling about in your heart. I was not completely out for all of my procedure (on purpose, they didn't want me out completely). But whatever they had me on, I was very mellow and I wanted to watch all the monitors in the cath lab. I had great results with my procedure. Hope yours goes as well.

[shootingstar]

Best of luck malkin.

[ClockworkOrange]

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow, sweet dreams and when you come around, no cursing.