Cyber-chondria…Revisited
Last month, I wrote an article for the Bettyverse about my wicked case of Internet hypochondria. Remember? I told you about how I Google every little ache and pain, dissect and research until I’ve convinced myself I’m suffering from whatever disease or syndrome I’ve been studying. Well, last Tuesday I didn’t rush to the computer when I started feeling odd, and I probably should have.
I’ve always had an irregular heartbeat (a blocked left bundle branch that I was born with). It rarely affects me in any way, except for occasional menopausal heart palpitations, which I get rid of with a couple of tricks I learned very young. Well, Tuesday, I was baking and a palpitation started. I did my usual thing (bear down, cough), and it stopped but then started right back up again. For about three hours, I tried everything from lying down to drinking water to yoga, trying to get rid of the palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and general burning sensation under my left shoulder blade. Nothing worked.
My friend Charlie, who’d stopped by to drop off a gift for me, turned out to be the gift instead. He insisted I turn off the oven so he could take me to the Immediate Care. The Immediate Care did an EKG and instantly called for an ambulance. I got a very fast ride to the hospital, sirens wailing, and the EMT monitoring my heart rate the whole time (it was at 160 to 190 beats per minute—way too fast). Friend Charlie stuck close, calling Husband to meet us at the ER and holding my hand because I was completely freaked out. Hells bells, I’d just had a heart scan two months ago that came out perfect! Why was I having a heart problem?
In the ER, they did more EKG stuff and started me on an IV of a med to slow my heart rate, which it did nicely. The docs took a bunch of blood, did a chest x-ray, and decided to keep me overnight for observation. The next morning, they did an echo-cardiogram. All the tests turned out perfectly fine—nothing bad in any of them. I’m a healthy strong woman who has a short in her electrical system.
The diagnosis is atrial fibrillation—a glitch in conductivity that causes my heart to speed up to an unnaturally high rate. A fib has nothing to do with my arteries or my weight or my diet or whether or not I exercise—it’s an electrical problem. Not at all uncommon and it can be treated in several different ways. For now, the electro-cardiologist sent me home with a med that will keep me in regular “sinus rhythm.” I’m also wearing a charming little 30-day event monitor that hooks to my belt and has a wire stuck to my chest and one under my left boob. It has a button I’m supposed to push any time I feel a palpitation coming on. So far I’m at Day 4 and thank God, I haven’t had to push it.
The take-away for this cyber-chondriac? Sometimes, self-diagnosis is a bad idea. Don’t try to figure it out and don’t try to fix it yourself. Sometimes, there really is something wrong. And at that point, Googling probably isn’t such a hot idea.
So Betties, if you have something truly weird going on in your body, don’t waste time on the computer cruising medical websites, trust your instincts and get some help.
I’m glad everything turned out well. That would have completely freaked me out. I’m glad your friend was there for you.
Whew! Glad it was all okay. I can soooooo relate! I too have a blocked left bundle branch, although we believe it is from a silent heart attack that I may have had (I even think I know when it happened). I too have gotten the racing heartbeat, and have the occasional “heart rumba” (where it feels like it’s dancing around in my chest). And, of course, the same “oh, well, it’s probably the usual again…” attitude (who wants to be a fussbudget??)… This could have been my story too!
It really doesn’t hurt to check it out when you’ve got symptoms over a longer time than usual. My folks live in a very small town in northern Michigan, where the doc actually has the time to call personally and follow up on you, give test results, etc. He didn’t like some of my mom’s heart/blood pressure readings, although it was more intuitive than anything (just “had a feeling” that some stuff had gone on too long). Anyhoo, she went into the local hospital for routine 24-hr tests, my dad walked down and kept her company through her dinner, then went home to cook himself something. Half an hour later, the monitors lit up like Christmas trees, luckily the staff knew what it was and got her into the nearest major cardio (next town over) within a half-hour. She’d suffered a “widow maker”, but, since she got splitsecond care, she has NO resultant damage. (Probably would have died if she’d been home, because of time lag and the initial “oh, probably heartburn”…)
So be happy you have good friends who worry and make you go to Emergency. Sometimes it can save your life!
(Of course, I am not against checking the Internet for info — I have had some very good luck with doublechecking, verifying and understanding diagnoses for myself and my family… I just wouldn’t necessarily rely on it exclusively!)
Wow, Nan! So glad Charlie was there and you got the care you needed. FGBVs and sparkly, healing rainbows!
What a relief, in so many ways. And what a great friend. I’m all for friends – real life and virtual – who hold our hands through medical issues. They make the scary and unknown so much easier to deal with and they keep us from hitting the doctors because our hands are otherwise occupied.
FGBVs to you as you learn how to deal with this. FGBVs to all our Betties who needs some special vibes these days.
Nan, I’m so glad your friend was there! Yay for Friend Charlie! And I’m so glad you are still here. I have a friend with a number of heart complications that now leave him with 2 pacemakers (1 is a leftover they don’t want to do the major surgery to remove) and a defibrillator under his skin. It’s scary. Glad you are being monitored and helped.
German Chocolate Betty: I haven’t heard the term “widowmaker” for over 30 years, since my dad had one. Mind you, we were in a more rural area at that time so I think he was gone before the ambulance got there, even tho we and a neighbor were doing CPR and rescue breathing for him. I’m so glad your mom was where she could get immediate help! Wow. Good for her doctor.
I am a happy Betty knowing you are okay!
It must be so scary to have a sudden increase in your heart rate, especially the rapid rate that A-Fib causes. I get worried if I skip a beat, or get a slight rush from anxiety or two much caffiene. ; )
I’m so glad your friend, Charlie, came by to visit, Nan. I’m also happy that your problem can be taken care of with medication. I’ve heard there are some new meds available. Hugs, and stay well.
Well, that would be caffeine. I should know how to spell it since I’m addicted. : )
My daughter had a wierd heart thing the other day. Her heart was racing and pounding so hard she felt like she couldn’t get enough air. A trip to the hospital was reassuring – nothing’s wrong with her heart.
I myself spent the night in the hospital for possible heart issues this year. Turned out everythings fine, but if I hadn’t gone it might not have been.
Good for you, Nan, for heeding your friend.
I was so scared when I started to read your post. So glad to hear you are okay.
Oh dear lord Nan, what a horrible experience. Thank God your alright. I had a similar experience a few years back when I went in for something else. They hooked me up to an EKG and ran all kinds of tests as well as keep me overnight. It was awful. The next morning the nurse found me sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed and ready to go. I told her she had fifteen minutes to round up my dismissal papers. Poor girl, the doctor was in meetings and she new she couldn’t accomplish that but also could see that I meant business. She pretty much had to chase me down the hall, I had two different rides waiting for me in the parking lot and I was LEAV’N! I don’t make for a very good patient.
Thanks for the post Nan, I always enjoy me some Dragonfly :]
Good to see you here again Sunshine Betty! I’ve missed you so.
I’m very glad you are going to be okay. Yay for friends that show up when needed and do what needs to be done!
Thanks, my darling Betties, for all the positive good energy. I still haven’t had to push the button a week later, so I’m thinking we’re doing things the right way. All of you who’ve been in the same exact place, bless you! It was scary, but it’s done now except for waiting out my 30 days on the monitor–then I can get back to the pool! YAY!!
Well, you know Charlie’s your Angel.