Chemical heart stress test question

I'm scheduled for a chemical stress test, my doctor's nurse said that they're going to use Lexiscan. If anyone has had any experience with Lexiscan I would really wish to know what to expect. I've read some positive things about Lexiscan and mostly negative things. I have asthma and wish to know if anyone has had problems breathing when administered this drug. I've also heard that I can experience nausea and vomiting. Although the doc told me not to eat or drink anything. I'm kind of anxious about this. Can anyone out there ease my fears???????

[ed34]

Hi
   For the first nuclear scan I had 2 years ago, I was able to use the treadmill. However, the one I had last year required the use of lexiscan. I was wired up to an EKG monitor and a cuff was used to monitor my blood pressure. Sitting in a comfortable chair, an
electric syringe was callibrated to slowly inject the drug over a two minute period. Now,
you have to remember that different people experience different symptoms. I have severe
artery disease and so my symptoms were quite strong, but not to the point of being in pain. The biggest problem is your mind, you immediately think "oh my god, whats happening to me, do they know it feels like this, is it normal, why are they carrying on, this cant be right". Forget all those thoughts. Just relax and breathe normally. My chest went quite tight and I was breathing heavily for about 20 seconds, then it went away for a few seconds but returned. It came in waves. If you relax, it feels much better. When the two minutes are up, it feels as though nothing has happened, you return to normal immediately. While this drug is being injected, they inject the radioactive dye into another feed. Many people feel no symptoms at all. Even some people with normal hearts feel symptoms so it depends on the individual.
So to summarise, you are very safe, being monitored all the time. The key is that you keep telling yourself that the procedure is fine and there's nothing to worry about and relax. Breathe normally and don't try to fight it. For the last minute I just closed my eyes and thought about being on a nice beach somewhere. You may feel nothing at all.
The radioactive substance doesnt make you feel strange at all.
So, there's nothing to worry about and no damage will be caused.

[hipperticker]

Thank you so much ed....I think I will try imagining that I'm on the beach. I think that will really help me relax. Again Thank you!