NERVOUS ABOUT SEEING EP NEED HELP!!!

[toadster]

Well, hi everybody, I have posted before, I now have an opportunity to see the EP here in HOnolulu (Im told hes thebest inthe entire state) and he had an opening (normally I could not see him until Aug. - he reviewed 30 pages of allmy exhaustive cardiac workup I have had done) said I am not "urgent" buthis nurse was able ot fit me in!! As I write at this moment, being SUnday aft. the anxiety is kicking in. HUGE and we all know what it does to us tachy, pacys!!!! I HATE IT. The adrenaline is starting to surge (its me just thinking of it) but I know it the BEST thing in the world for me to do. My cardio here on Maui sent him my entire life history, have had this since I was 25, now Im 53, and my beta blocker after 19 long years is not doing its job like it did. As posted earlier, the minute I came out of surgery last Dec. total Hsterectomy myheart has elevated about 10 beats per minute, and tach episodes out of the blue.......and up until then my heart was behaving beautifully all those years....I have to admit, I am NOT a depressed person,just the opposite,but now, I am SCARED of this guy, I am NOT going for ablation (he does them of course) dr.here said its not necessary.  What do you think he will do!!!! And "what if" I go into a huge tach attack onthe way there.....I will be seeing him in the hospital at Straub Clinic.....he has read all of my ekgs,event monitor things, but I also have Chronic Fatigue SYndrom/Fibromyalgia and it can make my heart go nuts too(another story)  Im on a beta blocker caled acebutolol (from Canada) and they use it alot in Canada but dont here much about it here in the states. WOuld really like some insight frm some of you experts on the betas.
I have a feeling he may change the meds?? Is that what they do, and why do you think he is seeing me for an hour and a half!!!!
I am tempted to take a few extra ativan just to get on the plane and into the hospital..........I am panicking........and Im SO TIRED of it.  Im going to try and watch "The Secret" dvd tonight,I need some type of reassurance........guys.....help
thanks so much
Kathy

[Momto3]

OH MY!  Thank you for your very kind words : )

You're welcome from my better functioning heart : )

I feel really confident that you will be so happy to have a long appointment.  You will not feel rushed or frustrated b/c the doctor is ready to leave the room after a short visit.  

I know that in reality you know things could be much worse, but in the moment, it's hard to stay focused on that.  Just keep reminding yourself that you are going to be talking with someone who will understand.  I'm tellin' you, he is NOT going to go the ablation route unless it is the BEST option.  I definitely have a WAY better understanding of why you're staying clear of the procedure room!!  JEEZ!!  Be sure to talk openly with the EP about your anxiety.  I am similar with the meds......  Just start me on the lowest dose PUH-LEASE!!  

For me, the ablations were like miracles.  But, they were only offered as an option when the cardiomyopathy developed.  Up until then, "benign" pvcs....thousands of 'em.  I pretty much learned to live with them, but then my EF dropped and the doctor wanted to be more aggressive in treating them.  I was on antiarrythmics for about 7 months, but didn't want to keep taking them.

My resting HR is about 60-70.

Seems as though you and your hubby have been through quite a bit.  Hope great days are ahead : )

Cpmoe

[toadster]

I wasnt in the cardiac ward 76 days (LOL!!!) 7 days ------- accidentally the number six got in there...........and sorry for all my spelling errors, my nerves arent exactly great!!!!  Also noticed I meant "my cervix" nice spelling on my last post (lol) jez BRAIN FOG!!!!!  Take care Im trying to smile today and laught at myself....................

[toadster]

Dear, dear Connie!   My what a wonderful, enlightening, stress reducing lovely letter from you when I awoke this am. I thank you from my dysfunctional (heart"(lol)  Both you girls, again, it is so important to have a support system even tho our loved ones around us are doing their best, nobody has even a remote clue what we are going through. THanks so much for your insight into the big "EP VISIT" - Im counting the hours now....thinking ok 72 hrs rom now it will be over and I think you are right, I will feel so much better after brainstorming the poor guy, questions I have written down, etc. and the whys,otherwise being in perfect health, non smoker, non drinker, good cholesterol, perfect blood work you name it....so in the grand scheme of things we could be MUCH MUCH worse off.......and I know that, BUT it is our tickers, that very storng mucle that keeps us alive perhaps thats my hang up.  Now your questions re ablation.  Well, its not complicated - but I think we are all different theres no question there. I do not look at the cup half full inlife BUT!!! I have had alot of procedures, etc. throughout my life and whatever it was how low the risk rate was in anything, guess what - it happened to me......even my family members say, well it will happen to Kathy if anything can and it always, always did.  From hemmoraging with my daughter when I had her, blood transfusions, hemoraragin 3 times froma cone biposy on the serice in 1986, my gn. saidin 30 yrs he had never seen a bleeder like me.....the list goes on and on. And inmy GUT, my intuition of course ablation is a word I dont even like to say because of my past experiences.   I have named just a few things others have happened, down right BAD LUCK I dont know. I also havea hypersensitivity to meds, I only need about a quarter the average person does and my body thinks its overdosing.....drs. have to be very careful with me.
I react to EVERYTHING.   The anesthesia from my invasive Hyster Last Dec. was an acute reaction, the dr. said, and his quote was "Kathy don't have surgery if you can at all avoid it again"as I ende dup in the cardio ward for 76 days because of the immediate heart scenario. THey pumped me full of amiodarone and the ONLY thing it did was spike my b/p OVER THE MOON,didnot touch my tach.  I didnt even have pvs or pacs the cardiac guy threw meon the antiarrythmic which Im now told did notneed.......and also the side effects were unbearable.....one thing after the other, then another bleed post op 3 weeks later. So, perhaps this can shed somelight on my not even
wanting to "go there" regarding any procedure.

I have talked to and researched about ablation procedures, and between you and one other it was successful or at least much better.   Others had repeated ones done, damage, one lady had a stroke, and right away im thinking - OH NO!!   Dont go there.   Im literally praying he can find a med that can settle this again as you mentioned.

It sure is a mystery WHY this happens to us........perfectly healthy people - Im guessing who "develop" this?????  Prior to surgery last Dec. I was in thebest health of my life, power walking (on my beta blocker) excercising, entering menopause without hrt andhandling it very well, content, at peace, NO adrenaline, and I was thinkng one day, wow my heart has been so great in literally years, and my CFIDS fatigue had just about disappeared.  I will disucss
this with the EP as well.  Not only did the heart thing rear its ugly head immediately so did my Chronic fatiguee symptoms a few months out of surgery, so I have two things going on....poor guy he probably wont know hwat the heck to do with me.

SO here I am, here I sit, forcing myself to get out to do something.  I live in Canada in the summer and am flying home to British COlumbia June 17th, (red eye) and this is the other problem. If he switches meds, (probably will) I am feeling, I must ask him wait till I get home to start them or start them here 10 days before I fly........and if there are complicaitons with the meds.......what do I do at home in B.C.??    I suppose he will be able to guide me on that.
It is terribly HOT AND HUMID here in Hawaii for me, and very hard to function in it, and I really need cooler dry air to feel good......and plus Im homesick!!!

So there you have it, I am so happy fo ryou your two ablations were successful you too have an incredible amount of courage.  What is your resting heart rate now>as an average?    

I too have witnessed hubby having twoheart attacks, then angiograms, then angioplasty, then stents, and I believe they have that procedure far more perfected than ablation (just my own opinion)  So I saw what he went through as well.    
Im just in my mind staying on the safe side for "me" my mind and body.and to me that is meds......more control I suppose.
Would love to hear back from you I certainly will write after I see Dr. Chun.

My cardio here on Maui said "Hes the only guy I would let touch me if I had to have an ablation in Hawaii" without hesitation.   Easy to say when you dont have the condition.   At 53, learning ot take cahrge of myown decisions, and yes I am going htere wiht an open mind, it will be interesting when or if he brings up the word "ablation" I wont mention it until he does........
I hope this helps you understand my situation.....time is just literally dragging,
I just want "Kathy" back............

Warm thoughts, K.

[Momto3]

Hi Kathy,

Great news that you are able to get an appointment with a respected EP in your home state!!  I can certainly hear how stressed you are.  I've got to tell you, seeing an EP may be the answer to all of your prayers.  Over the years, I had been to a number of cardios and although most of them were nice, they weren't always able to allay my fears over the ectopic beats.  When I went to see my EP for the first time, she made me feel so comfortable.  She spent an entire hour with me; she listened, offered her opinion, and listened some more.  By the time I left her office, I felt so much better.  She REALLY understood what I was going through.

I've had pvcs since my late teens, early twenties and I'm approaching the half-century mark! Like you, I took a BB for many years and it normally worked great.  However, in my early to mid 40's, it seems to have lost most of its effect.  I faced some similar gyn issues in my mid 40's and was scared to death that the pvcs would cause greater problems.  I have not had as much surgery as you have had, but I know that anxiety associated with the combo of GYN and cardio issues.  

I had 2 very successful ablations in 2003 and it was the best thing I could have done!!  After the ablations, my HR was also up about 10 or so bpm.  That was weird!  It eventually tapered back a bit.  Don't let this setback get you down.  I'll bet you're gonna be so glad after you've seen the EP.  They work with arrythmias all day, every day!  You'll see : )

I agree with ireno, don't rule anything out at this point.  I saw my EP for 5 years before she discussed ablation as a potential treatment.  There are plenty of BB's and other medications that the EP may want to try.  That said, it's wonderful being in NSR (most of the time...lol) and not having to take as many meds for the arrythmia.  EP's do NOT suggest ablation in situations where it is not the best treatment.  They are definitley not eager to go that route unless the risks (very little) outweigh the benefits.  

Sorry about the Chronic Fatigue SYndrom/Fibromyalgia, that's frustrating I'm sure.  You may be surprised that another BB could work just fine.  Be open to listening and ultimately it will be up to you on what you are willing to do (RX, ablation, watch and wait).  I think I took acebutolol at one point, but it was not the right RX for me.  For whatever reason, Inderal seemed to help most.  I've also taken antiarrythmics.  They weren't horrible, but I'm soooo glad I had the ablations and no longer need them.

I'm impressed that you were booked for 1 1/2 hours!!  I'll bet you'll find that you feel so comfortable talking with this doctor that you'll be thrilled to have had his undivided attention for so long.  

I really don't believe the EP will have a "plan of action" prior to talking to you. However, I think that he will have reviewed your records so that he can speak with you as an individual.  I also have low BP, seems as though a lot of us around here have low bp.  Wonder if there is a correlation between ectopics and low bp?  Hmmm....My doctor loves when my bp is where your is at....I'm OK at those numbers unless I'm really tired.  Oddly enough after the ablations, my bp went up....

Say a prayer, trust the EP and have a wonderful day knowing you are about to have the opportunity to speak to one of the experts : )

Take care!
connie

[ireneo]

They may have scheduled the long session for 2 reasons - because it's your first visit with him and maybe because you have many concerns and worries about this.

I don't know much about medications because I avoid them. Heart medications seem to be tricky. What works very well for one person may not work for another. It's no reflection on the doctor. And trying various combinations just makes it even more complex. The EP doctor may want to try a different med or a couple of meds. Maybe you'll get lucky and get relief right away. Wouldn't that be nice?

I can't remember if I asked this question - why are you so vehemently against an ablation?

Don't worry about me. I'm doing just fine. Right now you need to face your own challenges. Time for bed. Get some rest.

[toadster]

Pardon me for being so self absorbed!    How ARE YOU DOING??????????

[toadster]

Hi there - thanks alot for your support........I truly appreciate it.  I know exactly what you are saying.....intellectually.....yep you are so right......I have no problem going to my reg. cardio I feel so at ease with him.   As stated just want to get on with life pre this as you well can relate.

I will try my hardest to go "with" whatever my body does in the upcoming days.What are your thoughts on a hour and ahalf consultation he booked?
And this guy is busy busy busy Im told by his nurse. I have a feeling my cardio here told him how extremely anxious I am, and perhaps he has this time frame as you said to go over all options.   Do you know if they are more knowledgeable with meds than our reg  cardios or do they just "try" and see what happens. I know everything you went through with your ablations and my hat is OFF to you for your unbelievable guts and courage........
Kathy

[ireneo]

Welcome back. I was wondering what happened. It is nerve wracking to go to the doctor, any doctor. But keep in mind that the EP doc is a specialist and will have a pretty good idea what to do in your particular case. They don't do ablations just for fun. I'm a bit concerned that you have your mind made up already, just give me drugs but no ablation. Yet if you felt the doctor had a preconceived plan for you without even meeting you, you'd be annoyed.

I recommend that you go in with open ears and an open mind. Listen to what he has to say about your heart and what he thinks will work best for you and why. It's OK to ask questions. But it can be frustrating to go to the doctor asking for help and then reject what they have to say. Honestly, they want to help you.

PAT or PSVT is in the atrium. PAT is Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia.

Perhaps it would help to take a leisurely walk. It keeps the body active, tires you out a bit and can be delightfully distracting. Keep us posted.

[toadster]

I SEE THE EP THIS THURS AM. IM TOLD HES A NICE GUY. MY INTERAL MED. SPECIALIST SAID NO DONT GO FOR THE ABLATION, TOO MANY RISK FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, MY REG. CARDIO HERE IS TRYING OT CONVINCE ME TO DO IT, SAID IM A PERFECT CANDIDATE AND AN EASY ONE INSTEAD OF B.B. FOR LIFE. WELL I DONT CARE, I AM STAYING ON MEDS.  BY THE WAY, MY PROBLEM IS IM TOLD I WILL NEVER DIE FROM THIS, HARMLESS, AN INCONVENIENCE IN YOUR LIFE, ITS THE WAY YOU ARE WIRED, ALSO I UNDERSTAND THESE EP DRS. ALREADY WILL HAVE A PLAN IN ACTION BEFORE I ACTUALLY SEE HIM...HE HAS MY EVENT MONITOR STUFF, 3 DAYS OF MONITORING IN HOSPITAL FOR PACS, AND SINUS TACH IT SAYS ON THEM. DOES THAT MEAN IT COMES FROM THE SINUS NODE.  THE OLD TERM WAS PAT - I WONDER IF MINE COMES FROM THE ATRIAL PART OF THE HEART. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF VENTRICULAR TACH EVER. I HAVE HAD ALSO EVERY TEST FOR ADRENAL GLAND TUMOURS,CORTISOL LEVELS,ECHO, LUNG SCAN, AND THIS LAST MONTH AN EVENT MONITOR WHICH DROVE ME NUTS!   THEY CAUGHT TWO EVENTS I DID NOT EVEN FEEL ....PULSE WENT FROM 85 TO 179 FOR A SECOND AND AHALF AND THEY GOT GOOD READINGS FROM THAT......DOES ANYBODY HAVE SOME INPUT...INTO A BETTER MED OR DO THE EP DRS. COMBINE STUFF,..?????  IVE BEEN LUCKY ITS WORKED SO LONG, I WONDER IF B.BLOCERS JUST FOR SOME REASON THE BODYS RECEPTORS GET USED TO THE MED.  I ALSO HAVE LOW BLOOD PRESSURE WHICH CAN BE TRICKY, USUALLY SITS AROUND 90/65 - ALWAYS HAS MY ENTIRE LIFE, ........HOW IN THE WORLD DO THEY PLAY WITH B.B. WHICH LOWER B/P  WHEN I HAVE A HIGH RESTING HEART RATE AND TACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!