The injection to get out of odd heart rhythm

[nikgirl28]

I read a lot of stories of people going to the hospital and having to get that injection to stop their heart while it's out of rhythm...but i read that it's dreaded...horrible...etc...
i was wondering if you can tell me your experiences with having to get that injection...not sure of the medication...but why is it so awful...
now i'm a little afraid of getting it just in case my heart stays in svt for a long period of time...

[rock7x7]

I was given this medication by paramedics and they were very good at explaining what would happen...I'm into computers so telling me it was like hard booting my system made sense to me. I was never afraid...Except that my heart might not restart on its own and then they would use the paddles...To me the experience was surreal...Don't fight it, don't panic...

[KBAbernathy]

I recently had a bad episode of SVT and was in the ER this past weekend. I was given a dose of Adenosine and to me it was certainly not pleasant, it feels like there is an elephant on your chest and you cannot breath, but that is because you literally "flat line" (your heart stops beating) for 3-5 seconds. After that your heart "reboots" and I felt much better but it took a couple hours before I felt "normal" again.

[RimDragonfly]

I am more afraid of the sensation of having the SVT than of the Adenosine to cure it. Yes the Adenosine feels awful but the relief I feel when my heart resets - emotionally - makes the Adenosine sensations worth it. I've had Adenosine 7-8 total in my life and the very first time I had it was probably the scariest. All other times I was actually asking for it by the time the medics arrived.

[empressofq13]

I was actually at the Fire Dept. both times my heart reached 215.  It wouldn't go away, so they gave me a shot of something.  I remember him telling me I would feel something but I can't remember what.  I honestly don't remember anything real bad.  Maybe because I was so scared at what else was going on.  Once they gave me one shot at the Fire Dept. and then in the Ambulance on the way to the hospital because it happened again.  Sorry I can't remember more, but maybe I can't because it wasn't that big of a deal to me.  But I had been through soooo much during this time, almost anything like this was no big deal to me. For example, I had my gallbladder out and went to rehab for my knees the next day with a bag hanging on me.  SOOO many people have told me how horrible it would be and it was Nothing to me.  
PS: No you can't be put to sleep for this.  They need you awake.  Putting you to sleep would just be too much for so little.
Cindy

[kim8400]

I asked my ep this, cause i was given that during my ep study, and he said no, they use that for svt, not v-tach. I asked why he used it in ep study and he said to check for extra pathway or something like that?!!! I have nsvt, but he couldn't induce it, sux cause I was hoping for some answers to this dreadful condition!

[julesluvsdrew]

Do they ever give the medicine Adenosine for V Tach,say if you kept going in and out of it?

[Molakas]

I had SVT, PAC's, PVC's VT, and AFib.  I have gone to the hospital several times for uncontrollable heart rhythm of up to 265 bpm.  Adenosine was always what was used, of course sometimes it did not work and they would give me a second injection.  I had to have the paddles used on me twice to bring me out of it, and let me tell you, that is a whole lot more painful than the shots.   The shots were always a relief to me.... it slowed it down to a normal rhythm but I already was having chest pain, so I don't know if it causes chest pain on its own or not.  

[nikgirl28]

do you think they can put you to sleep before they give you a shot of adenosine?

[bobad]

Don't know if it's adenosine, but that shot they give you when taking a nuclear stress test is deadly. Whatever it is, it makes your heart muscle squeeze real hard. I told my doc that's the last nuclear stress test I would ever be taking.

[nicolette36]

i have had the adenosine twice and it is unpleasant but only brief.for me i feel like im drowning but it lasts such a short time,a few seconds and then its over,you are aware of your heart stopping and resetting,it is nice to have someone comfort you.

[kateinmadbeach]

I have had the Adenosine more times that I would like to count- truthfully, it did not feel worse to me than once it stopped anyway- meaning headache, tired, etc. I really do not remember what "happened"- but I know it scared my husband. I eventually opted for the ablation to end it. It just kind of feels like you got the wind knocked out of you. Also hope you never need it.

[maggiemag]

I think you mean Adenosine.  It is given for sustained SVT, if your rate is really high and you are symptomatic.  I won't lie to you; I think it is an awful feeling.  It feels like your heart is stopping, and it does pause a bit, and you can feel this wave going through your oody,  I have had it when my rate was over 220 and  my bp bottoms out at 60 systolic and only palpable.  The last time I had it, and I am an RN, I said to the ER nurse..........ew, I HATE that stuff; it feels really horrible.  And she said, very simply, that it was ok as they were right there with me.  And that made me feel so much better......really!  I remembered that they could handle whatever side effect I had and so I calmed down.  It was such a simple statement and yet it really did help.  I hope you never need it!

[acjviolin]

Hi!  I'm not sure what med you are referring to, but when I had to go to the ER with Atrial Fibrillation that was 240 bpm, I was injected with Cardizem.  If it stopped my heart, I was entirely unaware.  Funny thing, though, it was apparently taking too long for me to convert after the injection, so I was prepped for the paddles (shocking the heart back to sinus rhythm) and my heart converted in the nick of time!  Praise God!  

Are you under the care of a good EP???