Re: Heart Catherization schedule for March 14, 2008

[Guest guest]

Sharon H.

Let me encourage you about the heart cath. Yes, it is scary to hear

you have to have one. Yes, there is the unknown " what ifs " . BUT....and

here's the caveat here, once you have one, you have a BASELINE for

anything that might come up down the road!

Some of our meds have side affects such as chest pain (I am taking 2 of

them myself, actually). If I had NOT had a heart cath 2 yrs ago and

found out the " only " issue I have is a mitral valve regurgitation

(which is rather common, apparently) and also an EEG and an echo that

confirmed no blockages, no PAH, etc., I would be in " panic mode " .

Instead, I know that one of two things is happening - either my meds

are causing it or my asthma is flaring. Unfortunately, in my case, my

asthma is flaring, causing me to have to go last night and spend 2 hrs

at the doctor getting IV antibiotics (because an infection is trying to

set in) as well as IV steroids. Can we say wide-awake???

Anyhow, I wish you the best of luck. The coolest thing I thought was

the medicine they give you doesn't " knock " you out (its a combination

of fentanyl and versed), you are awake during the procedure but other

than a little warmth when they inject the dye for contrast (or whatever

they use), you are watching your heart on a tv monitor (they give you

commands which is why you are in a " wake " state) but you are in no

pain. The most difficult part is having to lie semi-flat/flat for a

period of time. Be sure they know you have fibro hon, because they can

make sure to give you something for pain if necessary. My dad doesn't

have fibro, but does have sciatica and his flared laying flat and they

gave him something for it.

Keep us posted; please don't spend another moment worrying. It won't

add one single second to your world, but will take away precious

moments from what you want to be doing!

(((Hugs)))

Darlene

>

> I have been doing a lot of thinking about my situation. I am having

> chest pains almost every day and I have had several heart tests done

> but they have not really show what is causing my chest pains. I

really

> do not want the heart catherization but I have no other choice but to

> have it done. Hopefully I can find out what is wrong with me and may

be

> able to correct it.

>

> Sharon H.

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon - I will pray that it goes well and that they can find some answers for

you.

I know how frustrating it is not to have a diagnosis or know for sure what the

problem is. Take care.

Jeanne in WI

I have been doing a lot of thinking about my situation. I am having chest

pains almost every day and I have had several heart tests done but they have not

really show what is causing my chest pains. I really do not want the heart

catherization but I have no other choice but to

have it done. Hopefully I can find out what is wrong with me and may be able

to correct it.

Sharon H.