Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Playing with the King of Hearts

Knowing it ain't really smart
The joker ain't the only fool
Who'll do anything for you

Song implant....you're welcome.

And for those of you who are too young to remember this song, which is actually "The Queen of Hearts" here is the video for you.




Now to explain my title.

I'm not talking about this....
I'm talking about this....

It's a lovely little heart monitor that I have to wear for two weeks. I've been having issues with heart "palpitations" for a while now. Off and on for months.

With a family history of heart problems I wanted to make sure things in the chest were okay. I know I need to lose some weight that could help. Though I'm a little leery of working out too hard until I get this figured out. Partly because my heart flipped out during a workout about a month back. Not. Fun. A little freaky in fact. That's part of the reason I decided to go and talk to the doctor in the first place.

I've already tried one monitor that I kept on for 48 hours and it did catch a few extra beats but that was it. Unfortunately things have kind of escalated to being short of breath and feeling dizzy and like I'm going to pass out along with the palpitations. I haven't passed out but there are times when I feel like it.

I've had a Echo cardiogram and now I'm on the monitor for a couple of weeks. Whenever I have an episode I push the big round button and it records it. It records for one minute before and one minute after I push the button.

Then I call a number and send the info from the little black box over the phone. I actually had to go out and buy a corded phone. Because sending the info over cordless or cell phones won't work.

So I'm wired. And hopefully this little black box will help the heart doctor figure out what that little beater is doing in my chest.

21 comments:

Martha H. said...

Good luck. I hope they get you figured out soon. My dad had to do the whole monitor thing last year. It all turned out great,though.

Christa said...

I was born with a congenital (spelling?) heart defect. I had open heart surgery when I was a baby and I've been fine ever since. I experience little flutters every once in a while and I still have a murmur. Other than that, I'm great. The palpitations are so strange. You never really notice your heart beating until it beats in the wrong way. I hope the doctors will be able to diagnose the problem. I'll be thinking of you. Good Luck!

Jillene said...

First--as SOON as I read your title I sang that song!!

Second--I hope they get this figured out. My mom had similar issues and they figured it out and put her on medication--she's doing great and no more episodes. Good luck Shanna--I will be thinking about you!!

Vanessa said...

Love that song!

I hope they figure out what is wrong w/your ticker! Hang in there!

Lara Neves said...

Good luck! I hope that everything turns out to be easy to solve.

And yes, thanks for the song implant. It's better than the last one I had running through my head anyway. :)

Lisa said...

I understand you concern....we have heart problems in our family also. I wish you all the best..Keep us posted... Love ya!

Kristina P. said...

I will sometimes have a really fast heartbeat, when I'm laying down. Maybe I should get it checked out.

Amber said...

Acck! That sounds scary! I hope they figure it out quickly!

tiburon said...

Eek! You don't want to mess around with the heart.

Keeping everything crossed for you :)

Just SO said...

Thanks everyone.

Kristina, that is when I noticed it the most and what kind of made me aware of what was happening. Sometimes I have days where everything is fine but others where I feel like crap and I can feel my heart beating in my chest. I would at least mention it to your doctor.

Anonymous said...

I had no idea! I hope this helps get them closer to figuring out what's going on. {{HUGS}} Gentle hugs, of course. ;)

Erin said...

Good luck! That is scary. I hope they can get things figured out.

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

I hope that wearing the monitor isn't too much of a problem and that they get things figured out soon.

MakingChanges said...

I'm totally feeling for ya. I have cardiomyopathy that was brought on by pregnancy and will never go away. On top of all the other machines I was hooked to when having my last (and final) baby I was also hooked to a monster heart machine to track how much stress my heart was under. Ummmm, I was in labor people. No stress there, right?

Good Luck with everything!

wendy said...

Oh dear ---that's not good. I am glad you went and got it checked out. You do NOT want to mess around here girl, take care of yourself.
and thanks-------for putting that song in my head (not)

Fiauna said...

Been there, done that. I hope all goes well and they can get you all figured out.

Becca said...

Good luck with everything. Here's hoping that all goes well!

Lisa Summerhays said...

I have my fingers crossed for you. Lot's of prayers comin' your way too!

mCat said...

Good luck girl, I have good thoughts coming your way.
I did all this about two years ago. Final diagnosis? Anxiety. Now I have these super awesom little pills that I take at night and makes life all blissful

: )

Keep me posted

Shauna said...

Good Luck! Praying for you! ♥ Hugs :)

Jo said...

I couldn't figure out how to leave a comment yesterday, so I sent you an email. Anyway, praying for you, thinking of you and hoping it is nothing serious.