I reported in my March 22, 2008 entry that I received results from my stress test that conflicted with all other tests for the past 4 1/2 years. The notion that I might have had a heart attack that went unreported all of that time was upsetting, I will admit.
On Thursday of last week, they followed up with a heart catheterization and the results did not match the stress test results. The Cath results this time were consistent with the last several years of test results, and they reported:
1) No myocardial infarction and no scar
2) No blockage
3) My EF was the same as my last echo, 30%
Amazing how these differences occurred. Granted the stress test results were read by a doctor who is not my regular physician, because my regular heart failure specialist was on holiday.
Unfortunately, this time around my heart failure specialist, who performed the catheterization, spoke to my family and not to me, so I have not had a chance to ask about the reason for the wide difference in results.
I could probably guess the answer, though, as something like, "It was a false positive", or "That is why we do follow up tests."
So now I am supposed to feel better about all of this, but right now I just feel whipsawed. Time will make that better, it always does.
My best to all.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
A Lead Blanket Day
For those of your who have ever been to the dentist, and had x-rays taken, remember how they put a lead blanket over you to protect the rest or you from the x-rays?
For those of you with heart failure, I am sure you know that feeling on a regular basis. You feel like you are covered in a lead blanket. Some days worse that others.
Today I had to go lie down for a while, and the lead blanket feeling was so great, I woke up and touched my throat, for it felt it was covered with something, but it was not.
I am grateful today is a Sunday and I don't have to try to work today.
Blessings to all of you.
For those of you with heart failure, I am sure you know that feeling on a regular basis. You feel like you are covered in a lead blanket. Some days worse that others.
Today I had to go lie down for a while, and the lead blanket feeling was so great, I woke up and touched my throat, for it felt it was covered with something, but it was not.
I am grateful today is a Sunday and I don't have to try to work today.
Blessings to all of you.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
News
I finally got the results of my nuclear stress test yesterday and there is good news and bad news.
The good news is that my Ejection Fraction was confirmed to be at 45%. The last test in October 2007 it was 30%. This is the best it has been since this all started. 60% is normal.
They also found a scar on the heart that the nurse said looks like I did have a heart attack a few years ago. I will follow up with the doctor on this when I get a chance to talk to him, but this is a big surprise.
The not so good news is they found what they think is a blockage to the heart of 70-80%. They need to go back in and take a closer look so I am going to the hospital Thursday for an outpatient procedure called a heart catheterization. Link to description here: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4491
They are not sure what they are going to find when they get in there, as I may need a stent to be put in, or I may need bypass surgery. If a stent is put in, I could end up spending the night at the hospital. Stent description: http://www.fda.gov/hearthealth/treatments/medicaldevices/stent.html
If they determine I need bypass surgery, they will schedule it at another time.
I must admit this has me shaken a bit. I am so grateful for my children and friends.
The good news is that my Ejection Fraction was confirmed to be at 45%. The last test in October 2007 it was 30%. This is the best it has been since this all started. 60% is normal.
They also found a scar on the heart that the nurse said looks like I did have a heart attack a few years ago. I will follow up with the doctor on this when I get a chance to talk to him, but this is a big surprise.
The not so good news is they found what they think is a blockage to the heart of 70-80%. They need to go back in and take a closer look so I am going to the hospital Thursday for an outpatient procedure called a heart catheterization. Link to description here: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4491
They are not sure what they are going to find when they get in there, as I may need a stent to be put in, or I may need bypass surgery. If a stent is put in, I could end up spending the night at the hospital. Stent description: http://www.fda.gov/hearthealth/treatments/medicaldevices/stent.html
If they determine I need bypass surgery, they will schedule it at another time.
I must admit this has me shaken a bit. I am so grateful for my children and friends.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Still Waiting
This is amazing. I have gotten a voice mail message from a nurse I have never met, but I still don't have final results. This is about a life.
I think I need to change doctors.
I think I need to change doctors.
Friday, March 14, 2008
No Word Yet
I was supposed to get word from my doctor today on the results of my stress tests, but nothing. I call and left a message hours ago, but no call back.
For some reason the potential results of this test have me on edge.
For some reason the potential results of this test have me on edge.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Waiting on test results
I finally had my nuclear stress test yesterday. I need these results before my heart failure specialist will give permission for my hip replacement surgery.
I had the chemical version where they inject you with a medication that dilates the blood vessels and simulates what they would do by having you run on the treadmill. They did this because my Coreg had lowered my heart beat and my pacemaker regulates it and they said the treadmill would not have the effect they needed. It makes you feel really lousy but it only lasts 10 minutes or so.
I am supposed to get the results tomorrow. The last time I had this test done was August, 2004 in order to determine if I needed a heart transplant.
Who knows what the results will be? My EF has been up and down dangerously so for the last year or so.
I have been feeling worse than usual lately but I have found that this is not necessarily an indicator of my my health, I am finding.
I had the chemical version where they inject you with a medication that dilates the blood vessels and simulates what they would do by having you run on the treadmill. They did this because my Coreg had lowered my heart beat and my pacemaker regulates it and they said the treadmill would not have the effect they needed. It makes you feel really lousy but it only lasts 10 minutes or so.
I am supposed to get the results tomorrow. The last time I had this test done was August, 2004 in order to determine if I needed a heart transplant.
Who knows what the results will be? My EF has been up and down dangerously so for the last year or so.
I have been feeling worse than usual lately but I have found that this is not necessarily an indicator of my my health, I am finding.
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