Brand New here/My story

• by bzymom320
• 2010-02-14 01:02:28
• Surgery & Recovery
• 1792 views
• 7 comments

Hello! I just joined this group tonight and just joined the pacemaker implantation world on Monday, Feb. 8th. To me, my story is very strange.
Almost a month ago now, I went to bed on Saturday night telling my husband that I was really tired, a little short of breath and was going to bed. He asked me lots of questions, concerned that maybe I was having a heart attack but I ignored them all and went to bed. The next morning the feelings were the same but I had some chest pain as well. We got up, went to church and did our thing. Finally, after sitting there trying to do something very simple five or six times I decided it was time to go to the ER. I was admitted, no heart attack, with bradychardia and low blood pressure. After 4 days, an MRI of my brain, 20 EKG's, echocardiogram, CT scan of my lungs and abdomen, it was decided that I had Chronic Cardio Syncope. I was told to take Florinef, not drive for a YEAR and check in with the cardiologist in a week. Well, in the 6 days that I was home I passed out 6 times. Last Wednesday I got a migraine and threw up most of the night. I called my PCP and told him about the vomiting and that try as I might my heart rate would go out of 40 and my bp was 89/50. He said go straight to the ER again. At the ER I was there for 4 1/2 hours and all they did was watch my heart rate. No fluids, Nothing. The dr came back in said everything looked fine except that my heart rate was a LITTLE LOW! Um, it was 38 at that point. He was going to let me go and check in with the cardio later. He was very surprised when I threw a hissy fit and refused to go. I was admitted. The next morning I was seen by a neurologist, cardiologist and the original internist that I had seem the first time. They couldn't believe the ER doc was going to send me home. That day (Friday) they did an MRA, EEG, more Xrays, EKG's, echo and a tilt table test. I passed out during the MRA. It was only 5 min. long but when I got up off the table I was out! During the tilt table test, which I was being tested for syncope, the electrophysiologist said it was definitely NOT syncope. My HR went down to 28 and stayed firmly planted there for 30 min. Finally, she got me out of it with medication. She decided I needed a pacemaker immediately. The dx was Sick Sinus Syndrome. All other heart functions were 100% normal. I had the pacemaker put in Monday afternoon. Monday morning the nurse in the hospital noticed that I had not been putting out urine for almost 24 hours. My kidneys were not working well. During my surgery I had an arterial bleed. It was horribly painful when two people pressed on my chest to get the bleed to stop. I am thankful to be alive and LOVE my cardiologist. Tuesday, the internist came back in, ordered another xray and guess what? I passed out again. The cardio said "its NOT her heart!" So, more tests and they came up with Addisons disease. Its adrenal insuffiency. So, now I'm home, recovering from PM surgery, taking 11 different meds, and hoping that my body kicks in and starts working the right way. My pacer is set for no lower than 60 and that is right where it stays.
Before all of this I tutored 2x a week, ran a mother's day out program, and worked at an after school program for elementary kids everyday, including homeschooling my 15 yr old son. I feel like my life was taken from me while I was sleeping! I have absolutely no energy, can't drive, can't sleep and can't even go to the bathroom or shower alone because I might faint. I have 2 drs appts. next week and am hoping and praying to get more answers about this.

I know this is long and thank you for reading this far. I look forward to meeting someone - anyone who can encourage me in this area or share their similar story.

Blessings,
Sherian