A Little scared!

Well tomorrow's the day for my EPS study, ablation and possible PM and I have to admit I'm getting a little scared. I'm SO not trying to go there but sometimes I just can't help it--what if they don't find what they're looking for?? I guess that's my biggest fear--I don't want to continue on the road I'm currently on. I feel miserable anytime I try to do anything even going up and down stairs sometimes. I guess I just need some reassurances?

11 Comments

thinking of you.

by Hope - 2013-04-22 05:04:12

Hi! You can do this. While your feelings are normal, your body needs help and will only get better with help. Try to be glad it is available. I understand your fear of strokes. Had one in 1993. .Our daughter has been with God since 2011. There is no fear greater than for the life of your child as she struggles from birth to live a normal life. By her courage, I learned that fear robs us of enjoying the present and hope for tomorrow. If you have questions, ask. It is amazing what some good clear answers can do for fear. I will be looking forward to your posts. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hopeful Heart





Hi again

by Janey L - 2013-04-22 06:04:23

Hi. I've just read your message to me on your reply to the post by "undeadmuffin".

We do have similar situations in that I was incapacitated for many months every time I got an arrythmia. I was off work for months at a time too. I could hardly walk, climb stairs, couldn't really function at all.

Now I am doing really well after my ablations & with my PM. I have my life back. If I had to have a 4th ablation, I would because I know how they can give you your life back. I am not on any heard meds either.

I would be very happy to chat with you after your procedure, when you feel like it. We can compare notes.
Please feel free to private message me if you want to.

I'm in the UK so it is now late evening over here. If you are in the USA I know it is still early evening. Just to say again I really hope all goes well for you tomorrow.
I look forward to hearing about a happy outcome. Just keep thinking about how much better you will feel.

Good luck & keep in touch.

Best wishes
Janey

Oops!

by Janey L - 2013-04-22 06:04:41

Just realised I mis-spelt heart meds...I put heard meds!! Sorry! Oops!
Janey

Hi wantanewlife

by Pookie - 2013-04-22 08:04:08

...took me a minute to figure out your username out...LOL

I echo what the others posted above. Surgery is surgery, of course you are going to be a bit frightened. Try and focus on the goal - feeling better.

I just got thru kidney cancer surgery (March 25th) and I'm doing much better than I thought I'd be....so you can do it too.

I really liked HurtHeart's suggestions. Whatever works for you (to help) in situations like this. But before you know it, it will be over and you will have nothing to look forward to but feeling like a million dollars!!!!.

I wish you the very best and please update us when you can.

Take care,
Pookie

Time for John Wayne...

by donr - 2013-04-22 12:04:14

...who reportedly said that "...courage is being scared to death, but you saddle up & ride, anyway..."

OK, so you fit the first part - you are scared to death. Let's look at the second part:

No one ever knows what any test is going to find. Last week I went in for a nuclear stress test that could well have led to a cardiac catheterization & potentially several stents - but I got a clean bill of health out of it, even though the smart money had me scheduled for the cath two days later.

If they KNEW what they were going to find, why perform the test? after all, it is highly invasive & there is risk involved.

You say you wantanewlife - this is the price for the ticket to that new life. Uncertainty.

The PM is the least of the results from the procedure. That is reversible. The ablation is NOT.

Stop & think about how you got to where you are today - you felt like trash; you selected an EP you had confidence in (Hopefully); you listened patiently to the EP's discussions as to what he thought you needed & you believed him. The key is the last item - you believed the EP when he/she told you what they expected to find & how they planned to take care of it.

Are your feet suddenly turning into ice cubes? Have you lost confidence in the EP, or is it merely some last minute stomach butterflies?

I strongly suggest that you carefully re-examine your confidence in the EP & the resultant diagnosis. Based on that examination, decide whether or not you are going to saddle up & ride or leave old paint in the corral & back out of it.

Just don't forget that you are authorized to be scared!

Don

scared

by annie21 - 2013-04-22 12:04:26

Will be thinking of you, good luck, sending a big hug,
Avril

Thinking of you

by Janey L - 2013-04-22 12:04:57

Hi. Just to say I am thinking of you. I've had 4 EP studies, 3 ablations & got a PM. I know how you are feeling right now! The first time is scary as you don't know what is going to happen. But don is right, if you've got a good EP & he/she has explained everything....you are in excellent hands. I trust my EP 100% & when I go in for my procedures I always know I'm in the best hands, even if I feel terrified. He always reassures me & I know I'm safe.

I will be thinking of you especially tomorrow. Please do let us know how you get on.

By the way, despite my 3 ablations & a PM.....I feel better than I have in a LONG time. Focus on how much better you will feel after it is all done.

Hope all goes well.

Best wishes
Janey

Thanks!

by kmom - 2013-04-22 12:04:57

Thanks for your kind words all! I do trust my EP and have had the vote of confidence from a couple of friends who really like him as well. and I am looking forward to feeling better! I guess it is with any procedure or surgery etc. you get a little scared--not the "cold feet" type but just the stomach butterflies--as I mentioned before I know everything will be ok and hopefully I'll be back to work on Saturday as planned! (I've been off for over a month because of this) so everything is onward and upward-- Janey--glad you are feeling better that gives me something to hope for--I will be so excited to be back to "normal" this arrhythmia stuff has really dragged me down! and Don--I'm glad your stress test got you a clean bill of health! that's always a good feeling. I also like your John Wayne comments my hubby LOVES JW movies ha!

Hope it all went well today

by Janey L - 2013-04-23 08:04:15

Hi. Just to say I hope it all went well today, I have been thinking of you.

Best wishes
Janey

I understand your fear

by sramsey - 2013-04-23 08:04:40

While my situation is a bit different from yours, I completely understand your fears. I saw neurologists for ten year trying to diagnose both my migraines and syncope. Everyone assumed they were related until one random doctor suggested I see a cardiologist. The only testing I had done was a 24-hour holter monitor. The two week wait between wearing the monitor affecting the results was possibly the worst anxiety of my life. I was scared of either outcome: 1. If I needed a pacemaker, I would be living with it for the next 60-70 years. That's quite a commitment. 2. If the results were fine, I was back to square one with no idea what could be causing my symptoms. It took me getting the news that I did indeed need a pacemaker to realize I was more afraid of not getting any answers than I was of getting a pacemaker. Knowing something is wrong, but not knowing exactly what or how to fix it is a horrible feeling.

I hope everything goes well and that you get the answers you need!

UPDATE!

by kmom - 2013-04-24 11:04:41

Just wanted to let you know how it went yesterday!
Everything went A-OK they were able to find one of the problem spots immediately and ablate it. which uncovered another problem which they were able to fix as well. There is a problem on the other side of my heart that they weren't able to get to and in about 3 weeks they're going to run a holter again and see--if i'm still having problems then They'll have to do a PM and I guess drugs bur for now everything seems great. Best thing is I FEEL so much better today than i've felt in a long time. They still want me to take it easy today (i think mostly because of the bleeding potential of the groin where they stuck the catheters) but It's so worth it to feel human again!

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

Member Quotes

I feel so incredibly thankful that I can continue to live my life.