Post ER

Well glad to be home from hospital with the good news that I did not have a heart attack. I do feel as if they treated me with the urgency of my situation, and they sure did all the tests. Including the CT for a clot in the lung which provided the knowledge that I am allergic to the iodine they use in the dye. Again talking to my wonderful sister in law who is an emergency room nurse, she said it is very common for us heart patients to use the ER soon after our procedures because we are learning what is normal. I have heard it here as a "new normal". She said I will probably go a few more times! I am suffering today trying to metabolize all the drugs they gave me before finding out I was OK. Nitroglycerine is AWFUL! It felt like my mouth was going to catch fire. (no wonder they use it in explosives) and I immediately got a headache which lasted for hours. The lack of caffeine probably contributed to the length of it. I am glad I went. My paramedic brother said it is always better to go because ignoring a heart attack can certainly be fatal. It is interesting he said that because he used to accuse me of over reacting. Well, I hope I am feeling better tomorrow to face the teenagers.
judy

2 Comments

I went twice

by ohiolaura - 2013-12-15 04:12:13

After my PM was put in,first time I was admitted and had the pacer tech come in and set the PM differently,which helped a lot,as I was feeling odd and didn't know the factory settings weren't right for me.All was good there,and the next time was a couple weeks later,I think I was having real anxiety,and had my HR up and all over the place,they kept me overnight just to watch me and the local cardio put me on a beta blocker,I guess to settle me down,which it did.
Since then,smooth sailing for the most,I agree with the new normal thought,I believe it for sure.
Now,a year and a half into my new normal,I am good to go,and do feel changes,but don't freak out anymore,I push on,take my mind off it,and continue forward.
I had nitro in the beginning before the PM was put in,just felt a bit warm from it,but nothing else,they warned me about possible side effects,luckily I really had none.
Always good to be checked out,better safe than sorry.
Laura

Yeah I had to go too.

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-15 11:12:35

I ended up in the ER two times after I had my PM. Angry Sparrow is correct, you need an advocate when you're in the hospital.

I have my current meds on a printout with all the warnings. I also carry a med card in my wallet with the PM card so if I'm unconscious they'll find that and work with it.

You can't stop all the stupidity. Albert Einstein said, "The only thing more prevalent in the universe than hydrogen is human stupidity." So even if you try to take all the precautions there will still be someone who will still not get it.

And yes, you were right to punch the button and go to the ER. When in doubt it's best to be safe.

One of the things which can help eliminate ER trips is education. You'll find a lot of us on this website who are self educated. If you know what is going on, you'll either know what is going on and won't need to go to the ER, get to a doctor before needing a trip to the ER, or punch the button for the ER because you know you need it.

Hang in there. Life gets better.

Theknotguy

You know you're wired when...

Three months of free Internet comes with each device.

Member Quotes

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