The Beta That Must Be Blocked

[teddy_radiator]

I'm going to make this a short one, because I'm so tired, but in a better way than I've been these last two weeks. Last night, TheHubs® took me to the ER. My irregular heartbeat had got to the point of making me feel achy and out of breath. I was having chest pains and scared and fed up and just couldn't take it anymore, even though I know the bill for it will be insurmountable.

My heart was indeed palpitating all over the place, and they kept me overnight while my BP gradually dropped from 240/109 down to normal. Blood was taken several times, which showed my heart to be in good shape, and that beta blockers were needed to slow it down and allow it to adjust back to normal rhythm. The BB help enormously, though I can feel it when it starts to wear off, but at least I know I'm not about to keel over with a heart attack. I was so freaked out that I actually had a full-blown panic/anxiety attack when I reached my room for the night, and saw 'stress test and heart cath' on the board. I found out later neither had been ordered but the last chemical stress test I took nearly killed me, and I'm terrified of invasive procedures. I only needed an ultrasound.

I still have followup visits, but for tonight, I'm going to turn in early and catch up on rest. It seems that my irregular heart is just something to live with, and the meds will help it. Just feeling it calm down last night was such pure blessed relief.

I realise I owe people Newbies gifts and such, but to be honest, for the last two weeks I've been too ill and miserable to do much more than smile and wave. I hope with this new, very effective med, I'll be back on track in no time. Thank you for being so patient with me - I was so afraid and exhausted, I couldn't concentrate on anything.

The only bright spot was that Love Actually was on TCM at 1am when I couldn't sleep. At least I got to see our sweet prince for a few hours as way of consolation. It helped me to finally drift off at 4am, Shame the really sweet nurse woke me up at 4:15 to take more blood.

Comments

Feel Better

[stronghermione1.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry you have been ill! To be admitted overnight just shows how serious it is and you must rest and take it easy.

I hope you feel better soon and in the meantime I am sending much love and many virtual hugs and flowers :)

Cheers,
SH

[toblass.livejournal.com]

I hope you feel better very soon, Teddy. Heart stuff is nothing to sneeze at, and I'm glad Trev took you in to be seen.

Don't worry about NewbieFest stuff…those will happen when they happen. RL gets in the way of fandom, but it's all going to be here when you are ready.

*hugs*

[ex-logospil.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear that you have been unwell, most beloved :-(

Take excellent care, eh? I hope with all my heart that you will soon feel much better ♥

*wraps you in a tender robed embrace*

[gelsey.livejournal.com]

Big hugs. I hope you feel better soon, and I'm glad things are taken care of, at least in part. Be better! *more hugs*

[madeleone]

Oh, Teddy, that must have been so scary. I'm so glad the meds seem to be helping, make sure you rest and take care of yourself. I'll be sending healing thoughts and positive vibes your way. :)

[droxy.livejournal.com]

Hugs. We can wait. get yourself well.

[akatnamedeaster.livejournal.com]

Scary stuff, I don't blame you for going to the ER but I
m so glad it's something that can be controlled with meds.

You take it easy, boo, and don't worry about what you might be letting slide. Everyone will be here when you're feeling in the pink again. *big hug*

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

Irregular heartbeats will make you feel like shite! I've lived with benign PVCs for decades and send my sincerest sympathies.

Take it easy, sweetie. I've found that not getting enough sleep can make my PVCs worse. Most of the time I don't feel them, but when they do bother me I take a beta-blocker and that settles everything down.

FWIW, the cardiologist who did my work up said that if you have to have some kind of "heart problem" this is the one to have bacause nobody ever died of benign PVCs. When I did the exercise stress test, the harder I ran on the treadmill the smoother my heart beats became.

[hbart.livejournal.com]

I finally get a moment to check in on LJ, only to find you about to keel over!? Really, I'm glad you're feeling better. A few years ago, my doctor had me all freaked out because I was throwing PVCs like a madwoman. Several EKGs, a cardiologist visit, Holter monitor, stress Echo, and a few grey hairs later, it was determined to be "no big deal." Long story short, no matter what they say, when you are symptomatic there is nothing "no big deal about it." I can sympathize with needing the ER because I've often wondered how one determines what constitutes a true emergency, when no big deal feels so insane. They recommended exercising, getting enough sleep, and avoiding caffeine and stress. So, I exercise every day. Those other things ... *Whistles innocently*. Take care and spend some time relaxing- you deserve it. And, maybe eat some chocolate. That cures all!

[morethansirius.livejournal.com]

My goodness! It's a scary experience to have your heart rate and BP jumping all over the place. I'm glad you are responding well to the beta blocker. You may require a bit of adjustment to the dosage but they will work wonders for your irregular heartbeat and your blood pressure as well. Hope you feel better soon.

~Hufflehugs.~

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Oh, Sweetie! I'm so sorry that you had to go through all that! Know that I am sending you as much love and positive energy as I can. Please take care of yourself, first and foremost. Everything else is unimportant in contrast.

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

SO glad you went to the ER and got looked at, We live with Draco's heart condition and I'm well familiar with the scary feeling when the heart is jumping all over the place, the importance of keeping stress to a minimum. Now rest, be good to yourself, and take care so We can have you around longtime My Friend.

OT: Your story has been featured on the SSHG Quiz!

[morethansirius.livejournal.com]

It's Severus Snape's birthday and quiz_sshg is back to celebrate! Your story, Happy Birthday, Professor , celebrates Snape's birthday and is featured on the quiz with a quote and a link to your story. Please accept our Featured Author banner as our thank you for sharing your story with SSHG fangirls everywhere.

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[keladry_lupin]

Yikes! I'm so glad your heart is well and that this is something that can be treated with meds and rest. *hugs*

[celestialbeing1.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness!!! I hope everything is going to be fine, because that is scary scary scary. Don't worry about anything else for now, just make sure that you get the rest you need. I'd come play nurse if we lived closer.

I like to think that you and I watched Love Actually together last night, because I was camped out at the foot of the bed watching it at that same time.

Feel better soon, my darling. We need you in tiptop shape!!

[benevolntgoddes.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I hope that eases up soon and you're back to feeling good soon!

[bonsaibetz.livejournal.com]

Get well soon.

[kittylefish.livejournal.com]

oh, that must have been so scary! i'm glad that you are doing better and i hope these new drugs help.

[melusin-79.livejournal.com]

Take care of yourself. Hope the meds sort you out
~hugs~

[lynnylou.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear that you been ill. I hope the new meds work and you feel better. *hugs*

[jenidralph.livejournal.com]

OMG, Teddy! I'm so sorry to hear about your ER trip, but I'm glad that you decided to go.

*hugs and love* I'll try to catch up with you later, if you're available.

(Your title made me think you'd had a falling out with YOUR beloved beta.)

[tophoenix.livejournal.com]

I'm sending all my best wishes to be well soon.
*hugs*

[bloodcult.livejournal.com]

Get well

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

How terrifying! *hugs* I am very glad you're being well cared for.

One thing I find helps if my heart starts racing (it's done this at stressful times since I was doing my PhD) is to do yoga breathing, either sitting or lying down. Just ten minutes at a time, as often as I feel the need. Over a few days, it generally calms things down. I know your problem is more severe, but this might be a little help.

[corianderpie.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, Teddy. That sounds like it was terrifying. I am really, really glad the problem ended up being so treatable with a nice oral medication instead of something invasive. ((((many gentle hugs)))

[dozmuffinxc.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry you've been unwell, but I'm terribly pleased that you've been looked at and are (hopefully) well on the way to being mended. "Love Actually" is good medicine, and I hope it served you well!

[nagandsev.livejournal.com]

So sorry this happened--but it was the right thing, going to hospital--do try to take it easy/easier! Hoping that the meds will help and that some extra rest will be the full restorative energy you need-with extra sweet prince footage galore to help soothe and smooth things over. I know you're hearing this, maybe too much, but don't push yourself... As hard as it is, don't push yourself! Love, naggy pooh

[alwaysimploding.livejournal.com]

I really hope you feel better soon!

*hugs*