*I don't know how to explain this*

but I will give it a shot...I was happily reading the postings this morning ,when my heart felt like it stopped... just to put you in the picture this is quite normal for me probably about three times a week or more ... I think it is when I have a couple of ectopics close together and it almost starts a run of VT's. I explained this to my cardio nurse and she was inclined to agree she says it depends on "where" these ectopics fall???
for those who don't know my situation health wise... I have severe Dilated Cardiomypathy/ COPD/ plus a few other bits and bob's.... I have an ICD (fired 4 times and paced me out of a Vt 3 times)
I am well used to this stuff so none of it concerns me to a great extent in as much I know what to expect...
My question is this.......firstly does any one else have these sort of moments I decribe above and how does it make you feel? when I get them I am as right as rain... and the minute one starts I feel dreadful. it just seem to suck away my will to live for a few minutes the most awful miserable depressing feeling you could imagine my heart actually feels like it is dying... then five minutes later it dies down and I am back raring to go and full of life again.. It does not matter how many times this happens it always feels the same and I always feel fine after >
Can anyone relate to that or am I a nutter like my dear wife is always telling me!!! (don't answer that just the post above it)he he.
Peter N.

7 Comments

You're not Alone...

by bunnykin - 2008-01-23 01:01:19

Hi Peter,
I fully understand your feelings; I think I can relate to that quite well. In fact I'm going to call my doc tomorrow to report these weird beats too. I've an ICD implanted 2004 and 2006 had to replace it due to battery depletion for too many VT treatments. Lots of complications followed that, like ventricular lead extracted and replaced due to perforation of my heart wall;unfortunately this new lead I have is now on recall! Your runs of PVCs if I'm not mistaken sounds like mine too. They appear as and when they feel like it, really to my dismay and disgust. When I was doing some paperwork two days ago, a few of these skipped beats decided to come in altogether in a row! They render you breathless right? I thought my heart stopped a few seconds after that and I felt dizzy...like about to pass out. And before you can say "jack robinson" you're fine again. It's so very upsetting really.I had to stop my paperwork halfway to stiffen up while the ectopics started to act up. However, I am glad that my husband has been supportive esp. with this lead recall thing, so when I told him about these weird beats he's been quite sympathetic.
Your cardiac nurse probably was thinking that it's worse if your PVCs fell on the T wave! That will be a scary scenario. You'd easily be in VF then if that happens. R on T phenomenon that's probably what she feared.My PVCs had a nasty habit of sitting on the T wave sometimes that caused my doc to be really worried.
Hope you are more comforted that you're really not alone. Do take care and monitor yourself well. If they occur more frequently than before, you may need to find out if they can trigger a worse sustained VT?
Wish you all the best...

Bunnykin.

Hi Peter/ Update for you :(

by bunnykin - 2008-01-24 01:01:30

Just an update; Life's unpredictable and this proves it. After putting in my comment in the afternoon, I had an awful experience of rapid palpitations during dinner time. I simply went to a rate of 146-150bpm even on my current antiarrhythmic drugs. What I really want to tell you is perhaps my recent ectopics that came in a row was getting more often...and hence it was like a workup to last night's episode of tachycardia. I felt really horrible for few minutes and my pressure dropped momentarily. I told myself this morning I'm going to get an appointment to see my EP dr at all cost!( since I'm closely monitored now due my ventricle lead being on recall). And I did! My dr saw me and said I definitely had several episodes detected by my device and one of which was last night. I also told him about those pvcs that appeared more frequently of late. My dr said I've no choice but vigilantly take my medication without skipping any cos we need to keep these weird beats at bay lest a worse VT might come in.
So Peter, don't let your guard down although I've said that our pvcs may not be sinister for now. Do watch yourself, if they come far too often and getting more vicious, try to get your dr to see you...not just a nurse. Meanwhile, take care and warm regards.

Bunnykin

Keep taking the pills then!!!!!!

by Peter.Nash - 2008-01-24 02:01:10

Hello Bunnykin,
thanks for that up date ..sorry about your episode yesterday not very nice I know.... my cadio nurse did say to me today the she wanted me to go to the papworth heart hospital to get checked out since I am having more of these episodes ..they seem Identical to yours even with the sudden drop in BP my HR is also between 140 -160 sometimes higher....
I do try to take my meds on time but very often I cant remember if I have taken them or not..... It is good isnt it we take these meds and it affects our short term memory (well at least for me it does) then the thing is did I or didn't I!!!! I tried these pill boxes (good one) I thought... then I forget to fill them up!!! still onwards and upwards I guess.
Thanks again for your update Take care Peter.N

you may well be right

by Peter.Nash - 2008-01-24 07:01:22

Hi Bunnykin,
thank you for your comment, it is comforting to know that I am not the only person to suffer this sort of thing I have asked lots of medics and other people and know one seems to know what I am talking about.....it is more about how it makes you feel than actually having the heart problem I think...... as luck would have it my Cardio nurse came again today and I was discussing with her what you had siad and she actually drew it out on paper for me what you had said... and agreed with what you were saying ... so between the both of you I have a better understanding of what is going on..all I need now is an on and off switch so when this happens I can switch off how I feel until it has passed...... thanks for your input very much appreciated...
take care Peter N.

Hi Peter/Just need to cheer us up...

by bunnykin - 2008-01-25 10:01:19

I couldn't help but want to add this in and let's have a good laugh. It's wonderful to be able to laugh at ourselves. Know what? We've got something more in common! either it's really short-term memory or not I'm not able to say, but I have been getting this wave of "have I taken that tab yet?" I'd ask whoever has been lunching or dining with me. Now is that denial or really poor memory? I do wonder. Coming to the pill box, haha, I am actually very vigilant at first but now, my box is either half filled or half empty....I'm not sure. Since there're so many to be taken a day I'm honestly getting less and less "interested" let alone some of the more important ones are so awfully bitter. There was even a night,...now the joke...I thought I was so conscientious that I took an extra tab for the arrhythmia! I DIDN'T dare SLEEP for fear of not waking up next morning. Now how about that for being pathetic? Anyway, good to tease ourselves sometimes.
You take care now and good evening..

Bunnykin

Hi Bunnykin

by Peter.Nash - 2008-01-25 12:01:44

Yes I know what you mean I often wonder if I have taken the pills twice or not at all ... if I am in any doubt .i don't worry too much as I was much better when I never use to take them earlier on... my real troubles never started until they started pumping these sweeties (candy) into me.....I just make my self aware of it thats all ..I guess it is more important if you are taking blood thinners ect.....and then you have to be more careful I would imagine..... just now and again when I am feeling good I have a pill free day as a bit of a treat ..I know it is not very wise but it makes me feel like a human being again.....
Don't forget to remember ha ha take care Peter

Remote control?PeterNash

by paulgri - 2008-08-27 04:08:11

Hi Peter I see you fly remote control planes like myself
question Have you run into any problems with transmitter and Pacemaker I read they are not compatable ie steer clear they of radio control toys I don,t quite know where to turn hence asking you ,,at the moment building HOG BIPE to add to my ever growing collection prrj@clear.net.nz

You know you're wired when...

Your license plate reads “Pacer4Life”.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.