Monday, November 15, 2010

Oh My Broken heart!

For those of you who have not caught my daily rant on Facebook,I thought I would give you a little more information as to what is going on with my precious heart!I was in St Louis last week for a Stress test and a echo of my heart,the stress test itself was quite interesting,having POTS,and being without my medicine for two days as they recommended,so it didnt start out too bad,I was talking to the tech,noticing my heart was around 130,not a big deal to me.When the stress test advanced to the second level,boy did I see a difference,and almost immediately my heart rate jumped to about 175.The techs eyes got big,and he asked me how I felt,I told him I was getting winded.He called the test on account of my heart rate!Everything else went just fine.The next day I got a phone call from my cardiologist,to go over the test results with me,he said they found 2 problems,.the first is that my heart has too many extra beats...lol,yes.But really its a problem,they are deciding what to do about it.The second problem is the biggie.It looks to be genetic.I'm sure many of you have heard of a "long QT syndrome".Well this is the new,more recently discovered genetic heart problem called a "short QT syndrome"Essentially,my heart does not reset itself quickly enough for the whole next series of beats to start...how to fix it?Only one way,an implant,like former Vice president Dick Cheney had put it,its not a pace maker,but rather a defibrillator that will slow my heart down when it beats too fast.How do I feel about this?Well,I'm glad they found the problem,but scared at the solution.So,I must finish wearing the 30 day monitor I am now wearing that I push the button if I feel something "funny".When I am done wearing it,same day I go for a 24 hour loop,which automatically records every heartbeat I have for 24 hours,so they can watch this short QT syndrome of mine very closely for a 24 hour period.Then they want to do genetic testing to see if I carry the gene for this,if I do,My son will need to be checked out.As for now,I am so glad I did early Christmas shopping,no headaches!!!House is decorated to perfection that would make Martha Stewart happy,just a few more ornaments on the tree tonight and I am done!So,I will update all of you after my next big Dr Appt!!Hang in there with me,I need all the support I can get!~

3 comments:

  1. If you have the procedure in StL let me know. I would love to come see you and help you any way I can. In the meantime, I will be praying.

    Pam Krosley

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  2. Just read your blog, Julie. Wow......Know that you have lots and lots of prayers coming your way plus we will be praying for your family.

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  3. Hey my dear! I cannot believe you got the house ready so quickly! But thankfully you did, bc obviously no over tiring yourself! *shakes finger* lol. I want to see pictures!!! I think regardless of the 24 hour monitor findings, that genetic testing is ideal for someone in your situation with SO many autoimmune diseases!!! I'm so proud of how you're keeping up your spirit, and I am and always will be here for ya even when so far away!!!

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