Well nothing has changed. My pulse is still up there, but there is a possible reason for it. The echocardiogram showed mild mitral regurgitation. I have a number of the symptoms related to this, but because it is mild they generally don't treat it. He sent me for an urgent CT scan yesterday to see if it would show anything and it was clear.
I have started another round of prednisone (joy) we'll see if it helps. Air quality is so poor right now they are advising people to stay inside. If this is also asthma that is not going to help.
I have another follow-up on Friday. I know my boss will be thrilled, but after leaving me with today, they owe me. Let's just say it was chaos at work today.
The CT scan was interesting. I've never had one done before so my hubby came along. I was very glad he was there. The guy who took me back was cute and very nice. He was funny (remember I'm a phlebotomist so I don't freak out about blood easily) when he stuck me to attatch the iodine injectioner. Apparently, my high blood flow shoved the needle back out and blood went everywhere. He had to reinsert it. He kept talking about my "strong veins" and how he doesn't usually see that. I didn't tell him I've never shot a needle back out before, but I guess there is a first time for everything. I didn't stop bleeding afterward either. Yep, right through the bandage. When I got back to work one of my co-workers pointed it out and redid by bandage.
The CT itself was different too. It was an open system so I didn't have to worry about my claustrophobic tendencies. It would have been hard to lay still and be thinking "get me out of here now." They injected iodine tracer into me so they could look at my circulatory system around the heart. He kept telling me it would make me feel like I was peeing, but I wouldn't be, so don't worry. The funny part is he warned me over the intercom system right before the sensation hit. I'm glad I was alone in the room, but when I got up to leave I see all these techs in the other room looking at screens and realized they probably heard that too. I hope they hear it so much they just ignore it these days. Oddly enough the sensation of iodine moving through your body is warm and it didn't bother me, some people probably don't react well.
One other fun thing about my iodine tracer it actually dropped my heart rate for a few hours. Who knew that hitting my heart with some iodine would do that. I'm back up now though.
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4 comments:
Ooh, Sweetie, that sounded scary. Is this something that very, very mild cardiovascular exercise could improve?
Keep us informed...
Oh, babe! I am so sorry you have to deal with this.
Keep me posted. I'm worried about you.
So basically, your heart is throwing up?
Regurgitation blows!
No, really, I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. Let me know if you have to go through another CT and I'll arrange for Palola and me to go with you ... one on each side of you. You won't think about the CT AT ALL!
Sam: Unfortunately, it can't be fixed, but it can be treated. I will probably have to keep exercise to the basics I guess.
Siren: Thanks sweetie. You know you look bad when two people look at you and tell you that you do. This morning the cleaning lady asked how I was and I just said "fine." She told me I didn't look fine so I told her what was going on. She hadn't seen me in a while either so she had no idea.
Kelly: Yep, my heart is throwing up and it causes a back-up into my lungs. You guys can come watch me send the needle out of my arm. scaring the CT tech can be entertaining.
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