Worse Than An IA

Hang on in there PL, I hope they find out what the cause is, or conclude that it's nothing.
I'm in a similar situation at the moment, I had a routine ECG some weeks ago as part of something else, get a very panicked call from my dr on Friday morning saying "come see me today, don't panic" so I started freaking out and had to race to London from Liverpool.

Was sent to the cardiologist first thing Monday morning for a barrage of exhausting tests after a very worrying weekend and yeah, there's something up with my heart.
Had to wear a very uncomfortable heart monitor for 24 hours and I'm now waiting around for an appointment to have my heart MRI and to see what my heart did over 24 hours.

The thing is, I can feel the heart beats, and I know they're weird, I get like double beats then it misses a beat then really thunders in my chest, lying in certain positions exasberates it etc.

I'm pretty scared right now, I know that it's probably, hopefully nothing, but I'm concerned, I didn't expect heart problems at 25.
I've come to work today but they're sending me home at the end of the day, (we normally finish around 11pm) to have a few days off whilst I wait for results.
I hate being off work as I love my job and we're at a critical point in our development.

*Hugs* I know how scared you must feel. What you described sounds almost exactly like what I have. I have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia called Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC for short) and even though it feels like my heart is skipping a beat and then flopping over in my chest and even taking my breath away for a second or two, they say it's actually an extra heartbeat every now and then that causes it. I have been told that it's fairly common and not life threatening. Mine gets way worse the week before my period for some reason and during times of stress or when I have too much caffeine.

I hope they find the cause for yours soon (and they find that it's not life threatening!) because I know how scary it is waiting and wondering. 

I also get heart palpitations. Like Melissa's, they get worse with too much caffeine but I also notice them more when I'm in bed (and things are quiet and still!).

I also get heart palpitations. Like Melissa's, they get worse with too much caffeine but I also notice them more when I'm in bed (and things are quiet and still!).

I also get them more frequently when I am tired -- as in more than 24 hours without sleep.

I also get them more frequently when I am tired -- as in more than 24 hours without sleep.

I get them to under these conditions...especially with loads of caffeine and no sleep like a couple of days ago.

Best of luck, CB & PL, the worst part of any medical stuff is always the waiting and the horrible things your brain comes up with in the meantime. In my experience the reality of treatment never ever comes close!!

Or maybe it's just the morphine talking, heehee. Yup, I'm back inside... Terrible headaches that paracetemol, codeine, morphine, then all three together couldn't touch then they sorted out it was a medication causing my blood pressure to spike and they got that under control and I came home... For 36 friggin hours! Then I got a fever and headache and nausea but the morphine actually worked on the headache this time, thank god and they brought the fever down. But they had to do a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) today to try to determine the cause of the infection. And the LP was a piece of cake compared to the bone marrow biopsies I've had to endure so that wasn't as bad as I'd remembered from the one I had ten years ago.

Anyway I should find out tomorrow what it is and exactly how long I'll be in, but they're thinking maybe meningitis or listerie now, neither of which is as bad as they sound since I'm in the awesome haematology ward next to where I had my bone marrow transplant in July with my private room and en suite and good ward kitchen. Just no kitty cat. but at least it's not toxoplasmosis, which is another one they were throwing about so we can't blame poor Bosco!

Anyway I should find out tomorrow what it is and exactly how long I'll be in, but they're thinking maybe meningitis or listerie now

(((Hugs))))) Feel better!!!

Sorry you are having such a rough time, Squirrelypoo... but i think it's brilliant that you can use the internet while you're in hospital! 

Aww, squirrellypooosco, that sounds awful...  Hope they figure out what's wrong with you too.


The problem I'm having right now is how to decide whether or not it's worse ENOUGH now to go back to the doctors... I got a voicemail from the doctor I saw the other day saying he was going out of town but would like to see me sometime after next thursday to see how I am doing and possibly refer me to a neurologist. He said if I feel I've gotten much worse before then to go speak to the other doctors and they would be happy to refer me... And if I get SUDDENLY worse, to go to A&E. But my fingers have gotten SLIGHTLY worse today. Just worse enough to freak me out. And I have to be at work in a little over an hour....  I'm half dressed to go, and wondering if I should.

Hang in there, SP! You've done so well this far! And I'm glad the ward is so good!  

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Princesslemons, I think you should go.

I agree with Chary. If its enough to worry you (and it is) , then go. Better safe than sorry.

Hang in there, SP! You've done so well this far! And I'm glad the ward is so good!  

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Princesslemons, I think you should go.

Really? Sometimes I think I just blow things out of proportion in my mind. I ended up going to work yesterday and my manager asked what was wrong b/c I wasn't myself (they usually make fun of me because I am ALWAYS happy and smiling) so I told her what was going on, and she told me that I should go home a couple times, and was apparently asking my work mates throughout the day how I was doing... So they will understand if I don't come in. But I don't want to make more of it than it is, you know? It's only SLIGHTLY worse.

If I do go, should I go back to my doctors? Or the walk-in center? I don't think I need A&E...

ETA: I decided to e-mail DH at work and ask what he thought I should do, and he said to go to the doctor. So I've phoned in and told them to just let my manager know I've gotten worse and I'm going to the doctor. Just deciding where to go now. All are within walking distance.

So I've phoned in and told them to just let my manager know I've gotten worse and I'm going to the doctor. Just deciding where to go now. All are within walking distance.

Doctor will give you the best advice  Hang in there

Doctor will give you the best advice  Hang in there

Thanks PB... Just phoned my doctor. the receptionist sounded like I was the least interesting person in the world and she just couldn't be bothered. but they told me to come over now. So I'm going... Wish me luck.

Update: Was given an "urgent" referral to Neurology. Apparently that means I'll wait a few weeks rather than months... I had to see a different doctor because mine is out of town. She told me that I should still make an appointment with him for next week, because he may be able to get me in quicker. Overall quite happy with my care, even though I am extremely worried.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes and for listening to my panicking. I guarantee there will be more to come...

One thing you may want to consider is a B12 deficiency.  I had a friend with similar symptoms and that is what it turned out to be.  THe problem is that it looks neurological so they don't look at vitamins as a cause, instead focusing on MRIs, etc.  She self-diagnosed in the beginning because the doctors were baffled.  Good thing too because the long term effects would have been significant.