Tomorrow morning I have a transesophageal cardiogram. I have another hour and 40 minutes I can eat. Problem is, I am freaking stuffed. Betcha I'll be hungrier than all get out in the morning, but won't get to eat until after noon. I don't think the dr's are any closer to figuring out why I had that stroke, but I can't claim they're not trying to figure it out.
So what's going on. Are you having the same problems I am with A Fib? Do you sweat at night, been tired etc etc etc Out of energy? They just put me on a new med last week... we'll see. Will be on blood thinners for the rest of my life because of the blood clots they found in my upper leg last fall. All kinds of new pills over the past 9 months to slow the heart etc etc etc. When it wants to go off on it's own beat for 2 days it's exhausting.
They've done several EKG's and a echocardiogram already but the cardiologist wants this esophageal (sp?) echocardiogram done. They didn't go into details why, but they told me I should have my next of kin there. Didn't make me feel too good on that one. Having a little anxiety right now.
The esophageal echo gives them a better picture they say. It's not too invasive. Can't imagine why they said have your relatives handy. They'll knock you out a little...so they won't let you walk out or drive yourself when you come to. Cheer up, you're too damn tough to let them kill you. What are your symptoms? I just went in for a EKG today after several days on the new stuff. Came home and immediately went into A Fib for the first time in over a week. It is discouraging at times. P.S. They have to do this new test so the doc can pay for his new machine. LOL
They're looking for the source of the stroke. The first heart attack I had gave me a 5th beat and now they're all betting that the stroke was caused by something to do with the heart. Cardiologist said there might be a hole in the heart.
They have you on Coumidin I'm sure. A Fib can cause blood clots.... which of course can cause strokes. Is this a 5th beat or irregular beats and times that pop up... especially for extened periods? I've had times where I went for a couple days with heart beats of 115-140 while playing couch potatoe. It really tires you out. On extended monitors they found me at times reaching 170 beats per minute while sleeping. It really tires you out. I'm hoping this new med does the trick because the next step is to fry some of the heart areas giving the bad signals with electrical shock therapy. It's 70 percent successful... but to be one of the 70 percent you might have to go under the electrocusion several times.... and then you might be one of the 30 percent..
Mark, I wish you the best. Keep fishing, keep healthy, enjoy the sunrises and sunsets, and stay stress free!
