[bypeep]

I know the title sounds misleading, but the episode that I had on 7/22 was longer than 30 seconds so I'm very certain that not all of my events could be considered non-sustained.

I just got home actually. My appointment was at 2:15pm but I was having panic attacks the whole way home so I had my hubby bring me to my dad's house for the evening.

Amazing that the last day of my monitor I manage to produce a 9 beat run of VT at about 190 bpm. Yay me.

My cardiologist I think was surprised and told me he wanted me to get into the regional electrophysiologist center in the next two days. That equated to me getting scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:00am.

The good thing is that my echo came back good - not that I find that entirely reassuring. I know that echo's don't always show things that could make this sort of condition very dangerous. I asked him about ARVD and he told me echo's were actually quite good at spotting this, and that generally there were other issues, particularly with the ECG's and whatnot, none of which I seem to have.

He said that it looked monomorphic and initially told me I'd be having an EP study tomorrow morning. I called in to work and got my family all wound up then found out there was a miscommunication and I'd just be consulting and having tests.

When I asked him where he believed it was originating from he said RVOT. He said this type of VT is benign - but oddly enough just after I left my cardio, my best friend called me telling me she'd just left the cardio with her daughter and that her daughter was having an ablation for RVOT in October and that her dr. told her it was fatal. I have no idea. Maybe it's because she has a structurally abnormal heart. Ugh.

Anyways, I'll know more tomorrow. I have called my GP and requested valium in mass quantities. I'm hoping to get a good prognosis from the electrophysiologist doc and some good sleep!

Wish me luck.

[poohbear2026]

So sorry to hear about this. Hope you can get some sleep and a good report. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated.

[bypeep]

Anita,

Thanks so much.

You know, the strange this is - I've had this same type of palpitation for years and have always ignored it. It's not the one that I was mainly focused on getting on tape, LOL. I mean, this isn't funny, but I find it so ironic.

But, now every single time I feel what I consider a "single" PVC, I am freaking out thinking it's a run of them because honestly, the one yesterday morning felt like a couplet, but was really 9!!!! My heart has been freaking out all day and it's got to be hormones.

I am really hoping that he has some good answers for me tomorrow because this is eating me alive. I'm shocked they got me in so soon!!! But I'm going to be pooped because I can't sleep. Dan is snoring away next to me and I'm wide awake.

Being through this yourself (and yes, I cried like a frigging baby at the cardio today - telling him that I was terrified of dropping dead) - anything you'd suggest I bring up or ask? I'm feeling so braindead right now.

Thank you so much for talking to me. I know this sounds weird, but damn I wish you were a neighbor right now because at least you've been thru it and can understand.

[jkfrench]

Good luck tomorrow. I have had 7 or 8 beat runs of NSVT. My doctor told me it was benign. I hope the electrophysiologist can tell you the same and put your mind at ease a little. This can be so hard and I have felt everything you are feeling. (even the neighbor thing)
Please let us know how your visit went as soon as you can. Take care Jodie

[poohbear2026]

Its good they could get you in so soon, then at least you will not have to be all worried about the unknown for so long. The first time I caught mine, I too thought it was just a regular palp and wasn't one of the ones I had tried to catch. I asked my dr's about how possible it was that I would go into a deadly arrhythmia, also asked them what they would do if this was happening to them. What meds would have the least side effects, should I buy a defib machine...Most of these are crazy questions but usually they don't mind. I went to Duke and I guess they are suppose to be pretty good, they told me I should be fine as long as I am not passing out. They are the ones who ordered the MRI. Mine were a 4 and 5 beat run. Hope things go well in the morning, Did you take any meds to try to get some sleep? I know lack of sleep make mine worse. It is definitely always nice to have someone to talk to when going through this crap. I know Jodie has sure helped me a lot.
Anita

[jsuter69]

Good luck! You'll be in my prayers!!

[bypeep]

Back from electrophysiologist doctor.

Okay - my PVC's are coming from different foci - but the 9 beat VT run was from a single focus - which is good.

His name is Dr. Love and I loved him. He was soo patient and sooo thorough and talked to me like I had a least a shred of intelligence. Very respectful.

The other thing I love about Maine is that there are short wait times. I get to have an EP study in 15 days on September 9th.

He believes it's most likely RVOT and isn't too worried about me between now and then. He has been doing electrophysiologist studies since 1981 and has logged nearly 3000 since that time with no deaths!!! This is good as far as I'm concerned.

After the EP study, he's scheduling me for a cardiac MRI and a stress test/stress echo. He told me that too many Dr.'s assume that a normal echo + NSVT = fine and dandy when that is actually not the case. He said that there are too many variables. His protocol is that ANYONE showing NSVT and normal echo should undergo rigorous testing to determine if there is a hidden structural abnormality. I felt really good about this too!!! I have seen too many people on medhelp.org with normal echo's and major rhythm problems.

So, I guess that until the 15th, I'm just hanging out and trying to stay calm. I'm exhausted right now and looking forward to a nap.

Oh, and my EP study does not have an ablation component. He wants to map and then decide the best course of action. If he determines that ablation is possible or indicated, I'll have to go back in for a second procedure (ugh! not happy about this part).

I do appreciate all the support from you guys and am feeling slightly less apprehensive about this whole thing now.

~Stacy

[poohbear2026]

Good news. Hope the electrophysiologist goes great. Now that makes me think I should ask for an EP study, but Duke did the MRI first and decided I didn't need it. Hope that is good enough.

Anita

[jkfrench]

That is great that you finally have a doctor that you feel comfortable with. The NSVT thing kinda has me stumped too because my doctor has no worries at all and I never had an EP study or MRI. Just Stress Test. I guess if it starts happening a lot, I'll ask for the 30 day monitor. For now, I just have to trust my doctor. Anita, you had the MRI and there aren't any abnormalities so you should be fine. See, this is why it is hard to not worry about this stuff. Too many variables and we over analyze everything.
Jodie

[poohbear2026]

Thanks Jodie! I think I will just leave it alone for now. Since I just had my cardio appt last week, I will just see how it is doing in 6 weeks. For some reason I didn't realize that you had NSVT too. At least that makes me feel a little better.
Anita