Need some positive vibes!

[Gluey]

Hi all

I found out last night that I have a heart Arrhythmia that needs urgent treatment to prevent me having a major stroke. I've been battling it for the last couple of months. I have been told that I either need to go on daily anti-arrhythmic medication (complete with side effects) for the rest of my life (I'm only 31!!) or IF my medical insurance company decides to approve it (they are dragging their heels on this treatment), I need to have a type of ablation done. Evidently I was born with this and it hasn't been influenced by lifestyle - it's just been waiting to rear it's ugly head. I'm a bit freaked at the moment as I was hoping that whatever I had would just go away. I'm meant to be going overseas for a 10 day holiday at the end of March but even that has been put in doubt as no travel insurance will cover me (unless they have horrendous excesses) as my condition is newly diagnosed as as yet untreated. I'm gutted and a bit scared at this stage.

So any hugs, positive thoughts, or similar experiences you have would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

 

[redhotswami]

Oh Kim, this sucks so much. I can't imagine how stressed and anxious you must feel. I'm not at all familiar with heart Arrythmia, so I have no idea what to say about it. I really hope that your insurance company approves it and you can do whatever is necessary to treat this. You have a beautiful heart and it sucks to hear this.

Lots of virtual hugs and positive thoughts coming your way

 

[Ava79]

My thoughts, prayers and a lot of healing s coming your way. I can't even imagine what's going on in your head right now, but never ever forget that no matter what happens, you are not alone.

 

[kafrun]

Positive, healing vibes for you, sweetie Please keep us updated.

 

[Lila64]

 

[Bonochick]

I hope that everything works out all right.

 

[Miringeltje]

Sending loads and loads of positive vibes your way!

 

[europop2005]

 

[Galeongirl]

jesus Gluey! why didn't you tell me this??????

lots of hugs for you, and please keep us up to date okay?

 

[WildHoney]

Gluey

you know my thought and prayers are with you

I hope your insurance agrees to help sort you out

I need you fit for next year , otherwise NZ will get the Wild Treatment

 

[BonosBaby12]

Awwww Kim I hope everything works out with the insurance so you can get what you need

Like everyone else has stated keep up updated please. Sending lots of positive vibes and thoughts your way!

 

[Gluey]

Thanks everyone. I'll hear from my specialist today about what meds I have to take, and how they're going to approach the insurers. It's crazy, he said the procedure has been done successfully here for over 10 yrs yet the insurance companies will still only approve it on a case by case basis. Fingers crossed they take pity on me and my age and let me have it asap.

 

[JCOSTER]

 

[Thora]

Sending good, healing thoughts your way.

 

[U2isthebest]

I'll be thinking and praying for you, Gluey!ray:

 

[Babydoll]

Oh my gosh Gluey, so sorry for this!

Lotsa prayers for you ray:

 

[cobl04]

Wow that's horrible to hear, I'm so sorry, especially only being 31. Thoughts and prayers with you.

 

[Carek1230]

Lots of positive thoughts and get well prayers for you gluey. You are in good hands.

 

[Gluey]

Thanks everyone for all the thoughts.

I've started my meds today and luckily the only side effects to look forward to are swollen ankles and hot flushes....so I'm pretty lucky as it could have been worse!

The specialist has also said that because of my age and the severity of symptoms I'm a perfect candidate to get the surgery I need fast-tracked through all the red tape.

I feel like I'm starting to win!

 

[Carek1230]

This is really promising news. Continue to take it easy though and we will continue to send you positive thoughts and vibes!

 

[JCOSTER]

Great news Kim!!!! I'll be thinkin of you. The boys wish you get better soon too!

 

[Mr. BAW]

Follow the doctor's instructions (sometimes) they know best...BAW had similar symptoms since childhood; by the time she was in her late 20's, she experienced everything you're going through, rapid heart beat, fatigue, difficulty breathing...

Doctors asked all the right questions; meds DIDN'T help and an angiogram was performed; doctors found a tear in her atrial valve...this was in the mid-1990s and it was serious enough that it required a full-open chest procedure; by the time surgeons found the tear, it was not the size of the pencil eraser that they thought but the size of a nickle...she would not have lasted any more than 5 more years at the rate she had been going according to her cardiologist...

Now, the doctor's use the same angiogram procedure but they're able to use a kevlar-type material to patch said tears WITHOUT an intrusive surgery...that's progress...

By the way, BAW fine, and doing well,

As for me, I'm forever thankful to St. Jude Medical Center here in Fullerton, CA...by the way, I proposed marriage to her as soon as she came out of the OR,,,,nah, she never heard me but I married her just the same!

Good luck with your situation...

 

[Gluey]

Follow the doctor's instructions (sometimes) they know best...BAW had similar symptoms since childhood; by the time she was in her late 20's, she experienced everything you're going through, rapid heart beat, fatigue, difficulty breathing...

Doctors asked all the right questions; meds DIDN'T help and an angiogram was performed; doctors found a tear in her atrial valve...this was in the mid-1990s and it was serious enough that it required a full-open chest procedure; by the time surgeons found the tear, it was not the size of the pencil eraser that they thought but the size of a nickle...she would not have lasted any more than 5 more years at the rate she had been going according to her cardiologist...

Now, the doctor's use the same angiogram procedure but they're able to use a kevlar-type material to patch said tears WITHOUT an intrusive surgery...that's progress...

By the way, BAW fine, and doing well,

As for me, I'm forever thankful to St. Jude Medical Center here in Fullerton, CA...by the way, I proposed marriage to her as soon as she came out of the OR,,,,nah, she never heard me but I married her just the same!

Good luck with your situation...

Hugs to you and BAW. Thanks for sharing that with me . The way the dr's knowledge and techniques are advancing, things can only get better. I think I'm coming to terms with the fact I will have to cancel my holiday. I guess they don't strongly recommend you do something like that unless there is a real problem. I'm scared about having the procedure done, no denying that, but I also realise how important it is if I want to put all of this behind me. I've warned my hubby that I may be on a bit of an emotional roller coaster while we sort all of this out...

Everyone's support means so much to me

 

[Carek1230]

There's so much to be said about the power of positive thought!

 

[MooMoo!]

Just had a google at this, does it mean you're having a pacemaker fitted? Im studying the heart in my biology class so its interesting to know the workings and disorders that effect it. From what I gathered its an irregular heartbeat?

 

[Gluey]

Hi MooMoo

Yes it's an irregular heartbeat, the type I have can lead to a stroke because when I have an attack, the blood gets disrupted from pumping around my body. But, at this stage no pacemaker is needed. The surgery that they will do is called an Electrophysiology Study. They go in through the groin and up through the artery to the heart. Once there they can pinpoint where the problem is and do a catheter ablation which destroys the abnormal area of the hearts conductive system, returning it's normal electrical ativity. Only if this doesn't work do they put in a pacemaker - the chances of this for me are very slim.

Hope that helps

 

[MooMoo!]

hey go in through the groin and up through the artery to the heart.

D: !!

Blimey. ow. :/

But yeah, from what Ive learnt, the sinoatrial node (or SAN) is the hearts natual pacemaker, so Im guessing this is iffy so its whats causeing the problem. Or something along those lines... Interesting thing to learn anyway.

The best of luck for your surgery anyway. Though why they need to go in though the groin is puzzling me...

 

[Gluey]

It's actually quite normal to go up through the groin for heart procedures. The main artery is within easy access and it's not a major for them to feed the catheter up into the heart. A hell of a lot less traumatic and painful than open heart surgery. Angioplasty is done this way too. Definitely my choice of entry!

 

[JCOSTER]

^ I feel so bad that you just had the back surgery and now this!!! You seem to be soooo positive. I happy for you for that. I'll be thinking about you everyday, sending my positive vibes....don't forget your smiley face!!!

 

[MooMoo!]

It's actually quite normal to go up through the groin for heart procedures. The main artery is within easy access and it's not a major for them to feed the catheter up into the heart. A hell of a lot less traumatic and painful than open heart surgery.

Ah, well when you put it that way I guess you're right.

Again, best of luck for the op.