Echocardiogram

[gwyn53]

Having echo tomorrow 

I'm terrified! Don't know why.

They are checking my thyroid and obviously  heart

Why am I so scared and will Iget results then?

Sorry to be a pain .😑

[Hidden]

Oh please do not be terrified it's nothing to be frightened of. All they do is put a gel substance on you and roll something across you that scans the heart. It's a little like what pregnant ladies have on ultrasound scans. No pain at all I've had 3 and can assure you nothing to fear. 

[gwyn53 in reply to Hidden]

Frills, thanks 

I'm scared of everything lately.

Go to work,come home.

Don't do anything at the pace I used to 

I've slowed down so much.

Hate hospitals.

Even though I clean for them.

But everything makes me panicky 

Fed up with myself. I know I'm not as bad as many of you. I know that.

This has really thrown me.

Thanks for reply. Appreciate it. 

[Hidden in reply to gwyn53]

As long as not scared now we may both sleep better let us know how you get on 

[bumbles2008]

Hi I'm having an echo today as well. Had a couple before there's nothing to worry about it reminds me of the scan you have when having a baby it's just done a lot further up. Hope you got a decent nights sleep

[gwyn53 in reply to bumbles2008]

Well be thinking of you today.

Like I say

I'm just acreal wimp of late

[bumbles2008 in reply to gwyn53]

Had mine done will get in touch with results. Let me know how you get on. I was in nsr the nurse told me but I knew I was anyway I know exactly when I go into af 

[Mazza23]

I have had heaps of these they do not hurt and are not invasive so please do not worry should get the results in a few days 

[Bexbutton]

Hi I've had both done and they were fine, not painful. The thyroid scan is a little uncomfortable but only from the position you have to lie in, but it is over fast. For the heart echo I've always had results the same day as I've been seeing cardio then they've sent me down for an echo. If you don't have an appointment then you probably won't. With the thyroid scan I found out at my next endocrinologist appointment which was probably a week or so later.

[gwyn53]

Thanks. I'm just a real wimp lately.

Scared of everything.

Slowed down incase heart rate goes up!!.

I'm off to work right now then echo this afternoon.

Just don't know why I'm scaring myself so much.

Thanks for reply.

[clanmags]

gwyn53  You are not alone!  I was in shock when I was told, 5 weeks ago, after my third ECG with the Nurse, 'You have atrial fibrillation...the Doctor wants you to take these.....'  My first reaction was, 'No!  I'm not taking Warfarin.  I want to know exactly what's wrong with my heart before I start going down the 'drugs' route.'  I made a bit of a fuss, but the Nurse was very calm and sympathetic and gave me the Warfarin and the information pack which explains more about the condition.  Since then, I've found that a couple of my good friends are on 'thinners' (I hadn't known!) and I've done loads of research.  I hardly moved for three weeks, worrying about increasing my heart rate, but I put on 3lbs in weight....not a good move.  So, I went back to living life as usual, taking the 2 and-a-half mile walk into town...stopping for a cup of tea in town to rest.  AND, I feel much better for it.  Another friend of mine, a nurse, told me she was born with AF and I shouldn't worry, I just have to look after myself (and stop running around after my mother and grown-up children).  'And', she added, 'Don't put yourself into stressful situations!'  Re-read previous sentence...lol. 

Hope this helps, gwyn.  I am still waiting for my first echo.  I hope it's soon.

[gwyn53 in reply to clanmags]

Clanmaggie.

Thank you.

When I had my first AF it was July 2015 I was very stressed by a father in law who wanted us at his neck and call. Having to drive 100 miles each way because he was feeling ill.

My husband had just found he had bladder cancer. It was a very stressful time.

Got myself very worked up. But was working so it was my opt out time. 

I had my second in January this year was back at work four days later. I'm a domestic for NHS.

I've cancelled hoikdays weekend breaks.( not always because of how I feel situation with Hubby's cancer treatment).

But I've slowed down. 

My daughters have been great. Both trying to get me out.

I work , rest and take care of most stuff.

It's time to relax I'm not giving in .

But there isn't anyone to talk to. I don't know why I'm being so scared of everything.

Time for me to "woman" up.

Thanks. I appreciate your reply.

[ruskin10]

Dont be scared, its painless and doesnt take very long.  I didnt get results then, as they have to do measurements etc, so it took 7 days.  I think its helpful to know how your heart is doing with all this jumping around it does in AF.  I know with AF there is so much to be worried about, and it can take over your life, but the quiet times will come again when you can put it to the back of your mind a little more.  Find distractions, reading good book, visiting beautiful pleaces, Having a cuppa with someone you love (or like)..  Best wishes, and we are all in the same `boat` as it were.  Pat

[rosyG]

Hi

It's worth asking the person doing the echo how it looks- they won't give a full reply as need to make a report but might give you some reassurance - it really is an easy thing to have done as everyone has said

Good luck!

[Elaine1951]

It's v simple.  Results will be dependent on hospital protocols. Usually quick.  Anything to do with our hearts makes us anxious. It's ok. Don't apologise. You'll be ok 

[ckelly]

Just had one last week, nothing to fear. Finished within 15 minutes. they can see & hear heart functioning as well as arteries. Absolutely painless. 

[scottishmuppet]

Cardiologist did mine at initial appointment.  Took literally 10 minutes and is entirely painless...actually better than when you're pregnant as you won't need to have a full bladder 😫.  Also hugely reassuring.  I'd have one a week if they let me!

[dave1950]

Gwyn 53 - there seem to be many of us affected in this way. I thought I was a calm person, unaware of having "White Coat syndrome". It was being diagnosed with AF 5 months ago while I was about to go in for my knee replacement op which got cancelled that set of the anxious train of thought in process. What I have discovered is, despite being initially told by medics to the contrary, that anxiety is a major trigger. People telling you not to worry will not help! Virtually all my episodes have been hospital or anxiety related which is the most common cause of my heart rate rising these days!.

What may well help is telling you that I actually had an AF episode whilst walking in for my echocardiogram. The technician told me that it didn't matter at all and would not affect the results. I could feel my heart all over the place while he did it. Although unable to give me the results (which you will get with another appointment) he did reassure me that it looked ok. The results turned out to be that my heart was pumping fine with no valve problems. Since then I have had other scans and 24 hour monitoring and have still felt a bit anxious but have held AF at bay. I was more concerned about them drawing false conclusions as not only do I feel well most of the time but also I am lucky and not that bad during my 36 hours of AF.

I have been getting less anxious with time - due to the fact that everyone in the medical profession is telling me this condition is nothing to fear and not life threatening. I believe this condition is worsened by anxiety and controlling that is really a different medical and psychological problem to AF itself.

Good luck,

Dave 

[squady]

you are scared in case they find some thing ,the test takes ten minutes,  the nurse then takes the read out to the specialist,it takes longer to place the eight sencers in place,good luck with the results

[gwyn53]

Off I go.

Thanks  will be fine .

Your right it's just not knowing.

[bumbles2008 in reply to gwyn53]

How did it go today

[meadfoot]

I am a prize coward so please believe me when I say an echo cardio gram is very easy. No pain or discomfort.  You just lie there in a fairly darkened room while the technician runs the small hand held scanner around your heart area.  They will ask you to change positions while laying down so they can scan from different positions.

It's no different to having a baby scan while pregnant. 

 I doubt they will tell you anything there and then as the results go to your doctor and the technicians won't have the expertise or job role to translate the scan.  

Try not to worry.

[PeterWh in reply to meadfoot]

Just to correct a misunderstanding.  As I understand it the radiologist (I am not sure of their classification) does have the expertise and is actually the person who writes up the report for the consultant or the doctor.  Obviously the consultant or doctor may have their additional comments or my disagree with the radiologist's findings and comments. This has certainly been the situation in the 5 or 6 ECGs and also with a number of MRI and other scans over 12) that I have had. The reason that they don't discuss the findings with you is that the consultant or doctor is the responsible medic. However I have on most occasions been able to get some information out of them (including 10 days ago). 

[meadfoot in reply to PeterWh]

For their own safety it is wiser for the person conducting the test, irrespective of their expertise, to make clear at the outset that their role is to undertake the test and report the findings to the relevant consultant or GP as appropriate.  It is in not in their best interests or the patients to comment on any findings.  Tempting as it may be to want to reassure them the patient can misinterpret what has been said and put the staff member in a difficult position.

Therefore a clear protocol in these matters better serves patient and staff and reduces any unintended consequences.  

[gwyn53 in reply to meadfoot]

Agree. Mine was lovely. Thus aite is so supportive.

[meadfoot in reply to gwyn53]

So pleased you are feeling better.  We are all here for each other ongoing which is so comforting.  Take care, be well. X

[gwyn53]

In hospital with third af.

[PeterWh in reply to gwyn53]

😒

[clanmags]

Look after yourself, Gwyn, and try not to worry (easier said than done, I know).  Keep reading the posts on this site and don't be afraid to post your own thoughts, however unimportant you might think they are.  We all have our own fears and worries and it really does help to share them...

[gwyn53]

Home at 4am in a taxi.

All OK again.

This is a scary thing to o through.

Thanks for all the support.

I'd felt so good before hand.

Just one of those things.

New echo ordered and hope no damage done otherwise an ablation is being considered. Ugh!!!!

Please No!

[Rellim296 in reply to gwyn53]

Glad you are home again and hope all will settle down for you.

Please don't be convinced an ablation is something bad and to be avoided as it can be much less scary than it sounds and the route to a much better situation.

[gwyn53 in reply to Rellim296]

Echo is being done today.

[Rellim296 in reply to gwyn53]

Get it done and dusted! 

[Paddinton]

Hope it went well. I had mine last week, and the worst bit the slime (lubricant for the sensor). Everything else was nice and relaxing.

[gwyn53]

Your right.just had it done.

Pity I had the AF yesterday, as I was on my way 

But that's how it goes.

Feeling tired but I'm.

Good luck with results 

[PeterWh in reply to gwyn53]

No I don't think it's a pity. I think it was a blessing in disguise. 

[gwyn53 in reply to PeterWh]

Probably.

Thanks 

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HiIt is so important to hav your thyroid checked by a neck scan.

A stroke hospitalised me, found to have rapid, persistent AF.

4 days later DHB said Carotid Arteries Scan. The lass said I always your thyroid. "oops" she said "there is a shadow on your thyroid. I better get the boss to look".

I was transferred to Kaitaia at the weekend and get some services as I live alone with my JAZ. (mini schnauzer).

A learning Dr rung on the Monday and asked for my consent to have a biopsy. "Yes " I said.

4 mths later with agro from the Ecrinologist on my Stroke Ward in Whangarei who stated I would need to wait until 6 mthe lapsed since the Embollic Stroke.

But my Surgeon and the Anaesthetist said a.s.a.p.

I flew through the op. 1 whole thyroid and 12 lymph nodes removed. 2 lymph nodes were affected. If left these could have got to the central site and spread the Papillary Cancer.

3 years now since the Stroke and AF diagnosed which thyroid caused.

Now with another op behind me my TVT Kit (Mesh by Johnson & Johnson) the surgeon found it was inserted correctly and there was so much inflammation. 2 months later I am healing.

But since then, my locum Dr cannot find my usual A.F.

My question is this "can inflammation cause A.F"

Am I cured! Waiting on tests to prove it but I feel more emergised.

Cheri JOY

All the Best

73 years now with regards to heart meds

I take Diltiazem a Calcium Channel Blocker 120mg a.m. Bisoprolol 2.5mg p.m

PRADAXA 110mg x twice day.