Myocardial Perfusion Test.

[Rienij70]

Good morning everyone. Has any of you had a Perfusion test done. I did on Monday. It was a terrible experience. I had terrible chest pains during and after the test. Than a nose bleed. Than went into the scanner. And the scan turned out no good. So they gave me a bottle of water and a breakfast bar tried again, and still no luck. While all the time I felt dreadful. Very tight chest. So they ordered me a taxie and sent me home. Chest pains persisted. My daughter came in after work took one look at me and took me to A&E. Spend the next 4 and a bit hours there. Have to have the test again next month, but I am very reluctant to go. It was a terrible experience. I have asked my GP to give me a ring to ask for advice. On the advice from the doctor in A&E. By the way I was assured the nose bleed had nothing to do with the injections I had. But was probably the air con in the hospital! Really?

[BobD Volunteer]

I have had several such tests, CT scans and angiograms over the years and never had a problem. The last angiogram I had via my radial artery was a little uncomfortable but not in any way painful. There is nothing they do which would cause the nose bleed either.

[Rienij70 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, maybe it depends on the medication a person takes, how you react to the test. I don’t know, but hopefully will get to the bottom of it. As they other patients there seemed to be ok. Apparently the radio active stuff settled in my stomach, and thus obscured the heart, was the explanation.

[CDreamer in reply to Rienij70]

Everyone reacts differently to disease, tests and drugs. You may never find out what caused your reaction - but it obviously wasn’t good! Just remember that it is meant to stress your body - in a controlled way - but then everyone reacts differently to stress.

The most important thing is that you recover.

[meadfoot]

I had exactly the same experience as you except nose bleed, it was awful. I was an inpatient so returned to the ward where the three other people in the bay said they had had the same experience but hadn't told me as I might have been ok and they didn't want to upset me in advance. I understand your fear, can you tell the people doing the test next time of your last experience there may be some alternative drug they can use. You may well be fine next time but I get your reluctance. They would not do a test if it was dangerous for you but I understand how scary it was for you. Everyone is different in reaction to drugs etc hopefully there is an alternative you can have.

The good news was my heart was ok so your experience during the test is not indicative of your heart being a problem. I had an angiogram also while in hospital and that showed all was well.

[Rienij70 in reply to meadfoot]

Hi meadfoot, thanks for your reply. The doctor in A&E said they might not give me so much next time. Problem is I am on warfarine beta blockers and nitrate tablets. And I suppose it could all interact. I am now more prepared so I will ask my GP the relavent questions. I expected to have my heart racing, but not pain in my chest and down my arm. I couldn’t breathe. And all for nothing.

[meadfoot in reply to Rienij70]

Glad a and ought they may adjust injection dose next time.

[Janith]

I’m in America. I think that it is the same as our nuclear stress test. They speed up the heart using chemicals. I was in the hospital because l had my first afib attack. Only had two in my lifetime. This was the first. I was totally ignorant about afib. This guy comes into my room saying that he was there for my nuclear stress test. I asked him what it was. He said that they inject chemicals to stress the heart. I looked at him and said NO WAY!! He said ok and left. I would NEVER have that test. Now, l research EVERYTHING that they want to do to me. That chemical stress test can kill one and has. No thank you Doctor Dearest. Give me a heart MRI. They use us as Ginny pigs.

[Rienij70 in reply to Janith]

I am supposed to have a repeat next month. But I have just come out hospital having being taken in at two last night with chest pains and very fast AF. It a new appointment to see the cardiologist Tuesday. I told them in the hospital today no way was I going through that again. I am still in Af at the moment. But not as fast anymore. Going to bed soon. As I haven’t slept last night. You take care. rienij

[Janith]

You take care as well. I feel as though l no longer have afib. It is wise of you to be very very careful with that test. Obviously, it is dangerous. Furthermore, why must you have it? What about a heart MRI ... or are you subject to socialized medicine? I tell you, do they know what they are doing? It’s so maddening. I’m on a med called sotolol ...lowest dose ... try magnesium taurant ... powder ... try a high quality probiotic ... try Dr. Sinatra fish oil ... take a multi vitamin ... don’t consume meat ... eat salmon, tuna, sardines ... watch alcohol... l wish you happiness ...

[Rienij70]

Thank you, that sort of food I eat already. I will discuss the options on Tuesday. My daughter suggested to go private instead of NHS. I will see what the cardiologist says. It might be easier to pay him, if it is a time consuming exercise it will cost me on help for my husband with dementia. You are between the devil and the deep blue sea. I just like to get it sorted. Take care Rienij