Holter Fun

[Ducky2003]

Hello. Me again with more tales from The Pond.

Yesterday bought forth the joys of a holter monitor fitting and a pre-cardioversion Covid test.

Pleasant young guy doing the fitting and apologised profusely as he said I would need to lift my top up. I explained that after 5 years of AF, I'm not shy anymore as half the hospital have probably seen my assets. He started by using something akin to sandpaper to rub on my chest and then an alcohol wipe on the sandpapered bits which stung like crazy. I don't know if that's the norm or he was a bit of a sadist.

Monitor was hung around my neck with some sort of surgical tape but after nearly garroting myself loading the dishwasher later on, I ended up tucking the bloomin thing in my bra and I slept in it too to keep the thing from flapping about. Not a practical tip for any fellas out there but still worth a try if your wife doesn't mind you borrowing her La Senza silk number.

Whilst at the hospital, I had to have my Covid test. It was a drive through but I had been told, when making the appointment, that I could walk through. With this as the plan, I had sent hubby home and he would pick me up later. At the test portacabin, I was told that I would need to drive through as it was safer............ it was in a separate area, no other traffic and a 20ft wide pavement!!! So, I had to call hubby, who arrived, I got in the car, we then drove 3 feet and then they did the test. You couldn't make it up.

No major issues with the monitor but trying to get the pads off this morning so that hubby could return the monitor was a nightmare. Guys, shave your chest if you need to have one (which would actually look nice if you are borrowing the wife's bra) as it would be worse than waxing. My skin was already unhappy with the sandpaper and alcohol wipe treatment but then trying to get the pads off without stripping the epidermis with them was no mean feat. Consequently, I have 3 round itchy red rashes on my chest which will look very attractive with the burn marks from Friday's cardiversion.

I'm not sure why but I feel a bit more apprehensive about this cardioversion. May be its the irony of it being on a Friday as it makes me think about Carry On Screaming ............ "Frying Tonight".

Well done if you've read this far without nodding off or without alcohol or medication.

Take care

Ang

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Ang and another cracking read to start my day. I understand very well the sandpaper and red patches. Wore a stick on monitor for 72 hours earlier in the year and was climbing the walls with itcheness after the second day. Shame you never called me re taking the pads off as I have some spray called APPEAL which I had years ago after my prostectomy and had to wear convenes for a while. Taking them off without APPEAL was no fun!

Best thing was when I had to star in a film about AF and had to fake a cardioversion. Already had two bald patches from a prior real one so looked decidely odd with two pads and two bald patches.

You'll be fine. just use some aftersun cream on where they stick them.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

Morning Bob I didn't realise that there was a purpose made spray for that occasion. I did try wetting them but they were stuck fast. They should market the things as tile adhesive. The guy did laugh when I asked what to do if a pad fell off.

You starred in a film about AF? Was this some underground cult classic or is it available on i Player? 😁.

[Windlepoons in reply to Ducky2003]

I had that rash reaction too. Thought it was just me! Anyway it took about a week to calm down. Bob's suggestion of aftersun is good. I used one with aloe vera gel in it.Good luck on Friday.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ducky2003]

It was when Multaq (dronaderone) was first licenced and they used it at the launch party in Portugal.(They didn't invite me) Earned about £500 for AF Asscociation doing it over three days. I was allowed to show it at Heart Rhythm Congress Patients day in 2008 as part of my presentation on being a patient with AF but I don't think it has been on general release. If you are ever in Barnstaple I have a disc of it.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

It would be far more interesting than some folks holiday videos I've had to endure.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ducky2003]

My wife used to go on Safari holidays in exotic placs and I had to look through hundreds of images of wild animals, birds and Massai warriors when she returned.

[Ducky2003 in reply to BobD]

To be fair, I have been to the Mara, Lake Naivasha and Treetops so those photos I wouldn't mind. I'm thinking more of the drunken booze cruise to Dieppe with someone feeling seasick being taunted with a bacon sandwich or watching someone do 20 laps in a Costa del Sol pool. Perhaps, I should just change my friends 🤣.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to BobD]

That made me laugh Bob!

[wilsond]

Oh dear saga continues poor gal!Yes the Holter is brilliant isn't it ? I had to wear one for a week in the heatwave last year . I found that to get the stuff off baby oil was good.

If it's red I use savlon.

Best of luck.

Btw I know which arrthymia nurse you meant ,the especially useful one !!

I'm on medically deferred list due to broken ribs and shoulder issue.

Soon be done and you'll be home on the sofa xx

[Ducky2003 in reply to wilsond]

Baby oil eh? 😁. Ah yes, I'm sure you'll know who I was talking about 😁. Sorry you're still having jip with your breakages

[wilsond in reply to Ducky2003]

Good luck for today love. 👍🤞 Hope you get sorted out so to speak! 🙂

[Ducky2003 in reply to wilsond]

Thank you. Just getting myself sorted before heading off. 🤞🤞🤞

[Buffafly]

I read it with tea and cake but not advised as can cause choking 🤣

[Ducky2003 in reply to Buffafly]

🤣. I think I should probably come with a health warning 😁.

[Ducky2003]

Thank you.😊.

[SuziElley]

Ah Ducky, it’s so good to read your posts. I didn’t get the sandpaper treatment for any of my holters but discovered on the last one, when they used different adhesive tape, I was allergic to the glue! All I wanted to do was scratch and rip it off, but was a good girl and managed to keep it on. So glad when it came off, albeit with difficulty. Then the rash from the allergy. Not a pretty site at all…… Hope you’re feeling brighter today and good luck tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll be mildly roasted, not fried 😉

[Frances123]

Oh ducky what a kerfuffle. Hope it soon heals. I’ve not had that but a similar thing was after my first ablation. I had to have a pressure dressing in the groin which they stuck down with the stickiest of tape right across. Now, I had prepared the work surface so to speak prior to ablation but only one side! Nurse came to take dressing dressing off and I was offered the Ooo Ooo Ooo gritted teeth slow way or one OOOOUUUCCCHHH 🤬short swift way. I chose the latter and had a Brazilian at the same time. Talk about walking like John Wayne and burning razor rash wasn’t in it! So dear Ducky I can empathise but say it does get better. Aveeno is a soothing moisturiser. Take care Ang. xxx

[Ducky2003 in reply to Frances123]

Yikes!!! When I had my ablation, they put a pressure dressing on but got me to lie there and hold the bloomin thing in place myself fir half an hour. NHS tape cut backs at that point. The red areas have improved today, thankfully.😊.

[Frances123 in reply to Ducky2003]

Glad things are improving. I had a femostop on for a few hours at first and then once bleeding stopped they replaced with a heavy dressing and tape that would defy anyone! xxx

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Ducky

I always let the hospital staff know that I have sensitive skin and they then use some special non allergic sticky pads on me.

How farcical your covid test was!

[Ducky2003 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I know. Hubby just looked at me and said "this is a joke, right?". Rather than an allergy type thing, I think it's the sandpapering and then the stickiest pads in the Universe. I haven't normally got particularly sensitive skin. Just trying to chill out for tomorrow now.😳.

[Mrsvemb]

All joking aside Ducky, hope all goes well tomorrow and gets you back into NSR.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Mrsvemb]

Thank you. Everything's crossed.😊.

[David1958]

After having seven surgeries, I am no longer shy about people seeing my private parts. With two inguinal hernia surgeries, a R.A.L.P prostatectomy, and a catheter ablation procedure, everybody has seen my wares while I lie there knocked out cold on the table. That and the hospital robe they put on you without tying up the back is so much bother. I used to have to have a 24 hour holter put on me once every year. The nurses always shaved my chest before putting the pads on my chest if I forgot to shave myself. They would not stick otherwise. Great read BTW.

[PrinzMongo]

Hi, Ducky... My cardiologist and EP said I've reversed my ejection fraction issues to the point where I might get away with reducing my metoprolol Rx. Having titrated me down from 50 mg qd to 6.25 mg qd, he had me wear a 2 wk Holter (Zio) monitor. I am reasonably hirsute, so I know to shave down.

I'm an avid mountain hiker and knowing I was going to have the Holter on, I figured to go hiking, snowshoeing, and snow shoveling with the Holter on to get a worst case recording.

So, I show up in my cardiologist's with a rucksack asking the tech if we can fit the monitor around the straps. You think you have problems with your straps! ;^ )

So, my timing was perfect... we had a series of 'atmospheric rivers' drop literal tons of snow on my camp and I shoveled 12-15 tons over about four hours for four consecutive days. After that, a snowy hike, and after that, last day of the Holter test, snowshoeing.

In my case though, I'd sweat so much over the week, the monitor peeled off nicely... I was worried because the Zio monitor before that one was stuck on good. They supply a solvent soaked pad that did a good job, but that's some dad gum (couldn't resist) good adhesive they use.

Seems like you enjoy telling and hearing a good yarn, so here's mine. I enjoyed reading yours!

Be well!