Hopital

Right people Ive just been diagnosed with SVT. My question is sometimes when Im in hospital I get grounded (im not allowed off my bed). I can not understand this as when im at home When my heart starts racing I just wait for it to stop and I dont panic Ive had it for 4 years but just been diagnosed so to me its the norm. But if it goes when im in hospital they stick me on a heart monitor for days and wont let me off my bed even have to use a commode how embarrasing. does this happen to any of you guys? Kerry-anne xxxx

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Hi Kerry-anne,

It's fairly common to suffer with palpitations when you have severe asthma, especially if you are on subcut terbutaline. I've just been diagnosed with atrial tachycardia, a similar form of heart arrhythmia, so I can understand how it feels. I've been put on a tablet called verapamil to try to stop the abnormal heart rhythm, which is helping a bit.

I know it is awkward and embarrassing to be confined to your bed when this happens, but the doctors just want to be able to keep a close eye on you to make sure that you don't develop a dangerous arrhythmia. SVT in itself is usually not dangerous, although unpleasant, but occasionally the heart can go into an abnormal rhythm that is not so safe. If this happens, they obviously want to know about it as soon as possible so that they can treat it. Also, when you are moving around, even if you are only transferring from bed to chair, you are putting your heart under extra stress, particularly if your breathing is bad at the time. This could make it go even faster or make you more likely to develop a dangerous heart rhythm.

All of us with brittle asthma probably do things at home from time to time that would be severely frowned on when in hospital, but when you are in, it's probably best to play by their rules as much as you can. I know it's tedious and often seems pointless, but generally the rules are there for good reasons.

Hope this helps

Em H