Now it’s all done and looking back the scan of my resting heart wasn’t bad at all just listened to the radiographer, just doing as you’re told breathing.
It was the stress test part was really unpleasant, I literally couldn’t speak I was sooo out of breath not even a word, chest ache and heavy, neck shoulders and arms. Blood pressure high but I assume that’s normal for what was happening, apart from that I think I was on a high afterwards as it was over. Just tired and dull chest ache and usual breathlessness.
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Fluffybee
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That’s lovely, I really like that things bring happy memories of close ones, like a walnut whip, something special and yummy, yet means so very much for you to remember her by 🤗🤗🤗
((((HUGS)))) Walnut whip sounds just the thing plus a lovely pot of your favourite tea then a night on the sofa or in bed - and maybe a quiet day tomorrow as well. Well done you for going in there and getting up on that table!
Did they give you any idea when you'll hear the results?
No they didn’t say when, just that the consultant is going to look at it and let me know, the consultant was the actual one who did the stress test, so he’s going to look at it as he’s the new one I’ve been transferred to. Hope you’re ok and thanks for asking 🤗
I'm fine, thank-you. I'm one of those strange probable MVA'ers who does better in autumn and winter. I'm embarrassed to say this but really, I'm better than fine with more energy every day the temperature drops a bit more.
Great to hear it was your new cardiologist present and correct today, hopefully you'll hear something soon. Meanwhile, try to tell yourself if he'd any urgent concerns you'd be in hospital tonight, not home enjoying tea and Walnut Whips
Well......... what I could see of him which was just his eyes lol with all the PPE on he looked pretty fit, very kind eyes and he held my forearm when I felt bad, he was very kind, so that in itself made him dishy 😍 whether I get to see him again or just speak to him is another matter, so that was rather a distraction, 😂😂😂😂
Can I ask what is the stress test? I get very tight shoulders and neck a lot. Feels like rock and quite uncomfortable. They keep telling me it is not related to my heart problem or that I am getting myself anxious/stressed. I try everything to relax the shoulders but once it sets in it is there all day. Xx
Stress test depends on which equipment is used but essentially it is a procedure done to test the effect of physical stress on the heart. It can be done as a treadmill-ECG, an echocardiogram treadmill or stationary bike with the added 'bonus' of an IV administered of a dye to make it easier for the echo equipment to pick up how blood flows through the body to the heart OR on an MRI table with the dye joined by a stimulant meant to 'stress' the heart to get a picture of what happens to a heart under physical stress. The stimulant is called a 'provocation' and it fools the heart into thinking it is working exceptionally harder than usual.
As you've been told your symptoms are probably anxiety-stress related and not something to do with your heart, ask your GP to refer you for anxiety and stress counselling, the counselling will usually include exercises to help relax tensed muscles. And if that doesn't help, insist on heart investigations - many members here, especially we ladies, have been told 'it's anxiety' only to wake up in CICU after a heart attack because, surprise, surprise, it wasn't anxiety, it really was our heart.
BOO HOO cannot get walnut whips in Singapore ! Havnt had one for 20 years. Are they still thick choc with that sinful goo inside ! Havnt had a crunchie, lion bar or jelly baby either - but maybe not the most healthiest fare at 77.
I had a colleague once refuse a secondment to Singapore - why? Owing to not being able to chew gum. Wish I could say I'm joking but he refused to go once he found out chewing gum is illegal there.
You have to dig for them here but they still sell Walnut Whip the way it's meant to be made - nut on the bottom of a luscious 'whip' fondant enveloped in creamy milk chocolate with the authenticating perfect walnut on top.
Oh heck, gotta go clean the drool from my keyboard!
Apparently a shop does a massive whole one it’s not a nestle one but It does look incredible, you describe a walnut whip as if you’re completely in love with them like one of those adverts 🤭🤭🤭
Right, here's where I really out myself - when the company started taking the walnut out of the bottom in the original ones, I 'hacked' the recipe and started making them at home. Bigger and using a tart tin so when I pour the milk chocolate over the whip part, the excess (is 'excess' even a thing when making chocolates?) pools in the bottom of the tin cup and makes an even more scrummy chocolate delight.
I also make an out-of-this-world milk chocolate fudge complete with walnuts (or pecans, some people like pecans over walnuts) and a lovely glacé cherry on every square.
I’d like to say I like jelly babies but sadly not, it’s probably worse for me that I love chocolate, especially walnut whips incase you didn’t know 😂😂😂
Fluffybee I would love a walnut whip to look forward to on Monday after I have my angio and now that you have put it in my head I’m planning g to have one waiting....😀
Make sure you get one with a nut on the top, we (Ellie) and I have found an intruder, it’s a nut less whip, hideous I tell you absolutely hideous, who would think of a nut less whip I ask, obviously it’s your choice but nestle do a ‘whip’ that’s nut less and the original ‘walnut whip’
Let us know how you get on, you’ll be fine, be brave we’re all behind you 🤗
Yes they’re much smaller than they were but yes thick chocolate especially at the bottom and the sinful centre and of course the walnut, we’ve got loads over here 🥳🥳🥳🥳 strange what you miss when you hear how yummy some things are, sorry I won’t rub it in anymore, but they’re wonderful 😂😂😂
How did you get on today ? I hope you coped with it ok, I know it can be frightening,some people like to watch it, i was a bit of a baby and had a wobble. But had it done.
Loads of luck for good results, get that precious walnut whip and enjoy, 🤗 well done for going through with it 😇
Ah hi fluffybee and thanks for remembering my angio today. Had a rocky start 3 medics trying to get a vein and My BP through the roof! I was very weepy but we made it! Cardiologist saw state of me and gave me results and I’m relieved to say that the calcification in arteries is mild and no intervention needed. However I will still need my mitral valve seen to as the leak is severe but he wants to do a TOE first to plan next steps for that. My husband had a 3 pack of M&S walnut whips ready and waiting....thanks again for asking. Hope you are well.
So pleased you managed - I went for mine yesterday and couldn’t go through with it - I’m gutted- I’m claustrophobic but thought I could work through it - so close to my face - it was terrible- they have offered the larger Machine which they reckon gives another 10cm- even typing this I can feel anxiety rising - so strange that body can put up with so much pain but being enclosed is too much
I do sympathise Scoopdog. I had mine the other day. I'm not claustrophobic but it stretched me in that small tube! They suggested some diazepam before the procedure to help if needed. I didn't use any but the down side was you couldn't drive yourself home. Maybe your GP could prescribe it?
I don't think you should be annoyed. I think that test is pretty tough. Fingers crossed you will feel able to do it next to time (,just with a little help) . Take care
I am exactly the same, lifelong fear of enclosed spaces due to childhood experience. Have been asked to have MRI by my cardiologist and told him there’s no point in even trying. Had a mini stroke couple of months ago after angiogram had to do CT scans as could not cope with MRI. And yes I have been offered sedation. Still can’t just thought of being in small space causes horrifying anxiety.
I sympathise - I’m really claustrophobic too & didn’t think I’d be able to go through with mine last year. One of my consultants told me he’d ‘bottled it’ (his words) too & had to go back another day with diazepam. I told myself after all I’ve been through I can do a simple MRI. I contacted the mri department beforehand & explained my phobia. I had top dose of diazepam & still burst into tears the second I got the gown on 🙈. The staff were fantastic. And I kept my eyes closed from the minute I lay down!! I did it! 55 minutes in the tunnel (the wider one). I burst into tears again when I came out!!
Don’t beat yourself up - it is what it is. A phobia - an irrational (but very real) fear. My advice is take as much diazepam as they’ll let you have, tell them beforehand how you feel, close your eyes & don’t open them till you’re out! Hypnotherapy is always an option too!
Don’t be so hard on yourself it’s not nice at all, I just kept my eyes shut the whole time only way I felt I could try and get through it, I didn’t even know it was that close to your face !!!
It’s a horrible experience being claustrophobic on top, you were amazing to even go for it.
Must admit no matter how much I knew I wanted this test I did have a wobbly chin again, luckily it’s tucked under the face mask and didn’t make eye contact 😳
I think your body can put up with a lot but if you have a phobia that’s another thing, I try and think how I’d feel being in a room full of spiders, that wouldn’t happen 😱😱 I think billyjean123 has a brilliant idea of having something to calm you beforehand. Did they say when you can have the larger MRI test done. Best of luck 🍀
Funny you should mention walnut whips. I had one the other day for the first time in years. Unfortunately at our petrol station you queue to pay right next to a big display of chocolate. And they were just there. Only they weren't walnut whips but salted caramel jobbies - a modern aberation. So no walnut on the top. It was a round crunchy object, not sure what it was. I guess the purists would argue it wasn't a walnut whip at all.
I'm glad you survived your stress MRI OK. I don't know which is worse. I had a stress echo where I had to pedal on a lie down bike. Hard work but at least you are not in a tunnel.
I can't remember about the dye to be honest. They did inject drugs to speed up the heart rate though. The worst thing was they hooked me up to an automatic blood pressure machine so every now and again I got tremendous pressure as the cuff pressed around my upper arm. With everything else going on that was hard. I've never had an MRI but I think I would prefer it if you don't have to pedal. I'm not too bad in enclosed spaces if I shut my eyes and go somewhere else.
As for the whips I agree - bit of a modern imposter, although it did have thick chocolate and a squidgy centre. I like Handel's description of mutants.
I don’t mind at all 😊 was in the department around 1 and a half hours to 2 hours, at the beginning it’s quite a lot of getting you ready, ecg on 2 cannula’s, one in each arm. Blood pressure cuff etc.
I sort of lost time but think the scan took an hour or so, that’s including coming out of the scanner for the consultant to give you the medication to speed things up,make sure you’re ok check vitals mine were a bit haywire then back in to finish the test.
No I didn’t cough at all just had a problem breathing.
Thanks, I had one six months ago and I’m due another one soon. I’m very lucky in that my heart is very healthy but it has got a tumour inside it, I had one removed March19 and the surgeon believed he had removed it all. Unfortunately it would appear that he didn’t get it all so I’m facing a second open heart surgery and probably a tricuspid valve replacement in the future.
Wishing you well Fluffybee and quick results for both your liver and heart scans.
I don’t mind at all 😊 was in the department around 1 and a half hours to 2 hours, at the beginning it’s quite a lot of getting you ready, ecg on 2 cannula’s, one in each arm. Blood pressure cuff etc.
I sort of lost time but think the scan took an hour or so, that’s including coming out of the scanner for the consultant to give you the medication to speed things up,make sure you’re ok check vitals mine were a bit haywire then back in to finish the test.
No I didn’t cough at all just had a problem breathing.
I am now craving a walnut whip!! Will have to go on a mission now to find one!! Lol. Well done for getting through your stress test. Thats one thing i havnt had done. What results would this show the cardiologist? X
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