Neucleaur stress test

[Doggyday]

Hi,new to this and ABIT scared.I was diagnosed with unstable angina two weeks ago at A and E after tight chest and arm pain .They wanted to do an angiogram right away but I am allergic to contrast dye(found that out while having a CT scan for ovarian cancer).Now scheduled for neucleaur stress test,am worried as it looks awful when I've looked it up and I'm worried about nuclear liquid they inject you with.Please has anyone who's had this test any advice,I'm not really a coward,but lots happened medically,thank you for listening.

[Tos92]

I would call the cardiology department where it’s being done and ask them what stress agent is being used. I also have side effects to certain contrast dye, I believe it’s the one containing iodine. If you also explain the side effects that you experience, they may have an alternative.

I don’t react well to a stress agent called dobutamine and so I’ve previously been offered something different, but I can’t remember the name of it, sorry.

I hope it goes well.

Tos

[Doggyday in reply to Tos92]

Thank you so much for your reply,it's iodine with me as well.I'm wondering is test will be a waste of time as I can't have angiogram if they find I need treatment,bit of a vicious circle!!I will phone them and see,again thank you for answering.

[scentedgardener]

I'm having a nuclear stress test next week too, and a resting one a week later.Like you, I'm a bit scared but I will be in the right place, and I really need some answers so hopefully my problem can be sorted.

These tests and procedures are alarming to us, especially when you discover an allergy like yours, but medical science is pretty wonderful, and what would be the alternative? A hit and miss approach, trying one thing at a time to find out what works?

I'd rather have this than another MRI, I'm too claustrophobic.

I'm going Wednesday, what about you?

[bludnut in reply to scentedgardener]

Hi, With regard to claustrphobic feelings when having an MRI, just ask for an EYE mask, or ask for a seditive to clam you. I too had an episode when having a scan and had to be removed. They alowed me to sit for a short while and then gave me the mask which then meant that I couldn't see how close I was to the tunnel top. Since then I always ask for a mask.

hope this helps,

bludnut

[scentedgardener in reply to bludnut]

Sorry, the eye mask would be the last straw. One of the things I found hardest was they insisted on ear plugs as well as headphones, will never do that again.I just managed to last the duration of the scan, but I must obviously have been in a bad way as the radiographer rang up the chap that referred me and really told him off as he had misled me. He was very subdued at my next appointment.

[Gibson01]

The nuclear stress test in itself is very straightforward, much less risky and quicker than an angiogram. I was given one after a 4th angio scraped my artery and pushed a clot into my LAD. Very painful and frightening. If you have an allergy to contrast advise the team in advance. The radioactive trace that you are given is a different chemical to the contrast dye and the radiographer will know if this is likely to be a problem. If like me, a further angiogram is not desirable the stress test will identify if surgery is required, or if medication is appropriate.

[bee2]

I have had a Nuclear stress test a few years ago and had another angiogram last Monday. The Nuclear was not pleasant but preferable to the angiogram which has left my wrist in shades of blue/black and extremely painful especially at night! This is my 4th angiogram and never felt like this before.

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Doggyday,

I really can understand how scared you must be feeling. I had a nuclear stress test two weeks after my HA in March 2022. I felt weak and just horrible at the time. I was scared to death to have the test performed, and I was convinced (at the time) that I would not live through this test. I actually made out a handwritten will the night before.

Now, this sounds silly to me too now. I should probably add that I do have anxiety disorder, and I really did feel rubbish at the time.

For me, it turned out that the test was no big deal. I live in the US, and I had the one-day test, so I was at the hospital for several hours. It started with general intake procedures such as a nurse taking my BP and heart rate—asking general medical questions—putting an IV into my arm, etc. I think that I was also weighed. I had been told that I could take my usual morning medicines. I can’t recall if I had to skip any, and I was allowed to take a Xanax tablet for anxiety. I then was asked to sit in the waiting area for about 20-30 minutes and to drink some water.

They did give me something in my IV (not the nuclear medicine at that time) and I was taken to a lab where I got onto a special chair/bed that could be moved into various positions and a huge machine moved very close to my heart/chest taking “photos”. I had to try to scrunch into various positions to allow the best view of my heart. This session of “photos” was to examine blood flow, etc. prior to any type of exercise/stress,

I was returned to the waiting area, where I sat for probably another 30 minutes or so. Then, I was taken to the stress test lab, where there were some doctors and nurses. My BP was taken again, heart rate, etc., and the procedure was explained to me—what to expect, possible symptoms that I might feel, and that I could stop the test if things got too much for me. I was shown a can of coca-cola and I was told that drinking some of the Coke would stop the reaction of the medicine. I know that sounds silly, but the doctor seemed very serious about it.

When the nuclear medicine was injected into my IV, I did feel flushing, heat, and some sensations—BUT nothing like what I had expected/anticipated. It was honestly not that bad for me. I was constantly monitored, and I knew that I could stop the testing if needed.

You probably know the rest of the testing. I had to sit awhile, drink water as directed, and head back to the chair/bed machine for more heart “photos” so that my heart function could be compared when at rest and following chemically-simulated exercise.

All in all, this whole test/procedure was not nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. I had worried endlessly about it, and it was honestly not bad for me. Of course, all people can react differently to various drugs and all, but I would recommend not stressing about this test. The worst part was actually trying to fold myself into positions that would produce better pictures of my heart function.

The isotope used for my perfusion 1-day rest/stress protocol was technetium tetrofasmin administered intravenously.

I hope that you can relax some prior to your testing. Things should go smoothly for you, and as the doctor who was administering my test told me, “You are in the best possible place to be if anything would go horribly wrong.” I know that on one hand, she was joking with me, but she was also correct. You should be okay 👍.

Sending you positive thoughts, good wishes, and a virtual hug! ❤️ Please let us know how things go.

[Redheart1943 in reply to Smitty1956]

I thank you so so much for this!!! I escaped one of these because I was so, so very scared. I’ve saved this just in case I have to have one. Did they offer you the Xanax or did you have your own? Just asking so I can ask my Cardio if I have to have one of these tests. Many thanks again for this information.

[Smitty1956 in reply to Redheart1943]

Hi, Redheart1943,

I really do understand your worry and stress about having this test. I was the same—probably worse 😊. It honestly was not that bad in my experience.

Because of my anxiety, I do have a prescription for Xanax. I asked ahead if I could take one prior to the test, and it was fine. You might want to check with your doctor about having some supplied to you at the hospital. It can help quite a bit if you are anxious.

I wish you the best, and I hope that you will have the test if your doctor thinks that it would help in diagnosis. The test let us see how my heart was functioning while at rest and while stressed. Plus, I got my EF percentages.

Blessings! ❤️

[Redheart1943 in reply to Smitty1956]

Many, many thanks!

[Doggyday]

Thank you so much for all your replies I really appreciate them,you have put my mind at rest,at least I'll know what to expect!!

[Doggyday]

Virtual hug to Smitty 1956 your answer was amazing thank you.

[Smitty1956 in reply to Doggyday]

❤️❤️

[adiwillow]

I realise this is an old thread but thought i'd add my experience for others to read in the future. So, i assume you are/were talking about having iodine?

I'll start off by saying i have huge medical anxiety. I got myself into a hypertensive spike just by having my blood pressure taken. I panic about taking medication or having procedures. My anxiety can rocket my BP and HR and i feel like i'm about to die.

I was told i needed an iodine CT scan a few years back for stomach cramps. I was *VERY* nervous. I told them i had white coat syndrome/anxiety beforehand. I was very scared about having it done... and thats an understatement.

I had the scan.. you feel the iodine going in (it's like being warmed up from the inside). I was actually fine during it. It was an odd sensation for sure, but *nothing* as bad as i expected. However, I had an anxiety crash *Immediately after* the scan was finished. My temperature dropped, i had tremors, my HR rocketed, people were rushing in to check on me etc.

Basically, what i'm saying is that during the scan, i was absolutely fine. Having iodine is fine, it's no big deal. The anxiety though (or rather the overwhelming anxious relief of having the scan completed) is what caused the problems, NOT the scan or the iodine itself.

[Doggyday]

Hi adiwillow and all kind people who took the time to reply to my post about stress test.I was going to update about how I coped as was so scared and thought it would help others,but hadn't heard a word about when the test would be,I eventually rang cardiologist just before Christmas as waiting was really panicking me to be told I had been referred but had somehow got lost in the system and wasn't down for test,now having to start long wait again!!Hope everyone well and i wish you all a happy and healthy new year.