[Judy2]

This past Thursday, I had dozed off in my recliner and awoke about 2 pm with chest pain, pressure, short of breath, pain radiating up my neck and shoulders.....all those obvious symptoms. I waited awhile hoping it would go away, but no such luck. My hairdresser was coming at 4 pm so by that time I decided to call my GP's office. Naturally no doctors were there so the nurse told me to go to the ER. Soooo.......called 911. In no time flat, the intensive care unit, ambulance and around eight cars were parked outside. How embarrassing!!

It took them four "sticks" to find a vein to start an IV -- eventually on the underside of my right arm between the wrist and elbow. Then all the bloodwork began at the hospital. Was afraid to have a drink of water, thought my body would be like a sprinkler!! This is a small, country hospital without a telemetry floor, so they put me in ICU for monitoring for two days. Oh yes, it was Atrial Fibrillation which I've had twice before. I've been on warfarin (blood thinner) for 20 months and now Digoxin has been added. It wasn't a heart attack, thank you Lord, just something that happens -- as if I don't have enough to deal with!

It took over 24 hours and two different IV meds before the heart converted back to a regular beat. My son brought me home Saturday. Now I'm just really tired.

But it was great to get back home and into my usual routine. Being on familiar turf is so much better than in the hospital where the nurses are trying to help me move, but actually making matters worse. One thing that most people don't appreciate in the hospital, having a catheter put in, was a "God-send" for me! Didn't have to worry about accidents plus they wouldn't even let me sit up in bed for 24 hours.

As the doctor covering for my GP said, "All diseases are awful, but MS really sucks!" I couldn't agree more!!!! Hopefully this won't happen again for a long time.

[SallyC]

Judy!!!!! OMG, how scary...WOW! I am so proud of you for calling 911 and getting yourself to the hospital for help. You are my hero.

I am so glad that it was not a heart attack. What causes what you had? Can it, happening again, be prevented?

I'm happy you are home and all is well. Rest Rest Rest and feel better soon..

[Bearygood]

Oh, Judy! So sorry to hear about this but glad you are home and on the mend!

[marion06095]

On the one hand - ((((( hug for Judy )))))

On the other hand - cut that out!

Feel better, OK? OK!

[watsonsh]

Judy,

Have they ever looked into Supraventricular tachycardia. What you describe would happen to my husband and eventually thats what they Dx'd and finally fixed it through a simple ablation procedure. Maybe ask your doc about it?

[karousel]

Glad to hear you are back home and doing better.

[Koala77]

Originally Posted by Judy

......As the doctor covering for my GP said, "All diseases are awful, but MS really sucks!" .....

This last statement surprises me. Not that MS sucks, we all know that, but the fact that your doctor would even mention it when your diagnosis was Atrial Fibrillation. That's what surprises me.

As much as MS peeves us all, we can't blame everything on MS, and AF is one condition I've never heard mentioned in regards to Multiple Sclerosis.

I may be wrong and believe me I often am, so correct me please if you have information to the contrary, but the AF sounds to me like a totally different medical condition.

I'm sorry that you went through this scary time but I'm glad that you were able to get immediate emergency care, because your symptoms sure did sound a lot like those of a heart attack. I'm so pleased that it wasn't.

AF can be serious though, but I guess you already know that, and Digoxin has been the medication of choice for many years for AF. I'm happy to know that you're finally on that one.

Sending you some hugs, and I hope you've had your last trip to hospital for this condition.

[Dejibo]

sending hugs and prayers

[soxmom]

very scary......... glad you are feeling better

[FinLady]

Sorry to hear you had a scarey time. Feel better soon.