General Palpitations?

[amethist]

Glad you went and she took notice of everything Toria. Good the she is looking at other things to eliminate them too.

I was checked a few times for Rheumatoid Arthritis, as I had problems with my hands. That turned out to be caused by stress, which now effects my feet too.

You will probably find that it all comes back clear and stress is the culprit.

 

[Toria]

Thank you Amethist - I actually had to look up what an ECG was :laugh: Oh well - that'll be a nice way to spend the afternoon. I also have to try to check my pulse when it's happening to see if it is fast, irregular or any other variation. I'm hopeless at finding my own pulse, but she showed me how to find it in my neck - I can see me out walking the dog looking as if I'm trying to strangle myself!!! At the moment it does feel a bit irregular, but I will see if Husband can do it - he'd taken more first aid courses than anyone I know!

 

[amethist]

To find you pulse on your left wrist easier, relax your left hand on your left thigh, run your index finger very slowly from right to left over the crease in your wrist, you should feel it about 3/4 of the way across.

Once you get used to where it is and the way it feels you will find it most times.

 

[Toria]

Well, I had my ECG done yesterday and go back on Thursday to pick up the results. Husband was surprised that they didn't tell me there and then because when he had his done they gave him the all-clear on the spot... which makes me wonder if there was a "blip" or something - but no point speculating! Roll on Thursday as I'm getting a bit sick of it all now!!!

 

[amethist]

They probably waiting until Thursday as the read out has to be checked by the main person, not by the person doing the reading.

It will be fine, like we keep saying all the stress of the last few months has finally caught up with you.

 

[ISupportHer]

I would not worry too much about not hearing yet. Here, anyway, it is usually just a Technician doing the ECG. Even though many machines print out an interpretation, it has to be confirmed by a Physician. I have seen plenty of times where the Physician disagreed with the machine and changed the results. My point being that if the Technician tells you the "results", it may not be accurate.

There is another side to this too. If there WAS a serious abnormality, I would hope they would have let you know right away. Again, Technician doing it, but if the ECG printed out with Acute MI or something that was a red flag, you would have known. My example was my surgery in 2010. I was very anxious at not knowing the pathology report but if it had showed something needing immediate additional surgery or radiation, they would not have kept me in the dark for 6 weeks. They would have hauled my butt in for an appointment.

Perhaps try to look at the delay as a GOOD sign.

 

[Nicolette]

Standard turn around here for an ECG report is 7 days but I go to a clinic which has a 3 day turn around. I do agree that if there was something abnormal or severely wrong you would be receiving a call to see your doctor earlier. There would be a great liability issue if they detected something abnormal and did nothing about it as technician should know how to read the basics of a report and the doctor would at least view it when received and not leave until your scheduled appointment.

I have also been fortunate that where I now go the person doing the ECG is actually a cardiologist (they provide all services except pathology) and while I don't see her specifically I can usually manage enough banter to find out basic information so I don't worry unnecessarily until I see my cardiologist. I also now know what to look for on a report in terms of obvious irregularity in beat so I watch the screen intently.

Have you also had the basic pathology as apparently even a thyroid problem can cause palpitations as well as low potassium? I had those tests first up to eliminate the scope of causes.

Do you drink much green tea? As while healthy, it actually has a reasonable amount of caffeine and can have effects like coffee.

I also can't find my pulse but when you do, all you need to do is count the beat for 10 seconds and then multiply by 6. It is interesting as with my condition I have seen my heart go from 130 beats to 180 in under a minute with a heart monitor while walking on the treadmill just two days ago. I usually feel it prior to it registering on a ECG. Fascinating but unpleasant stuff.

Good luck :hug:

 

[Toria]

Thank you - I'm sure it will be fine, I'm just not good at waiting!!!

The Nurse took blood at the same time to check Thyroid and a few other things that I can't remember. I was quite surprised that they'd be back by Thursday - I was expecting a whole week's wait.

I don't drink Green Tea as it makes me go dizzy when I drink it :laugh: I have no idea why - I just get a really odd sensation that I'm falling in to the cup!!! I do drink coffee, but have cut down quite hard on the amounts. I agree with Amethist, if it's anything it's probably the stress of the (hopeful) house move catching up with me as it is proving to be anything but straight forward :sorry:

Thank you again x

 

[Nicolette]

While I hope it is just stress, stress can do damage. :meh:

What I dismissed as stress/anxiety of too much going on now seems to have been the onset of my symptoms so I am glad you are getting tested. If they come back normal you couldn't ask for more. :)

 

[amethist]

Taking a leaf out of both your books and getting something annoying checked out. Just aches in both arms, but its getting worse.

Making an appointment this afternoon.

 

[Toria]

Hope you got your appointment and that everything is okay.

My ECG and blood tests didn't show anything specific so I'm now on the waiting list for a 24 hour ECG and have strict instructions to go to A&E if I get breathless or have pain with it!

 

[amethist]

I got my appointment for next Friday morning. :tup:

Start doing more pleasant things for yourself if you can, it will help ease the stress some. If nothing showed on the ECG, it either means there is nothing wrong there, or you were calmer than you thought at the time of it being done.

I get breathless at times, but I know that is stress, down to my age and smoking. 1 I should quit, 2 I should relax more, ha yea right, and the 3rd, well not a lot I can do about that.

I hope you get it sorted soon.