A little shaken up (vent)

I've been experiencing some shortness of breath lately, which leads to dizziness and lightheadedness and sometimes my heart feels like it's racing. I figured it was my allergies because I've been very congested in the mornings when I wake up. I went to the doctor today and they ran a whole bunch of tests on me - EKG, pulmonary function test, checked my oxygen levels in my lungs, blood test, urinalysis - and the doctor said she detected extra heartbeats and thought that could be leading to my shortness of breath. So she puts me on a Holter monitor that I have to wear for the next 24 hours and I'm freaking out. I've got wires coming out the bottom of my shirt attached to this thing I'm wearing around my waist....it looks like a freaking bomb! AND, I have to go to court tomorrow for a trial because the other attorney won't put it off for one stinking day, and I'm terrified that they're going to give me a hard time walking into the building on tomorrow of all days, with something strapped to me that looks like a bomb! The court officers there know me pretty well, so I don't think that it's going to be a problem, but I can't even shower and I'm supposed to go to court looking professional and be ready for a trial with all this going on?

I'm sure it's nothing, but it's a little disconcerting when your doctor straps a heart monitor on you, tells you to bring it back tomorrow, make an appt to see her next week, and oh yeah, make an appointment with a cardiologist sometime this week too for a echocardiogram! This is so not what I need right now and I hate to freak out, but I'm worried nevertheless. I've been fighting with this attorney all day, and even after finding out that I have this thing going on, he's still giving me a hard time about tomorrow.

Anyway, I guess I just needed to vent. I have to work late now to make up the time that I missed, but I'm having a hard time concentrating. I hate not knowing.

Try to relax! I'm sure that more stress is the last thing you need right now. Don't worry about tomorrow, everything will work out. I hope everything's OK!

yes, please try to relax. you are going to be okay. if you are concerned about getting into the building, just arrive a bit early. you'll be okay. you're going to be okay! don't worry about showering. who cares, just wear your hair back, no one will know. and if you can't make it, you can't. your health comes first. (sorry, don't know what you do or your capacity in court...)

I hope everything will be ok. A very dim bright side here is at least you don't have to be in the hospital over night for the test. My grandmother used to do that. Do you have something from the doctor about the monitor to make it easier to get through security?

Vent away and remember to take care of your self!!!

EKG's are so common these days, try not to worry about that. Maybe you can get a note from your doctor telling the guards what the device is strapped to you. I'd leave extra time in the morning in case they do.

Try to relax, maybe just have asma or are allergic to housework and cooking? I'm working with a great doctor, together we almost have my FH convinced there are such ailments!!!

try to relax! and not stress
maybe tonite or after court you should go for a pedicure at the spa or take a nice bubble bath tonite w/ some candles lit! the ones that smell pretty

someone told me to do that before the bar exam

Thanks, ladies. I know freaking out will only make things worse, which is why I needed to vent. To answer whomever it was that asked (sorry), I'm an attorney and I'm supposed to be trying a case tomorrow.

I mentioned my allergies to the doctor and she pretty much completely dismissed it. They asked about asthma and did the lung and oxygen tests for that purpose.

Thanks again. I'm just feeling kind of bleh right about now.

I hope everything works out for you. Try to just think of it as a really bad hair day.. attached to your hip. Nothing you can really do about it.

This monitor may help relieve your problems or even save your life. I know it's scary and sorta uncomfortable for so many reasons.. but try to just hang in there.

Good luck Jann!

I'm gonna have a bad hair day tomorrow on my HEAD...no shower = no hair washing. I just cannot maneuver myself around my sink well enough to do that.

When I told my doc during a routine checkup that sometimes I get heart palpitations, he did a few EKG's, I ended up having to wear that stupid halter moniter thingy for a full day too, and I had to go to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram. It turned out to be nothing (but anxiety), but I completely stressed myself out over it waiting for the results. (I was a nutcase!) The halter is very annoying, I know (especially when sleeping), but try to look on the bright side - you'll be free of it in a day! The echocardiogram was actually kinda cool - they put clear gel on you and listen and watch your heart by rolling this contraption around on the goo. (I remember thinking that my heartbeat sounded like a washing machine!)

Hang in there and try not to stress or assume the worst (like I did) - I'm sure that you are 100% Fine!! It's better to have an overly cautious doctor than one who isn't!

I had the same problem. I had to go in for tests and wear the monitor. After wearing the monitor for 24 hours I went back to the Dr. and they said there might be a problem and I had to go into the hospital for a test. They had to place a wire thing in my vein and go up into my heart. It was quite uncomfortable. In the end It turned out fine, they figured out that my rapid heart beat was caused by a medication given to me by my gastoenterologist to help control my IBS. Good Luck and I hope everything turns out OK!!!

Just wanted to send you some
Try not to stress!

more

Thanks girls! You're all awesome and it means a lot to me that you took the time to respond to a virtual stranger.

My head is pounding and I'm just tired, so I'm going to go home and hopefully FH will pamper me. Especially since he's going away on business Friday for almost a week.

you poor thing!!!
get plenty of rest and think happy thoughts....like walking down the aisle and pretty floral centerpieces...

Everything will be fine! Just try to remain calm and don't worry about tomorrow.

I know the machine well!! I had to wear it when I was pregnant. I had the same symtoms (don't worry it doesn't mean your preggers ) It turned out to be nothing. Its just to make sure everything is ok. Don't stress over it.

Don't worry-my brother just had to wear one in July & everything was fine-you might just have to adjust your diet (less caffiene or something) good luck & just relax or else the monitor will go wack! LOL

See, now you guys are really scaring me!! Pregnant? Gah! (Actually, the doc repeatedly asked me questions trying to figure out if there was a chance I might be pregnant ). But I think the worst thing anyone could tell me is that I have to cut down on the caffeine! I'm sorry...can't be done. I have severe headaches without them, and can't give it up. I'd rather be pregnant!!

OK so I'm not serious about being pregnant over cutting out caffeine (just in case I just jinxed myself). I know this is probably absolutely nothing, and even if it is something, I'm sure it's not something major. However, I'd just like to say...this tape is killing my boobage area!!!!

And of course, I had my first wedding nightmare last night. Can't wait to see what tonight will bring. Ha!