It rained all day Saturday into Sunday morning, we received over two inches. I spent some time on Saturday doing some winter-sowing, helped my husband finish the 1000 piece puzzle, played a game of Scrabble took a very long hot bath and then my heart decided to go into TACHYCARDIA...."sudden onset of fast heart beating." You should have heard the debate between my husband and I about if I needed him to call 911. I was unsure for about 15 minutes and then something happened and I calmly said, " Call someone NOW!" When the first responders got here my heart rate was 243..yeah, a little on the fast side..normal between 60 - 100. The paramedics on the ambulance were right behind the first responders and quickly took charge. They recorded my heart rate at 230 , they did tell me it was impressive. I became extremely thirsty, they started and IV and then the head Paramedic says, "Mrs. Green I am going to inject some medication into your IV that's going to completely stop your heart from beating for about 10 seconds, you will be awake and know what's going on, then you will feel like you need to take a deep breath and your heart will begin beating again.." Sure enough, happened just like he said it would. It is so weird to lay there without a heart beat, I felt hollow inside. One of the paramedics said, "I've never seen that happen before." I said, " That makes two of us", my husband said, "No, that makes 3 of us." So forth and so on, they had learned this procedure but never have had the "opportunity" to use it. (glad I could help, lol) There were about 7 first responders and paramedics, and of course the Chief standing in my living room, staring at me.
To the hospital we go, yep, my first ambulance ride, (don't care for another one). They kept me on the heart monitor and oxygen...Did two chest x-rays, blood test and a urine test.
I was advised to stop all stimulants, nicotine, coffee, tea, cola, medicines containing caffeine, over the counter cold and sinus remedies, diet pills, herbal supplements....and of course cocaine and amphetamines. (they always assume this sudden onset of fast heart beating is drug induced)
My blood test indicated a low level of potassium which can cause A LOT of problems. They gave me two potassium tablets to take at the hospital and a 7 day prescription of potassium and then I am to go to my primary care physician for another blood test...and go from there. I did go to work at Church on Sunday, then spent the afternoon resting and reading.
I am praying that the Potassium will do the trick...I know what can happen if this continues, I refuse to entertain or receive that information. I trusted God yesterday and I trust Him today.
Today I am thankful for those men and women who dedicate themselves to emergency assistance!!
**UPDATE** My Doctor wants me to come to his office this afternoon. I feel sure I will have positive news to report tomorrow!
Worry is like a rocking chair, it's gives you something to do but gets you nowhere!
33 comments:
May the lord bless and keep you, dear Darla! What an ordeal, with the stoppage especially! Sounds like you were in good hands, both from above and on earth. Stock up on bananas and quit that caffeine, now! I was going to write quit the cocaine habit, but thought it inappropriate. :-) We will be thinking of you.
Frances
Boy, am I glad you decided to call 911! That all sounds very scary. Good to know you're doing well!
Scary scary scary! I can't even imagine but I'm glad you described it so people will know about this. Do take care and get well.
Darla: My oh my, helping the paramedics to practice their craft. What an amazing story and I'm sure your faith in God helped you through the experience. I will remember you in prayer and hope for the best with the doctor.
Darla, I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you but so very thankful that the Lord did protect you through all of it.
Did you also have your thyroid checked - if not make them do it.
Oh, Darla ~ God bless you sweet lady, it is enough to scare the living pants off one, I go thru this Potassium deficiency all the time ... take a med daily to try & control it ....
So glad they got you under control ... people ignore too many issues like this because they are uninformed & figure 'it will pass' or 'it is just a spell'. I'd rather be a pain in the Drs. too-cuss than in the hospital ... please take good care.
hugs, Marydon
What a scare! Glad you came through it and hope the potassium is all that you need.
Love, hugs and prayers ~ FlowerLady
Gee Darla, So sorry to hear this news, but very glad that you went to hospital, thank goodness the Paras knew what they were doing.
Hoping to hear positive news after your visit to the docs.
Julie and I send our prayers to you for a speedy recovery.
God Bless, thinking of you.
I was terrified just reading this. Do whatever they tell you (I'm sure you will). This is scary stuff.
Marnie
Darla, this is absolutely scary. We hope and pray that nothing like this ever happens to you again. I'm glad you were able to get prompt and competent care. Eat a banana a day -- they're good sources of potassium. We'll keep you in our prayers.
What a terrifing experience! So glad you got help fast! I know we usually think, just wait and this will pass, but it's always best to go ahead and call.
I will remember you in my prayers!
Oh wow, Darla. I am so thankful that the emergency responder knew what to do and that it all worked the way it should. Thank you for the important message. I pray that you will receive good news today.
Now that had to be so scary. Glad you had a good team taking care of you.
Low potassium can really cause problems. My mom takes potassium pills everyday and eats bananas to keep her levels up.
Praying for some goods news from your doc.
Lona
That sounds like a very scary ordeal. I do hope that potassium does the trick. You are very luck!
Oh honey, I am so sorry you've had such a bad scare! Fingers crossed for good news today. ((HUGS))
That is so scarry Darla. That must have been very frightening for the family and you. Glad you are resting and doing better. Waiting to hear about the doctor visit. Lots of bananas. The ambulance ride is kinda scary too.
Oh my, what a scary experience that must have been!!!
I'm so glad you are okay!
And I'm hoping that today's Dr. visit has nothing but GOOD news!
I am NOT ready to lose you yet lady...you better take good care of yourself.
How scared you and your family must have been...thank heaven for those guys that helped you...
now don't ya think it's time you stopped abusing all those illegal drugs??? ha ha
that part is the only funny thing about this!
love ya lady....and you are in my thoughts and prayers!
How very scary for you all.
Glad things are improved!
Hope your doctors appt goes well!
Take care
Oh, Darla, that must have been terrifying. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Victoria
So sorry to hear about your interesting weekend. Take care.
Hugs Patsy
I have also had a critically low level of potassium when I was hospitalized for chest pain a few months ago. Hypokalemia is no joke and can be very serious because potassium regulates your heart rhythm. I was given IV potassium replacement, and the culprit was the diuretic I take to lower my blood pressure. When my potassium is low I also get very thirsty and weak. Tachycardia is frightening, and you sure did have an extremely rapid heart beat! Darla I am glad that you feel better, and it seems like some regular electrolyte blood tests will be in order for a while!
XOSue
Wooooooo Darla... That is SCARY as hell. Hope you do get good news today. Isn't it amazing how a shortage of some things (like Vit. D or potassium) can cause so many problems???
George had Guillain Barre syndrome in 1990 (before I knew him). His doctor told him to eat a big banana every day for the rest of his life--and he DOES.
However, he did start having some cramping in his hands not too long ago, so we have added a Potassium tablet to our vitamins every day. Since he started the tablets, he has had no cramping.
Vitamins are ALL so important--and George and I take ALOT of them...
Please take care of yourself. Keep us posted.
Hugs and Prayers,
Betsy
Oh Darla! I could not believe this when I read it. I hope you are ok. I am so anxious to hear how the doctors visit goes. I am praying for you now. Keep us updated. I know that was so scary.
Oh my goodness! I stopped by to thank you for praying for my dear MIL. You are on my prayer list now.
I pray the Dr has good news for you.
hugs,
Barb
oh Darla...I hope all goes well for you...during the summer my husband has to take potassium or he gets leg cramps really bad at night...
Darla Dear, This is scary! I'm glad the paramedics decided to wait until AFTER the success of the injection before telling you they've never done the procedure. It's interesting how your instincts told you to get help. Instincts or maybe the Holy Spirit. Thank God for modern medicine and such dedicated people.
My husband's brother had a similar experience recently. Doctors were 89% sure that he had MS with brain lesions, etc. A second spinal tap and it turned out to be a vitamin B12 deficiency.
When I read your title I thought your post was going to be about potassium in the soil but potassium in the caretaker of the soil is even more important.
I wish for you a pain free adjustment into this stimulant-free lifestyle. Is decaf permitted?
I have had this happen to me too... I tend to have a high resting heart rate normally so I can get my heart over 200 pretty easy. My husband on the other hand has a resting heart rate of 42!
I pray the potassium works for you-It worked for me years ago.
I have NEVER heard of medication that stops your heart for 10 seconds-EGAD Darla! The thought of that sends my heart racing.
When all this was happening to me I was under stress though when the actually heart started racing was during a calm moment. Are you under stress dear friend?
I'll be praying for you.
Love,
Me
That would be very scary, I am so glad that you decided to call 911.
Hoping that the potassium starts working right away.
Take good care of yourself.
Jen
Good gracious. All because you didn't eat a banana or two? Yes, please do follow up with your doctor to make sure everything is okay.
So scary! wow! I just had to start drinking 1/2 decaff, and reg coffee becuase of an inner ear problem I have. It is unreal how one little thing can totally put your life in danger. I am glad you did call and amublance, and that they had been trained on how to do that procedure!
Darla I have not been about much this week and I see that you wrote this post on Monday. I am sorry that I did not see this sooner. I will pray that the Lord will place His hand on you and heal and restore you.
Keep eating those bananas
Rosie
Oh that was scary, I know! I am glad you are better, and I pray that you will never have this to happen again!
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