I died today

[ManicQueen]

I spent the day in the hospital today. It all started around 12:00, I was up on the floor at Botsford Hosp. when I started feeling a pounding in my chest and neck with a few palpitations here and there. So went over to the nurses station and grabbed a pulseox. I put it on my finger and after a few seconds it gave me a reading of 156. Wow, that's really high! I went to my partner and told him, he then called our supervisor and he wanted me back at the station. We arrive at Station 1 and I go into my supervisor's office and he put a monitor on me... a bunch of other EMT's and Medics are growing curious so they wonder into the office with us.

My heart rate was 179. 1 fucking 79! Geejuskrist! Needless to say I was rushed over to Botsford Hospital and right into the ER. I wasn't feeling to good. I was dizzy.. very dizzy and I could feel my heart beat in my ass! Not kewl. All I kept thinking is that "I'm gonna have to get shocked" so I was freaking out.. making the situation worse.

I.V.'s put in. Oxygen applied. Doctor's tell me that "we" are gonna try the Vagal Maneuver to lower the heart rate. It worked for about 10 seconds then it went right back to the high 170's. So the doctor say's that we're going to try some Adenosine. My jaw hit the floor when I heard her say that. Adenosine acts as a cardioverter. It is given as a rapid IV push, it has to reach the heart within 1-2 seconds in order for it to work. It doesn't work everytime either. It didn't with me. I needed a second dose. It worked and I felt it. When Adenosine reaches the heart, it stops it from beating for a few seconds and then kick starts it again into a normal sinus rhythem. My heart stopped beating for approx 6 sec. and I knew it, I seen it on the monitor as it was happening. Pretty kewlio. I made the doctor hold my hand as it was happening

So that brought my HR down to the 140's, so they started a Cardizem drip for an hour and that seemed to work. When I was discharged, my heart rate was 115. Not too bad. I have to follow up with a cardiologist tomorrow.

[Crazed Vampyress]

You look good for someone who died. My personal suggestion is to avoid future death, its just extreemly inconvenient!

in all seriousness, best wishes for continued good health.

[paradox]

wow. im glad youre not still dead.

any idea what caused this?

[ManicQueen]

No idea yet... just a FON thing I guess.

[soothsayer]

Well I'm glad you're still here with us. =)

Hope you're feeling better today.

[Brenda Starrr]

Wow, Brookie. That's scary shit. I'm glad that you're okay.

[Onyx]

Man!

I guess if it had to happen it's good that it happened at the hospital and that you had enough medical knowledge to know what to do.

I hope they figure it out quick and get it under control. That really is scary.

[n0Mad]

Whoa, that's freaky. I had a heart scare myself a year ago and they're certainly no fun. I'm glad you're okay. Now stop it. =)

[bean]

Scary stuff, I'm glad you are okay!!

[kellygrrrrrl]

OMG....I hope your're OK now..... =(

[Onyx]

My heart stopped beating for approx 6 sec. and I knew it, I seen it on the monitor as it was happening. Pretty kewlio.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow. I just re-read this and realized how very strange it would be to watch your own heart stop beating for six looooong seconds.

[torn asunder]

it occured to me that this might have something to do with your recent attempt at quitting smoking - have you talked to anyone about this? might be worthwhile. maybe you won't be able to go cold turkey!?

glad to hear you're ok, tho - take care of yourself!

[Head Wreck]

dammit, i want to see you when i reach detroit, and any return visits

dont you dare die untill its your feckin time

[Nienna]

Woah. That is so scary. Glad you're ok.

[Hellion]

:devil Glad your OK,I had a close call in1988,from MAO inhibitors myself.

[Marblez]

Damn.

I am so glad that you are well enough to talk about it. I have gotten my own heart rate in the upper 190's but that was under serious exertion at the gym. I couldn't imagine just going about my normal day and boom, my heart rate goes through the roof. Thats some pretty freaky shit.

Question: Do you think that knowing what was happening each step and knowing what all the drugs were helped to reassure you or freak you out more?

[ManicQueen]

Damn.

I am so glad that you are well enough to talk about it. I have gotten my own heart rate in the upper 190's but that was under serious exertion at the gym.  I couldn't imagine just going about my normal day and boom, my heart rate goes through the roof. Thats some pretty freaky shit.

Question: Do you think that knowing what was happening each step and knowing what all the drugs were helped to reassure you or freak you out more?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, like I said. When I heard the doctor say Adenosine, I almost started crying. I know what it does, I've seen what it does, I know how it works... I know Adenosine. So yeah, it was scary for me, me being the patient and all. I remember the doctor said to me. "So, I see you in here all the time bringing people in with chest pain and tachycardia, and I'm assuming you know what we are going to do to you today." And I did. I knew they were gonna give me one or two antiarrhythics and a calcium channel blocker *don't I sound smart*

So with all my medical knowledge, yeah I was scared shitless! :laughing :grin

[saechalyn]

Oh my god!! That is so scary. I'm not sure if it's more or less scary that you knew what they were doing....eeek!! I'm glad you're okay!

[Saephyr]

I know how that can feel honey buns!

Sorry you're in this bad patch like me. I'd love to see you get out of it without any long term damage.

You're in my blessings on Ostara g/f! {{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}

[ManicQueen]

Oh and it wasn't from my lack of smoking, that's what the ER doc. said.

Right now as I type this, my heart rate is in the high 130's. I hope I end upin the ER today..

[Head Wreck]

they say doctors are the worst patients.

paramedics are the worst people i've had on an ambulance strecther

[torn asunder]

question - if your heart stops, but you're still conscious to know/watch it happen, are you really dead? :blink :erm

[ManicQueen]

question - if your heart stops, but you're still conscious to know/watch it happen, are you really dead?  :blink  :erm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well not technically :laughing

[ManicQueen]

they say doctors are the worst patients.

paramedics are the worst people i've had on an ambulance strecther

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah and I'm proof!

[Msterbeau]

Welcome back to life Brooke. Glad you didn't leave for good... :-O