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Bamboozle · 01-22-2009, 04:16 AM

...is heart disease.

Something has been bothering me for a while and I want to talk about it here...

I was a moderate to heavy drinker for about six years. One year ago, I experienced heart palpitations. Turns out they are PVC's (Premature Ventricular Contractions) and I’m getting some trigeminy, too...they feel like skipped heart beats. When these first started, I was scared out of my mind. I had an inkling that perhaps they were caused by my drinking...but I wasn't sure.

…SO…

I went to the doctor in June, 2008. She didn’t do much for me…she prescribed me meds for the palpitations--and the label said for PANIC ATTACKS. Now, this bothered me…and I was completely honest about my drinking history…but I was brushed off…and I went about my business.

Fast forward to December, 2008...I had quit drinking for the umpteenth time (I've been sober since then) and it was two days into my sobriety that I had a frightening symptom that lasted a total of 20 seconds. I thought my heart was going to stop. I thought I was going to die…it’s possible it was related to withdrawal, but it was a completely isolated incident. My heart kept speeding up and then immediately slowing down into a completely irregular beat…repeat. I did end up panicking after I realized something was wrong, and for whatever reason, my heart reset.

Moving forward to January this year…I was adamant to my new doctor that something needed to be done. In a nice way, I let him know that I thought the panic attack thing was a bunch of hooey…I kept emphasizing my drinking history. He ordered a heart monitor for me to wear…and because of the results he’s trying to get a cardiologist to see me (that might prove impossible because I’m a self-payer, but that’s another thread for another day…I’m still waiting to hear back).

The stereotypes about women being emotional wreaks is still prevalent in the health care industry. Women must speak up for themselves when they seek treatment. If you are experiencing chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or anything that could possibly be cardiac related, do not let ANY health care worker dismiss your concerns as merely being caused by too much stress. Tell your friends...you could save a life.

01-22-2009, 04:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bamboozle I got nothin' Duck Hunt 2 Champion! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: My house. Posts: 4,776 Blog Entries: 14	The number one killer of women... ...is heart disease. Something has been bothering me for a while and I want to talk about it here... I was a moderate to heavy drinker for about six years. One year ago, I experienced heart palpitations. Turns out they are PVC's (Premature Ventricular Contractions) and I’m getting some trigeminy, too...they feel like skipped heart beats. When these first started, I was scared out of my mind. I had an inkling that perhaps they were caused by my drinking...but I wasn't sure. …SO… I went to the doctor in June, 2008. She didn’t do much for me…she prescribed me meds for the palpitations--and the label said for PANIC ATTACKS. Now, this bothered me…and I was completely honest about my drinking history…but I was brushed off…and I went about my business. Fast forward to December, 2008...I had quit drinking for the umpteenth time (I've been sober since then) and it was two days into my sobriety that I had a frightening symptom that lasted a total of 20 seconds. I thought my heart was going to stop. I thought I was going to die…it’s possible it was related to withdrawal, but it was a completely isolated incident. My heart kept speeding up and then immediately slowing down into a completely irregular beat…repeat. I did end up panicking after I realized something was wrong, and for whatever reason, my heart reset. Moving forward to January this year…I was adamant to my new doctor that something needed to be done. In a nice way, I let him know that I thought the panic attack thing was a bunch of hooey…I kept emphasizing my drinking history. He ordered a heart monitor for me to wear…and because of the results he’s trying to get a cardiologist to see me (that might prove impossible because I’m a self-payer, but that’s another thread for another day…I’m still waiting to hear back). The stereotypes about women being emotional wreaks is still prevalent in the health care industry. Women must speak up for themselves when they seek treatment. If you are experiencing chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or anything that could possibly be cardiac related, do not let ANY health care worker dismiss your concerns as merely being caused by too much stress. Tell your friends...you could save a life. __________________ A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.