Author Topic: My first squad ride (Read 6768 times)

wolfter · « **on:** September 06, 2016, 12:18:36 pm »

Had an episode at work Friday morning. I went from perfectly fine to feeling like I was having another heart attack. Fortunately, my brother was there and I said that he needed to take me to the ER.

Within minutes I was shaking horribly and incoherent. He called the squad and they immediately loaded me up and headed to the ER. In route, I heard them talking to the hospital staff and they provided my vitals. The next thing I remember was hearing them telling the ER that they believed I was a possible stroke victim then the sirens came on they raced there.

Upon arriving my BP was 205/165. I have never had a bp issue even with my prior heart attacks.

I spent the night and everything subsided. They wanted me to stay until Tuesday which I promptly vetoed. Being a holiday weekend, that was the soonest they could do additional testing after ruling out a heart attack. I left AMA with the promise of following up my cardiologist.

I had issues all weekend with my bp spiking (I bought a home kit) and then suddenly this morning my BP is back down to my normal 110/70.

paintedroom · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2016, 12:38:28 pm »

Hi Wolfter,

Can only offer the paltry that must have been terrifying and obviously you must be enormously relieved to simply be alive.
I hope you have someone close by to keep an eye on you.I hate being master of the bleeding obvious but follow up on the cardiologist..tomorrow !

Keep us posted, P.

LukasAtlPZ · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2016, 02:17:59 pm »

Did they check the arteries in your neck?

bocker3 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2016, 08:03:36 am »

So.... of course you have followed up with you cardiologist -- RIGHT??
What say he/she??
As I am sure you know -- these sorts of things are not to be trivialized nor ignored. Please don't be stubborn here -- I like reading your posts and seeing progress on your homestead!!

Hugs,
Mike

Wade · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2016, 08:20:44 am »

Hey Greg
I"m with Mike ...don't be stubborn , with your pre-existing heart condition this is nothing to mess around with. That was almost a week ago you should have seen someone by now I hope. Take care of yourself !

xo Wade

wolfter · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2016, 11:49:45 am »

I don't have a regular cardio doctor. He was executed in a horrific incidence.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/american-doctor-killed-in-pakistan-amid-wave-of-violence-aimed-at-ahmadi-muslims/2014/05/26/bc04a446-e4d0-11e3-afc6-a1dd9407abcf_story.html

The cardiologist on duty agreed to be my follow up doctor and now I'm left feeling like I need to take a different route. He sent me a notice indicating that we can't do the scheduled stress test because my Troponin 1 levels came back low. OK, didn't even know what the hell that indicated until endless googling. What I read was causing more fear and stress so I stopped.

For the first times in ages, I'm not sure how to approach a medical issue. I've left several messages with no replies. My BP continues to spike then return to normal and to be honest, I'm starting to freak out a little.

I probably need to contact my PCP as he'll make things happen.

wolfter · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2016, 12:05:09 pm »

Just went through my discharge papers and discovered a contact person and number. Just spoke to her and she seemed genuinely concerned and said someone will be contacting me.

Jim Allen · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2016, 08:02:45 pm »

Okay.

Somehow I missed this thread. Really sorry for that and to hear you not feeling well but man take care and go see a doc when you can. I would have been down to A&E (ER) myself.

Please look after yourself.

Jim

BT65 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2016, 06:25:46 am »

Greg, I missed this also. Please let us know what is going on and if those symptoms start again don't hesitate to go back to the ER. In fact if your BP continues to be elevated (even if it goes back down to normal) you may want to check out the ER again. I know this goes without saying, but don't wait and don't stop until you've gotten definitive answers. I will be checking to see what is going on. Please take care of yourself!

Betty

wolfter · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2016, 01:03:31 pm »

Thanks all. I'm trying to keep calm and am monitoring my BP regularly. It continues to rise and fall. They scheduled my appointment to have another stress test tomorrow and within the hour rec'd another call with a change of plans.

The test was to take place at the doctors office away from the hospital. The doctor decided he wanted it done at the hospital instead. That kinda freaked me out like he's afraid I might need cardiac care during the procedure?

Oh well, it is what it is so I now having the test done Monday at the hospital. I had a stint put in about 6 years and everything has been fine since. He did mention that these sometimes fail. Wow, was never told that.

bocker3 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2016, 04:01:31 pm »

Quote from: wolfter on September 08, 2016, 01:03:31 pm

Thanks all. I'm trying to keep calm and am monitoring my BP regularly. It continues to rise and fall. They scheduled my appointment to have another stress test tomorrow and within the hour rec'd another call with a change of plans.

The test was to take place at the doctors office away from the hospital. The doctor decided he wanted it done at the hospital instead. That kinda freaked me out like he's afraid I might need cardiac care during the procedure?

Oh well, it is what it is so I now having the test done Monday at the hospital. I had a stint put in about 6 years and everything has been fine since. He did mention that these sometimes fail. Wow, was never told that.

Probably prudent, with your history, to do a stress test at the hospital. Not because they think you will have a cardiac event during it, but just in case.

Have you told anyone (beside us) that your BP is still going up and down??

In the meantime, just stay as calm as you can and if that BP goes really high -- get your ass to the hospital!!

Let us know how things go -- I'll be thinking of you!

Mike

wolfter · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2016, 12:17:57 pm »

Did my rounds of tests yesterday but wasn't able to do the typical treadmill but instead had to endure another nuclear one. Lordy, that's nasty. That metalic taste lasted all evening and trying to eat was useless. Also got my radioactive card in case a bomb sniffing dog "hits" on me.

The nurse practioner said they'd contact me if the radiologist discovers anything that needs immediate attention otherwise I follow up Friday with the cardiologist. Man, I hope I don't receive that phone call.

Wade · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2016, 12:30:31 pm »

Greg...I hope you don't get that phone call also

Wishing You Good Luck with your results !

I've had so many MRIs and X-rays I'll be glowing in the dark right next to you

wolfter · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2016, 09:23:33 am »

So, I endured 10 days of dangerously elevated BP. Wednesday afternoon it suddenly returned to normal and hasn't risen since. Met with the cardiologist yesterday to review all the results.

The results were better than I expected. There's a measuring scale they use that I can't recall or find on Google, but 60 is the best score possible and that's where I scored. The statin must be working as there was zero plaque detected. No thinning of my arteries. Not one single issue to worry about.

She said we'd have to figure out what caused the issue and then she commented on my lump on my leg. I think I posted here a few weeks ago how I hurt my leg while doing yard work. Well, she indicates it appears that the top of my fibula broke and shifted. So I went for xrays and am waiting for those results.

I guess if I was essentially walking around with a broken leg my body would be stressed enough to cause BP issues.

Wade · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2016, 09:50:00 am »

That's great news your BP has finally stabilized and all is well with your heart.
Good luck with those x-rays, I hope you don't have a collapsed bone !

wolfter · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2016, 06:03:13 am »

Here's pic of the huge protrusion on my leg.

paintedroom · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2016, 08:38:31 am »

Goodness Wolfter,is that all ? one broken leg ? When i was a lad...

wolfter · « **Reply #17 on:** September 19, 2016, 04:47:36 pm »

The results revealed that nothing is broken. The bad news is that it might be osteosarcoma. Now I'm waiting for scheduling for an cat scan and mri. Of course, I've googled this cancer quite a bit which of course is freaking me out.

BT65 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2016, 07:59:41 am »

Good lord Greg, I hope it all turns out alright. I of course check this regularly, please keep us updated. Good news on the BP though, and no plaque.

Betty

wolfter · « **Reply #19 on:** September 21, 2016, 02:09:47 am »

Quote from: BT65 on September 20, 2016, 07:59:41 am

Good lord Greg, I hope it all turns out alright. I of course check this regularly, please keep us updated. Good news on the BP though, and no plaque.

Betty

Thanks darlin. I've been kinda absent of late and have missed so many people here that used to connect regularly.

I've arrived at the decision that this particular leg never wanted me.

paintedroom · « **Reply #20 on:** September 21, 2016, 02:15:58 pm »

Apologies for what may have seemed a grossly insensitive remark Wolfter.It really was supposed to be a humorous salute to your toughness -walking around on an unknown broken leg.

My thoughts are with you.

wolfter · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2016, 04:06:19 pm »

a little update. Many here know how I adore my beloved doctor but I took charge and consulted another dr. I'm actually glad that I had another episode just prior to arriving. by the time I pulled into the parking lot, I was shaking so badly that I could barely walk.

I attempted to sign in and simply asked the receptionist to do it for me since my hands were shaking so badly that I couldn't even hold the dang pen. She immediately called over the nurse that promptly took me to an exam room. My bp was again in the worrisome zone.

My new doctor entered almost immediately and within short order gave me a little pill. Carvedilol. A medication that end with "lol"? laugh out loud.

I've been having the shakes to the point where people were noticing but I've been downplaying it until I figured out shit.

So now I've been on this medication since Thursday and haven't felt this well in ages. I've never heard of suddenly being burdoned with high bp but guess it's a reality. He also is sure that this damn growing bone thingy is not lipoma. I already knew that after using google as my friend.

He truly believes the 2 events are totally unrelated and is scheduling an appt with a bone doctor.

bocker3 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2016, 04:32:44 pm »

Quote from: wolfter on October 15, 2016, 04:06:19 pm

a little update. Many here know how I adore my beloved doctor but I took charge and consulted another dr. I'm actually glad that I had another episode just prior to arriving. by the time I pulled into the parking lot, I was shaking so badly that I could barely walk.

I attempted to sign in and simply asked the receptionist to do it for me since my hands were shaking so badly that I couldn't even hold the dang pen. She immediately called over the nurse that promptly took me to an exam room. My bp was again in the worrisome zone.

My new doctor entered almost immediately and within short order gave me a little pill. Carvedilol. A medication that end with "lol"? laugh out loud. I've been having the shakes to the point where people were noticing but I've been downplaying it until I figured out shit.

So now I've been on this medication since Thursday and haven't felt this well in ages. I've never heard of suddenly being burdoned with high bp but guess it's a reality. He also is sure that this damn growing bone thingy is not lipoma. I already knew that after using google as my friend.

He truly believes the 2 events are totally unrelated and is scheduling an appt with a bone doctor.

I am happy that got this worked out!!! BTW -- did the doc mention that you should avoid alcohol for 2 hrs before and after taking this med???

Mike

wolfter · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2016, 05:48:51 pm »

Quote from: bocker3 on October 15, 2016, 04:32:44 pm

I am happy that got this worked out!!! BTW -- did the doc mention that you should avoid alcohol for 2 hrs before and after taking this med???

Mike

NO, because I indicated that I only have an occasional glass of ~~whine~~ wine.

bocker3 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2016, 10:31:44 am »

Quote from: wolfter on October 15, 2016, 05:48:51 pm

NO, because I indicated that I only have an occasional ~~glass~~ box of ~~whine~~ wine.

There -- I fixed your typo for you....

Seriously though -- do follow that alcohol caution.

Hugs,
M

Wade · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2016, 10:41:15 am »

LOL

BT65 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2016, 05:45:54 am »

Greg, I'm glad this got worked out and that you're on a med that works! Let us know about what the bone doctor says. I have something that looks like that in my right leg (the one with the rod) but my bone doctor x-rayed it and said it's a calcification. I'm curious what your new bone doctor will tell you.

Betty

wolfter · « **Reply #27 on:** October 30, 2016, 08:09:59 am »

Turns out, there were 2 issues going on. Over the bone growth, a synovial cyst formed which became infected. The fluid was dark and that was an obvious infection. He sent that off for a culture to determine exactly what the cause is. He shot the area up with massive amounts of antibiotics and steroids.

Then came the time for the bone biopsy. I knew it was going to be bad when he had 3 assistants enter to help (restrain) me. Damn, that shit hurt. He fully expects that it'll be benign. And if so, there's no need to do anything unless it causes issues.

I should have the results mid week.

thanks all.

Wade · « **Reply #28 on:** October 30, 2016, 09:28:51 am »

Hey Greg, Glad they have finally figured out what is going on . An infection like that can be serious business ! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Best, Wade

Ptrk3 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 30, 2016, 10:44:34 am »

Yes, a very good thing that they figured out what was going on relatively early. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

BT65 · « **Reply #30 on:** October 31, 2016, 08:03:40 am »

Wow, that sounds awful. I hope the infection clears without incident and also the biopsy is indeed benign. That biopsy must have been horrible! I'm glad they're on it.

Betty

wolfter · « **Reply #31 on:** November 01, 2016, 12:16:14 pm »

I didn't expect results til mid week but I rec'd an email stating the results were ready in my health vault. They only thing detected was a bacterial infection. Notes indicated that the injection rec'd at the time of service should be sufficient to clear it with a repeated test in a couple of weeks.

So I guess the bone mass only needs removed if it interferes with mobility which it doesn't.

Jim Allen · « **Reply #32 on:** November 01, 2016, 01:23:32 pm »

Well considering the alternatives that is excellent news.

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Author Topic: My first squad ride (Read 6768 times)