posted
I understand that I have a family history of heart problems (my brother just had to have heart surgery this week).
I mentioned to my doc this week and she wants me to go have a stress test done. The paperwork says it will be via a treadmill duration.
I can't walk on my own treadmill for more than 5 minutes without crashing......I think that test will kill me!! Not to mention putting me out of commission for a week.
Has anyone here ever had to do this with lyme?
Help!! Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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I have had stress tests done. When I had them done they were monitored the entire time. I believe that is standard everywhere. There are several reasons that they will stop the test. I don't know all of them, but for instance mine was stopped after 2 minutes because I reached my maximum heart rate.
I know that you can stop if you feel like it is too much to go on, but I know they encourage you to continue if they don't see anything wrong.
I was not on IV when I've had mine done. You might want to touch base with the doctor who has you on IV to see his/her opinion about doing it while your on the IV or waiting till your done with the treatment.
Hope that helps some.
Lynne
-------------------- Lynne
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead Posts: 63 | From USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
You can ask for a chemical stress test. It's called a Dobutamine or Adenosine Stress Test. My new cardiologist automatically said that instead of a physical stress test. I don't know if she could just she what kind of shape I'm in or if that test is more controllable. I am constantly tachycardic, and I have premature beats. I *think* the chemical test is more able to be controlled if my heart rate gets too rapid. Not sure. Actually, she's not even "approving" the stress test until she sees the results of the echo I had Friday.
However, I hope someone else weighs in on whether having the test would be a good idea while you're on IV meds.
Good luck! 3ktykatz
-------------------- 3ktykatz + 1 new kitten Posts: 24 | From Alabama | Registered: Jul 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by 3ktykatz: You can ask for a chemical stress test. It's called a Dobutamine or Adenosine Stress Test.
I had the walking stress test before. Later they did the ultrasound on me, and I told hershe was HURTNG me; she bruised my rib area lastng about 2 months!
I tried another test & that was ultrasound; so I said NO WAY.
I had the adenosine chemical test. It got my working to max immediately. Had 6-8 reactions & I asked them to write them all down; they didn't.
Immediately I had to sit up as I could NOT breath & told them this. I barely made it during the timed event. Got so nautious; hands went numb, etc. It wasn't pleasant.
2nd part is when they have a machine go over your body within inches of my face! I didn't know what to expect since I hadn't seen the literate about it. I was scared 1st time & asked for music played loudly over the noise to relax me.
I suggest you have a friend go in there for that one and stand by you talking with you. 2nd time I had something done, someone talked the entire time with me.
I'm severely claustrophobic so it was awful 1st time; but I was relaxed the 2nd time.
EDITED: Just remembered, it was on the 2nd part of this test they saw BLOCKAGE of 1 heart valve. So I had an angiogram after ... NO BLOCKAGE FOUND! Bettyg
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posted
Thanks for the info, Betty. Right now I don't even know if they're going to do the darn thing. Blech! I'm normally pretty good with tests. If I can survive a myleogram, I can do anything.
Combine the heart thing with my regular change of season head and chest cold and I'm a pretty hissy kitty right now. I come here, read a few posts and go back to bed. Man I hate seasons changing.
Sorry to hijack your post, Poor house.
3ktykatz
-------------------- 3ktykatz + 1 new kitten Posts: 24 | From Alabama | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
The chemical stress test is extremely expensive -- something like $1500 for the shot I think. I would make sure that insurance will allow it before I would go that route. My mom has had these done before.
Hubby has had 2 treadmill tests done since he became ill with Lyme etc. 1st one early on was no big deal -- 2nd one the exercise really exacerbated his tremors/myoclonus -- this was with a modified Bruce protocol (supposed to be less strenuous).
Of course the technicians had never seen such a weird reaction before, but par for the course they did not make any notes on his chart as we requested.
The cardiologist only stuck his head in the room once I think. If this is done in a hospital or outpatient facility I wouldn't count on the doc observing the test although a technician must be present I think.
Good luck.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I had this done, for me it was no big deal. My cardiologist was in the room the entire time as an assistant. He watched the monitor the whole time and kept asking me how I felt. I lasted the whole, what is it 8 or 10 min.???
My problems were lots of PVC's, brach, tach., and my resting rate was elevated a 110 most times. He ended up putting me on a event monitor for a month.
After that I was put on toporal and it helped immensely.
Good Luck, Stella Marie
-------------------- Stella Marie Posts: 694 | From US | Registered: Apr 2005
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I just had a stress test! I was worried about the stress test too, because I've been pretty weak. I had just started Zithro after IV Rocephin and I was light-headed before beginning and my blood pressure was low for me (110/62).
They had me lie on a table and get hooked up to a monitor, and then they did a resting heart rate with me lying on my side. Afterwards, I got on the treadmill and the entire thing took about four minutes. It didn't move fast, it just made a small incline like a hill. Then you jump back down and lie on your side as quick as possible so they can measure your peak heart rate.
The entire event went very quickly for me and despite the Lyme and the Zith and my weakness, I was able to handle it without discomfort. (I am so not in fit shape either!) I think the chemical option would freak me out more than the treadmill, but I'm not brave about new chemicals/meds.
I wish you well and good luck making a choice...
wiserforit
Posts: 508 | From Banks of the Hudson | Registered: Jul 2006
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Let's hope you don't have to have a nuclear stress test done. THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING I WAS EVER PUT THROUGH.
However, I was extremely sick, dizzy, and had horrific head pain at the time. (This was one of the many fun things done to me when trying to figure out why I was so sick -pre-lyme dx).
The whole process took over 9 hours. And why??? In my fun case, it was because they were 3 hours behind schedule, and then the power went out, and I had to drive to another office with a needle in my hand.
They inject you with this dye and then you have to wait an hour or so before they start scanning you. If you're already on heart meds (which I was) you have to be off for 3 days, and you have to fast.
I wasn't given ANY consideration at all on the treadmill. When I said I was dizzy, or when they made me run and my head was in excruciating pain, they pushed me to continue.
A normal nuclear stress test they say expect to be there 5 hours. I guess better safe than sorry, but I highly doubt I'll submit myself to this again for a long time.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
I just had a stress tests done and was rather surprised that they stopped it as soon as I said it was getting hard (mostly to breathe). What's the point of doing it if they don't wait and see what your heart would really do under pressure?????
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