The Heart of the Matter

I went in to see my OB last Tuesday after being in L&D triage on Monday. He said I was tachycardic and suspected my issue was cardiac related and referred me to a cardiologist. He did suggest loading up on fluids and rest and that should help.

I got an appointment with the cardiologist on Thursday, but on Wednesday I still felt horrible even after consuming tons of fluids and laying in bed. My resting heart rate was between 130 and 140 beats per minute and it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. I called my doctor and was pretty upset when all I got was "it's your call if you want to go in." I kept asking when I should be concerned about high heart rate, and they just kept saying rest and relax, which annoyed the hell out of me. So my mom convinced me to go back to L&D because something just didn't seem right.

They monitored my heart rate, baby's heart rate and contractions. Tested urine and took more blood. Urine came back fine and so did blood. They kept saying baby looked "beautiful." I was also having contractions, but not feeling most of them. They kept giving me lots of fluids. My heart rate ranged from 98 up to 140...all while laying in bed.

The doctor came in and was concerned about blood clots. So I had a leg doppler done - no clots there. They did an EKG and didn't find much significant, other than my heart rate jumping up for no reason. The doctor then suggested a CT scan just to rule out lung clots. This part was pretty scary thinking I may have a blood clot...and by this point, we had been in L&D for six hours and DH was exhausted. Mom drove him home and then drove back up to stay with me.  Luckily, the CT scan came back clear.

By this point, I had been given three bags of fluids and it had slowed my contractions, but hadn't helped lower my heart rate as they suspected it should've. The doctor said she had eliminated everything that was life threatening and felt comfortable with me going home and going to my cardiologist appointment the next day. I agreed and that's what we did.

So, last Thursday, mom went with me for my appointment at 11am. They did another EKG and saw that my resting heart rate was again in the 130's. The cardiologist came and in said it looked like inappropriate sinus tachycardia, which basically means my heart rate is too high while at rest.

I mentioned to her how I had a similar problem last year after our car accident. I went into the doctor's complaining of palpitations, tightening in chest and shortness of breath. The doctor at the time did an EKG and prescribed me a beta blocker, metoprolol succinate. She didn't really explain to me why I needed it and I didn't know what questions to ask. I took it for a few days, but eventually stopped when I felt better.

The cardiologist believes it's a problem I've always had, but I only become symptomatic when my body is under a lot of pressure or strain, such as the car accident last year, and now the pregnancy.

She prescribed me the same meds, and they began to help immediately when I took them that night. My resting heart rate went from the 130's to around 90. I could breathe again and didn't feel horrible. I actually felt REALLY good!

I am going this Friday for a heart echo and 24 hour Holter monitor, then will follow up with her again in a week. Hoping the meds can control it until Brady is here...and that it will go away after too!

No Answers

Labs came back normal. Baby is doing great - heartrate is perfect and he kept kicking the monitors.
I was given fluids but that didn't seem to make a difference.

It was pretty frustrating for them to say "everything is normal, you can go home" when you still feel so horrible. I kept thinking maybe this is how the third trimester is supposed to feel and I just need to suck it up...but the waves of muscle fatigue and weakness just seem weird to me.

I keep thinking it has to do with blood pressure. They took it and it was pretty normal but I wasn't feeling bad then, so I'm wondering if it can dip down and go back up.

An RN came to unhook me from the IV and discharge me. She came in the room and said "they are sending you home." I must've had a frustrated look on my face and she asked what was wrong. So I said, well they said everything is fine but I still don't feel good and I'm leaving with no answers. She then went on to try and diagnose me herself saying it was the Procardia I take very rarely for contractions...I told her no, I haven't taken it in 5 days...it's not from that. Then she says it's from the Benadryl I take even though I've been taking that for months and I only take 1.5 pills in a 24 hour period. Then she says "it's pregnancy." Gee, thanks lady, but that's not enough of an answer for me. I start crying and mom tries to advocate for me but the lady really isn't being helpful, just getting me more upset. Finally she asks if I want to talk to my doctor who happens to be in the hospital on Mondays for surgery. She goes to talk to him (supposedly) and comes back to say he just started a hysterectomy and won't be done for 5 hours and I can wait if I want. WTH? Um, no. I'll just go home.

She has me sign my discharge paperwork, then neglects to give it to me and gives me one with someone else's name and info on it (along with the privacy paperwork, ha!). We give it back to her and she cuts the top portion with the name off and gives it to me. OK, whatever. I just wanted to go now.

They had taken my wheelchair away that I used to get into L&D triage, so mom offers to go get it back since walking usually causes contractions for me and I was still feeling quite weak and faint. But the RN actually says "you don't need that. you can walk!" and goes on to tell me how if I don't walk I'll get blood clots in my legs. I got annoyed that she was denying me a wheelchair and when she turned to leave the room, I shooed at her with my hands. I just wanted to her out. I started crying again and I ended up walking out because I just wanted to get away from her.

I need to call my OB in the morning and see if I can get in Tuesday instead of at my appointment time on Wednesday.

Feeling Crappy

The last couple wks I've been feeling super weak, sometimes shaky, clammy, dizzy and faint. To the point where I start balling because I feel so awful and don't know what's wrong. I've checked my sugar during these spells and it's within normal range. My next OB appointment is this Wednesday, so I tried to call this morning to get in today, but the doctor is not in the office today (probably at the hospital). The office staff sort of blew me off and said to call my family doctor or go to a clinic. Well, we got notice a week ago that our family doctor is moving out of state, so that's not an option. And clinics, well, they don't do much and just say follow up with your OB.

So I called my mom and DH and they both suggested hospital/labor & delivery triage. I hate doing it because I feel like - what if nothing is wrong and I'm over-reacting. But at the same time, this doesn't seem normal. I know a certain amount of tiredness should be expected in the third trimester, but weakness and shaking and feeling like I'm going to pass out just doesn't seem right. Mom and DH are coming home to get me now they we will be on our way. Hoping it's just a simple fix like low blood pressure or anemia. I'll post an update as soon as I know anything!

Baby Shower

Baby shower was yesterday...what a great turnout. I'd say 40-50 people! Food was awesome, sooo many gifts. Feeling very blessed!

   

 

DH's mom and I

Mom & I

DH's grandma and I

Old friend from high school, Kristen & I

Heather & I

Rock N Play Sleeper!!

Baseball gear :)

Adorable owl night light

Baseball shirt...came with shorts too!

The most adorable socks ever!

Auntie's little man...onesies...and pants with bear on the butt :)

DH holding up one of the onesies our dogs supposedly bought their little brother :)

"Lock up your daughters" onesie! hahaha

The cutest newborn onesie with alligators on it :)

From aunt and uncle in TN!

Chicco high chair!

Dr. Brown's bottles...I look so amused lol

Adorable giraffe diaper bag :)

Yay!! The swing I wanted :)

Stuff mom and I bought when I was 6 wks pregnant!

I LOVE this one..."Daddy and I agree...Mommy is the boss!"

Rub with robe, slippers and lots of bath goodies!

Lamp that matches the crib bedding...from an awesome co-worker

Guests!

More guests...you can see me in the background...I found a spot on the comfy couch :)

This was filled with so many wonderful goodies...and everytime I see the box, I sing the Brady Bunch song in my head :)

Super soft stroller blanket!

Kristen and I...waiting to eat. We were starving!

 

The adorable cake made my DH's aunt!

DH & his grandma

All the gifts...condensed!

High chair!

Bath towels and wash cloths

Surprisingly, the only diapers we got...one pack newborns and three packs of 1's

The bath goodies

A few of the clothes...mostly 0-3 months

Toys

Sheets and receiving blankets

Feeding, health and grooming stuff

Mickey plush and diaper bag

Cool shades for little man :)

Matching lamp

Baby monitor, nightlight and socks

The swing! DH gets to put it together.

Rock N Play Sleeper!!

Bibs galore. The owl ones are pink but they are plastic and so cute :)

Teethers...some from the shower...some from ebay!

Hats and booties 

Stroller from DH's dad...all folded up

I LOVE this stroller...wish I could fit in it :)

Safety stuff, ointment, stroller binkie, wipes and books

Newborn stuff

Sleepers/gowns

I'm in love with the camo pants

And a few of my favorite clothing pieces :)

He is so loved and I feel so blessed that people are so giving, and as excited for him to come as we are!