Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 12:50 PM Sep 2023

Off Topic: AndyS texted me about his situation: He's in a Ft. Worth hospital.

Last edited Sun Sep 24, 2023, 04:09 PM - Edit history (1)

Yesterday, while he was home, his heart started beating very rapidly with a simultaneous drop in his blood pressure.
He realized he had to take care of this so he drove to the nearest hospital where he was seen in the ER.
The MD's there thought it would be best for him to be treated at a more advanced hospital, so he was transferred to one in Ft. Worth.
He was admitted there last night where he was examined.
His EKG was "perfect" according to an MD, but the blood work was concerning.
It was thought that he might have had a heart attack, but they weren't sure.

This morning, the Floor Doctor says all looks OK, but he has to get signed off by the cardiologist. Andy fully expects to be discharged home this afternoon.

He told me to go ahead and let all of you know what's going on.
I am more than relieved!


***Major Edit*** See my post #30 for the details

74 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Off Topic: AndyS texted me about his situation: He's in a Ft. Worth hospital. (Original Post) CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 OP
Gracious! I am glad he is ok. Could it have been a panic/anxiety attack, mini stroke? It is LoisB Sep 2023 #1
Thanks so much, my dear LoisB. CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #6
I had similar symptoms AncientOfDays Sep 2023 #54
I hope all is well with you now, my dear AncientOfDays! That's a serious procedure. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #55
Well, that was early 2016 AncientOfDays Oct 2023 #74
I hope he makes a full recovery! mike_c Sep 2023 #2
Right there with you, my dear mike_c! And how. CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #7
Thank you for... 2naSalit Sep 2023 #3
Thanks for your response, my dear 2naSalit! I'm sure Andy appreciates it. I know I do. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #8
Thank you, CaliforniaPeggy. Diamond_Dog Sep 2023 #4
Your excellent wishes match my own, my dear Diamond_Dog! Scary certainly is the word. Thank you! ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #9
afib can be scarry. AllaN01Bear Sep 2023 #5
Afib certainly can be scary; I've had it too. CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #10
have had a ablation which only lasted a year and have dealt w afib AllaN01Bear Sep 2023 #23
A functioning heart comes in handy. Stay on the right course. alfredo Sep 2023 #11
Absolutely right, my dear alfredo! He plans to do just that. Thank you. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #12
Thank you. alfredo Sep 2023 #13
Glad to hear he is okay Old Crank Sep 2023 #14
Thanks for your good wishes, my dear Old Crank! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #15
For Andy -- May you regain your health and soon. George McGovern Sep 2023 #16
Thank you so much, my dear George! He is always striving to be in better health. He will persevere. nt CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #19
I'm glad that it seems Andy's well enough to be released. Hoping for the best. Mousetoescamper Sep 2023 #17
Thanks so much, my dear Mousetoescamper! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #20
Wishing him a speedy recovery! CrispyQ Sep 2023 #18
Thanks so much, my dear CrispyQ! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #22
Sending Healing Smiles wyn borkins Sep 2023 #21
Thank you so much for your beautiful verse, my dear wyn borkins! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #25
Oh my word shenmue Sep 2023 #24
Indeed, my dear shenmue! I said something similar when he told me about all this. Yikes! ♥ nt CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #26
Well, that's good to hear. calimary Sep 2023 #27
Thank you, my dear calimary! My pleasure. See post #30. nt CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #31
Yikes! Grumpy Old Guy Sep 2023 #28
Thank you, my dear Grumpy! I hear ya. He's doing well. See my post #30. nt CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #32
How very scary! Callalily Sep 2023 #29
Thank you so much, my dear Callalily! I'm glad too that he's going home. See my post #30. nt CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #33
***Major Update: Andy has a diagnosis*** CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #30
Thanks for the update dear Peggy! Grumpy Old Guy Sep 2023 #36
You're so very welcome, my dear Grumpy! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #37
Oh, wow. Beartracks Sep 2023 #40
Thanks for your good thoughts, my dear Beartracks! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #46
SVT is fairly common phenomenon, and treatable. Grasswire2 Sep 2023 #43
Thanks for all these details, my dear Grasswire2! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #47
Usually a beta blocker med will be prescribed. Grasswire2 Sep 2023 #53
Thank you so much. I'm so glad his problem is fixable. ancianita Sep 2023 #44
I was afraid we'd lost him too, my dear ancianita. Scared me half to death! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #48
Great news! Thanks for the update and all the best to AndyS! MLAA Sep 2023 #52
Thanks for your wonderful reply, my dear MLAA! It's such good news. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #56
So good to hear! Tom Yossarian Joad Sep 2023 #72
Get well soon AndyS SYFROYH Sep 2023 #34
Here's to a good fix and speedy recovery. sinkingfeeling Sep 2023 #35
Thanks for your respose, my dear sinkingfeeling! nt CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #39
Thank you for responding, SYFROYH! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #38
Hope he's ok! TexasDem69 Sep 2023 #41
Thank you, TexasDem69 . . . I know he'll appreciate your good thoughts. nt CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #49
Vibes for healing and strength and a full and swift recovery headed your way, AndyS. niyad Sep 2023 #42
Thank you so much, my dear niyad! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #50
Thank You Peggy! Best wishes to Andy! George McGovern Sep 2023 #45
Thank you for your lovely response, my dear George! Andy certainly appreciates your thoughts as well. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #51
I'm so glad he made it through this scare and got a diagnosis! Ilsa Sep 2023 #57
You and me both, my dear Ilsa! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #58
he really should not have driven anywhere! Skittles Sep 2023 #59
It's true, my dear Skittles, but there was nobody to help him. And the first hospital was close by. CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #60
Sending all the positive energy possible! HAB911 Sep 2023 #61
Thanks so much, my dear HAB911! Very kind of you. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #63
Wow! So glad he was diagnosed and it can be taken care of! Goddessartist Sep 2023 #62
Wow, my dear Goddessartist! Thank you so much for your remarks. CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #64
Well it all seems like a dream....thank you! Just tell him to take it easy until the surgery! Goddessartist Sep 2023 #67
Will do! ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #68
Wow! I'm so happy to hear AndyS can get this problem resolved. MontanaMama Sep 2023 #65
Thank you so much for your lovely words, my dear MontanaMama! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #66
Goodness...I'm glad that they came up w/ a diagnosis, often times, these can be hard to figure out. SWBTATTReg Sep 2023 #69
Thank you for your great supportive thoughts, my dear SWBTATTReg! My pleasure to share. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #70
Thanks CaliforniaPeggy, and Healing Light to Andy MagickMuffin Sep 2023 #71
Thanks for your offers of help and for your thoughtful remarks, my dear MagickMuffin! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 2023 #73

LoisB

(8,755 posts)
1. Gracious! I am glad he is ok. Could it have been a panic/anxiety attack, mini stroke? It is
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 01:29 PM
Sep 2023

concerning that he drove himself to the hospital. Please let him know I wish him the best health.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
6. Thanks so much, my dear LoisB.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 01:41 PM
Sep 2023

I don't know the details about what the problem really is.
And you can be sure he will read this thread, since he gave me permission to post it.

Diamond_Dog

(34,884 posts)
4. Thank you, CaliforniaPeggy.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 01:35 PM
Sep 2023

Pretty darn scary and I hope he will be OK from now on in. He’s a valued member of our DU community. Wishing Andy all the best.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
10. Afib certainly can be scary; I've had it too.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 01:48 PM
Sep 2023

I don't think the Dr's. know exactly what the rhythm was. It's normal now.
I hope they've figured it out.

Thanks for chiming in, my dear AllaNO1Bear!

AllaN01Bear

(23,102 posts)
23. have had a ablation which only lasted a year and have dealt w afib
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 02:39 PM
Sep 2023

for five. meds that are ballanced out help too also

Old Crank

(4,715 posts)
14. Glad to hear he is okay
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 02:16 PM
Sep 2023

I've just had a battery of tests for an AFib alert from my fitbit. Found nothing. Will keep wearing the device.

Get well soon Andy

Mousetoescamper

(5,255 posts)
17. I'm glad that it seems Andy's well enough to be released. Hoping for the best.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 02:27 PM
Sep 2023

Thanks for letting us Know, Peggy.

CrispyQ

(38,336 posts)
18. Wishing him a speedy recovery!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 02:28 PM
Sep 2023

I am too familiar with the ER & heart issues. I met a major exercise goal recently so all I can say is persevere!

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
22. Thanks so much, my dear CrispyQ!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 02:37 PM
Sep 2023

I'm sure he plans to persevere! He's wired that way.

Good on you for meeting your major exercise goal!

wyn borkins

(1,109 posts)
21. Sending Healing Smiles
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 02:36 PM
Sep 2023

Wishing and hoping
Hoping and wishing

You return right
Here right soon

(Our) AndyS
Love, Wyn

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
25. Thank you so much for your beautiful verse, my dear wyn borkins!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 02:40 PM
Sep 2023

Andy appreciates poetry and yours is perfect.


Callalily

(15,013 posts)
29. How very scary!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 03:28 PM
Sep 2023

Glad that Andy is alright and heading home. Best place to be to recoup.

Sending warm wishes and healing vibes his way.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
30. ***Major Update: Andy has a diagnosis***
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 04:08 PM
Sep 2023

His diagnosis is SVT. SupraVentricularTachycardia.
Loosely translated it means an irregular heartbeat that starts above the ventricles at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute.

Apparently there is a nerve responsible for this. There is also a normal nerve that controls the normal heart beat.

Andy will have out-patient surgery in about 6 weeks to cut the nerve responsible. Then the SVT should stop.

He just called to tell me all this, and he's being discharged this afternoon.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
37. You're so very welcome, my dear Grumpy!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 06:27 PM
Sep 2023

You can imagine my relief when he told me that he hadn't had a heart attack!

Beartracks

(13,588 posts)
40. Oh, wow.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 07:42 PM
Sep 2023

I've got some family members with atrial fibrillation (a-fib), but I'm given to understand that v-tach is more serious, I think.

Some a-fib cases are also triggered from a nerve cluster, and it, too, can be fixed by a surgical procedure -- an ablation that destroys the offending nerve(s). It could also be managed with a drug that simply prevents the erratic impulses, but I don't know if that's a possibility with v-tach.

I wish AndyS the best with his surgery, and will keep him in my prayers.

============

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
46. Thanks for your good thoughts, my dear Beartracks!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 09:18 PM
Sep 2023

However, allow me to clear up the difference between Vtach and SVT. They are very different.
And Andy doesn't have atrial fibrillation either.

SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) is an abnormal rhythm that originates in the upper chamber of the heart. It causes the heart to beat very rapidly at rates above 100 beats per minute.
This will be controlled surgically: the nerve causing it will be cut, leaving the good nerve to work as it should.

Hope this helps!

Grasswire2

(13,713 posts)
43. SVT is fairly common phenomenon, and treatable.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 08:47 PM
Sep 2023

Not only are there meds that lessen the chances, but there are techniques that can stop the tach.

Vagal techniques. Take a deep deep breath, hold it as long as you can, then exhale as long as you can. Repeat. That is called the Valsalva Maneuver.
There are variations: get a bowl of ice water, hold a deep breath while immersing your face into the ice water and hold it as long as you can. Pull face out of water and exhale deeply. Repeat as necessary.
Another variation involves taking a deep breath, then blowing into a drinking straw with the other end pinched off by your fingers. Hold it as long as you can, then exhale. Repeat as necessary.

Those are a few techniques.

Long history here of SVT. Long, long history.

A little gadget called a pulse oximeter is a good thing to have. It clips on your fingertip, and shows your pulse and also your oxygen level. About twenty bucks at any pharmacy or on amazon.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
47. Thanks for all these details, my dear Grasswire2!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 09:21 PM
Sep 2023

You obviously have been there and done that. I am glad you're still here.

I am sure Andy will appreciate all your wisdom.

ancianita

(38,660 posts)
44. Thank you so much. I'm so glad his problem is fixable.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 09:17 PM
Sep 2023
I've learned so much from him, and was afraid we'd lost him.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
48. I was afraid we'd lost him too, my dear ancianita. Scared me half to death!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 09:23 PM
Sep 2023

The problem is definitely fixable and he will be fine.

Thank you for your good thoughts!

niyad

(120,193 posts)
42. Vibes for healing and strength and a full and swift recovery headed your way, AndyS.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 08:41 PM
Sep 2023

Dear Miss Peggy, I just saw this. Thank you so much for keeping us posted. Hope you can relax a bit now. I know that you were worried.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
50. Thank you so much, my dear niyad!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 09:27 PM
Sep 2023

I thought all his friends here would want to know about this.
And since he's much better now, with a cure in the works, you can bet I'm a lot more relaxed!

Thank you again.

Ilsa

(62,251 posts)
57. I'm so glad he made it through this scare and got a diagnosis!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 10:53 PM
Sep 2023

Wishing only the best for him, and an easy surgical outcome.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
58. You and me both, my dear Ilsa!
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 11:20 PM
Sep 2023

I so very relieved to hear his good news today.

I suspect it will be a lot easier from here on out.
Thank you for your very kind remarks!

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
60. It's true, my dear Skittles, but there was nobody to help him. And the first hospital was close by.
Sun Sep 24, 2023, 11:44 PM
Sep 2023

I am sure that he will be OK!

Goddessartist

(2,067 posts)
62. Wow! So glad he was diagnosed and it can be taken care of!
Mon Sep 25, 2023, 07:08 AM
Sep 2023

I had a heart attack last year, Broken Heart Syndrome, and have POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and Dysautonomia. I'm so very glad he can get the surgery to repair!

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
64. Wow, my dear Goddessartist! Thank you so much for your remarks.
Mon Sep 25, 2023, 09:09 AM
Sep 2023

Yikes! You've really been through it and then some. Best of luck to you as well.
I am likewise relieved that there will be surgery to fix his situation.

MontanaMama

(24,039 posts)
65. Wow! I'm so happy to hear AndyS can get this problem resolved.
Mon Sep 25, 2023, 09:26 AM
Sep 2023

I am traveling and haven’t been checking in on DU regularly and when I read the original OP, it worried me. Glad to read the update post #30. This is welcome good news. Thank you CaliforniaPeggy for being a friend to AndyS. 🙏

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
66. Thank you so much for your lovely words, my dear MontanaMama!
Mon Sep 25, 2023, 09:32 AM
Sep 2023

I was pretty worried too, until Andy told me they'd figured out what happened and how to fix it.
It's a huge relief!

SWBTATTReg

(24,164 posts)
69. Goodness...I'm glad that they came up w/ a diagnosis, often times, these can be hard to figure out.
Mon Sep 25, 2023, 12:51 PM
Sep 2023

Next time, perhaps instead of driving himself, he should have a buddy on call, to take him. I was nervous thinking about what if a repeat episode occurred while he was driving there? As it turned out, all is well as he got there aok. As to the diagnosis, like I said, at least now they know what's going on, and can take the appropriate meds etc. to handle it. I had a Afib condition most of my life, and finally after being monitored a whole month (w/ a mobile heart monitor), they finally figured out what was going on, that I was having AFIB attacks literally everyday, and didn't know it.

Listen to your heart! It may save your life!

Thanks Calif Peggy for the news update...

MagickMuffin

(17,154 posts)
71. Thanks CaliforniaPeggy, and Healing Light to Andy
Mon Sep 25, 2023, 04:05 PM
Sep 2023



I might be able to help provide transportation if there isn’t a conflict in my schedule, and it’s needed.


Andy glad you’re doing better and will be released soon!


CaliforniaPeggy

(152,204 posts)
73. Thanks for your offers of help and for your thoughtful remarks, my dear MagickMuffin!
Mon Sep 25, 2023, 06:15 PM
Sep 2023

Actually, Andy went home yesterday afternoon.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Photography»Off Topic: AndyS texted ...