I hadn’t been feeling well, having brain fog and feeling tired and weak, since February 12th, that was getting progressively worse. I haven’t posted anything on the internet since then. On a regular doctor’s appointment, I was told that I had an irregular heartbeat that needed to be monitored for 30 days. After that 30 day period my doctor suspected something wasn’t right and wanted me to continue to be on the heart monitor for an additional 30 days. A few weeks later my doctor called me and told me that I had to go immediately to the hospital emergency room!! He found a dangerous life threatening irregular heartbeat that needed to be monitored in the hospital. I was in the hospital for 12 days.
I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that’s caused by a heart electrical problem. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. As I mentioned before, I hadn’t been feeling well, but had no symptoms of any problems. I was told that this condition is genetic.
I wasn’t in a private room, but I didn’t have anyone else in my room for my entire hospital stay. As a highly sensitive person, I really appreciated that!! I also have to mention that all of my nurses were very comforting and caring. I suspect that most of them were highly sensitive.
After many diagnostic tests, my doctor’s decided that I needed to have a defibrillator/pacemaker implant. I had the operation done on April 4th. I’m also on a blood thinner to prevent blood clots and a medication to slow my heart rate down.
I’m home and the operation was a success, but I’m still feeling very tired and weak. I went to the doctor that did the operation for my electrical upper and lower chamber implant of my heart and was told that the implant was working perfectly. That’s a relief! I’m still not feeling well. I went to see my cardiologist and he adjusted my medication. I’m hopeful that I’ll feel better soon and will continue my writing about highly sensitive people and introverts.
I’m grateful that I’m getting a second chance at life. I knew my family health history and have gone to several doctors over the years for regular checkups and diagnostic tests. I don’t want to be overly dramatic about my situation, but I want to emphasize the importance of:
* Knowing your family health history.
* Going for diagnostic tests as your family health history and age dictates.
* Not taking your good health for granted. I was walking 10 miles per week and have been pretty active. I took my medications as directed. My food choices could have been better, but I kept my weight down. I had no indication that I had a serious health problem. Again, regular health check ups and knowing your family health history can save you from a premature death!
Have you been putting off your health? If so, what can you do to better take care of yourself? I’m interested in any thoughts or comments that you have.
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Cliff, I am happy that you have a medical team that cares for your well being. You are fortunate. I wish you a continued fast recovery. I hope you feel better soon. Many are not as fortunate to have good medical care. I’m part of this group. I will do my best not to leave a wall of text. I am part of several groups that are not of the majority. I accept that most likely I will die (Whether premature or not, eventually we die) – Not necessarily due to lack of medical care, but the severe stress of lash back for being who I am. I am not alone in this.