Posted by A Dame (152.163.201.209) on September 19, 1999 at 20:49:02:
Well, it happened...I was so afraid it was going to...of all times..Ever since Monday my BP-Pulse has been very high...then Monday night out of the clear blue sky a 10 in 20 minutes...at 8:05 p.m. I am usually nocturnal between 2-5 a.m. Tuesday & Wednesday I agonized over whether to go to Cincinatti or not...I didn't leave on Wednesday as planned, nor did I fly...We drove up on Thursday morning...My pulse continued to fly 122 - high 90s...Friday night was a planned event..we took buses and went to event...I took my Imitrex Spray instead of Injection...No oxygen either...too embarasing to take that tank along...
I was really looking forward to this night..It was Cabaret Night with Broadway Musical Acts, etc...During the Cocktail Hour, I got an alcholic drink...very mild...was eating the fingerfoods prior to dinner and talking and 2 sips of that drink...it hit me like a bolt of lightening....I had to sit down before I passed out...I ran to the restroom and did the Imitrex Spray....takes so much longer than the Injection, but I knew if I had done the injection I would have to lay down somewhere...I got off by myself *like an idiot* trying to calm down and not have the panic attack that I knew was coming....Get some cold air in my lungs...away from the noise of people talking..Just 2 sips did me in....or did it...I guess it did...I felt really hungry and was looking forward to fun-filled evening and good food....I didn't take 3 bites and I was violently ill...
My boss missed me and came looking for me...There I sat deathly ill..with a 6 or 7 climbing and not knowing what I was going to do....She said we would get me back to the hotel...She spoke with the Executive Vice President and being the gentleman he is said not to worry that he would handle it...I wish I could have climbed under a rock...The lady that I was trying to have a conversation with prior to this attack must have thought I was crazy....I couldn't follow the conversation, panic was setting in and I had to run to the restroom and the Imitrex..
What did I do....I sat in the cold by myself until the Imitrex could take effect....I would have gladly layed down on the cold pavement if there hadn't been all those people everywhere....That would have really looked great...me laying on the cold pavement...We got me some ice from the bar and put them all over my neck and head....I even took them in to dinner with me....By the way....just the smell of the food was terrible...I did not eat anything....I was starved prior to the attack....now just smelling it was awful....I managed to fight it back down and the Imitrex took hold....ended up staying until at least they finished eating, but had to leave early.....got back to the hotel and layed in the bathtub for a long time.....We back to the hotel in one peace...looking like death warmed over and wet hair from all the ice...I thought I was going to pass out before I could get away from the noise....just all of a sudden...
I have been monitoring my BP and pulse before I even get out of bed of a morning...Very hight even before I put my feet on the floor....Saturday was a very busy day and I took an Inderal 60 mg...after I got up...Saturday night was our big awards banquet....I did great....brought my BP down to 115/80 and pulse to 92 at 7:00 right before dinner....needless to say I didn't even try wine or drink during cocktail hour or at dinner....no way...I don't care if I never take another sip if it might cause me to have a CH again....It might not have even been the trigger, but because I did have the screwdriver (2 sips) and it happened, I won't try it again....Simply not worth it.....
By the way...a little funny during all this confusion and panic...We are getting me some ice at the bar in a tea towel..no plastic bag available...and I guess I really looked rough...this girl getting a drink asked what was wrong? my boss said she has Cluster Headaches....to this the dumb girl said, "Oh yea, I get those bad headaches, but I don't think I have any tylenol, but I bet someone here does with all this many people!".....dumb, dumb...I just thanked her and said I had already taken something...If they only had one,,,,,these people wouldn't make those dumb statements.....
I am usually the life of a party...but not Friday night....I was really embarased about the big guy knowing. Our company just merged with this company on Sept 1 and that was only our 2nd meeting...and here I was looking like I lost my best friend or really had too much to drink...when that wasn't the case at all....He is a very nice man and was very concerned over my welfare and me.....I am sure it upset me more wondering about what they would think of me...acting like an idiot more than it bothered them....You know, I don't need to tell you...just the worry of making a fool of yourself is bad enough....
Didn't take any Inderal today...I am having blood work bright and early in the morning and don't want to get a wrong reading.....This morning after getting up was 135/90 Pulse 106.....Noon 123/91 Pulse 104...3:00 113/74 pulse 92...Some how I think when my BP goes up and my pulse it is a warning that a big one is on the way......I am taking 360mg of Verapamil now daily....I think the Synthroid still has my pulse messed up somehow....I wish I had taken the Blood Pressure Machine (wrist style - digital) with me Friday night and checked it then, but no room in small purse....I really want to check it during a 10.....
After all is said and done...I am lucky that it didn't climb up to 10 Friday night and very glad it did not hit me on Saturday night during the banquet and awards ceremony...Could have been worse...Could have had to go to ER in strange city....a lot could have been worse...I have to keep reminding myself of that...at the time though...you are saying WHY ME......and NOT NOW PLEASE GOD....Not in front of these people that you don't know and then some that you do know....
I am back safe and sound and going for blood work in the a.m....something isn't right and just have to find out what is wrong and get it fixed before I go crazy....Rapid pulse makes you so tired all the time...Not good for you or your heart...couldn't be..
Thanks to all that E-mailed me encouragement and concern over me and my trip......Really didn't want to go....so afraid something unpleasant would happen and it did>>>>>>>>>
A Dame