Cardiologist Appointment

So I went to the doctor today.

This morning, I woke up at 8 am, took a shower, threw my hair in a ponytail and put on my makeup (favorite part of getting ready!). My mother drove me to my 9:45 am cardiologist appointment. I signed in as a new patient, noticed that everyone else in the crowded waiting room area was at least 40 years older than me, and took my seat. I was nervous to see what the doctor was going to say.

A young, super sweet nurse practitioner called my name and took us to the back. She took my blood pressure (on the lower side, as always) and my pulse (on the higher side, of course). She was very sweet, laughing at my jokes even though I know they probably weren't that funny. I always cover up any nervous feelings I'm having with a big smile and corny jokes. I wonder if she could tell I was nervous? If she did, she didn't let on.

I explained to her my symptoms when having on of my "episodes" that can last from a couple minutes to hours. 

• erratic heart rate ranging between 140-80 within minutes while at rest
• heavy chest
• inability to catch my breath
• dizziness, light headedness 
• headaches
• extreme fatigue
• blotchy vision
• occasional nausea

 She then performed an EKG on me. I felt like an alien having all those wires wrapped all over my torso! Anyways, she took down some more notes for the doctor and smiled as she left. She was really sweet. Have I mentioned that already?

I just really appreciate when there are genuinely NICE people in doctors offices. It's rare to come by that these days, at least for me.

Back on subject! My doctor came in about 15 minutes after the nurse left, and plopped down in the chair after shaking my hand and simply asked "So what's up." As if it was that simple! 

After telling him exactly what I told the nurse, he took my pulse, with both me breathing and holding my  breath. He told me I was going to live. HALLELUJAH! :) But, he then went into explanation of what was "wrong" with me.

I have sinus tachycardia brought on by pregnancy.

Sounds, scary, right? It's really not. Sinus tachycardia is a sudden, rapid heartbeat generated by discharge of the sinus node. The rate is generally 100-180 beats/minute in an average adult. SO, pretty much, my heart is being put under a lot of stress from being pregnant, and even while at rest, it can become erratic and my pulse can sky rocket. My doctor explained to me that this is very common in pregnant women, especially during the final trimester of pregnancy when the baby is growing the most. He explained that this condition should clear up after I have the baby, but not until then. Being 36 weeks and 2 days, he told me that I had two options on what I could do about my condition.

1. I could tough it out without any medication, but majorly risk being put on bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy.
2. I could be put on a low, 20 mg dosage of medicine to keep my heart rate lower, avoiding bed rest, but no exercise or strenuous activity, especially when I'm alone, is allowed.

Obviously, I do NOT want to put on bed rest (the thought of only being able to get up to use the restroom for four weeks TERRIFIES me; I'm too much of a busy body) but, I HATE taking medication during pregnancy, knowing that there's always that slight chance that it could affect Sawyer. So, I did what any mother would do.

I started asking a MILLION questions about the medicine.

I won't bore you with the back to back question, answer, question, answer game we played for about 10 minutes. Baha, your welcome. But, the final result was that it is such a low dosage, and she is so developed with me being so far along, that it shouldn't effect her, though she will still be monitored closely every week.

BUT. I mentioned earlier in the post that I have naturally lower blood pressure. It's not "low" just "lower", if that makes sense. Anyways, the medicine is used to lower heart rates AND blood pressure. So he explained to me that because my blood pressure is already on the lower side, the medicine could be completely counterproductive by making my blood pressure too low and me "crashing." So, he told me to pretty much just experiment with it. He said that I can start taking it daily, but if it is making me feel bad, I can quit and just take it during one of my episodes, and if that doesn't work either I don't have to take it at all. 

But, he warned me that my condition is only going to get worse the further along in my pregnancy I am. That worries me. So, I am going to experiment with the medicine to avoid having too much stress on my heart and ultimately be put on bed rest. 

Was this post interesting at all?? Haha, I wont usually make posts this "serious" or medical, baha, but I did want to explain what happened today to those of you who like to keep up with my medical condition (which hasn't been too great this entire pregnancy.)

WELL! All in all, today was a crazy day full of emotions. I'm just trying to decide what is best for me AND Sawyer. Guess that's what being a mom is, huh?? Always thinking about your child? No complaints:) Her health and happiness is all I care about.

xoxo,

Tayler