Pssst... Tell 5, Pass It Along!

iRhythm "success"

On Thanksgiving 2010, I felt like I was "off" all day.  One of our cats woke me up at 5:30AM.  I have been exhausted over the last few months anyway.  

I hadn't previously shared this via the Internet, but I am pregnant for the first time.  I have only been this exhausted once before:  prior to the myocardial infarction (M.I.) I survived in 2008.  Nausea is also a common theme during this pregnancy.  My nutrition has been non-existent since becoming pregnant (I could tell early on that I was pregnant).  Excitement has carried me through the last few months of pregnancy.  I've done my best to block out the 'what if' ideas and instead think positively about having a healthy baby.  

Back to Thanksgiving.  Preparation in the kitchen kept me busy until about 10AM when I decided to take a nap.  The smell of food cooking woke me up a couple of times, but I fell back asleep unable to get up.  A little before 2PM, I made myself get up even though I still felt tired (I needed to help with the cooking, but it was already all done, hooray!).  After showering and dressing, I tried to set the table, but felt like I was about to faint in addition to palpitations.  My pulse was rapid compared to the usual rate.  I decided to use an electronic blood pressure/heart rate device.  My pulse was on average at 100 which is a high rate for me.  My shoulder blades were also extremely painful (another symptom during the M.I. I had).  Unfortunately I had walked our wild dog the day before and wasn't sure if that was the cause.  When we sat down for dinner at 3PM, I had no appetite.  After dinner, I "retired" to my recliner.  I finally asked my husband to call the on-call cardiologist because I eerily felt similar to the day(s) leading up to my M.I. (heart attack).  Soon I spoke with the on-call cardiologist who told me to record and transmit anything I felt via the iRhythm medical device and assured me that Zio Event Card/IRhythm would contact the cardiologist should something be received that needed immediate attention.  Needless to say, I later found myself at the local emergency room.

Arrival at the ER was a result of using the iRhythm.  I recorded an event later in the evening around 8pm while watching football.  The cause for the recording occurred when I felt a dull, repetitive pain below my left breast.  About an hour later, I phoned iRhythm and transmitted the recording.  I know, I shouldn't have waited.  Unlike previous transmissions, the representative asked me to record another event while they remained on the phone and then transmit the event.  After doing so, I asked why I was instructed to complete the task and was told that the event (that I recorded while watching football an hour earlier) met the criteria to notify the on-call cardiologist.  After waiting about 20 minutes, I called iRhythm back and asked if they had contacted the on-call cardiologist.  The representative stated that they were in the process and that if I wasn't contacted, that would mean the on-call cardiologist deemed the event not an emergency.  Thankful for the fact that I was wearing the Zio Event Card/iRhythm, I asked if it was okay for me to call back if I didn't hear from the on-call cardiologist.  I found it hard to believe that given the fact I had already spoken with the on-call cardiologist, that I wouldn't be contacted.  The representative stated I was welcome to call back.  Fortunately I received a call from the on-call cardiologist about 10-15 minutes later.  I was told that it was a good idea for me to go to the hospital and that the doctor would call ahead of my arrival.  


More on that later.  I'm tired and my husband just handed me a homemade piece of apple pie!  I'm very thankful for every day I have and need to go spend time with the ones I love.

more on the iRhythm monitor

I haven't been wearing the iRhythm monitor since Sunday afternoon.  I got an itchy rash underneath one of the electrode patches.  I'm going to give it a try again today since the area on my stomach where the rash was has dried out.  I've never had a rash before (even when I was going to cardiac rehabilitation and exercising where they monitor you via the use of electrodes) so I hope it was just a fluke occurrence.  

monitor

I'm hooked up to a heart monitor.  I'd been having palpitations earlier this week, so the cardiologist has provided a heart monitor for me to wear for thirty days.  It isn't like the twenty-four hour monitor that I've worn in the past.  With the twenty-four hour monitor, I wore it, recorded palpitations by pressing a button on the device and kept a written diary which included what I was doing at the time of the 'event'.  This thirty day monitor, called a iRhythm (Zio Event Card), is more labor intensive as a patient (which isn't a big deal, just different).  The iRhythm allows the patient to record a total of two events.  After that, the data has to be sent to the company by phoning their toll free number (a land line is mandatory).  After speaking with a representative and verifying your name, date of birth and the last four number from the backside of the Zio Event Card, the device is placed facing up on a flat surface while the phone receiver connected to a land line is held over the telephone icon on the iRhythm device.  Once the telephone is in place, the patient presses send on the iRhythm device.  A series of audible key tones are transmitted (sounding very similar to a facsimile machine) over the land line telephone.  Once the key tones have ended, the patient uses the telephone to continue speaking with a representative who verifies if the data is readable.  One perk to the iRhythm is that the representatives will contact your doctor if the data presents as emergent, whereas the twenty-four hour monitor will be interpreted at a later date.  The iRhythm unit comes with helpful instructions that describe it's usage in more depth.

Dr. Oz: Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.

I've never been a fan of "talk shows", no matter the genre, not to mention the lackluster garbage most television networks produce of late.  Despite my usual lack of interest, the Dr. Oz Show has more than peaked my interest since the initial broadcast in the fall of last year (2009).  I can't get enough of the show.  I find it so adorable that all the women who join Dr. Oz from the audience on stage are so taken with Dr. Oz.  The admiration reminds me of stories I've heard from family about the fanfare that followed Elvis Presley, except instead of teenagers, these are mature women.  Okay, maybe not quite the level of crazed hormonal teenagers, yet it would appear that Dr. Oz, has become, a sex symbol to many.  I digress.  I wish I lived within a reasonable distance to be a patient at New York Presbyterian Hospital, moreover, the Complementary Care Center.  I first learned of the Complementary Care Center in one of the books I am currently enjoying, 'Healing from the Heart' by Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. with Ron Arias and Lisa Oz (1999).  Please take note, this book has a copyright date of 1998.  While the book is now twelve years old, it remains years ahead of Western medicine.  

I bought this book shortly after the myocardial infarction I had two years ago.  I am embarrassed that I only began reading it a couple of weeks ago.  It is an easy read as the saying goes.  I don't know why it took me so long to open; maybe I was scared of the reality.  'Healing from the Heart' is nothing to be frightened of though.  Reading it as a heart attack survivor has brought me comfort.  Every heart attack/disease survivor should read this book.  Dr. Oz isn't just concerned with the mechanics of Western medicine as evident in each chapter.  Factual medical information explaining the "biology of an MI" begins in chapter one, followed by the exploration/comparison of various non-traditional or "complementary medicine" as referenced by the author.  Dr. Oz clearly wishes to treat and benefit patients not only physically, but emotionally as well.  His writing should be required reading for all medical students.  The healing ideas discussed should be heeded by all persons wishing to enter into the medical field, and if not, I myself would never want that person as a physician.  


Please excuse me while I bird-walk over to the topic of health insurance.  It is well past the time that the Western world and insurance companies remain open minded about approaching health as complementary medicine describes - prescription pills and surgeries alone are not the answer.  Perhaps this is why insurance companies continue to deny therapies.  If these therapies were available, they just may heal people to the point that there is no longer the need for a battery of prescription medicine or unnecessary treatment(s)/surgery(s).  Where would the insurance companies be without repeat patients:  having only received traditional medical care, still lacking, universal, whole body and mind care!?  

Personally, I've explored some of the therapies shared in Dr. Oz's book prior to reading it.  While not coming out and labeling the various therapies discussed, it's clear to me that processes such as Reiki are described.  (I'm on page 129, so forgive me if I am wrong.)  When I met with a Reiki practitioner (or energy healer), I felt a tremendous improvement emotionally and physically.  Whether or not this was a placebo effect, what does it matter if overused Western therapies are not proving beneficial?  I honestly don't care if it is in my mind or an actual result of Reiki, I feel better!  I doubt others who experience chronic pain would (having benefited) state, oh no, this might not truly be effective treatment, and return to therapies that produce less satisfactory physical/emotional results.  The same can be said with acupuncture.  I found acupuncture to be very beneficial.  


Again, I fail to understand why insurance companies do not offer coverage for these types of medical therapies (at least mine doesn't).  I can only assume it comes down to their financial situation being more advantageous by having frequent customers.  Since this is the case, I'd like my frequent flyer card issued immediately.  I 'fly' the standard, repetitive, western medicine skies all too much not to receive a freebie or upgrade at some point.  No frequent flyer card available?  Okay, I'd much prefer to have my insurance company cover complementary medical treatments in the end anyway.  It's ridiculous the insurance hoops patients have to jump through to get the health care they desire.  It's a shame in a country that is supposedly so forward thinking.  Dr. Oz is a forward thinker (and that doesn't even give his approach justice).  I could go on about the book, but like many medical situations, suffering a trauma is pretty personal.  Interpretation (by reader) will be individual and personal also.  

If you are cardiac patient or have a loved one who is, don't pass up Dr. Oz's book.  If you want my copy when I'm done, let me know, I'd be happy to pass it along!  If you have television, don't pass up the Dr. Oz Show either, it could positively increase your lifetime.  Incidentally, I'd be irresponsible if I didn't mention talking with your own doctor prior to making changes to your health care.  Everyone is different and your medical providers should always be kept in the know.