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.gif) For
most of my adult life, I had “strange episodes” when I would hear a high pitched
buzzing flow through my body and my heart would begin to beat in unusual
patterns. I didn’t understand what was happening to me, but I always put these
episodes down to stress, as they seemed to occur when I was in a stressful
situation. I didn’t think what was happening to me was dangerous in any way, as
the episodes lasted a few seconds and soon went when I held my breath or bent
over. I put it down to some sort of panic attack or stress reaction. I didn’t
tell anyone about them either, in case they thought I was mad!
One day over the Christmas
holidays when I was 33, an episode occurred, but my usual routine of holding my
breath and bending over did not make my heart beat normally again. I went to my
G.P. who immediately referred me to my local hospital. No one diagnosed my
condition at first and I became dangerously ill. I spent a week in hospital
(for the most part on a geriatric ward as there were no beds for me anywhere
else). When my situation deteriorated further, I was moved to an acute coronary
care ward, where a cardiac specialist began to suspect WPW syndrome.
The doctors attempted a
cardio version several times, but this failed to correct my abnormal heart
rhythms. I was given Amiodorone intravenously throughout the night and the
following day another cardio version was successful.
When I was released from
hospital, I set about learning as much as possible about Wolfe Parkinson White
Syndrome. My first search on the internet led me to the CRY website and the
rest as they say is history. I went on to attend a surgery support meeting and
was humbled by the sorts of conditions people spent their days living with. I
was one of the lucky ones. Even though I was taking powerful and dangerous
medication to keep my heart in a regular rhythm, I eventually would be able to
have an operation to completely cure me.
Twelve months after my first
spell in hospital, I went back to the hospital for an EPS, where WPW was
confirmed. I finally had my long awaited ablation 6 months after that. It was
a complete success and I have been fine ever since.
I was told that WPW syndrome
is quite rare but a few weeks after my ablation, the 16 year old sister of one
of my pupils was also diagnosed with WPW syndrome. I put the family in touch
with CRY as they had been such a help to me and I hope my experiences could help
the family too. Coincidentally, the young nephew of a friend of mine was also
diagnosed with WPW syndrome just a few weeks after that.
A few months after my
ablation, I attended the Parliamentary Reception and it was such an honour to be
there. It is heart breaking listening to the stories of people who have lost
loved ones. But, at the same time, it is uplifting to see the hard work of
Alison and the people involved with CRY.
If you would like to contact one of our
Representatives or a Bereavement Supporter please call the CRY office at 01737 363222 or e-mail cry@c-r-y.org.uk
and we will put you in touch with someone who may be able to help
you.
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