In
about 15 minutes my heart seemed to go back into rhythm. Over the next
several months I experienced one or two more but not as severe. I
eventually had to wear a monitor for a month and of course the doctor
did not see anything concerning. His suggestion was that I lose a
little weight. I was 17 and only weighed 120lbs.
The next 7 years I had several minor flutters but nothing that I let
concern me. Then while playing volleyball again for a nearby rec.
center I began to feel like I was going to black out. It was like the
walls were caving in around me. My heart began to race and felt like it
was not pumping right. Again, I lay there for about twenty minutes and
it eventually went away.
Then another 2 years later these episodes started to become more
frequent. I was having some kind of palpitation almost everyday! One
day when leaving work (a local hospital) I had the same feeling all
over again whilst walking to my car. I immediately turned back around
and went to the ER. Of course my ECG looked a little funny but they
didn't seem to concerned and sent me home.
It wasn't until I found out that I was pregnant that I was finally
diagnosed with WPW. I was about 6 weeks along when I had one of the
worst episodes yet. I felt like I couldn't breathe and like I was going
to pass out. Finally, they caught it on ECG and explained to me that
there was nothing that they could do until after I delivered the baby.
Don't you know that pregnancy only makes it worse.... I was in and out
of the ER almost every other week and finally one day my heart rate
reached 300. I watched the monitor go from 100 to 250, 187, 298, 145,
300; constantly changing. My concern was for my unborn child and the
doctors reassured me that the baby would be fine. But if my heart rate
went up anymore they might have to shock it back into rhythm. Every
time I would have this problem they could not medicate me or anything
because of the baby. I couldn't take medicine on a daily basis or
anything.
Now I am 26 years old and my daughter is 4 and a half months old. I am
scheduled to have the ablation surgery done in February 2008 and I am
praying that it will be the solution they keep telling me it will be. I
am very nervous but I have a daughter to think about so I guess I have
no choice.
I urge anybody that has any of these symptoms to please seek help ASAP.
It could be a matter of life or death.
LeeAnn
Walpole
