I almost passed out at the end of my second hour class today-- around 1pm. My room must have been over 100 degrees, no air flow, two old fans and forty teenagers in my room on fourth floor. Still I felt fine all day until right after lunch when I felt myself getting dizzy and feint. That is when I realized I hadn't had enough to drink all day. I was able to inform the class what was happening to me, and bless all their hearts, they got me help, put books and such away, and I was helped to nurse and air conditioning. Then my heart started racing out of my chest so fast I though it was a heart attack.

Ended up in the ER where they did a battery of tests, put me on an IV to rehydrate me...

No obvious issues-- blood work okay, ekg okay, chest xrays okay. Was told to rest tomorrow and see my doctor asap to have more heart tests.

I think it is a combination of stress and not taking care of myself, but I wont be biking for awhile.

Stay hydrated.

Wow- not good! Hope you are feeling better and that everything is OK. I heard on the radio that the heat index in Mpls was 106 degrees tonight. Keep us posted.

Thanks g-mon. The whole er experience was sobering.

In the room next to me, I heard the man being told that he made too much money for Medicaid, but his job didnt have health care, so he had to pay out of pocket... I felt through the curtain the indignity of it all. How unfair that because I am a teacher I get insurance, but because he is a restaurant worker, he does not.

I feel thankful for the good doctors and nurses that took care of me, and for my wonderful students and colleagues. But I was so very scared too.

I dont think I ever want to do a solo.

Eek. Glad to hear everything turned out ok. Hope you are feeling better today.

Are you (feeling better)?

Gutmon
Yes, I am feeling better. Emotionally, I think I need a long vacation.
Thanks for asking. I value your support, Karen

I had a good day at work yesteday. Drank A LOT of water. Even went to the gym with my daughter later and we jogged three miles. I feel totally normal. But seriously learned a lesson. Cannot believe how stupid I was. Well, I can believe it.

It is still so soupy hot, I dont want to bike or do anything outside. But soon.

Glad to hear you are feeling better. I experienced something similar to what happened to you a couple of years ago and thought I was having (another) heart attack. Nothing to make a person panic like panic. Lay low in the heat. My wife and I are avid campers and don't do it at all any more between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Wishing you continued good health and happiness.

Thanks.

Sorry to hear you had a heart attack. Sounds like you are very healthy and active now. Here's to your health too. May you and your wife have many more camping trips.

Cheers, Karen

My bad day- had a very nice ride on the PBT with my youngest daughter. On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some milk. Another car followed us in and waved me down. She said, "You lost a bike off your rack on the other side of Nisswa."
My daughter's Specialized Dolce (and the device that attaches it to the rack) was gone. We went back and looked on the road and in the ditch to no avail. I called the police to report it, but no one had called them. I'm thinking that even if it is found it's going to be trashed.

Gutmon, just saw this post-- TERRIBLE! Maybe someone found it and didnt know what to do with it. Did you call the police dept?

Sorry to say i have had more bad days.Today-- My third er visit in the past eight days . Same symptoms. Saw my doctor yesterday and she prescribed a heart monitor that will hopefully catch an "event" in progress.But I get it tomorrow. the one today happened at the gym I was relaxing between running a few miles and lifting weights. Got dizzy, then racing heart. Knew how to calm myself right away and was able to drive home but then the all over body tingling numbness swept me into panic mode. Since learned that is from hyperventilating. ANother normal ekg, and all other blood work normal.

Doc at ER (Lucked out on a really good one) says it is probably panic attacks or some a benign arythmia that I guess is pretty common. Doctor prescribed me some anti anxiety meds. I took one tonight and feel "normal" for the first time in a long time.

I did bike a bit over the weekend-- but my bad day has turned into my bad week, and I really want to get to the bottom of this before my new job starts at the end of August. ALso want to do one more bw trip, and settle on a new place to live. Maybe it's just all too much. trying to take it one step at a time, and hoping that not too many more steps will be in the hospital. my soon to be ex has supported me through all of this (a bit begrudgingly at first but more kindly as hes seen my fear, and the fear of the kids) and even canceled a big meeting to come with me to heart clinic tomorrow, so at least that's been nice. Also my best friend has been "on call" and checking in on the kids every time I go to ER.

I envy all your wonderful biking. I've heard others speak of the paul bunyon trail. As a young family we biked it long ago before it became hundreds of miles of Paved Trail. Please bike a mile for me. That would be so nice.

Karen- glad to hear that the medication is helping. Stress can do some bad things to us. Keep me posted and know that I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

I have been wearing aheart monitor for a week or so now and have a had a few more spells. Starting to think they are panic attacks, but will let the doctors decide. i did have a wonderful bike ride here in Indiana along the people pathway from Greencastle to Filmore. Saw a lot of Turkey Vultures, tall corn, big clouds, old barns. Biked about 12 miles. Took gatoriade dilluted with water and felt pretty good the entire trip. The distraction was great. Had another "spell" this morning.

I took pics and hope to post them eventually.

My very first thought when I read the first few sentences of this thread was anxiety attack. With all that you have on your plate, it would make sense. Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways.

Take care of your self, try not to worry about things you cannot control, and things will get better.

Oh, and come to WIng Night Sept 11, it would be good to see you again.

Here is an update

My doctor says I need to see a cardiologist. I set up an appt for Oct during the long weekend I was going to try to do a bw trip. Oh well. It's just that kind of a year.

The heart monitor registered what I told my doc I was feeling, but I guess now that there is PROOF, she can make the referral. At first, i sort of freaked. But I really think, like GBUSK says, it is anxiety because now I can feel an "episode" coming on and sort of breathe myway out of it and not have the heart palpitations. Still it is sort of scary and not fun.

Not biking at all. I am running a lot. At least two miles a day.

Cheers, Karen

MOLO- thanks for the update. There must be some comfort in at least knowing what is going on- the first step to taking care of things. Keep us posted. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Thanks MON

Mostly, I am not worried. Love my job. Really love it. Working a lot helps keep me distracted. I am dividing my days between my apt near work and my "family home" and surprisingly, that has allowed me to focus on one thing at a time in a good way. I feel healthy. So that is a good thing.

I miss camping and know exactly what you mean about having the post trip blues. I am determined to camp before snow flies. Maybe Fenske and some day hikes and paddles.

I ran today around a lake and saw several bunnies. I talked to each one of them. " Hi bunny" I heard myself say, and thought, "is this crazy?" But I really don't think it is.

Hey-- you might be a bit melancholy now, but just think-- skiing season is right around the corner.

Cheers, MOLO