Thallium Stress Test-preop

Good Morning GA! I went for my cardio/pulminary clearance yesterday and my doc wants to do a nuclear stress test on me, using thallium. He explained it all to me, scared the daylights out of me, enough for me to second guess surgery. It's not even scheduled yet and I'm really scared by it. I know, of course, that it is for the best, and for my own good but my mom died pretty young of heart desease and the whole 'heart' thing realllly scares me. Have any of you had this done? I have a bad back and hip and can't do a regular treadmill stress test is the reason for this. I'm really scared. Thanks for reading, love, Barb

Hi Barb! I had one of these done pre-op as well. I also had a huge family history of heart disease, and kinda figured I was a walking time bomb. Some day in the future I will tell you why. I was afraid of mine too, but it turned out to be not near what I thought it would be. Mine was not as clear cut as they liked, so they sent me on for a heart cath. I came back with excellent results from that and was soooo relieved. (Even the heart cath wasn't too bad) I was glad to have it done, and get it over with. I also have had back surgery and couldn't do alot of walking. I think the idea of having to walk on a treadmill back then, and at 7:00 am was all the stress I needed. I only was on the treadmill for about 2 minutes so it wasn't too bad. Don't stress over it if you can help it. And while you have to make your own decisions about the surgery, I wouldn't let the Thallium Stress Test be your deterant. It really isn't all that bad. Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-225-155 (-60)

Thanks Susan, It is a relief to me to know you had it done and it's probably nothing like I imagine. My sister said for me to suck it up... said she was joking but shes probably tired of hearing about it I'm so glad I have my 'special' family here to get me through. Are you going to support group tonight? I want to but haven't decided for sure. Thanks again dear Barb

I AM SORRY THAT YOU ARE SCARED I HAVENT HAD ONE DONE AND IT DOES SOUND FRIGHTENING BUT I HAVE BEEN FRIGHTEN THIS LAST YEAR WITH MY COMPLICATIONS AND I HAVE HUNG IN THERE AND I AM ALIVE AND I HAVE LOST 148 LBS AND FELLING GREAT SO YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS AND I KNOW IT ALL WILL BE OK. IM TELLING YOU IT WILL BE WORTH IT.

Hey Dawn, I just wanted to say thank you for your prayers and for being here to help me get through 'the moment'. I want, and know I need, this surgery. I just keep thinking of everyone saying 'the hoops' to get through to get ya there. I can't wait to be through all of this... just 2 weeks... and then I'll be on my way waiting for insurance approval and a date. Deep breath. Big hugs to you, Barb

Hi Barb! Not sure if its the same heart stress test I had; however, if it is, the test is done medically. They give you medicine that will make your heart beat faster and you are hooked up to all kinds of wires and computers. You get to see the whole thing, its neat. Can't remember how long it took. I have fibromalygia & arthritis. Near the end of the test you can actually hear your heart and feel it beating. Don't worry, the nurses and doctors are right there with you monitoring you at all times. It was a breeze!

ahhh... a breeze... now that I can handle! Thanks Karen for replying, it is so good to hear from someone whos had it done. Your test sounds exactly like what my doc described. Hes going to be there with me which is a relief. He said there will be tightness and pressure in my chest, no pain but uncomfortable and I am scared and feel kinda whimpy but its just my 'thing' about my heart. So glad this board is here, you all are such a tremendous help to me! Love, Barb

Barb, I had the same thing and it wasn't bad, at all. I think it's pretty routine in order to get cardiac clearance. Are they also doing an echocardiogram? I had both and a shadow showed up so I had to go to Crawford Long for what amounted to a MRI of the heart. Again, a piece of cake! The way I look at it, thank God for such careful doctors! This same test is routine for older medical patients - my husband had one a couple of years ago as part of his annual physical. Take care, Barb in S. Ga

Hey Barb, Thank you so much for your reply. They are doing an echo on me also and I know it is way better to take these precautions than to have something unexpected happen during surgery. And my resonable side knows this but I still have that little shadow of doubt nagging at me ya know? And thanks for posting on this board Barb, you've been a great resource for me! (and I love your name too! ) Barb

Hi Barb... sorry for the long delay in replying, but I've been OOT and just saw your post... I had that thallium stress test too, no biggie. Nothing at all to worry about. Just know that for large women (particularly large-busted women!) the tests show a false positive, indicating that there MAY be a blockage in a coronary artery. That's what happened to me as well, and I had to go to the hospital for a heart cath too. The worst part is the worry... Heart cath showed that everything was clear, and it was so much better knowing that than it had been being afraid of what it might show! Hang in there... and let us know how everything goes. Cheryl