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kevmd

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Who needs a hypothalamus
anyway?

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almost went to the great beyond
Jan 11^th, 2009 at 9:06pm

On thursday, like a jackass I overdosed on verapamil. Some how gave myself over 1600 miligrams in about 20 minutes. 3 hours later I started feeling really short of breath. My wife came home and rush me to the ER. I had a heart rate of 27. forget what the BP was but it was fairly low. It took 10 hours to get my heart up to a normal level and I was in intensive care for about 24 hours. They told me I was within an hour of dying.
I stayed in the hospital til this morning as they monitored my heart as I was put back on verapamil. I was without it and Lithium for about a 24 hour period. turns out that even on my normal verp doseage, I am still at a low heart rate. That would explain the shortnes of breath I had been experiencing.
So I am no longer on verapamil and The beast is banging down the door hard. Real heavy shadows right now.
After all the tests I had done, I thought eveyrthing was cool. I was a half hour from discharge when the cardiologist called me on the phone to explain I have either a hole in my heart or an aneurysm. So iahve to get a TEE done. I am wondering how much longer this 33 yr old heart will keep ticking.
And these fucking shadows really suck. At least my Eagles one today...yippee

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Guiseppi CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline San Diego to Florida 05-16-2011 Posts: 12063 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #1 - Jan 11^th, 2009 at 10:04pm Dude!!!!! Glad you survived, a scary reminder of the potency of the meds we have to use. Good time to take stock of what we take and doses etc. Keeping you in our families prayers. Joe
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Linda_Howell CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Do not feed the Moderators Posts: 11927 Santa Maria, Ca. Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #2 - Jan 11^th, 2009 at 10:06pm Wow Kev, and I was wondering where you were. This is great that you posted this, so as to alert others of the same possiblity. thank you!!!!!!! Quote: At least my Eagles one today...yippee that is great. It tells us that you are still in the game of life and taking pleasure in what you love. Keep it up, Kev.
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kevmd

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Who needs a hypothalamus
anyway?

Posts: 524
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Re: almost went to the great beyond
Reply #3 - Jan 11^th, 2009 at 10:20pm

good reminder to use those pill boxes with the days on it. I got out of the habit of using it and it almost cost me my life. Pretty freaky as this came on the 11th anniversary of my sisters death. I am alive but I have lost a weapon in the battle with the beast. I will talk to my neuro about a low dose of 480 per day. My main priroty is learning about this hole in the heart thing. All I know is thats what John Ritter had. Praying the beast spares me this year

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cash5542 CH.com Hall of Famer Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 1243 x1\|Ocean Pines\|USA\|usa\|498\|141\|MD,Maryland Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #4 - Jan 11^th, 2009 at 10:31pm What a scare! I am so sorry things have gone haywire. I hope you can find the right meds. Lisa and I are going up to Jefferson Monday (Jan. 19th) if you're going to be up there too??? Charlotte
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kevmd CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Who needs a hypothalamus anyway? Posts: 524 x0\|philadelphia\|USA\|\|0\|0\|PA,Pennsylvania Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #5 - Jan 11^th, 2009 at 10:38pm Charlotte I have to call tomorrow for an appt but I need to correct a bill situation. I think they or the insur company screwed up as I got a bill for $360. I'll let you know. I am hoping to get the heart test that day. Its a holday for my wife and she will be able to go with me
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Grandma_Sweet_Boy

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What Goes Around Comes
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Re: almost went to the great beyond
Reply #6 - Jan 11^th, 2009 at 10:49pm

Okay - I'm just too damned old now for you kids to be scaring the crap out of me!

Good Grief Kevin! But, ya know, maybe this was a blessing in disguise as they've now found a problem that you didn't know existed and that could have caused you an even bigger issue.

Hope everything turns out okay.

Keep us posted.

Carol

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Redd CH.com Sponsor Offline Posts: 8457 Stevens Point USA Wisconsin Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #7 - Jan 11^th, 2009 at 11:14pm Oh goodness what a frightening thing. I'm just glad you are alive and able to tell the tale for the benefit of everyone else. Please stay well and don't you EVER do something so silly again. We need you here.
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Melissa CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Don't give up! Posts: 7238 Central WI, USA Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #8 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 5:44am Thank God you're OK Kev!!! and as for the hole in the heart thing, I have seen others post about it over the years. I wonder if it happens to be CH related? anyway, big HUGS!!!
Back to top	Diseases can be our spiritual flat tires - disruptions in our lives that seem to be disasters at the time but end by redirecting our lives in a meaningful way. ~Bernie S. Siegel IP Logged

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cash5542 CH.com Hall of Famer Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 1243 x1\|Ocean Pines\|USA\|usa\|498\|141\|MD,Maryland Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #9 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 6:27am Let me know if you're appt. works with hers. She is at 10:15. Maybe lunch would work?? It would be great to meet your wife too although you may just have to enure a bit of shop talk! Charlotte
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Jackie CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Go For It!!! Posts: 5903 Goshen, IN Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #10 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 6:35am Glad you're OK, Kev. Now, get those meds back in a pill box, please. Keep us posted on how you're doing. Whew!!! Jackie
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barry_sword CH.com Alumnus Offline Mountain Biking Keeps Me Sane Posts: 3947 Bracebridge, Canada Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #11 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 6:55am Wow Kev, scary stuff!!! Glad to hear your ok! I put my daily dose of Verap. in a separate container every morning so there is no second guessing whether I have taken it or not. Sorry they found something else wrong, but things happen for a reason, and good that they caught it. Prayers on the way to you. Barry
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DennisM1045

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One wave at a time!

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Re: almost went to the great beyond
Reply #12 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 7:37am

I'm glad you're ok Kev. That was a lot of verapamil.

John Ritter had an aortic disection. It's what my MIL passed away from. Very treatable in a young guy like you though. The trick is finding it. A lot of times when they do it's too late.

Sounds like they caught it early on you. Maybe this OD will turn out to be a blessing...

Good luck with the testing...

-Dennis-

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Where there is life, there is hope.
Where there is Oxygen, you must use proper caution.
So be safe, don't smoke while using O2. Kill the pain and not yourself.

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Jennifer CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 3265 Supply, VA Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #13 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 8:20am Glad you're ok Kev! Now lets not do that again, ok??
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Langa CH.com Alumnus Offline So many donuts, such little time... Posts: 4754 x0\|\|USA\|usa\|0\|0\|NJ,New_Jersey Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #14 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 8:28am I'm sure that was so scary. Hope you're feeling better. Hugs, Langa
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Jeannie CH.com Sponsor Offline Live, Laugh, Love.... Posts: 2333 St Louis, Missouri Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #15 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 9:45am I'm so glad you got the help you needed! Now... take care of the problem they found and get that heart healthy! Hope the beast quiets down for you too! Hugs, Jeannie
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Frank_W CH.com Alumnus Offline BOHICA!!! Posts: 4213 Right behind you... Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #16 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 11:31am O shi-!! Glad you're okay, bro. Scary stuff!!
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Happy Pappy

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Finer than frogs hair!

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Re: almost went to the great beyond
Reply #17 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 5:49pm

Kev
I also have a hole in my heart,so my heart is not filtering out blood clots.
So I have had 6 minni strokes and 1 big stroke
Iam to go the end of Jan or begining of Feb to have the hole fixed
Doctor said he didnt know if it will stop the strokes or not
The TEE is no big deal, it will make your throt hurt for a while
If you have kids get them checked, and have any bro/ sis checked also
My oldest girl and my grand daugther both have holes in there hearts but not big like mine is
Get the TEE done as soon as you can
take care and keep us posted
Happy Pappy

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We will all go to HEAVEN we have been to HELL! -(Personal Quote) They say this will only make me stronger but I did not ask to be SUPERMAN

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Garys_Girl CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Making biscuits Posts: 821 Planet Cat, NJ Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #18 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 7:15pm THAT is a scare!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank god you're alive. Prayers headed your way that the beast retreats and the heart is fixable, easily and quickly. Laurie
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Jonny Ex Member	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #19 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 9:35pm Damn glad your alive, bro....It sure makes my job of coming to find you alot easier.......LOL
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kevmd

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Who needs a hypothalamus
anyway?

Posts: 524
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Gender: male

Re: almost went to the great beyond
Reply #20 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 10:27pm

I aint going anywhere. I have 2 little one's who need me. What ever it is, the doc said it was small. After doing some research, I am not sure whether to root for the hole or aneurysm. I think a hole, if small is better. I'm not pulling a Jack Tripper. My first appt with the cardiologist is feb 9th???? But first its a consult. That makes no sense, the doc at this office is the one from the hospital. He knows all about my condition. Why a consult$$$$$$$$

oh well....thanks for the well wishes everyone

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MITYRARE CH.com Old Timer Offline autocross racer Posts: 361 Ontario, Canada Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #21 - Jan 12^th, 2009 at 11:02pm Wow...scary stuff..glad you are getting things looked into. take care Paul
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arcticspirals CH.com Junior Offline Posts: 52 Lebanon,OR Gender:	Re: almost went to the great beyond Reply #22 - Jan 13^th, 2009 at 4:14am Wow! Thank whatever kept you here! Thank you for keeping up posted of your recovery.
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