To feel embarrassed about behaving like this?

[orangeaid3]

Been in hospital with SVT for a few days and had several doses of adenosine in that time (6 times in total I think, or something like that)

a few times I’ve been fine with it and wasn’t bothered by the feeling- I just closed my eyes and waited it out, but a few times I’ve got really upset and panicked and started crying and saying omg I’m dying please help me etc etc- I wasn’t shouting or anything like that but I was full on wailing and panicking

everyone has been so so lovely, but I just feel so embarrassed about being so over dramatic and reacting like that when I KNOW I’m not dying and it’s not serious, and I know the feeling will pass, I don’t know why I just suddenly started panicking and freaking out and it’s only happened a few times- the other times I was able to keep breathing through it and not panic

not really sure why I’m posting sorry, just feel a bit embarrassed about behaving like that and wondered if anyone else has ever felt like this and how they stopped panicking and being so over dramatic? Thanks!

What's SVT? It sounds very distressing. If it's something that really requires a hospital visit then I don't think you need to worry about how you come across: you weren't mean to the staff, right?

HCP's see this kind of reaction to clinical interventions all the time. It's completely normal and they won't bat an eyelid.

I felt similar to you when I was given IM ondansetron, really panicked, felt like I was going to die, really out of it etc - I told the nurse that I felt like a right idiot afterwards because I was weeping and she explained about how there is a process between the blood/brain barrier sometimes with certain drugs and your own personal physiology and there is absolutely nothing you can do to control it. You can't fight your blood/brain barrier so soothe yourself with that knowledge. Hope you get sorted health wise soon

Try not to be embarrassed, but I totally know how you feel. When I was in labour I was sobbing, wailing and telling everybody I was sure I was dying🤣 I knew I wasn’t but WOW between the pain relief making me feel loopy and the contractions I felt like I was!

Please know that one of the unfortunate known side effects of giving adenosine is that it makes people feel like they are about to die , your doctors should have warned you about this "sense of impending doom"

Please don't be embarrassed , so many people who get given adenosine for SVT become incredibly distressed & you can't control it = it's an automatic reaction

If you don't believe me = Google adenosine & sense of impending doom
Or adenosine & feeling of death

Hopefully by seeing other people have same distressed reaction you will know you are reacting normally & feel less embarrassed

Oh yeah they did, honestly everyone has been so amazing and I’m so grateful for the help.

I think I just felt really embarrassed because a few times I’d had it I was absolutely fine, I just breathed through the feeling until it passed, then other times it felt so so scary and I was like OMG I CANT BREATH HELP ME PLEASE and because it’s over so quickly I felt so embarrassed afterwards because the feeling passed so quickly lol x

Yy it's a known side effect, no one will be judging! It must be a horrible feeling

Thanks, SVT is supraventricular tachycardia, no no I wasn’t mean I was just very hysterical and then very embarrassed afterwards! x

It is a very normal reaction to that drug, don't worry OP - absolutely no one will be judging you for it.

I am a retired hospital doctor who has previously given Adenosine for SVT (About 20 years ago). Supra-Ventricular Tachycardia is a regular rapid heart beat often causing palpitations, although not usually dangerous it can cause troublesome symptoms such as palpitations. It is usually unexplained but various things can increase the likelihood of SVT in susceptible individuals such as caffeine, alcohol, severe tiredness, hyperactive thyroid conditions. Some people who get SVT can end the episodes by for manoeuvres for example cold water splashed on face/ blowing against a closed nose. Adenosine is an intra-venous drug which is used in emergencies. It is only given under ECG monitoring with access to resuscitation equipment. The one thing every patient experiences is an impending feeling of doom- ie they feel they are dying- This is frightening but it it is also a sign the Adenosine is working. I would be surprised if you didn't feel unwell during the adenosine- Don't worry about being embarrassed. Talk to your doctor (or google) the various ways you can try to stop the SVT without medical intervention. Most people find they eventually settle without further treatment but if not see your GP for cardiology review.
Good luck.

Don’t be embarrassed. It’s a known side effect and the medical staff will have seen a million other people react in just the same way.

I did a similar thing when coming around from general anaesthetic, it was really embarrassing and the nurses were trying not to laugh! Now I tell it as a funny story… 😬

Good to know I’m not alone! Just horrible to think you’ve embarrassed yourself or behaved in an embarrassing way x

Omg op the treatment sound effects sound horrible! I’m sure healthcare profs didn’t think anything of it.

No need to feel embarrassed. Lots of patients panic over all kinds of things. You'd be surprised how many adults cry, panic or pass out just getting blood drawn!

I've worked in hospitals for over a decade, but I'm still human and have had a few panics while a patient, including on the maternity ward after a c-section. My chest muscles went into spasm, I was convinced I was dying and not only threw up on everyone but clung to the side of the bedrail for 3 hours, breathing but it hurt so much I was crying and whimpering. They gave me morphine but it made me hallucinate and the delusion got worse! Eventually I fell asleep. Woke up very embarrassed a few hours later. They were lovely and brought my baby in so I could feed her. I was mortified but they said it happens a lot.

It's very normal. Try not to feel embarrassed. I'm an ED nurse and I'm never phased by it when we give it, we don't think anything of it for you apart from how I would feel awful for you that it would make you feel distressed like that as it is an absolutely awful feeling (I've had SVT too) be kind to yourself and I really hope you are feeling better soon xx

No need to be embarrassed. They've seen it all before. I sometimes still have a little cringe when I remember the holy hell I raised during childbirth. I screamed like a trapped animal for what seemed like hours. They didn't mind at all 🥰

Aw thanks everyone that’s a big relief. Honestly adenosine is one hell of a drug- I genuinely felt as if something was dragging me downwards through the bed, it was bizarre!

@orangeaid3 i had SVT as a child/teen.

I eventually had SVT ablation surgery at 19 and it completely sorted it out. Never had an episode since and I’m in my 40’s

Oh that’s so relieving to hear! I’m being referred to get an ablation so really relieved to hear it was a success for you!

I’ve given adenosine to countless patients, and that’s a common reaction. All I’ve ever thought is that it’s my job to help
get people through it and remain calm and reassuring, so dont worry, nobody will be thinking anything other than how to help you. It’s the sort of reaction that’s out of your control and there’s no need to feel embarrassed.

That’s good news. I never had to be admitted. The longest my episodes would last was 2/3 hours. At a manageable rate I guess. I did try all the tricks. Ice cold water etc.. Sometimes it would only last 5 mins or so.

but yes, the ablation cured me! It was a fairly quick procedure. Easy recovery. I had it done at Papworth.