Anyone here ever had a Thallium treadmill test?

[Radio_Lady]

Three doctors have recommended that I get one at age 68. Just to see how the old ticker is functioning.

I'm going to try and research this test, but, as usual, I'm frightened SH**LESS! Supposed to take about four hours.

Share some of your knowledge or soothing or whatever you have to offer.

Thanks a bunch from this grateful DUer (still struggling with chest wall pain this morning). Darn it!

[Zoigal]

1. Treadmill tests

Had a rather complete heart check up a couple of weeks ago that included a nuclear treadmill test on
the actual treadmill, as well as a stress nuclear test while resting. Also wore a Holter for 24 hours, had a carotid ultrasound,
and an echo cardiogram. Don't know if they injected thallium or not. They kept taking blood samples all along, too. Actually, it all went quite well.

There's an excellent articles describing the procedure on the Texas Heart Institute site.

www.texasheartinstitute.org/HIC/Topics/Diag/dinc.cfm PM me if you want to discuss it further.

I wasn't looking forward to it either, but my procedures all went smoothly. Good luck.

[Radio_Lady]

5. Thanks for your comments. I still have to schedule it, but got the referral today.

The carotic ultrasound was normal a few months ago. They're just trying to rule out coronary artery disease.

It will be better if I know what I'm dealing with -- have had chest pain off and on for a couple of years, but the three doctors don't think it's heart related.

I'll check that link. Right now, I've got to put the groceries away and make some salmon for dinner.

[supernova]

2. I had a heart stress test

years ago before I started college... I suppose I could use another one too.

They hooked me up to an EKG machine and put me on the stationary bike. I think it lasted about 45 minutes.

They would tell me to slow down or speed up, or go flat out for as long as I could,

All in all, it was OK. Heart tests really aren't nerve wrecking, but they can be involved and last pretty much all day (get there, do all the tests, wait for results, see the doc, etc. )

I have congential heart defects so heart stuff is routine to me.

[Radio_Lady]

6. Hi Supernova. I guess if you're born with a condition, you get much more used to the

intrusive tests. I'm a pretty fearful patient but have to get used to more and more health intercepts as I get older.

I appreciate your comments. Good night and good luck.

[KitchenWitch]

3. I have

Not really a terrible test, but when they lay you on the table, DO NOT TWITCH!

My legs were twitchy and I guess it made it more difficult to read the results. (Sorry, people in the medical profession, I have restless leg syndrome, my legs ALWAYS twitch.)

[Radio_Lady]

7. I'll be anxious, but hope I can take some medication for that.

My husband has RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME. It make sleeping with him mostly impossible.

[supernova]

4. RL, have you seen this?

This web page at the AHA seems a pretty good overview

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4743

[Radio_Lady]

8. Thanks for that link. I'm still dealing with chest pain tonight, so I've got to rest.

This appears to be associated with moving luggage and wearing a heavy backpack while in Europe in May. I should have been smarter and the docs think I've got chest wall pain. It sure is uncomfortable.

I'll be hugging the heating pad this evening.

[madrchsod]

9. you could very well have that chest wall pain

i`ve had 4 stress tests in the last 5 years. one was a chemical induced test because i was having foot surgery...last one i had was because of right side chest pains but after a stay overnight in icu and a complete stress test exam nothing showed up. i guess that`s what it was but it sure scared the crap out of me. i never want to have another heart attack-that really sucks.

[Radio_Lady]

12. I'm pretty scared, but have to do what the doctors order.

I put the test off from February -- nowhere to go but doing it now.

Thanks for your story.

[REP]

10. I've Had a Gallium Scan

It's a nuclear scan, in which blood is withdrawn, loaded with galloum, then reinjected. After the blood has had a chance to recirculate, the scan begins, which takes forfuckingever, and is like having a VW suspended a few inches above your body. I had it to see why I was producing unusual white blood cells.

[Radio_Lady]

11. Wow... that sounds really awful. Did they reach some conclusion with the results?

Are you OK?

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Gallium-Scan

[Radio_Lady]

13. Thanks for the PMs, too. You know who you are so I won't list ya.