Have any of you GAGer's ever had a "Nuclear Stress Test"?

[Anonymous]

Due to a car accident I had previously been in, I had to take one yesterday. It was pure and utter hell! For those of you that have had one, what was your experience like?

[Beckybooboo]

I'm actually an RN for CICU, so I'm familiar with that test and yes, it can be intense! What makes it feel so intense, is that you suddenly become short winded, with a rapid heart beat. It's actually no different than if you are working out intensely but the injection doesn't gradually produce those symptoms like working out would do, they happen suddenly. Your brain doesn't know how to respond and you kind of go into panic mode. Most people don't like it but trust me, if you need to take another one, your brain will react differently and it won't be as intense. Listen to your doctor, you're being ordered that test for a reason!

[Asker]

I definitely went into panic mode! 😂 It was sudden and my chest was burning and my chest hurt for a few minutes after I was done. If I have to have another one, I'll do it. Right now I'm waiting for the results.

[Beckybooboo]

I'm assuming the doctor was there? Chest pains and/or burning is a very unusual side effect, although it can happen. I'm sure they were asking how you feel? It must have been fine, because they did have all the leads hooked up to you, it's just that very few people experience pain.

[Asker]

Yes, they kept asking if I felt nauseous or had any tightness in my chest or pain. I said I do have pain, around a 4 on a scale of one to ten. They didn't seem concerned. The doctor was there and said the EKG looked okay.

[Slingblade1126]

Yes, I did! I had one last year and told them that it's my last one too! It took four hours, mostly waiting between tests, then when the "stress" part of the test came, I actually thought I was dying of a heart attack! Understand, I've had two heart attacks and actually went into cardiac arrest for 18 min but that didn't compare to the feeling I had when I was injected. I'll probably never have one done again.

[Asker]

My feelings 💯! They told me I might feel "a little" short of breath! Jesus Christ, I felt like a fish out of water! I had chest pain, tingling throughout my body, dizziness, you name it! Did you have any of those side effects?

[Slingblade1126]

No, I didn't have pain. I was just very short of breath and could feel my heart pounding. I think I did have a little dizziness.

[RebelinSteel]

Nope