- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Interviews
Bianca's interview
How did all start?
Had symptoms in childhood which were indicative of wpw but were brushed off by parents.
First major episode was at age 11 when i passed out in a shopping mall. Prior to this episode i was familiar with being dizzy and fuzzy vision which happens just before you pass out.
2nd major episode i was age 14 and crying and running around i had no idea what was wrong but my heart was racing and i couldnt breathe. It felt like i was going to die. Then it suddenly stopped and went back to normal. A 3rd episode similar happened at age 19
(I never saw a doctor about these episodes as i was told by my step mother it was puberty or me being dramatic)
4th major episode i was age 23 and pregnant and my heart was punding so hard u could see it throbbing in my chest and i believed i was having a heart attack and definitely going to die. After 20 minutes it felt like my heart stopped but then it started to beat again but very weak and slow. This prompted me to see a dr who said all prior episodes were related to the one I'd just had.
5th major episode was a few weeks after the 4th and i passed out, my head whacked into a picnic table then onto concrete
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
As soon as i saw my GP in 2013 at age 23 she assumed it was wpw but it was confirmed by cardiologists a week or two later
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Radio frequency ablation on 20th April 2017
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Rest
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Maintaining energy throughout a whole day. Have always been tired and slept alot due to tiredness. Fainting at work or in social situations. Dizziness preventing me from carrying out work task efficiently. Was unaware of the cause until i was diagnosed at age 23
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Somewhat. At first people thought i just liked to sleep alot or be lazy but now they are more considerate and acknowledge that they are symptoms of my condition. Can feel disappointment when i dont participate in activity that may trigger an episode
My step mother still believes its minor and nothing to worry about
What things have you stopped doing?
Drinking alcohol
Avoiding pregnancy
Theme park rides
Weight lifting
What do you think about the future?
Hopefully once recovered from my ablation i will experience a normal life. Looking forward to not being aware of the heavy presence in my chest or the tachycardia and having more energy
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Best years were from 23 to present due to being a mother but healthwise would have to be prior to pregnancy as my symptoms were less severe
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Theme park rides
Weight lifting
Have another baby
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Getting there
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Please do not brush off any episodes. Present in E.D or E.R and get monitored. When i was in hospital for my ablation the Doctors and nurses where angry Id not been treated sooner and were surpised that i hadnt dropped dead already with the episodes I've had.
Please encourage your biological family to have ecgs done. If they are undiagnosed and no one is aware of their condition it could be fatal.
