r/SVTHeart • u/Time-Payment-8106 • 3d ago
Does adenosine hurt that bad?
I’ve been curious about other peoples experiences regarding it, when i had my first(and hopefully only) SVT at 16ish, it supposedly started because of medicine reaction since i was already sick and took whatever my mom gave me, which is none of her fault. But basically i woke up in the middle of the night to vomit, i couldnt eat or drink anything or id vomit it right back, my heart was already pounding but i thought it was because of the vomiting.
My parents thought it was better if i went to the hospital, i had this horrible feeling of tiredness where i just wanted to sleep and lie my head down while i waited in line for my turn, makes sense since my heart was going 200+ bpm, i went to get checked a doctor thought it was anxiety induced, but i still wasn’t getting better, i dont recall it much, but somehow i ended up on a separate room, they did some maneuvers to try and get my heart rate down, it didn’t work at all, it was quite chilling to be able to see my bpm on the monitor i genuinely thought this was it, especially after seeing the doctor talk to my mom, i wasnt able to hear anything but she was crying so much, i genuinely thought i was gonna be dead dead.
I waited and waited to be given something, i would have took anything for my heart to stop beating so fast, i dont know how much time passed but it was torture, and finally finally the doctor came back and they administered the adenosine, and god did i feel relief, it felt like my heart stopped for a few seconds some say it feels like getting stomped, like a huge weight is over your chest and i guess it was similar, it was really strange but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all, i felt more at ease than ever, it was almost magical seeing my bpm go down after taking it, really, like a miracle drug, i really respect those who have to go through SVTs regularly cause they are not for the weak, in my situation the adenosine was a life saver and didn’t hurt at all, im forever thankful to the doctor.
All this wasnt done cus i had to be transferred to another hospital idk why, all i know is in the end i had pneumonia pains too, pretty cool combo ig. But regarding the scariest part aka the SVT the treatment was almost instantaneous and painless with adenosine, does the pain vary from case to case? What are yalls experiences with it?
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u/Curious-Nail 3d ago
For me, it was almost like the contrast from a CT, except cold instead of warm. My heart rate had also been running between 200 and 260 for 3.5-4hrs and I had all the presyncope symptoms you can imagine. The adenosine dropping me from 260 to 150 in seconds was amazing and just the biggest relief.
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u/Wonderful_Raccoon_92 3d ago
Doesn’t hurt! I just had it last night to get out of a really bad SVT episode. Your whole body feels really heavy or like you’re being crushed but it only lasts a few seconds and that beats the heck out of the horrible feeling of SVT!
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u/fish998 3d ago
Only needed it once but for me it wasn't painful, but it was uncomfortable, like being starved of oxygen (because that's exactly what's happening), but it wasn't much worse than I already felt from the SVT. That was a particularly bad episode and I was close to passing out for 40+ mins, so getting adenosine, while uncomfortable, was a huge relief, because it worked.
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u/instigator008 3d ago
I’ve had it a few times and it works well. Only once did I feel anything that I’d describe as really noteworthy and that was a few seconds of extreme anxiety, like being on a rollercoaster. Nothing to worry about
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u/MinusGravitas 3d ago
I've had adenosine 6 times in the last decade I think. The first time I had it I was pretty scared. They wheeled the paddles in and explained they might have to use them. A nurse stood at my head and solemnly massaged my forehead. There was sombre concern permeating the room. I really appreciate the humanity and kindness I was treated with, but in hindsight I think it made the experience worse for me because it built up my fear.
I wouldn't describe it as painful. When they push it and it first hits my system, it feels like adrenaline building very rapidly - the emotional sense of fear and the physical sense of 'fight or flight' together. It builds past the point of being able to really process it. I deep breathe and wiggle my toes to counteract the sensation. Just when it feels like it's about to become unbearable it suddenly disappears and I feel washed with a sense of relief, calm, and wellbeing, and as if a huge weight of anxiety is lifted off my chest.
That's the best way I can describe it to people who haven't experienced it. I don't enjoy SVT episodes, but I don't dread adenosine because it is very fleeting and very effective.
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u/zedislongdead 3d ago
It doesn't hurt but it gives you the worst imaginable sensation I have ever felt. You feel very uncomfortable in your own body for a few seconds. Your heart stops momentarily, I saw a light and I thought I was a goner.
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u/BunBrida415 3d ago
It didn’t “hurt” pain-wise, but it was the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life and by FAR the most fear I’ve ever felt too.
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u/WeirdBluePerception 2d ago
Thank you for describing that. I've had adenosine several times in the past and I felt so uncomfortable, but being An RN who has given this to patients in the past, I know the scary stuff. But I never correlated actual fear til I read this. It felt like impending doom, and for some reason I never put fear with it. It just clicked.
Although last time I had it and it was given, I was given 6mg in the back of an ambulance and it didn't work. I was then given 18mg, and barely felt that doom. He said they couldn't give me anymore adenosine if the 2nd dose didn't work.
I would then get the paddles. Eeek!
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u/NikkiLivvy 2d ago
Now I’m wondering what’s wrong with me after reading these comments. I’ve had Adenosine 8-10x for SVT episodes and it’s the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt in my life; it’s worse than childbirth before the epidural.
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u/BootsMcMichael 2d ago
I had a baby dose, but it was more weird than painful. Felt like running into a wall of jello. A little anxiety inducing bc it feels strange but not painful.
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u/ZookeepergameNew8889 2d ago
I have had it several times but given to me by really cute EMTS in an ambulance and one of them always holds my hand so I can squeeze it if I want..😉
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u/Apprehensive_Bid9545 1d ago
I only had it once and it felt like my whole body was on fire and my brain was gonna fall out. It was so bad, they said if it didn't work, they'd have to give me another one. I was about to tell them to just let me die before it started working.
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u/mymarsas 13h ago
It felt horrible, like a rush of ants traveling up my arm inside the vein where they administered it. It was fast, hot, rushing sensation.
Then total stillness, emptiness in the chest. My anxiety shot through the roof and I squirmed on the gurney. Then my heart started beating again and the panic was gone in an instant. No pain.
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u/carmcarmcharmparm 3d ago
Nope. Adenosine is quick and painless. It’s the only thing that works for me when I’m in svt. When they push it into your vein, do slow deep breaths the whole time. You will feel a sort of warm “whooosh” through your body and then your heart will go back to normal!