Hi Lindsey - Yes, I underwent this test last September. I went into the hospital with what looked like a severe breathing problem, and my doctor threw at me just about every test in the book searching for heart and lung troubles (I was in for four days). There were none and I was ultimately diagnosed with allergic bronchitis. Anyway, the resting stress test was one that I had to do. Because I was too weak to take the regular test they gave me the nuclear one. It was interesting!

It is not awful. In fact, it's almost nothing. You lie on an exam table/gurney. The tech explains that you will feel an odd sensation, but that it is not painful - and it isn't - which will pass in about two minutes. The doctor who reads the radiograph sits nearby with his eyes on the screen. Then they inject you with the meds. Mine were injected via my IV (which I had because of all the meds they were already giving me). The tech gives you a little ball to squeeze and strokes your feet. This is to keep you calm in case you fear the feeling of the meds, which scoot through your entire system very quickly. But there is nothing to fear! You have a feeling of very warm - but not hot - ginger ale rushing through you. It does not hurt or itch. Just feels a bit funny, bubbly. I asked the tech if this was how fast one's blood always circulates and she said yes, our blood flows quite rapidly, but we don't feel it. It is the "nuclear" aspect of the meds that makes you aware of the flow. This feeling dissapates fast. Then you are done and it's as though nothing happened.

Are you being advised to have the test done?

I'm glad to hear that you didn't have heart problems!

Yes, my cardiologist has ordered the test for me. But, it's not the "tracer" meds (the ones that make you feel warm) that I'm concerned about. I'm concerned about the Adenosine -- the med that stresses your heart. I've heard that it simulates a heart attack -- that you feel pretty much the same pain you'd feel if you were actually having a heart attack.

I've just had the regular nuclear stress test with the dye and the treadmill. You will be monitored by a cardiologist. I just wanted to say good luck with the test.

The Adenoside absolutely does NOT simulate a heart attack, nor does it cause any kind of pain. Where on earth did you hear that? No wonder you're nervous, lol! It simulates a little jog on a treadmill, NOT a heart attack.

I've had the procedure twice...the last time just a month ago.

First of all, you will be in the care of professionals at all times. The nurse will help talk you though it because it does get 'uncomfortable'....your heart will pound, you will turn beet red and hot. The nurse will tell you how many minutes/seconds you have left and once they stop administering the drug, you'll feel relief within a few seconds. You will be very glad that it's over, but none the worse for it. You get rewarded with crackers and something to drink afterwards, lol.

The 'stress' part of your test will only last a few minutes...three or four at most. It's like hot flash times 5. If you breathe in deeply through your nose and exhale from your mouth during the worst of it, it will help. At no time will you be in pain or in danger.

Be sure to take some good reading material along because there will be a lot of waiting time after the radioactive stuff is administered. For me, the twenty minute imaging session is far worse than the stress part. It's difficult (impossible) to get comfortable on that narrow table.

I wish that I could go with you, just to alleviate your fears. Tell the nurse(s) that you're nervous and they'll be extra kind and comforting. They know how uncomfortable it is. You can talk though the whole thing, if that makes you feel better...but you probably won't want to. Just do the deep breathing.

I've hads this test 3 times-twice with the running on a treadmill, once with the injection. the third was the easiest. Hated the running, I tripped once and nearly fell. Luckily the technician was watching closely and caught me before I actually went down. The injection was not bad at all. Tell the doctor, texchnician, nurse, whoever is there that you are nervous. By the way, I needed this test so many times because of my kidney failure and high blood pressure. I had a successful kidney transplant in January.

I had exactly the same experience as rhizo. Again, it is NOT a simulated heart attack - it is mimicking strenuous exercise for a few minutes. That's all. There is absolutely no need to be afraid. The attention given to you is intense and helps a lot to keep you comfortable.

I have had that test too and it just simulates being on a treadmill with your heart beating faster. They are monitoring closely just as if you were on a treadmill. Only takes a few minutes. It has been several years ago but if I remember correctly, it takes longer to get things set up then the actual test!

I've not had the stress test, but I have been given Adenosine a couple of times. In previous pregnancies, I had episodes when my heart rate shot up to over 250 beats per minute (Supraventricular Tachycardia) and didn't go down on its own. I had to go to the hospital, and I was given the Adenosine to bring my heart rate down.

The doctor told me that it would be uncomfortable, but that the sensations would pass in a minute or so. I didn't feel any chest pressure or pain, but it did feel warm, and I almost felt like I was sinking down into the hospital bed for a minute or so.

Anyhow, I don't know how the doses would compare, but that's my experience with Adenosine.

I think the procedure you're talking about is called a chemical stress test. I've had the nuclear stress test several times, but always on a treadmill. I'm due for another one soon.

I just had this test done last Tuesday and I was scared to death BUT to my surprise, it was in deed nothing.....I've always had the walking treadmill with the injections but I can no longer walk like that and decided on this one....

I was told, no caffine of any kind, even sodas for 24 hours before and then fasting from midnight...They injected something and then I had to drink water, she said to flush my system....After that, they took pictures and taht was about 20 minutes and then they did the test. They injected more meds, said I MIGHT feel warm and I might feel a little out of breath...My doctor stood with his hand on one foot while the nurses monitored...I might have breathed a little harder but maybe just for a second or 2 and then it was over....I then was told I could leave for an hour, all restrictions were removed and when we came back they took more pictures.....It was probably the easiest test I've ever had....
I guess it used to be terrible and I had heard horror stories but with the new meds, I really is a piece of cake......
Good luck and don't worry.......

Harry's like Jannie--he's had multiple nuclear stress tests. The first one, which was years ago, he did say he thought he was having a heart attack. BUT, I think they've reduced the doses of the meds they give you since then. The last one he had was a 4 hour test and by the time it was over (he'd been fasting since dinner the night before), he was one hungry puppy!

Don't be afraid. You'll do fine--and I hope you have good results :-)

I've had the nuclear stress test many times - can't take the physical stress on my joints due to the RA.
No pain, no simulation of a hear attack, etc.
Frankly, it's a bore.

Lindsey - I hope that you are feeling better after having read all these responses. No pain! No heart attack! The boring part for me was the long, long wait before the test and afterwards. Bring a book...

My mother was hospitalized after having a chemical stress test.. she was told to never have one again.
My brother had terrible pain with his.

I refuse to go chemical, and I will only do the treadmill.
No sense tempting fate!

be sure to note or tell docs if you have asthma.....

Thank you so much for all of the reassuring responses! I wasn't able to get back here to the Table until tonight, and as you can imagine, I've really been worrying about this.

I've done the stress tests on a treadmill before, but my knees, ankles, and back have gotten so bad that my doctor said that I wouldn't be able to stay on the treadmill long enough now, so he wants to do the test with the Adenosine.

I always have my Kindle with me, so that will be good, I guess. :-)

Maybe I should take my little bitty mp3 player and listen to relaxation music while the test is going on. I wonder if they'll allow that....

I have been most "freaked out" about the Adenosine because I've heard that it causes pain -- although it doesn't last more than about 15 minutes... I know everyone's experience is different, but that's the only one I'd heard so it really had me worried. I have a high tolerance for pain, but I don't like to feel pain if I don't have to! :-)

I don't have asthma or diabetes; no family history of heart disease or COPD, so I guess that's good, eh?

Anyway, I truly do appreciate all of the comments. You have helped SO much to alleviate my fears!!