Every day a bit of a struggle

[ccwh70]

It's only a week since my diagnosis of needing a triple bypass but I'm finding every day a struggle. My symptoms gave been steadily getting worse in recent weeks, the abdominal pains, chest soreness, palpitations, calf twinges, aching and burning in chest (not stomach). I wake up most nights between 1am and 3am needing GTN because of chest discomfort. I'm shattered tbh.. every morning I wake up grateful that I've not had a major episode or had to call 999 again. The waiting to get the appointment is so frustrating.

[Prada47]

Hello,

I know it's easy to say try not to worry, worrying won't fix your problems only the by pass will do that. Work on the basis that the Cardiologist has seen your hearts condition and will have considered the risk to yourself of needing an urgent operation or just putting you on the list.

Oh and just to say " been there done that " 2 years post op next month.

Regards

Prada

[ccwh70 in reply to Prada47]

Thanks, the cardiologist who did the angiogram has referred me to another hospital so I'm waiting for that appointment. The thing is I've not really had any appointments with a cardiologist yet. I had an appointment with a registrar in December for palpitations investigation which all came back fine. I then saw a different registrar in June who referred me for the CT Angiogram. I only actually met the cardiologist 5 minutes before the full angiogram last week and then for about 10 minutes after when she explained the result. You end up feeling in limbo like you've no one to call with questions or concerns. My gp has no clue what's going on and even sat there reading the report saying he wasn't quite sure of it all! When you go private you at least have a service level that requires them to respond and work quickly... but who can afford 20k for an operation.

[Twobells]

If you have been put on medication some have really awful side affects. Go back to GP to discuss them. I was an emergency so there was no wait for me as such, but I had triple 11 weeks ago. I do feel much better physically than I did prior to my surgery.

[ccwh70 in reply to Twobells]

Thanks, unfortunately most of my physical symptoms were present before I started medication. The abdominal pains started back in May and I don't know I'd it's related to my heart condition. Last week the pains were so bad the GP prescribed Lansaprozale which eased things pretty well for a couple of days but seem less effective the last few days. I'm just hoping when my operation is done that many or all of these additional symptoms go away.

[Heather1957]

It sounds like you are going through a dreadful time and to be honest it is hard to find the words to make you feel better. All I can say is that you don't have to go through this alone and that all of us here have some experience even if it is not exactly the same. My local hospital did the angiogram but they do not have the facilities to do a bypass so I too had to be referred to a different hospital although apparently after my follow up with the surgeon I will go back to the cardiologist at my original hospital.

My experience has shown me that even though this is a HUGE thing for me no-one else in the medical profession seems to think it is. Don't get me wrong I think the talent of the surgeons is phenomenal but I have no sense of belonging. I am hoping that when I start my physio and exercise classes things may change.

Just remember we may not have the answers and we too may need support we are all here and in this together so please feel free to ask questions or have a good moan - I certainly need to do both!