The day my heart broke

[Violetrose76]

Hello virtual world and real people. This is my journey. Grab a cuppa and chocolate finger or two if you intend to read to the end.

Wednesday began like any other. My eldest boy was home from college the younger two left for school. I hadn't felt myself all week but being a lupus sufferer I was quite used to low energy levels. Since before Christmas I had been suffering from shoulder pain. Now imagine the run up to Christmas in my house. Five children plus 2 extra my mum and my brother would join us for the big day. That's a lot of roast potatoes you know! So busy baking ,wrapping presents, shopping plus the humdrum of daily chores made me a busy bee. I went to see the gp as I was a little worried about chest pain now joining the shoulder pain. All was OK. That little lot put down to stress.

Christmas came and went.(fantastic time had by all and not a left over roastie in sight). The pain however remained. In fact got worse. Gp again same result. I had to go back the following week for blood tests. This was my first fright in awhile. I had quite severe pain in both shoulders,down my arm and right across my chest. My nurse swiftly attached me up for an ECG and called in the doctor. Stress was causing me a right ole riot this time. The doctor referred me to the heart clinic.

They were lovely the nurse I saw was so kind. She put my mind at rest again clear ECG. She thought because of the lupus I should have more tests just to be safe. A stress echo was booked for March. However I never made it to that test. Just a few weeks later I was suffering in silence thinking 'dam I wish this pain would ease up' it got much much worse so I called our trusty 111 service (who had helped me before). They decided I needed an ambulance. So I called my son down and passed him the phone.(I was by this point in much pain and quite breathless. Not knowing if I should hold together my chest or right shoulder. Either way wouldn't have helped but these thoughts fly through your mind). Back on ECG ,spray under tongue and aspirin given I was on my way to a&e. This day my heart did indeed break a little.

[stevejb1810]

Hello Violetrose

What have the cardiac team told you about your heart? Aside from GTN and aspirin have they given you anything else? I have some experience of Lupus (my wife has it) so I'm guessing you have your own little pharmacy functioning at home. She also has cardiac issues (leaking Mitral valve in her case). It's no consolation, but you are not alone!

Your Lupus just adds to the complexity of having a heart condition but now that the cardiac team has you on its radar they will manage your condition and have you in for more tests (including that stress echo probably). If you thought you had enough medical appointments before this cardiac event, be prepared for a few more!

Please use this site if you have any questions (I'm sure you have the Lupus one already) - we are not medical experts but all of us have one heart condition or another and all of us are here to share our knowledge and give you support.

Steve

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Welcome, Violetrose. I'm very impressed that you are already seeking out a forum like this so soon after your heart event. You sound like a very resilient person. (All that roast potato prep must act like some sort of boot camp!) Steve is right, it's great that the cardiac team have you on their books now and will be able to monitor your health properly. Good luck with everything that will be coming up and let us all know how you are progressing. Lots of love x