HI all I am new here and struggling!!

[Maxijazz1]

My name is Angie and I have just had my 50th Birthday. I went into Morriston Hospital for a stent in May but due to arteries I had to have a double heart bypass. I was told that I was high risk and remained in hospital for nine days. I am currently attending Cardiac Rehab which seems to be helping but mentally I am really struggling. I met with an occupational therapist today who has given me some tools to help and just wondered if anyone else out there can give some tips. I feel extremely lucky to be alive and am eternally grateful for the medical intervention and the NHS are amazing!!. Please if anyone can identify I would appreciate your advice. Thanks

[mewg]

hi im from port talbot and i had a avr about 9 months ago.rehab team def help but just go out 4 short walks if u can and trh 2 keep ur mind occipied.

[Maxijazz1 in reply to mewg]

Hi its Angie. Thank you so much for responding to my post. I really appreciate your advice and will take it on board. Its heartwarming to know that others are concerned for you and able to offer some advice. Take good care of yourself and thanks again

[Zena166]

Hi Angie. Sorry to hear you’re struggling. It’s been a shock for you and it’s still relatively early in your recovery. Keep at the rehab as that will help with your confidence. I too have struggled I had a heart attack last June. I saw a health psychologist (referred by coronary care unit) who helped me with coping strategies and I also saw a counsellor that my GP referred me to and she dealt with my emotions. It’s been a rollercoaster but gradually the bad days got less. I wrote poetry to get some of my thoughts and feelings out as well so maybe a journal may help. Walking and exercise classes also helped as did talking.

You can self refer to Psychological therapies which is telephone based and the Details are

nhs.uk/service-search/Psych...

Take each day as it comes and build on it. I know it’s easy to say but time does improve feelings. Being on this site has been brilliant learning from others and getting such amazing support. Stay strong. Sending hugs. Zena x

[Maxijazz1 in reply to Zena166]

Hi its Angie. Thank you so much for responding to my post. I really appreciate your advice and will take it on board. Its heartwarming to know that others are concerned for you and able to offer some advice. Take good care of yourself and thanks again

[Allyboy1973]

Hi Angie im sorry too hear your struggling ive had 2 double bypasses in the space of 20 months the first never worked due to artery issues . i had these between 40 and 42 was a scary time im nearly 45 now but also struggled big time with worrie and anxiety . you do get too a stage were this becomes alot easier though speaking too the cardiac rehab nurses was a great help. the ones a my hospital where there for me and they helped through the lowest and hardest times . i hope you feel better soon . Alan .

[Maxijazz1 in reply to Allyboy1973]

Hi its Angie. Thank you so much for responding to my post. I really appreciate your advice and will take it on board. Its heartwarming to know that others are concerned for you and able to offer some advice. Take good care of yourself and thanks again

[Allyboy1973 in reply to Maxijazz1]

Hi i find talking to others on here also helps and if theres any help how ever little im happy to talk away feel free.

[Paganthegoat]

Hi Angie,I am new here too ,my husband was diagnosed with heart failure just a week back .The support here is great .I do hope you feel better soon .

[Foxyhole in reply to Paganthegoat]

Hi Angie, I'm just out hospital after taking a heart attack and got stent put in, it is a worrying time. I I'm trying to live as normal but the problem is I have too much time to think. I'll feel better when I can drive again. Stay positive and take care

[Maxijazz1 in reply to Paganthegoat]

Hi its Angie. Thank you so much for responding to my post. I really appreciate your advice and will take it on board. Its heartwarming to know that others are concerned for you and able to offer some advice. Take good care of yourself and thanks again

[Hidden]

Hi Angie

I had stents last december as a 'hot' patient after HA , fortunately that worked and no need for bypass, tho am told it was close. However have been through rehab and now at a level 4 gym 3 times per week.

The problem is that heart issues can mess with your head, every twinge feels like your last and every breathless episode worries you. BUT it does get better, rehab nurses are fab and excellent at putting your mind at ease, you're right when you say that it gets better when you can drive and get yourself out and about and regain that bit of independence.

You are on the right track with your recovery, listen to your body and talk to others either nurses, cousellors, this forum or just fellow 'roomies' in rehab, it all helps. My doctor said that they are very good at fixing us physically but on the mental side they are less proficient, so we have to look after ourselves as best we can and seek help when we can't

You seem to be doing the right things, just keep on doing them and I hope your recovery goes well, good luck

D

[Maxijazz1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi its Angie. Thank you so much for responding to my post. I really appreciate your advice and will take it on board. Its heartwarming to know that others are concerned for you and able to offer some advice. Take good care of yourself and thanks again

[Billyjean123]

Hi Angie I am 53 and had a bypass 6 weeks ago. I really relate to how you’re feeling. I have been getting some good solid support from a counsellor attached to the rehab team . I think the hardest is the speed that everything can happen and your head can’t catch up. Allowing yourself time. Take care.

Liz

[Twobells]

Hi Angie,

I had triple last year, and it completely knocked the stuffing out of me, I am similar age to you. At first everyone kept telling me it gets easier, but for me it didn't feel like that. I eventually got counselling, but what I wish for is actually CBT, which I will be attending soon. Most days I am fine 15months on, but I am very fatiged, I have bleak days, but I found doing a hobbie helps me. I no longer work which has really helped. So I call myself a 'lady that lunches'. Don't be hard on yourself and tell somone how you are really feeling. I think often we forget to be kind to yourself, It took me a while to tell people how I was, but it was my cardiologist who helped when he bluntly told his students: This lady should be dead, I had a silent HA and emergency bypass within days. So now its sort of helped me realise that I am very lucky, thank goodness we have NHS. Some days I hang out in my pyjamas, if I have over done it I pay for the next few days exhausted, but lately I am coming to an understanding with myself, I am no longer the person I was, but thats OK, I am slow when walking, it takes me longer to do simple things, but I am now realise just accept what is as you cannot change what has happened. If you are getting really anxious see your GP. I take a low dose of anti depreesent which just takes the edge of. Reading stories on here also helps greatly.

[Maxijazz1 in reply to Twobells]

Thank you ever so much for responding to my post. I know that its early days yet and I perhaps need a bit more time for my brain to process everything. I will take everyone who responded,s tips and advice and hope that perhaps one day I will start to learn to accept things. I identify greatly with the things you mentioned in your reply and realise that with time acceptance will help. Thank you once again. Big hugs

[Saltysailer]

HA mid June and straight to Morriston for 2 stents. The cardiac rehab team in Pembrokeshire are tremendous and very supportive . I'm on holiday in Greece at the moment ,swimming ,sailing and cycling . I limit my exertion as recommended by the rehab nurses . I think I have been very lucky . PS I'm 65 years old .

[Salihyuksel67]

Hi Max

I had 5 months ago triple by pass operation and I know how you feeling

I am 50 years old and working construction industry I went Chelmsford hospital to check my hearth and they told me I am serious blockage and they kept me 4 days and transferred me Basildon hospital and next day I had operation but believe me after that I happy to be had this operation because I been told only 10 percent blood coming my heart before operation.

I returned my work light duty and everything ok do not worry to much.

Good luck

[shopman]

Hi Angie

All I can say is it only gets better as time goes on but there is no "instant" resolve. I had a quad bypass nearly 20 years ago. It lasted some 16 years before I started to get further symptoms and have had 3 procedures for stents since then. I will be 65 next month but have been "retired" since January this year - best thing I ever did. Yes I have now been diagnosed with heart failure but take each day as it comes and seeing as I have "lasted" so long have been able to enjoy my grandchildren who do appreciate there are limits as to what I can do - granddaughter is still adamant she wants to come to the airport to see if I set the alarms off because of the stents.

Stick with it and I don't doubt you will be able to look back and say "what was all the fuss about".

[fedupoffeelingtired]

Hi maxijazz1 I was transferred from Bridgend to Morriston for an angiogram and stent after a ha in August. I wasn't in a good place, I didn't believe I'd had a ha as I'd had no pain. I rather naively thought they wouldn't find anything on the angiogram and was shell shocked by the whole experience. The care I had at Morriston was fantastic, but I left still feeling numb, confused, helpless, scared and alone. Cardio rehab was my second Life saver. My nurse was fantastic. The group helped over the weeks sort it out in my mind, understanding the procedures helped. And I think importantly knowing others have been thru the same thing and felt the same as you so that you are not alone helped loads. Not being afraid to say I'm struggling with this is important, it doesn't mean you are weak. It means you are human. I don't feel so scared now when I look back and think about what I have been thru. I survived, I've got a second chance, I'm am very grateful. Good luck with your recovery, it takes time but you will get there xx