Stent problem

[strubus]

Just got 2 stents last Thursday with a chance they will have to go back and do another one. I’m a 58 year old female that has never missed work for 23 years. I really thought I would feel so much better after the stents but to my surprise I feel awful. Tired to go back to work today but was only able to do 4 hours. I feel awful tonight. Called and told them I wouldn’t be in tomorrow. My question is how long does it take to feel better. I was 95 percent blocked on one and 75 percent on the other. I just want to sit down and cry because I want to feel good.

[Jasppip]

It's such early days yet I was tearful and tired for weeks after my heart attack it's been 3 months now and I still don't feel like my old self but am going to try to go back to work at the end of the month. Don't be hard on yourself just rest when you need to you will start to feel better soon

[strubus in reply to Jasppip]

Going to have to just listen to my body. Right now it’s telling me I can’t do anything without paying for it.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome! If you had stents and no heart attack you should not drive for a week under DVLA rules. When further stents/ surgery is needed it is longer. If you had a HA it is four weeks. In all cases you need the OK from your GP/cardiologist. The reason I mention this is that are good guidelines for how long you need to be away from work as an absolute minimum.

Have you been given a date for cardiac rehab as this will help both physically and emotionally.

It takes time to recover. I thought I would be back to my p/t job 4 - 6 weeks post bypass but at 12 weeks am still not really fit enough!

[strubus in reply to MichaelJH]

I go back in 2 weeks to see cardiologist. Nothing has been said about rehab yet. I felt so bad before the stents, I guess I just thought I couldn’t feel any worse. I wasn’t prepared to feel this way.

[dave1957]

Hi I am sorry to hear that you don't feel the full benefit of the stents procedure from the moment you had them, I think that it does vary from patient to patient on recovery and hopefully your general wellbeing will soon pick up. I have had many angiograms and stent procedures into my bypass grafts and have felt different on each occasion. Like you I had great work ethic and it varied from 1 to 4 weeks to return to work. I hope you feel better soon.

[strubus]

I wasn’t planning on taking off work at all. This has been a big blow to me. I know if I didn’t have it done I was going to have a heart attack. I’m grateful to just be alive.

[hutch123]

I had 5 stents, no HA. I went back to work a week later, my cardiologist said it was fine and looking back it was far too early. I felt so tired and emotionally was coming to terms with with having heart disease and the cocktail of meds. My rehab nurse said I should really have taken a month off in her opinion. For me it took around 2 months to start to feel like the old me again.

[benjijen]

The main thing is if your cardiologist has told you it's ok to go back to work. I initially felt much better but was lucky in that I was able to work from home for a bit so could pace myself. I couldn't have gone straight back to work. When cardiac rehab is offered, which is usually within 6 weeks, you should seriously consider taking up the offer. It really helps and you will be with people who have been through similar experiences which I find helps a great deal.

[bjd2]

Good morning

Are you sure you should be back at work, you are more important than work, please try and get to rehab and meet other people. It will give you confidence and most importantly advice.

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome

You should not return to work until GP gives all clear

[Gill1026]

It's very early days yet. Tell work you are off for 2 weeks and rest up. See how you feel then.

[dunestar]

Hi strubus

I'm newly diagnosed with angina, yet to see how badly blocked my arteries are. What I'm finding is there's coming to terms with the medical side of things, but also a big psychological challenge as well. I am the same person but everything has changed. I think it takes time to adjust to the new situation. Main thing is to really take care of yourself.

[Foxyhole]

Think you have gone back too soon, be kind to yourself. I had my stent 4weeks today I got stent and I feel ok but wouldn't feel fit enough to work. I'm 63 and I did have a HA

[IgottaStent]

First give yourself a pat on the back for coming to the group and discussing this. With modern medicine you are in a far better place than maybe 20 years ago so you are on the good side of the procedures you had. It’s an emotional shock when you get stents and told you are not as perfectly healthy as you had thought. Don’t beat yourself up about work as be sure there are people there who are sympathetic. Refocus your stressful moments into relaxation exercises. Good luck many of us have been on this path .

[Wendersyay]

Dear Strubus...snap! I am a 51 female, and had two stents put in last week 11th September. I too haven’t gone back to work and feel bad. I feel happy one moment (usually when I have woken up) then get more tired as the day goes on. I drove a bit yesterday and was shattered. I am shocked that a month ago I had no idea of all this and now I’m on loads of medication and had stents! For me it’s hard as everyone said before it happens “it’ll be great, it’s just a procedure, you’ll be back to normal in no time...” etc etc, I just wait for the day I’m active again and start feeling wonderful! Hope you’re feeling a bit better each day. And work can wait. It’ll still be there when we’re dead and gone! Rest up and make the most of it if you can, guilt free...? I’m tying to...it’s not easy !

[strubus in reply to Wendersyay]

I was beginning to think this was all in my head. Like you this has been a shock to me. I manage a office and am very committed to my job. Had been feeling really crappie for at least 6 months and then started having bad pains in my chest and left arm. Finally went to my doctor and told her this was really scaring me. They skipped all other test and went straight to the heart cath. I really was shocked at how bad it was. I feel like people are looking at me thinking I should be fine now. I was shocked at how exhausted and low I felt after the stents. They still have more they are going to have to fix. I just want to feel normal again! Thank you for your post!

[Hidden in reply to strubus]

I get the feeling you have been the work horse of the office - the one that can solve every problem, is always there and is the reliable one - This may hurt but what I am going to say is the truth. With bonuses, gifts at Christmas etc etc there are only two things in this life that are worth bothering about - your friend/partner or spouse and your health. Jobs are what we do to make life easier - you have no doubt given them years of loyal service and now it is pay back time. The guilt YOU feel emanates in these thoughts that your co workers are saying that there is nothing wrong with you - WHAT - you have been in hospital and had a huge invasion of your body. I think probably you have thought about returning to work because the hospital and everyone else thought no one would be silly enough to return so quickly. I would certainly NOT return to work until after you have seen the specialist, especially since you are still feeling a bit rough. Remember this is your HEART, no one elses and YOU will react differently to anyone else because you are a unique human being. If it was that simple, there would be no need for lengthy treatments, just a conveyor belt and a do it yourself kit! Come clean with work and tell them the hospital has told you not to return to work until you have seen the specialist - they will back that as being quite normal. Now take a break and get better at your own pace and stop worrying about what others think. I had a triple heart bypass 15 weeks ago and I am just so relieved that I have been given a second chance and no, I had no warnings, just a mild heart attack and went for stents and found arteries almost totally blocked, so you are really lucky that they appear to have get there in time. Smile and relax and keep taking the pills.....and enjoy life!

[strubus in reply to Hidden]

I understand what you are telling me. It’s just hard for me to relax. I’m the one who has always kept everything and everyone on track. I am so lucky to be alive and I thank god every day! I’ve always thought it would never happen to me and it did. It’s changed my whole life! I’m not one to set idle so trying to rest has been very difficult.

[Wendersyay in reply to strubus]

Hope you’ve had a better week Strubus. I’m back at work part time and have been shattered this week! I’m starting the heart rehab today which I’m really keen to get startedas for me it feels this bit is to try and be a new me ! I’m still in shock though about what I’ve had done, what, me? I ate healthily and exercised most of my life. Oh well, no regrets I guess. But I read the letter from the hospital and it’s scary isn’t it, hard to believe. Sending you best wishes, Wendy

[anke123]

Hi, I had just one stent in April 2015 at the age of 57 and did not go back to work until June. A lot of it depends on how physical your job is, mine was very physical that is why I had a lot of time of and when I went back I did a phased return, building up the hours over 6 weeks. Things will get better, I feel much better now, exercise more and eat healthier and feel the benefit of that. Do not rush it and all the best. anke

[Passes]

Hi I had two stents fitted in May after heart attack went to rehab but due to tightness on left side they stopped it not seeing cardiologist till October have you not had contact with rehab nurse, I’m still finding that I’m tired plus your body needs to get used to all the medication, found this form really helps.

[strubus in reply to Passes]

I came here because I don’t think anyone else was understanding how I felt. I’m so glad I did because now I can see other people feeling the same way I do. I was beginning to think they did something wrong and that’s why I was feeling so bad after the stents. This place is easing my mind so much.

[gal4God]

I’ve had a variety of recovering periods and the one I’m in has been the longest. Over a year and still recovering but had a 6 weeks recovery time before.

[Zena166]

Hi Strubus. As others have said it is early days yet. Remember your heart has been poked and prodded and has had a shock of invasive procedures. It’s not surprising that it and you are exhausted. Add to that your body adjusting to the cocktail of medication. In addition the psychological and emotional impact is huge. Take the time that you need. Do small amounts of exercise daily and build it up gradually. If you haven’t been offered rehab yet then chase it up. It’s well worth it. I think everyone underestimates the impact that heart disease/events/surgery has on the individual. So look after yourself I think I would wait until starting rehab before returning to work as well as exercise they will give advice on lifestyle/diet/emotional/stress/work etc. Do take care of yourself listen to your body and take your time. Zena x