Exactly 4 weeks ago I found myself undergoing an angioplasty - 1 stent LAD, after a prior urgent referral and 6 days in local hospital. I had been breathlessness on exertion for several weeks before, diagnosed twice as a chest infection but no matter I am grateful for the eventual (told timely) intervention. I didn’t have a heart attack.
I am 60, there is some family predisposition and with the stent came all the usual medication, statin, Bisoprolol, ramipril, lansaprozole and due to a prior condition have been on ‘triple therapy’ clopidogrol, apixoban, and aspirin for 1 month. I drop the aspirin today. The statin was originally prescribed at 80mg I suffered badly with insomnia so reluctantly GP reduced to 40 but now I find myself at a crossroads.
Physically I am doing much better, I am out walking and taking part in cardiac rehab twice a week. Emotionally and mentally I have struggled, the speed at which things happened was good on the one hand but In the immediate aftermath I was shocked and also overwhelmed with all the drugs.
I have a sick note until the end of the month but have a welfare visit from my manager tomorrow.....
I had asked before about redundancy in the past, I doubt I’d qualify for retirement on health grounds but work in a public facing role, dealing with problems, full time and often involving evening work.
I know now that I need to think about me, lifestyle change surely involves reducing stress too and I am using my time to get out, walk and hopefully lose weight.
My question is 1 month on I still feel tired, have low mood and generally don’t feel ready to go back (if ever).This set against lots of other experience here and elsewhere, where angioplasty seems to have been quickly recovered from.
Am I odd?
Have other people experienced anything similar
Experiences with work greatly appreciated
Thanks
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Hi Suzie glad to hear your recovering well. Firstly there’s no normal where heart problems are concerned. What’s good for one heartie is bad for another. You just have to go with how YOU feel. I returned to work after 7 weeks after HA and having 2 stents. I’m lucky in the fact that I’m self employed and can work whenever suits me. But having said that I still don’t feel iv got the energy or inclination to work now. I find it a struggle and wish I could retire but another 6 years for me. It’s pretty early days for you so just see how you go. If you don’t feel up to it don’t do it unless you really have to. I didn’t start rehab until I went back to work so good on you. Keep positive. Your rehab team should be able to advise when your ready for work. Use them as I got told on many an occasion “that’s what we’re here for”. Good luck and keep the faith ❤️ shiona
As shoshov says we are all different. I was expecting to feel like energised and we'll immediately after 2 stents in April. It took me a couple of months before I felt I was making progress. The regime of medication although necessary also affects how you feel. Maybe you need more time to build up your strength etc. Is it possible for you to eventually tpreturn to work on a part time basis. If it's for the purpose of rehabilitation back into work it may not effect your salary. It's something you could discuss with your Manager or Human Resources Manager. Take care
Hello susie, it sounds like you're doing brilliantly well so quickly! But that you need a bit more time to recover and get used to the drugs and come to terms with it all. I have some experience on both sides, as someone who was diagnosed with severe heart failure about 2 years ago, and also because I was responsible for HR at my work! my employers were very understanding. My job was really busy but it was part time. But I had six months off and I have gone back on less hours now. My advice would be to acknowledge that you can't make this decision right now and just focus on your recovery instead. Take the time off you need to concentrate on the rehab, see your doctor for another sick note and you'll know when you're ready to make a decision about work. I don't think you need to rush any decision like that, you might feel differently in a month or two. But, if you still feel the same then, you can make things happen at that point. I have a different focus at work now and work mainly from home and without the HR element which was always the more stressful part of my job. The new drugs you're on take some getting used to also (they made me a little slow off the mark till I got used to them!), I reckon you need at least another month off and then see. It's quite a roller-coaster mentally as well as physically. Good luck! X
Thank you its really helpful to have your reflections. I don’t think I’m doing brilliantly well, to be honest I have been consumed with fear and being really quite sad and down. The things I can do for myself are to lose weight and improve my fitness and I am trying to do that, finding time to go out and walk or to do anything else wouldn’t be as easily accommodated during a working day. I think I would resent using the energy I have on work and not me or my family. I work for a local authority they have a process to follow but within that I work in a small staff team and feel some responsibility to them. On reflection I think I had been poorly for a while just hadn’t realised - I have thyroid problems and there was always something to pin on that! The medication has taken some getting used to and is still being tweaked so I don’t think it would be wrong to allow myself some more time off. Whilst none of us would wish anything on each other it’s good to read that ‘a couple of months’ is a reasonable amount of time to begin to feel better.
Similar to you, the list of drugs you mentioned seems to the standard list that everyone get when they have stents fitted, After 4 months I am still tweaking my drugs, Astorvastatin down to 20mg from 80mg, I have stopped the Bisoprolol after discussing with my DR, Only on Astorvastain, Amlodipine ( Instead of Ramipril) Clopidogrel. Aspirin and Lansoprazole. Still get the odd chest pain which gets me down at times, having discussed this with my Dr and others it seems side effects of drugs and my mind playing games. but feeling a lot better as the days pass, Attended Cardiac Rehab at Exeter which was a great help with putting my mind at ease. I am lucky being able to retire, make time for yourself and ease yourself back in gently.
Hi Susie, I had my first day back in work today since my Heary Attack 7 weeks ago. 3 blocked arteries and 2 stents. I've been certified by doctor to do 2 days work for now and 3 days in rehab. Found it all a bit too much really and I would prefer to have some more time. Ended up in tears in the toilet. Just started cardiac rehab last week. it's great being able to speak to others who have experienced the same as me.
I would recommend taking the time as much as you need. Well done and good luck.
Awwwww thank you and well done you, yes this a time of peaks and troughs but you sound like you are ‘figuring it out’ and already have such determination coping with diabetes. We can I think, only do what we can and not add to the pressure we’re already experiencing. Thank you for replying, I hope things get easier for you soon x
If you are not feeling up to it, I suggest you see your GP and get an extension of your ‘sick note’. Talk to your manager about a phased return (shorter hours, fewer days that sort of thing). It will take a little while to get your mojo back again and there is little to be gained by rushing things.
It sounds like you’ve made a v good physical recovery, it’s the psychological needs some time. I found it a huge shock, a wake up call that I was mortal! Be kind to yourself. Your life and your family are more important than work.
I would recommend counselling, it helped me, hugely, but probably leave it a few months, and see if you still need to talk it through then.
Msybe you just need time and space to come to terms with everything.
I have an appointment to see psycologist next week and may also be able to follow up through work. Still have a way to go physically in that I realise now that probably I had been poorly but coping for a while. I suppose the physical is a lot more tangible in terms of ‘progress’ in part I suppose it’s why I posted because It really helps to hear from people walking in similar shoes....
Hi, as per all other replies you are doing really well.
It’s all different for each of us and time helps. Go with how you feel. It is bewildering and overwhelming at times.
I took 4 months off , though occupational health said take 6. Went back on phased return. On one hand I was happy to be back in society but on another I really struggled. I almost died with out of hospital cardiac arrest so was struggling with meaning of life I guess!
TLk to your GP, talk to your manager. Like all life events others can’t relate to how you feel so it’s hard. Why rehab so useful, whilst our experiences may differ we are all in same boat.
Thank you, hugely helpful to have your input and you’re right different but the same, I will speak to Occ health I guess part of that is working out some parameters and own expectation before doing so. I know I am a bit of ‘pleaser’ in terms of work and At the moment it’s easier to be completely detached from it.
nstemi -on 5 lots of meds - and while I am back at work 2 mornings a week and 2 afternoons working at home ( I run a pre school with small team of dedicated practitioners) I still feel very tired and struggle to focus
Like you say it gets you down. Me too. I think we have to give ourselves as much time as we need to come to terms with the major trauma to our bodies and minds
I get very anxious about what I should or shouldn't be doing. I don't have a boss to tell me what I must do We are lucky In that husband has a good job and we can cope on just his wage- something that I know I don't wish to do because I have at least 4 years of working life to complete
My dilemma is trying to work out what is best for me - my health and my family while balancing work responsibilities
Exercise helps including hatha yoga and I am trying meditation
Extreme tiredness after 5pm and bed by 830 does pose issues ( I am lucky that I sleep 9 hours at least -but still wake tired)
I am going to try making a list of my roles - work and home
Try and get some clarity
It seems it's all very personal and we need to listen to our bodies.
I think it's time we need
It does sound like you are doing well. My advice would be try not to judge yourself and allow yourself time to heal ........
Thank you - wise words and it is good to know that whilst this is unique to each of us there is also lots we have in common. On the one hand work brings a normality but also it’s own stresses and expectation - thank you for responding x
The question is, can you afford to quit the job? Forget about loyalty to your employer or anyone else involved at work, it is YOU that you have to think of, first and last. They would probably drop you like a stone if circumstances were different, and nobody lies on their deathbed wishing they had spent more time working. The best thing you can do is get out and exercise as much as possible, within your capacity. The benefit it will bring will out-way most of your anxieties regarding the drugs and you WILL start to feel much better. If all else fails just tell your GP you are suffering with the mental side of things and see if he/she will sign you off for an extended period to allow you to do progressively more exercise, it is the best thing for you mentally and physically and will go a long way to preventing further problems. Maybe you could get a part time job doing something less stressful? You really have got to take on board the lifestyle change that you sound as if you really need, good luck!
Thanks - you’ve said what I think I already knew... Could I afford it errmm it would be a struggle and wasn’t quite in the plan but the benefits might outweigh what I thought before.
I don’t think they would consider retirement of health grounds and I don’t want to buy into the stress of a protracted ‘battle’ on that. I have asked in the past to be considered for redundancy and that would be better financially but I am in a slightly precarious position if they feel I might go anyway I suppose. People are right honesty is the best policy I am still struggling and all your comments make sense we all go at our own pace and we have to look after ourselves - I do feel better using my time to help fix me - thanks
I know it might be a bit non-PC but why don't you try playing the anxiety/stress card to full effect with your GP and try and get more time off? Plenty of people do this (I know 2) when in fact there is nothing wrong with them (don't get me wrong I am not condoning this in any way, quite the opposite), but in your case it is genuine. if you do this a few times they might decide to give you a more attractive offer, and it would buy you time to concentrate on getting yourself fitter. Sometimes you need to stop and consider just what is important? I am fortunately self employed and in exactly your position, but I have decided I would sooner drive round in a 14 year old car and have more time off to get myself sorted out. Once you start to lose a few pounds and get into regular exercising you will feel tons better. It is worrying when you look at all those drugs and think "OMG, all these for the rest of my life" but you have to think along the lines that they are you friends and have been developed for exactly the purpose that you need them, they are not some sort of unwanted curse that you have been lumbered with. You sound like me, I come from a long line of family members with a proud history of CHD, but you have just got to make the best of it and stop worrying about it, which getting out and increasing your walking will do, and your not going to be able to do it while doing a full time job?
Glad to hear your recovering it’s a strange feeling when you have heart problems/stents I had my first stent fitted at age 40, after going for results of stress test, they kept me in said I would have massive heart attack and couldn’t guarantee to bring be back from it. But after 3 weeks in hospital 2 try’s at doing stent they final got one in. I never looked back, felt so fit went back to work and carried on a normal life, however 10 yrs later had another one fitted felt ok, 10 yrs later both stents are blocking and I’m up and down like a yo-yo both health and mentally
Sorry for long post. Give your self a bit more time and get yourself feeling better both physically and mentally I did find walking helped me a lot
Hi 2stents - sorry to hijack. I’m at the start of your story, with 2 stents recently inserted. Are your blockages in the same place as the original stents? Has anyone been able to explain why it’s happened? I’m assuming you’ve stayed on meds and reduced cholesterol. Sorry, for all the questions.
Hi David your not hijacking 🙂 it’s my stents that are actually blocking, they said I’m just one of those people who actually suffer with arteries that fur up! Yes I’m on meds for it, I’m back for a rest test on Monday so might get some answers 🤞
Hi I had a heart attack in May with stenting and the usual concoction of drugs that followed. Being only 41 I really struggled with side effects of meds and getting to grips with what happened. However I actually found going back to work helped as I brought a sense of normality back to my life. I had 5 weeks off and although tiring definitely benefited from returning.
I am on a phased return after having Endocardits and discovering a leaking valve. It's not going particularly well on a physical and emotional basis. I would strongly advise not doing it until you are ready. In someways it it's done me good to get back to normal but I don't think my employer is really takes how ill I have been that seriously. I guess there is some merit in returning to what you know. If familiar surroundings may be helpful ask them for amended duties. Good luck I hope it goes well.
Hi you are not odd at all. You have have had an event that makes you look at yourself, and how you wish to conduct your life from now on.
Always go with how you feel each day, it seems every 'hearties' experience side effects and recovery in their own personal way. You are at an early stage in your recovery even if that isn't what you want to hear. Until we have an event like this we all think we are still 20 years old and invincible, it takes for the mind to ajust and come to terms
I am sure a doctor will give another note to cover you and then possibly a phased return to work and possibly a less stressful role for the future.
Cardio rehab is the best thing ever for this, but it's how how you embrace it and continue with it in your future life that is the most important
Hi Suzie. I had three stents (having heart problems came as a complete shock to me) and returned to work after a month. I was petrified going back - I didn't feel able physically or mentally. The first day back was v scary and it took quite some time to adjust. BUT I found going back to work was good for me because it got me back out into the 'real world' and gave me something else to focus on. It hasn't been easy but I'm lucky to have supportive managers. It may not be as scary as you think. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do x
When I had my first welfare meeting with our HR rep after my mini-stroke, I started talking about going back to work. She said: "No, no, no. That's not what this is about. Is there any way in which we can help you?" I felt so relieved. Throughout my period of working there the company were great. I took early retirement.
As regards your possible lifestyle changes, I recommend that you watch the film "Forks Over Knives". It is on Netflix and YouTube. It is about global medical heart research, including a massive study of 800,000 Chinese people. You might find it helpful, I did. It will show you that you can clear your arteries out.
I have been on a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet since March and the evidence of my blood pressure (120/70), cholesterol (3.7) and pulse (50-60) indicate that my arteries have cleared. So, it has taken only 8 months. My doctor is gradually taking me off all the meds, the diuretics and statins have gone. I am now considering getting a job.
My BP has been as high as 240/140 but went down to 180/100 with treatment. My cholesterol was 6.5 for years, nothing budged it until this diet.
Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet. You might want to discuss it with your doctor before you try it but watch the film "Forks Over Knives" first, so that you know what you are talking about. I just told mine I was going on it. They were OK with it and still are. There is a book of the same name. I follow the advice in "How Not To Die", which is similar.
I had. A heart attack, in June and had 1 stent LAD kept feeling down until probably last weekend I wondered why and looked in my book and it did say you would be like this for a while. I'm happy to say I'm ok but have been taken off clopidogri so don't know if it was the clopidogril that was causing. Like you I was taken off aspirin after 1 month.
That’s interesting I see you’re on rivaroxaban for Afib. I changed at the time of this event from warfarin to apixoban and was told that and the Clopidoprel would need to be taken for life. I had incidents some years ago of blood clots hence the warfarin. Had to accept that at the time and I’m only one month in but a little bit anxious that it needs to be lifelong.
I was on Clopidogral it made me very ill house bound Statins I cannot take they make all my body ache try efient or its other name Prasugrel its fantastic been on it fir 2 weeks no brain fog no aches and Gastro resistant Aspirin will not upset your stomach ask your doctor I feel that good am starting the gym next week I am 69 and still working and feel good thanks to the new medication some times you can control blood fats with diets
Rest assured you are not odd but it sounds like you’re not ready to go back to work and that’s to be expected, you have had a shock both to your body and your mind. I had the same as you although I did have a minor heart attack. It took me 3 months to go back to work and even then I did a phased return for 2 months. You will know when you are ready....for me, I started to feel like I needed to get back some of the old me and a return to what was normal. I also started having some counselling. Don’t under estimate the impact stress will have on your body so give yourself the time to heal and to implement lifestyle changes that you can sustain. It takes time but you will get there. I’m certain your doctor will sign you off until you are fit to return. Take care x
Oh thank you for posting - That’s exactly how I’m feeling. It all seems such a numbers game in terms of heart rate, blood pressure etc but it’s the emotional aspect that doesn’t fit the boxes and is anyway easy to measure. I see a psychotherapist on Thursday hopefully that will be a start in dealing with some of the anxiety.
I felt tired with low mood also wondered why so many reported a speedy recovery from stent but I was still struggling ?
Well I had bad reaction to ramipril - dizzy even sitting down so they took me off it , I took advice from some good people on hear and switched from bicoprolol to nebivalol 2weeks ago and I’m finding no more shortness of breath hense tired all the time and my energy levels have increased ? 😀
Re work I returned nov 26th I used to do 8.30am to 5.30pm no breaks but have renegotiated my hours I now take an hour lunch every day to rest in between work to recuperate I find for me this works well , I think some of the tiredness comes from being on blood thinners as I do still feel I hit a wall if I push too hard so maybe normal but I think you and me come from the same wonky mold my dear and I’m sure there are others out there who do also , hope some of this is helpful to you and I hope you find a solution to your thoughts god bless 🙂
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