This is my first posting. About 4 months ago I had a straightforward Mitral Valve repair. The operation went ok and my blood pressure seems much better. I started back at work at the beginning of January. So all should be fine. My problem is that I don't seem to be able to deal with everyday stuff. I find that the simplest of tasks become over whelming and as a result I become very down. I am on some tablets from the doctor to raise my spirits. I was late taking them today and by 11am I was fit for nothing. This makes no sense. My operation was straightforward and successful. At 4 months I should be back to normal. I am concerned to my reaction for taking my tablets late today.
Any pointers very much ppreciated
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Trevor1964
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Hi. Until last week all I was taking was 2.5mg bisoprolol. Over a period of the previous month I recognised that my spirits were more down than up. I saw my doctor last week and I am now taking an additional tablet to aid this situation. It seems to be working but I remain emotional
I feel very much on the edge of coping all the time. Is this common ?
I had a heart attack and stent just over a year ago and made a reasonable recovery. Recently I seem to have no self confidence at all - everything seems to be frightening and overwhelming. This morning for example I needed to buy a stamp and post a card. I felt like I was organising a trip to climb Everest - not a ten minute trip to post office. I know what is likely to be causing this - unresolved issues with the out of the blue heart attack, the trips to the doctor (hadn;t seen one for bout two decades), feeling nauseated having to get tablets sorted out etc........... I mentioned to the GP I was beginning to develop mental health issues and was there anywhere I could go for a chat. He said nothing available - so now I have told my friends I am in a bit of a not good place and could they just listen. Bless them they let me try to sort out how i feel by being there with big pots of tea (and yes I am now beginning to bore myself). I heard myself saying one day I never feel safe any more and that's it for me. Life has no certainty in the same way as it did before HA. I am working on it because this being too scared to live a normalish life is frustrating and even the small things feel impossibly challenging. I hope this of some help to you knowing you are not alone- going back to work and trying to behave as usual must also be a strain. Don;t be too hard on yourself - it;s a period of adjustment and one we all tackle in our own ways. Don't forget the BHF nurses give great advice and a listening ear. All the very best to you.
Hi I can ditto your feelings. I know what needs to be done just can't seem to to pull everything together and make it happen ☹️ It's very frustrating. One thing I have realised since my op is that we all seem to have struggles. Confidence is an big general issue. As you say sharing those feelings with people who care for me/you will help us move forward and find some solutions to deal with our situation. Thank you for your response
Hello Trevor & Calliope Often it's the most capable of people the 'strong ones' that can be hit hard by chronic illness or anxiety / depression. Also even though you say your valve op was straightforward I would regard that as a major procedure. I think after any kind of op we are initially so relieved then there may be weeks when we are so preoccupied / focused on just getting through the day etc then it's wham back to full on normal life which is when I think a delayed reaction can happen. So were fixed and a Dr says nothing else available really. Well that's not correct anyway. There are medications anti depressants which I would look on preferably as short term (6 - 12 months if possible). But if things are not improving counselling can be one way of gaining support coming to terms with what's happened how we are feeling and looking at how we might handle things differently if they are causing a problem. I worked in Counselling area years ago and also had some counselling myself and found it really useful. There isn't one magic answer but it can be time for you - our family and friends think we look good and anyway apart from general stuff I don't want to bare my soul to people close to me I think that encroaches on relationships if it becomes a pattern. Confidence comes from keeping on doing the things you want or need to do but not being hard on yourself on the occasions it doesn't work. Nothing wrong with not wanting to face the world and withdrawing as long as you don't keep doing that. GP's should be able to refer to Counselling but there is probably a long wait. MIND organisation is another service that may accept self referrals - try googling what available in your area. Taking time out the walking thing can be good Trevor - maybe a day to yourself on a nice day and letting people know if you can work colleagues that your going through a bad patch. Keep in touch if you can.
Hi Trevor1964 I'm really sorry to hear you're feeling down. I'm sure you know the community is always here for you and please do get in touch with our heart helpline team if you ever want a chat: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo... Hope this helps
I love driving and did the advanced driving course. Since my mini-stroke and blindness in my left eye, my driving confidence is very low. It will come back over time. I have considered taking a few driving lessons to get it back.
Us hearties have been through major traumas. Confidence takes a battering and we all get down. We are here to help each other and we do.
Hi Jimmy. I love my driving too. I hope that days out in my Landy Defender will give me the distraction I need from my current feelings. As hard as it is, I need to focus on the positives around me.
I think the reduced confidence appears to be a common problem and I wasn't prepared for it. We all seem to have challenges to overcome. We need to be kind to ourselves and welcome the successes we achieve. Our lives may have to change but I feel I need to welcome the changes as new opportunities.
Thank you for responding to my post and I sincerely wish you well in your recovery
I had a valve repair 4 years ago and it is quite an epic event. I am lucky in that I live in an area which has plenty of reasonably flat paths that are surrounded by plenty of green stuff. I was given a fitbit to help measure my progress and I now go walking as much as I can.
The local ramblers have regular walks at various levels which might help you. You may find that there are local easy walkers groups who wander around, have a cup of coffee, and wander back. I usually go out on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
I think the key to the whole process is regular activity, no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. A chance to get out , put the world to rights , see what's going on and have a bit of a laugh at the antics of the local council. Build more houses on a flood plain -what an excellent Idea, etc
In many ways you are a very lucky man. You have been given a chance to radically change your life, your diet and your activity levels. Wake up and enjoy the smell of the pine trees, roses and wild garlic.
Hi. Thanks for your response. Some good advice. I am self employed and had to return to full time work after 6 weeks. I admit It is only clerical/ professional work.
At 4 months I thought I would feel much better than I actually do.
But I agree it's up to me to pick myself up and make changes. But with two children in full time education and a mortgage to pay I still need to work full time. My lunch time walks are good but I am currently trying to find a new balance in everything. But as you say I am a lucky man and I must not waste my new opportunity 😀
At 4 months you will still be struggling to pick up speed, but it will get better. I am 74 but I am far more active than I was before. Ask yourself why it was that your arteries clogged up in the first place and start putting in place the changes that you need to stop it happening again. Have a look at 'forks over knives' on the internet. Sounds like you are making a good start, so well done , keep at it,
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