Scared

[Poppysnana]

Gosh, reading some of your posts, is really scary. I was diagnosed hf, plus a “ mass” on left atrium a few weeks ago

I completed all the tests-last Saturday being the final one-so just waiting for an appointment, to discuss findings and lay out a plan, of where we go.

Apart from, lethargy,tiredness, short of breath & some chest pain-which is not there, all the time,and my fingertips on my left hand , going blue occasionally, and I still have the pain in my right leg, where the dvt-that started all this, is.

I was admitted, in the middle of all the testing, again, for a couple of days, as they couldn’t hear any breath, going into my left lung -had fluid in apparently.They have not said anything about the leg, even though I have told them constantly.

I really have not grasped, just how serious this can be, I’ve spent the last few weeks, playing it down for the family, as they went into melt down, and aren’t coping very well. I have a young granddaughter, who is just going through getting ready for her SATS, and moving to High School, her & I have such a close & wonderful relationship, that seeing her watching me-every ache or pain , she is there, looking like a rabbit caught in the head lights-it is literally breaking my heart.

How soon, was it for you guys, to have answers, and receive treatment?

I am on Warfarin now, as I still clotted whilst on Riveroxiban, which has caused this latest problem.

I’m so sorry for rambling so much, it is really so good having somewhere, I can put my fears into words, and learn from others, in a similar position. Thank you, in anticipation.

[Alison_L]

I Poppysnana. I can't give you any specific answers as I have had a different journey - I went to my GP last June after having a "stomach bug" for 3 weeks, she sent me for a blood test, and 8 hours later I got a phone call from a panicking out-of-hours doctor, saying "You're having a heart attack! You need to be in hospital!!". Since I was having a pleasant drink in a pub with some friends at the time, I said "Er, no I'm not, what are you talking about?" and eventually hung up on him. After telling my friends, we decided it might be an idea to see what he was on about, so 45 minutes later I walked across town, got on a bus, and wandered into my local A&E. Thus began the horrible, scary journey we've all been through.

What I can say is: you are not alone. Plenty of us on here will have been through something similar, and been just as scared.

I suggest you make a list of all questions you have as you think of them, however silly you think they may be. If it's a specific medical or timeframe matter, probably best to ask your cardiologist, or maybe call the BHF helpline, or ask us on here if it's anything else (bear in mind it takes many of us a day to see questions, so if it is urgent or you are in pain, best to call 111 or 999.

Best of luck on your hearty journey xx

[Poppysnana in reply to Alison_L]

Thank you so much for replying Alison_L.

Oh my, it’s unbelievable how you can feel so normal, but be in mid throughs of a heart attack! I think so many of us, just expect the crushing pain in the chest, pain down arm etc...

I appreciate your advice & will do as you say-you tend to go into these appointments, with so many questions in your head, and they just vanish, until you come out.

Wishing you well on your journey too.