Heart attack.

[Minime44]

Hi my mum had a heart attack 3 months ago.shes up and about and going out shopping and pottering in the garden shes given up smoking which has been very difficult.shes having to force herself to go out at the moment.Shes very depressed and feeling really low.shes on alot of medication and shes given up her part time job which she wasnt happy in anyway.she has a doc appointment next week but shes so worried they wont give her anything for her depression.shes usually so lively and out going.any advice please,is this normal?

[Andyman]

She needs to talk to a counsellor. Talking through all that was bottled up in her head will be a great release. Nothing against you but talking to close family can add to the pressure felt but talking to someone I dependant comes with no baggage. Also they will be able to give her coping skills to help with the low times.

[Minime44 in reply to Andyman]

Thank you,i do agree with the part of talking to family,shes worried that its worrying me if you no what i mean.She has the docs tomorrow morning so hopefully she will point her in the right direction.Although she is very anxious already just the thought of going to the doctor.

[Qualipop]

She's over the worst of it now and in a far better position than she was before. Depression is very normal after a heart attack. I was very depressed and anxious after mine. Who wouldn't be? It's a massive shock.I also had a lot of problems with side effects of the tablets. That could be adding to hers and some little tweaks of medication could help. She should ask her GP about possible side effects. If she rings the cardiac rehab team, they should be able to help with everything and they or her doctor could organise counselling. She could also self refer to the Minds Matters team. They helped me a lot.. They should have been in touch by now and if she can, she should do the rehab, if only to talk to people in the same position. Lets face it, her physical heart problems have now been sorted and she's on medication to help prevent any more so she's much healthier than she was. SHe's doing really well and absolutely fantastic to give up smoking. I gave up for 6 months then started again after a family upset and am really struggling now to stop again Give her a medal, it's a terrific achievement. Cardiac rehab will boost her confidence.

[Qualipop]

Husband got me one but had it filled with vanilla- utterly revolting. Haven't been able to get into the shop myself as disabled access and parking is very poor and I can't manage my scooter on my own now. . I did buy some online that are shaped just like a cigarette which helps as with me it's more the habit of holding one but what it was filled with was horrible. It's not the nicotine I crave but the hand to mouth action. I can sit using the computer and light one without realising then just sit there without smoking it.

[Qualipop]

Yes it definitely has to be tobacco flavour but there are several varieties . I can't even change brand of cigarettes let alone try a different flavour with a vape. I smoke Embassy Gold. Being housebound my smoking got to ridiculous levels and there's a limit to how much knitting I can do to keep my hands occupied. After the HA last August, I stopped instantly for 6 months but never got past needing to have pack in the house- just in case. well just in case happened and I started again. I still see the stop smoking woman. My husband's attitude has always made me worse. He constantly moans what it costs. If he'd been concerned about my health rather than the cost it would have helped. I feel it's my money, I'll do what the h*** I like with it attitude that prevents me from stopping. Plus the addiction of course.

[Qualipop]

Well, I bit the bullet. Thanks for the push. Finally got into town and am just home with a vaping thingy; lightest they had that was closest in shape to holding a cigarette; tried abut 6 different flavours and have bought two. The one my husband got last year for me that was nothing like a ciggie; a great big tank full of vanilla; they cleaned out, replaced the burner, set it up all ready for use with a spare bottle of a different tobacco to give to my sister in law who has awful COPD yet still can't give up. They couldn't refund it as it was out of warranty although unused but they did give me two free bottles . With their quit scheme they give you a free bottle the first month, two the second and 3 the third and also have a loyalty scheme where you get a free bottle in every 5. Wish me luck. I'll take it steadier this time. I haven't been in town in over a year and was amazed to see 4 vape shops all on one street.

[Qualipop]

I have to stick with it or end up back where I was in August. Just not sure whether to use the patches now while vaping and smoking alternately or to use them once I am just vaping so I can cut down on the strength; although I don't think anything will ever make me stop wanting one. My mum smoked Woodbines (coffin nails) and couldn't stop even after 3 heart attacks. On his deathbed from prostate cancer, deeply drugged, the one thing my dad did was to put hand to mouth and pretend to puff because he longed for a cigar. He couldn't speak but was desperate for one- so strong is the addiction. I gave up drinking 19 years ago; not that I ever had much but there are still odd times when I think Ooh I just fancy a tot of whiskey.

[Qualipop]

I had the choice of 18 or 14.5. I opted for 14.5 as the actual strength doesn't really bother me.

[Twobells]

Completely normal. This week in 2017 I had a HA followed by emergency surgery triple bypass. It was so quick as I never felt my heart attack so had no idea I had one. All I felt was run down, wobbly legs and I just didn't feel right. Saw my GP who took one look at me and said you need to go to hospital now either you have had a heart attack or you are having one now. Blood test confirmed I had the HA the day before. Blue lighted to cardiac unit for urgent angiogram was told I probably only need a stent or two and after a couple of hours you can go home. To my horror all I remember is me screaming this is not happening after I was told I needed surgery urgently. I am slim, healthy I just could not understand as I ate fine I used a gym all the right things and yet why? Even now I get worried I got anti depressants such a low dose it just took the edge of. However, it is only this year that I have turned corner, I feel very positive, but still the horror is never far behind me. Take whatever you can that helps you. People are quick to advise about side affects, but the benefits for me outweighed all my fears. Get her to talk on here this really helped me. There are some really good people and remember they to have an understanding no one else has.

Remember although you have been through a rough ride. You already have survived Heart Surgery

Take Care and speak to your GP.

Fran

[Craftyhare]

I think it is early days. I am 10 months on and still have really bad days where I feel so low and anxious. Lots of love x