Feeling stupid

[Sorcha1973]

I’m feeling very vulnerable tonight my first night at home after my 2 stents yesterday. Extremely Weepy feeling every niggle. What’s normal and what’s not. I hoped and prayed to get out of coronary care for 6 days now I want to go back. Also the fear of this virus being able to cope 24-7 with just my husband indoors. Then you turn on the television and people are worrying about stupid shit. While I just want to wake up tomorrow.

[DavidG1971]

You’ll wake tomorrow. You’ll feel worried and fragile for a while. Be patient with yourself. We’ve all been there - I cried daily for a long time. Today I’ve been running through the woods.

[Maisie2014]

I felt exactly the same. That was over 12 months ago. I was just starting to feel like myself when the virus started. Don’t feel worried about crying. It’s normal and there’s a lot to take in. You’ll get there. This site is good at cheering you up and letting you know you’re not alone. We can face it together.

[NorthantsSteve]

As DavidG says you’ll be fine. Lots of us have been there. I had my heart attack and stent over three years ago. You can’t wait to get out of the hospital and when you do the quiet and lack of nurses and equipment makes you want to be back. And you’ll be on new meds and in your bed but you’re different.

But things will get better. The niggles will go and you’ll be better than fine.

Try some deep breathing exercises: nhs.uk/conditions/stress-an...

And try to relax. Happy to answer any questions you have but leave those for tomorrow.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

No need to feel stupid. We've all been where you are now. While I was in hospital I wanted to get home, and the first night I was out I don't think I slept at all, I wanted the reassurance of being safe in the hospital in case anything happened

I was where you are 15 months ago, there's a lot to absorb and it all takes time, and there will be a lot of tears. You'll feel every twinge and think that something is wrong but it's not, it's hard enough coping with this but in addition we're in strange difficult times, so it is doubly difficult. In December 2018 I was in bits, but by June 2019 I was doing full sessions in the cardio rehab gym and feeling 200% better.

Juts give it time and go along day by day, you'll get there.

[Orangepeel60]

Hey, I felt exactly the same. Scared all the time and every little twinge, I thought here we go again. What really helped me was getting outside in nature. I know that is difficult at the moment but if you take measures to protect yourself it can be done.

Things will improve, I am 20 months on from my stents and I am back to where I was fitness wise.

Don’t be to hard on yourself, don’t beat yourself up. I cried a lot, but it does get better.

We are all here to support you through this time in your life. x

[Changeling43]

Please don’t be worried. I have been where you are and you are not alone. I have been panicking at every single pain and have made myself feel ill through being anxious. I got some great advice on here so you are in the right place. If you can pinpoint where the pain is coming from and it doesn’t feel like your chest is collapsing then it is more than likely nothing to worry about. There will be niggly pains for a good few weeks. I am still having the odd twinge after 3 1/2 weeks but you will get used to it and they do go eventually. I am now doing the rehab exercises and starting to feel normal again. Keep strong and you will get through it.

[Imin]

I felt exactly the same six months ago after my HA - take a look at my previous posts, I was posting just what you are posting now! I got lots of replies telling me how lots of people felt the same when they came home.

It does feel scary, it does take time, BUT it does get better. Cry your tears, talk about how you are feeling - if you feel like you are getting on your husband’s nerves message me! I felt like my husband was getting fed up of me feeling fragile - he was great at first, very patient and caring but understandably, he wanted things to get back to normal just as much as I did.

It’s going to be more difficult for you given the added pressure of ‘social distancing’ and you not having another outlet. Use this forum, the people here are amazing and have helped me enormously.

Good luck with your recovery, you’ve just started. It will take months both physically and emotionally but you will get there. Keep in touch x

[Pablo317]

Every day you will feel a little stronger and a little more confident - but you are only human. Hang in there. Best wishes and God bless_Pablo 😎⚽️🍷

[yals]

I had a stent 2 weeks ago , I'm feeling so much better and not so worried ..I'm out walking 30 mins now a day ..still a way before full recovery but it gets easier and better every day... all the very best to you

[MartinOG]

Remember it is invasive surgery in the nicest possible way so you will be anxious about every niggle as you say. If the surgeon was happy with the outcome then try and relax as things will improve and settle down.

[SmokeAKipper]

First 6 mths are tough... one issue you’ll get is your drugs.... stay with them for a while but if you start say getting depressed... google the drugs side affects and print them out ... then bring to your doctor...

2. You will feel pains if in doubt ring Doctor... i went toA&E twice. But if in doubt better to be safe

3. Walk...walk...walk..swim cycle if u can.. you will need to join Cardio Rehab... it helps.

4. You have survived... eat carefully... try to look for anything that makes you feel happy...

Kr

Jim a survivor

[russino1]

Hi. pretty much as everyone else had said. It’s normal to feel this way but time is a great healer (physically and mentally)

i had stents 5 weeks ago after a HA. i was in state for first 2 week. constantly thinking my heart would stop at any minute! worrying about every single twinge or ache in and around my chest.

i’ve found that the aches and pains have slowly started to stop - after 3 weeks and i’m now doing some exercise and have been for last 10 days or so and this has really helped.

if you are struggling mentally call the cardio team or BHF or speak to your GP.

you will get stronger physically and mentally.

good luck

[Spursfan10]

Give the BHF Heart Helpline a call. I found them very reassuring when I called them a few days after coming out of hospital. A friendly voice is also more comforting than reading things online and they’ll address your own specific anxieties

[Qualipop]

You will feel worried,that's normal but you are far better now than you were before. Change your diet and lifestyle as advised on the website and enjoy many more happy healthy years. I used my heart attack and stents as a wake up call.

[Sorcha1973 in reply to Qualipop]

This is my intentions I’m just overwhelmed by the shock and treatment. And this now mind boggling world we are currently dealing with. Thanks xxx

[Qualipop in reply to Sorcha1973]

Rest assured you are NOT stupid but you are overwhelmed and it's perfectly normal. You've jsust been told you have a problem with your arteries but count your blessings; your blockages have been fixed and with tablets and a change of diet you can now prevent it from happening again. Look at he British Heart FOundations website for Meditteranean diet, stops smoking if you do and get gentle exercise. Oh and expect a lot of bruising- it's the tablets. Make the most of the rest of the life you have been given.

[Phil_London]

Stents now are great and reliable, concentrate on all the good statistics, I was the same and it takes ages to get over it, I am 10 months since my stent and still have twinges and worries ut they do get less, just think, they gave them to you ad they can see it is what was needed and it will give you your normal life back, you will be out walking(when the lock down is over) and smile, you will wake up, I do t k ow your full situation and yes in some there can be complication but the huge percentage have a great life post stent, I could never really run like I do now, before, the stents you have, have cleared the blockage, text us all when you wake up tomorrow, smile as it will be a new day and the clock is now ticking another day past the stent fitting. I was even researching the stent company to see how reliable they were, I had that level of anxiety, so there are many here who know how you feel.

[Sorcha1973 in reply to Phil_London]

I’m a bit more relaxed today. I took some paracetamol as I know these are just adjustment twinges. Kind of out of sight out of mind situation. I only had my stints on Monday and I’d no idea I had a couple of heart attacks. I had my first pains 2 weeks ago then nothing to last Wednesday morning I knew it wasn’t good so I phoned 999 I’m willing to try anything in these testing times. I know I’m fixed as I had the best cardiologist. Hopefully in a weeks time I’ll just be in isolation and I waiting for the mist to clear. Many thanks Sorcha.

[Phil_London]

Good morning, every day can gets better, have a good day.

[Ethel3]

What you are experiencing is normal and it will get better. I find I am crying at the drop of a hat at times but less than I did, my stent was fitted 8 weeks ago. The situation we are in certainly adds much more stress for folk like us too. At a time when family support is vital we cannot have in person. 6 days in coronary care is hard to adapt from. It is such a safe environment and suddenly you are home and feel stranded. Enjoy being home and alive! Start exercising gently and the lovely sunshine. Eat well and relax. Go back to hobbies you enjoy. Take each day as it comes and you will improve. Twinges are normal but frightening but think on it that your narrowed artery has been sorted so it’s not another heart attack. Good luck and stay safe.