Cardiomyopathy

[Paigelana]

Hi ha e ha cardiomyopathy for just over one year now. Had an ICD fitted 8months now fell so much better. Working part time and now want to go back full time is this a good idea?? As I’m only 45. Or will it make things worse for me??

[Shar28]

Hi. I think it’s all very individual. Are you able to increase your hours gradually and see how you go, perhaps for a trial period so you can easily revert to your part-time hours?

[IrisCarter]

I agree with Shar. It also depends on what you do for a living.

[Paigelana in reply to IrisCarter]

Hi I’m a delivery driver. Some heavy lifting.

[IrisCarter in reply to Paigelana]

It is probably best to ask your Cardiologist about the heavy lifting as it depends on the individual. You could also ask about cardiac rehab to see how you do with more strenuous exercise. I would say gradually increase your hours and see how you are as Shar has suggested.

It is difficult when you are younger with heart problems. I’m not earning anything at the moment and am unlikely to go back anywhere near full time even though I have a sedentary job. I just can’t predict how I will feel on any particular day and I easily become exhausted. I have an ICD and also have heart failure. I am a bit older than you though.

[Hidden]

Get GPS advice but I was in the same position 15 years ago and went back to my job and worked for 15 years. I needed to make sure I didn't over do things but apart from that I had no major issues.

[Drummerboy62]

Hi paigelana I've been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in May 2020 with an ef of 35% and had to give up work straight away and was gutted and just like you I am a parcel delivery with some heavy lifting I was told by my cardio my parcel delivery days were over and to find some office/light work my meds are working and I'm feeling good at the moment and I am determined to go back to work what I would say is listen to your body if you feel up to it go back full time but don't over do it if you're not up to it stop!! Straight away reading your story really perked me up and I now know there is life after cardiomyopathy love to know how you get on keep in to touch best of luck

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I was diagnosed at 58 with dcm and heart failure, I had to give up my job straight away, I worked in an office, but ef was only 23, I think, if the meds work, are you on entresto? and more importantly your consultant thinks it is all right mabe something part time would suit , you are so much younger it would be good to be able to still work, char

[Lezzers]

If you're in the UK having an ICD fitted just as a precaution, you can't drive for a month. If the ICD has been fitted because of a medical event then you can't drive for 6 months. Also, if the ICD shocks you then again its 6 months no driving. In the case of the 6 month ban I've heard its less troublesome to surrender your licence then to have it taken away (not sure how that works, but happy to find out find out for you) my husband has had an ICD since 2012, having previously had a cardiac arrest, it's your own personal paramedic sitting on your shoulder, I wouldn't let the driving issue put you off having one.

[Thanksnhs in reply to Lezzers]

Hi my icd fired last year, I immediately informed the dvla and they sent a letter with info to return my licence to them and also a form to apply for it back in 6 months, as long as nothing else had happened, after 5 months I gave the form to my cardiologist to fill in and send to them, I eventually got it back after 7 months, it was pretty awful without my car, but safety first, the one thing I am glad of was that with an icd being dvla notifiable, with a £1000 fine, I had informed them I had one, as I am not sure what would have happened if I hadn't, char

[Saltwaterman]

Hi, it's interesting to hear people's stories of cardiomyopathy and HF. I had a big HA in 2019 and now have ischemic CM and ef 35% with an icd fitted. I am office based but quite a demanding role. Tried to work my way through the last year on the basis of fake it till you recover. But trying to balance the ups and downs in health with work and home was a losing battle. This summer I have downgraded and gone part time. Work have been very supportive, as has my lovely wife, but long-term health and happiness is now my priority. I'm 56 and was always very active, time to get that back. The life I have now is worth more than the extra money, there's some pain in that decision but I feel more positive now than I have in a long while. Good luck with your decisions and listen to your heart (in all respects).

[MattyC1968]

Hi TRST, just to reiterate what Lezzers said really. For precaution only 1 month but incident then 6 months. I had a SCA in Dec 19, and an ICD fitted in June 20 due to SCA and a low EF of 27%. Just went on DVLA website at gov.uk and answered some questions regarding why ICD was fitted. I had to return my license to the DVLA. They then sent me forms which I can fill in after 6 months in order to get my license back, and also a form for the Cardiologist to fill in to say my ICD has not 'gone off' in the 6 month period. Having the ICD fitted was also fine and I encountered no problems. Forget it's even there now. Hope this info helps.

[Fenlotted]

I had my ICD fitted March 27th this year I went back to full time work end of June. I drive 1000 miles a week with my job. I also have 2 horses and am absolutely fine. Your body will tell you what is right for you. Some days I feel exhausted especially if the weather is really warm so I just rest up

[Paigelana in reply to Fenlotted]

Hi I fell like I can do my job full time it’s just that my boss has said to me if I come back full time and in 2 months time I fell that I can’t do it then I’ve lost my job!!!! Am currently working part time at moment with same employee.

[IrisCarter in reply to Paigelana]

Wow. That is such an unhelpful response from your employer!

If you are not in a union then you should join one. If you have a permanent contract you are also covered by employment legislation mandating reasonable adjustments and protection from discrimination on the basis of your health. As far as I know threatening to sack you if you can’t cope with full time hours is against the law.

This website has all of the relevant information as your health condition is regarded as a disability:

gov.uk/reasonable-adjustmen...

In the meantime I would ask if you can gradually increase your hours to see what you can do.

[Wire57]

Luckily I surrendered my licence which meant after six month all I needed was for my consultant to sign off the form that the DVLA had sent men when they received my licence and then to sit and wait for the DVLA to process it. All the cost was was covered by the DVLA. If I had not surrendered it the process to obtain a new licence would have been more difficult. At the time of my cardiac arrest my ejection fraction was only 10% with medication and a CRT-D it is now 33%.