Fed up!

[Jimjam77]

I had a cardiac arrest on the 28 July,I then had a icd fitted on 26 august,being told I can’t drink,drive or work.i feel like my world has been turned up side down and need help.😢

[Brandibell]

Hi, i feel you. I am waiting to see whether I need an ICD 16 months later and still no diagnosis. I was just at the end of my MA when it happened.

You are very early doors. It takes some time to get your head around it. I was on the verge of a CA .

And I am sure you will get back on your feet and get back to work eventually. I believe we can drive again it is just so the wires settle in. Have you got any family, friends who can come and give you a hand with looking after you for a bit?

[Jimjam77]

Had cardiac arrest at home in my sleep then woke up in intensive care unit.

[Chappychap in reply to Jimjam77]

As TWU said, you're one lucky guy! Normally the only people who survive a CA outside a hospital just happened to be next to a fire station or a lifeboat station, anywhere in fact where there are trained first aiders on hand with specialist kit.

A life turned upside down is a million times better than no life at all!

[AndyM69]

Hi there

I can only imagine there is a lot going on in your head at the moment. At your age you don’t expect these things to happen and it comes as a shock and takes time to process.

After years of battling with raised cholesterol levels due to a genetic issue I was told at 40 I had significant coronary artery disease and may need a bypass, in the end I had angioplasty and stents. I’m 51 now and have just had the bypass they talked about but do remember back then it was the first time I considered the fact I might die and that my body was failing me, it was a shock and took a long time to get used to - but I did.

You’re definitely going to need some time to recover and rest, but it might help if you knew a bit more about what is ahead of you as we often think about the worst rather than the best of outcomes.

I’m not sure what support you’re being given or follow ups are happening but perhaps a chat with a cardiac nurse, the BHF nurses or even your GP would help you understand what is likely to happen next. Just be careful not to listen to Dr Google!

I do believe the NHS is excellent at fixing the specific problem at the time, however sometimes not always great at explaining what happens next. Which does leave a lot of people drifting. This is where being a proactive patient helps, you don’t need to be difficult, just ask, what’s next?

I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your recovery.

Take care

Andrew

[Jimjam77 in reply to AndyM69]

Many thanks

[Driver11]

Hi my CA was 2 years ago whilst driving and I know I’m a very lucky person. It takes time to come to terms with everything when you get home after 3 weeks in intensive care and you need to be patient, things do get better. The DVLA won’t let you drive for 6 months but in the bigger picture that is ok. Look on the positive side as you are still alive and therefore have lots more chances

Good luck and try to be positive

[Henry20]

I didn't have a heart attack, but 2 stents were fitted to overcome block arteries. I was stopped from driving for a period (I am retired).

There are two effects; one on your body, the other is your mind.

Your body takes time to recover. I just had 2 nicks in my wrist for the stents to be inserted. It didn't seem like much. I took about 8-10 weeks to start to feel normal again, but even then I was told to take it easy.

The far bigger effect was on my mind and I suspect it will take us each in a varied way. You have actually had a huge shock. It takes a long time to get over, if you ever do. It's now always there, in the background, in everything. In the end you just have to cope and get on with life, but you are just at the start. As others have said, take it easy. That doesn't mean don't do anything, but you will need to adjust your expectations. The only way I can describe it is to say 'listen to your body'. It gives you signs when you do too much. You will learn those signs, don't ignore them, and blast on. You will need to stop.

Also, as things happened to me, I needed to know what was normal and when to go to the doctor/nurse/hospital. So I read this site and also used 111 on a couple of occasions. I talked to the BHF advice line too.

We can tell you our experiences, but you must not use our meanderings as advice, that's a professional's job. But if you can join a cardiac rehabilitation group in your area, invaluable for me.

Diet is vital - read about it and follow the advice.

Take the prescribed medication.

Build up the exercise slowly

Good luck and post again

Henry

[Hidden]

Mentally and physically you have gone through loads and it’s still early day’s . My husband had an ICD fitted 7 weeks ago , we weren’t expecting it - he went in for successful mitral valve repair but his electrical messages got damaged during surgery- he had 2 cardiac arrests a week apart then had an ICD fitted

He has had a rollercoaster ride mentally adjusting as his driving license has been revoked and leaves us without a driver

But now he is making some physical recovery mentally he is adjusting to what living with an ICD means

7 weeks and it hasn’t activated- his body has adjusted to having it - extremely underweight so can see shape of ICD and n I now he sees it as his life saver - if it shocks him he will live without it he would not survive a cardiac arrest as we live 125 miles from big hospital

Be kind to yourself - it gets easier - your heart as a muscle needs to recover - speak to friends , GP and ICD support and there is counselling too - my friends are getting my shopping , taking my 11 yr old son out - good luck on your journey

[Merlin22]

Hi

This is my first reply to some one else’s post, (Hope that I don’t break guidelines or rules).

I was 51, I’d played football and rugby .... I stayed out “late” at times.... and was “the life and soul”? ....

After the initial ... Why Me?

In a ward with some other h/a patients ....they explained ... so why should it be them?

I never had much patience, however most of us went to the follow up hospital meetings.... these proved to be a great help.

It took me some time to “get my head round the words h/a”

We were “survivors .... “ we were the “lucky ones” ... you do bounce back... you do eventually become fitter, wiser, stronger.... I did get “down” I always thought as myself as Captain Marvel!

But do try to do as your health professionals advice...it’s a rough time when it first happens ... If you are offered “follow up meetings” I did find them beneficial... and my pet hate was “meetings” but being in a “Stress Learning class” helped me realise it was OK not to be

Capt. Marvel.... it was OK to sit down and read a book, and then they got me back in a gym.... and I walked a mile on my own (even though unbeknown) my wife and daughter were watching me both ways.

Don’t forget your phone!

Don’t forget your GTN Spray?

Months and Months later I played football again (very very carefully) And only for a few minutes

But eventually things “click back into place”

Do Take Care... it’s OK not be Captain Marvel.

[wishis]

I had an out of hospital CA about 18 months ago aged 46 on the way home from work, luckily it occurred on a station platform, everything aligned, there was someone who had CPR training and a defibrillator was available. Seven days later I awoke from an induced coma in ICU. Able to drive after six months again and took part in cardio rehab, I was about 20 years younger than most others there, but back at work now. First few months were slow, but managed to get out and start walking and exercising. Before lockdown had started light gym work, and now on the exercise bike at least 20 minutes most days and have seen improvement in fitness. As people say above, takes time, but that is a better outcome than the alternative.

[LHDLondon]

I am not so sympathetic. A heart attack, and an icd insertion..,,,,,they take time to get over. Don't expect anything else. Small steps at a time, but you will recover. 6 years on from a heart attack, 2 stents, 2 open heart ops and 3 years ago an ICD insertion. I feel pretty good.

At first it seems like the end of the world, but things do get better.

[jowalk6]

It's so early yet hun, you will get there. I had a cardiac arrest at home 6 years ago, my 15 year old gave me cpr until paramedics got there. Its scary I know but you will get there. Give your body and mind chance to heal. Always here if you need to talk. Take care x