Recovery feels slow

[NanaElgin32018]

I had my HA late October last year, it came from nowhere and was quite a shock! I was 59 and fit and healthy. I had major issues with the statin (80mg) which made my liver go wonky....this took weeks to be discovered then weeks to go back to normal. I am now on 5mg which seems to be ok for me. I have started playing golf (only 9 holes) again and I am surprised by how tired I am....will it take a long time to get over the damage and will I ever be me again? Having no cardiac rehab, apart from a couple of telephone conversations, I have found it quite a lonely place to be and with no-one to ask how they've gotten on I am frustrated.... a lot!.... is anyone further along the recovery road with some advice/tips for me??

[Ageingfast]

I am 11 months post AVR and i now know how much i need physio. Not online, not by phone, but with the physio overseeing what we are up to.What i can advise, is to keep walking. Perhaps a mile will do, perhaps two miles. I have failed to keep the walks going, by gardening instead, and some muscles have now given up on me.

At five months its no too late, exercise as best you can.

Yes the fatigue is quite unexpected. I think it will improve if you keep at it. Golf is an ideal way to keep moving.

Several GPs have got the pharmacists to specialize in overseeing the drugs. Our GPs cant do everything.

Keep on keeping on. It is early days.

Colin

[NanaElgin32018 in reply to Ageingfast]

Thanks Colin, are you going to a private Physio? I have been letting my daily walks slip as its been too windy here lately but I will be sure to do them daily if I'm not golfing. Gardening is great as I love it but oh how slow I am now!I've found the pharmacist at the doctors is excellent and she knows her stuff! Thanks again

[Ageingfast in reply to NanaElgin32018]

Yes i will go private for physio because i know a fabulous physio. I cant go yet because of the covid issues.I went private for the surgery. And they nag me to go to their follow ups. But its three hours travel each way. And thousands of pounds. I had the op privately on the basis that, if i lived for two years then my pension would still be available for my wife and cover the costs. I do have a good pension. But having spent the money i cant now pay out again. I only had weeks to live, the nhs were closing as fast as appointments became available. So i had hobsons choice.

Please keep your walks going, say six times a week. I never dreamt that doing other exercises in lieu would be such a disaster. I cant walk even one mile. I am trying to remedy this. I will get around it.

Yes, i do things at snail pace. I try to think how lucky i am to do things at all.

Colin

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

It must have been a real shock, and much harder with no one really close to talk to about it all.I wanted to encourage you to find your own ways of getting as fit as possible again. I know it’s extra difficult these days, but it looks like it might be getting a bit easier!

I found exercise classes (this year on-line) have been a lifeline for me. I never expected to get back to my old self, as HAs damaged part of my heart, so I’ve had to build up new ways of exercising and enjoying life. Same now, with Covid. It’s been necessary to find new ways to work round the constraints.

Now a few years later, my heart is stronger with weight reduced, much happier, longer daily walks, and I attack my 5-6 days a week Pilates and circuit exercises much faster and harder. My heart drugs are reduced.

Good luck with your own challenges.

[NanaElgin32018 in reply to Kristin1812]

Thankyou Kristin1812, I know I sound moany but I honestly expected to be this new healthier person, although I was absolutely fine beforehand, and I'm disappointed that I seem to be taking a long time to be able to be 'normal'again.....I guess its a new normal for me and I'm very grateful to be where I am! Thanks again for your reply

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to NanaElgin32018]

Hi again. I assure you ‘moany’ wasn’t at all the impression you gave!Rather someone really wanting to get some recovery. Perhaps a touch impatient to feel tons better......but why not? It’s that drive to recover that should really help you.

But these are particularly hard times....you will have seen how nearly everyone here has loved the rehab programme, but it just hasn’t been on offer this year. Do go as soon as it’s offered.

And please message again. Tell us what you find is working and what isn’t. Someone will offer some ideas..........there’s some really valuable sharing of experience takes place here!

[Brixcos]

It is a complete shock at our age (or perhaps at any age), isn't it. My HA was in December 20 and cabg x2 in January. I'm walking lots (at least a mile every weekday, and 5+ at weekends.) My energy levels are doing ok, what I am struggling with is my upper body strength and I feel this is the next frontier. I did the BHF Level 5 YouTube video on Saturday, which was the first time I exercised with arms above my head and boy did I feel it! My arms felt really heavy doing it and my chest now feels like a lump of lead. I'll definitely take it easier on the arms front, but equally I feel I will need to get fitter upper-body wise to get back to being "me". Reading your post, you've been through a heck of a lot trying to get your meds sorted, so do be kind to yourself. Keep exercising regularly, trying to add just a little more every week or so, have a look at the BHF videos, they are very good. And rest when tired! Apparently it takes up to a year (!) to heal properly, so it's a marathon not a sprint... Good luck, and look forward to hearing about your progress x

[NanaElgin32018 in reply to Brixcos]

Thankyou Brixton, sounds like you were surprised by yours too! I found the BHF videos boring so quickly moved to a cardio dance routine which is more my style. I'm feeling tight in my chest today but I'm guessing it's the golf yesterday, using my arms again! I've just had a wee nap and I'm off out to cut the grass, on reflection, I think I'm expecting way too much 😅 thanks again

[Nettekin]

Hi nanaelgin! I read your post with great interest as I too seem to be having liver issues possibly to do with statins, even though I was on them for a year without any adverse effects. How did your 'wonky liver' come to be diagnosed?I also had a heart attack out of the blue, no warning signs apart from feeling a little unwell for a couple of weeks prior. It is such a shock isn't it? A reminder of our own mortality while we tootle along through life. My immediate solution was complete denial - not an approach I would recommend.

You can be you again, maybe a slightly different version and quite likely a better version - healthier and fitter.

Do try and find local cardio rehab if you can, it gives you a level of confidence that is invaluable.

In the meantime, look after yourself, take your medication (when it is sorted!), eat well and exercise gently and regularly. Best wishes xx

[NanaElgin32018 in reply to Nettekin]

Hi Nettleton, I was in hospital for a week, the following week I was great and full of energy but I gradually became worse. I kept telling the medical hiw bad I was feeling and the stock answer came 'what do you expect after a heart attack. I felt they didn't listen at all.....eventually they checked my blood and the liver function was 3x higher than normal. I was off the statin for 6 weeks and then started to feel better so started on the (more expensive apparently) 5mg rosuvastatin. At the same time I was started on Lansoprazole, this gave me five weeks of diarrhoea before it was changed! I lost a stone in weight at that time....again told what do you expect. Although its been five months it's probably only the last two months I've been OK. I too was heavily in denial....not a healthy place to be! Thanks again for your reply 😊

[Horner88]

I wonder if your fatigue is related to the statin damage and not the HA? Even 5 mg could be continuing to cause problems. There are some good groups on Facebooks trying to recover form statin problems (search on 'statins') which will point you in the direction of the best research. I refuse to take them.

[NanaElgin32018 in reply to Horner88]

Thankyou Horner88 I was not aware they could be still causing problems....I'll have a look now

[Curlyman83 in reply to Horner88]

I was taking 80mg of statins up until last week. Had my bloods checked and my liver function was at 170 when the uppermost limit should be 70. Funnily enough, I felt great - absolutely no symptoms and full of beans. My libido was ridiculous also. Now being off them, I feel like a bouncy castle that is being slowly deflated - I can’t be bothered doing anything. Even taking the dog for a walk round the block is a challenge.

Statins do affect many people negatively, but they also save lives. I’d advise anyone who is offered them to weigh up the pros and cons - speak to your gp and if you’re not satisfied ask for a second opinion.

[Horner88 in reply to Curlyman83]

Absolutely right, it's a personal decision.

[Heartinthehills]

Hi NanaElgin. I am 7 years on from an MI, cardiac arrest and 3 stents with some permanent heart damage. I don't play golf but have been a lifelong hillwalker and was concerned that was it. Fortunately I had no issues with medication and am still on 80mg Atorvastatin. It took me 6 months of walking daily to get to the point where I could climb Lake District Hills and back on Munros after 2 years. Still at it and over 70 now. Keep walking as far as you can in a daily session and increase the distance when you can. Also good for weight control if you need to lose some weight as I did. My BMI is now a steady 20 with a good appetite and moderate alcohol intake.

[Curlyman83]

I’m in exactly the same boat Nana - collapsed just before Xmas with cardiac arrest playing football. Completely out of the blue, no warning signs. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never play football again, but I loved to play sports and exercise.

I was fitted with an ICD so couldn’t get straight back out on the golf course - went out for the first time last week - got a buggy which helped the fatigue but not with the sun zero temperatures. I just this week been contacted by the physio team from my local hospital, they’ve sent me a host of lower and upper limb strengthening exercises - I was quite surprised how tired I felt after completing these, though I’ve no idea if I was doing it correctly as I was on my own!

Anyway, bottom line is: you’re not alone and you will get there. Just give it time! I’m already planning a summer golf break with the lads - looking and Scotland or Wales which may be a pretty presumptuous, but I’ve got to have something to look forward to!!

Good luck and keep us informed!

[NanaElgin32018 in reply to Curlyman83]

Curlyman83 I played 18 holes today!! I am already dressed for bed but it felt SO good...score not so good 🤣! I hired an electric trolley and what a difference it made! If you get your holiday Elgin has great courses x

[Curlyman83 in reply to NanaElgin32018]

I’m meeting with the lads tomorrow night for an alcohol-free beer and a socially distanced chat, so a golf trip is definitely on the cards!

Forget about the score - everyone is going to be rubbish after lockdown...you’ll get better!!

Best wishes,