Newbie

[ZoeSS]

Hi ! not sure what online options are open to me or where this is going. Just looking to feel a bit better by connecting at the minute.

(Not, as yet, a reliable contributor on these sorts of things)

[Heyjude31]

Hello ZoeSS, welcome to the forum. I hope you are having a better day today. You don’t mention what medication you are on, or if you are having treatment. From your bio I see you have had a heart attack. Please let us know how you are getting on. I sm sure other hearties will be along to welcome you xxx

[ZoeSS in reply to Heyjude31]

Thanks Hey Jude 31. Yes sun is shining and have more energy - well less heaviness. I have escaped with just medication and we'll be discussing the results of a heart scan tomorrow. I thought I was on the usual : blood thinners , statin , etc . Can detail if you think it makes a difference .

Nice to get a reply. I'm sure will get to know you and the others over time .

[Heyjude31 in reply to ZoeSS]

Hello again, I am now on aspirin, Nebivolol for blood pressure and a statin. The only med I still seem to struggle with is the statin from which I get muscle weakness. I am still in the process of trying to sort the statin. I was on another blood thinner but that stopped after a year. So glad you are feeling better. Do let us know how you get on. Judi x

[ZoeSS in reply to Heyjude31]

Hi Judi,

You don't have to answer right now ( we've both been on today) but how did you know it was the statin ? It's just one question I need to remember to ask them tomorrow . I'd been complaining of fatigue and muscle weakness way before this and was surprised to see it mentioned as one of the side effects the other day ( or something exacerbated by statins ). There's so much going on that I can't source at present ... I don't as yet see any big differences to before except for discomfort in specific places . Was it obvious for you?

Zoe SS

[Heyjude31 in reply to ZoeSS]

Hi, it was trial and error really. When the GP advised me to stop the statin to see if it was that, and after I stopped it definitely improved., I don’t think it was my mind that was playing games! The other medications seem to be fine. There seems to be a lot of different views on statins. Other hearties may share their experiences. I have had ME in the past so have definitely had all sorts of aches and pains and problems with muscles. I am currently on my 4th statin so just seeing how it goes. I do get some weakness in my legs but it seems manageable at the moment. Take care x

[ZoeSS in reply to Heyjude31]

Thank you Hey Jude for sharing that.

Yes, with your past history you would be able to pinpoint the difference . That's the frustrating thing I'm finding - trying to convince folk that some things I can say for 'sure' because I know my body and capabilities - as opposed to mind games . Thank you for that comment.

Your situation is quite complex isn't it. I hope you are more comfortable on this new statin and that life in general has its sweet spots. I could probably learn a lot from your attitude to life and strategies for living. thank you for your words.

[080311]

Hello ZoeSS

Welcome to the forum, sorry you have found that you need to join, but you have found somewhere where other members can relate to how you are feeling.

You should be given the opportunity for Cardio rehab, try and take it up, if you aren’t offered ask your GP to put your name on the list. You will be with others who are going through similar things and just being able to talk makes such a difference. As Heyjude said you didn’t mention medication, sometimes it takes a while for our bodies to get use to some of these drugs.

I haven’t had a heart attack, had open heart surgery for a replacement Aortic valve and bypass, when any of us as a heart issue it’s as if the ground as opened up under our feet. I think the life we knew flies out of the window and this new life flies in. We now have medication to take Doctors / Cardiologist appointments to keep blood tests blood pressure a new diet and making sure we exercise. But it does become better you do get use to these new ways.

Remember you are now part of the Hearties family and we are here to lend an ear or even a shoulder to lean on if that’s what you need.

Best wishes Pauline

[ZoeSS in reply to 080311]

A lovely welcome 080311 ( Pauline :thank you)

Yes looking forward to the rehab - just to know finally what I can and can't do. Think that's the awkward thing . I look fine - people kind of expect you to be fine . There are so many others with so many obvious problems and illnesses and in great chronic pain too that it almost seems like I'm fine in comparison ... it's just a bit hard to get your own head round the severity of this and express it to others clearly - but not indulge in dramatism.

Past depression has been the same but this is another level again.

Anyway - thanks for the words . How are you today?

[080311 in reply to ZoeSS]

Afternoon ZoSS,

I am ok, thanks for asking. It’s 6 years since my surgery and I am grateful every day to the medical team that gave me my life back.

I found Rehab great, gave me back the confidence that I seemed to have lost for a little while.

Take it step by step things do get better.

Best wishes Pauline

[Valentina98]

Hi Zoe

I'm also new, I'm sorry we're both here but I've found this group very helpful, if you want to talk you can always message me

V x

[ZoeSS in reply to Valentina98]

Aw thanks Valentina .

Feeling brighter today . Was a bit self piteous yesterday - sorry . Hope your day is good so far - in many unexpected ways.

Zoe SS ( this is my Super Better character . Read this a few years ago . Don't know if anyone is familiar with it.)

[RufusScamp]

Welcome to the group. We all didn't want to be here, but we can support each other with love and advice.

[ZoeSS in reply to RufusScamp]

Thank you Rufus Scamp . It is odd - isn't it . Are you working age ? Were you working before your event ? And after?

[RufusScamp in reply to ZoeSS]

I had been retired for several years, but find I cannot do as much as I used to. Unfortunately, the epidemic put a stop to my rehab programme, which had been extremely helpful.

[ZoeSS in reply to RufusScamp]

Yes that's difficult . My friend's father had his attack in Covid and didn't get round to rehab at all , but having a taste of it then having it taken away must have been hard too. Thanks for your reply.

Zoe

[Swalecliffe88]

Hello Zoe

You are amongst friends and those who have either walked your path, are walking it now or have a loved one who has. We are all here to hold your hand when you need it. It is 7 years since my first brush with heart surgery and never knew a group existed for this kind of support.

I have just had my second scare with suffering a cardiac arrest a few weeks ago. But I am here to assure you there is still loads of life still to be had and enjoyed. Dodgy ticker or not.

Good advice has already been given to you by others. But Rehab people are great in my experience talk to them.

[ZoeSS in reply to Swalecliffe88]

You bring a tear to the eye Swalwcliffe . Thank you muchly!

It sounds like quite a scary event recently yet already you have your generosity of spirit back.(Reminds me of S.Covey's 'Circle of Influence' - which I'm trying to keep in mind today .) Thank you .

Zoe

[Swalecliffe88 in reply to ZoeSS]

Your very welcome Zoe and thank you for your very kind words. My daughter is also going through a very toxic chemo treatment for Her2 positive breast cancer and joined a group supporting each other. I have seen how much strength she has gained from others suffering the same and I have seen how her strength has helped others. So decided when this happened to me I thought to myself ‘do you know what. I’ve been to some scary places myself with my inherited family dodgy heart perhaps I can show people going through the same. That it’s not all doom and gloom ‘ Every morning I am granted the pleasure of waking I can make it a good day.

I do hope you are feeling better today and any time you are down and need a kick up the bum. I’m the one to come to LOL. Starting back to work tomorrow goodness knows how many emails I will have to wade through! !

[ZoeSS in reply to Swalecliffe88]

At the risk of making this 'one' more email ( hopefully not a straw for your 'camel's' back) I hope your first work week goes well .Take care both .

[Harefieldfan]

hi zoeSs. Welcome! I hope you find the help, comfort and support here that so many of us have found.

[ZoeSS in reply to Harefieldfan]

Thank you very much ! Hope I can stay . Had such a good meeting yesterday that I've been stepped down from 'attack' . Fraid I was so full of my own agenda that I behaved poorly ; appeared ungrateful . Would love to stay in the support group if acceptable though . Thank you .

You ?

[EU95PTM]

Hello and welcome! I can definitely recommend cardia rehab if you are offered it. I’ve just completed my 12 weeks under Papworth and the staff were immensely supportive. I’m 5 months post stemi HA with resulting heart failure and a cardiac thrombus - it’s been a bewildering and at times frightening journey and one which I am still trying to come to terms with, and you may find this too.

[ZoeSS]

For other reasons which I allude to in my introduction - I hope they'll allow me to still access the programme , but the last information I received seems to backtrack on the diagnosis. They would have to search so thoroughly for the problem in those little country roads ( vessels) that damage to that area of the country ( heart) will not compromise the bigger picture of what it does and needs to do . A very good outcome for that physical event ,

Back on the wheel though to try and get the right help for what I perceive as a general long term decline in function . Am more appreciative today and positive.

You?