Discharged with a pat on the head.

[lancers87]

At the age of 74, I Joined the triple and valve club (heart bypass) on 10th December 2020, St Thomas’ London. Cardioversion required to settle things down. Discharged 20th December 2020.

A visit to my local hospital on 24th December 2020, breathing difficulties. CT scan showed blood clot on lungs.

The story to skip forward to June 2022, breathing problems had continued since my procedure. Slightest exertion found breathing still difficult. No one listened to my problems, paid to go private. Had another scan, from this scan it was decided that it could be asbestos or diaphragmatic disease, no blood clot.

Seeing various specialist, it was decided that bypass and valve were fine, no asbestos or diaphragmatic disease, discharged from clinic with exactly the same problems I started with. During the various tests, it was shown that my lung capacity had decreased to 68%, the scan below showed partially missing lung, no explanation given.

Basically told to go away, don’t bother us again. My daily quality of life is now rubbish, can’t walk any distances, can’t go up flight of stairs without getting out of breath, palpitations can last for hours, but doesn’t happen every time, legs feeling heavy when walking. This is now my medication list.

FUROSEMIDE,  DOXAZOSIN, LISINOPRIL, BISOPROLOL, ASPRIN, RIVAROXABAN, OMEPRAZOLE, ROSUVASTATIN.

[Heythrop51]

There's loads of possible causes from anemia to heart failure. Have they done bloods for iron levels and B12? An echocardiogram might be useful if not done already. Hope you find an answer.

[lancers87 in reply to Heythrop51]

many thanks for your reply and thoughts. Because all tests have shown everything, according to the professionals is good, I was hoping that I might get some answers to decrease in lung capacity. This is the only thing left for shortness of breath on exertion. Have other members of the triple and valve club experienced similar. I have read that damage to lungs can occur, if that’s the case, then just say so, as long as I have answers.

[devonian186]

Has A GP or pharmacist or any other paid specialist checked your meds and doses and the way in which they interact?

Perhaps you need to change something or need an additional med.

[Cmnc]

Omeprazole, should not be taken with statins, they increase any side effects from your statins

[devonian186 in reply to Cmnc]

Good reply. I have likened taking a cocktail of medicines to the chaos on the road as a junction that works reasonably well has traffic lights added, then that causes a back up from another junction so further traffic lights are needed, then a roundabout...and so it goes on with the initial problem being compounded and nobody looking at the problem in overall context

I would seriously suggest you ask for a medicines review either from your GP's pharmacist, your local pharmacy or if necessary a paid specialist.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to devonian186]

You didn't by any chance drive through St Albans in the early 80s when the council wasted a fortune on consultants and implemented they one way system. Instead of improving traffic flow it grid locked a large area of the town. It wasn't an issue on a Bonnie though! They removed it within weeks if I remember correctly.

[devonian186 in reply to MichaelJH]

No. never been there, but for St Albans just substitute the names of tens of thousands of other traffic 'solutions' that made things worse.

[wischo in reply to Cmnc]

Of course you can, there is an interaction with all drug combinations and omeprazole and statins rarely cause problems.

[Heartsofoak]

had the same op nearly a year ago and struggled with breathing for a while. I bought an Air Physio mucus clearing device and it improved my breathing no end. Don't need to use it now and all's well. Its not too expensive and might be worth a go, check it out.

[lancers87 in reply to Heartsofoak]

many thanks for your reply, will give it a try.

[BernieMB]

I would go back to the doctor and insist on being referred to a pulmonologist, if this has not already been done. Get you pharmacist to review your medication also as they understand drug interactions.

I’m also having some breathing problems since a suspected TIA and pulmonary embolism -,blood clots on both lungs. On top of that had minimum invasive aortic valve replacement I take similar meds to you. Apixaban, Bisoprolol, Clopidogrel Lansaprozol, Furosemide.

Cardiac rehab helped me a lot along with gentle exercise.

I have a friend who has COPD who attended classes to help her breathing and the exercises she was taught changed her life and she is a very active person.

There is help out there but you will have to push your GP to access it.

I hope this helps.

[lancers87 in reply to BernieMB]

All replies are welcome, gives an idea that you’re not alone.

[Doublef]

Hi not sure if you are an ex Lancer like me but I would recommend contacting PALS nhs, 111, or combined services charter via your Gp. Tell them you are not happy with your treatment before get serious mental health problems, good luck

[lancers87 in reply to Doublef]

Much appreciated, not heard of PALS nhs, will investigate.