Encouraging news

[uzininemm]

Saw my consultant for the first time in 2 years (had one telephone call before) since release from hospital with EF of 20% at the beginning of June and he advised he was moving away from a pace maker but wanted a updated MRI, I got a late cancellation 2 weeks ago and today I have received the briefest of letters from him.

'Your repeat cardic MRI shows a significant improvement in your heart function. I recommend you remain on your current medication and I have put you down for a annual review with a telephone clinic'.

I am over the moon at this, Igood to know all the work at the gym, eating well and listening to my medical professionals (not forgetting the help of the hearties on here as paid off).

Time to celebrate with a glass of squash.

[uzininemm]

Thank you so much Bekind28, and I am so glad a little bit of the good news has rubbed off on to you 😁 x

[Tos92]

Oh wow, that’s such great news. Well done for turning things around through lifestyle changes and for working with your medical team to see such a successful outcome!

[uzininemm in reply to Tos92]

Thanks Tos, I didn't have to change a lot to be honest, as I ate pretty well, drunk very little and did some exercise. (I think this is why my meds team are baffled as to why I got it in the first place because I didn't meet the risk factors).

Not just working with the meds team, it does come down to reading and learning from responsible sources and reading and learning from the experience of others and seeing what works well for me.

[Anon2023]

hi. That’s excellent news, I’m sure that you feel reassured and relieved. It’s obvious that all of your hard work has paid off which is brilliant. X

[uzininemm in reply to Anon2023]

Thanks Anon 2023, yes it is good to know I have being doing some things right😀.

When I started on my recovery I thought to myself I will give this my best shot and if I don't make it then at least I did my best (I know it sounds dramatic, but it is really the way I needed to tackle it).

The work continues there will be no let up for me.

[Lezzers]

Brilliant news, so pleased for you.. I love hearing stories like this, it gives others so much hope.

Can I ask if you're on all 4 pillars of meds?

[uzininemm in reply to Lezzers]

Morning Lessers,

I hope you are both well, thank you so much I am glad you do as it is good news stories from others who have really helped me, one reason for posting good news is that I really want to help others through my experience.

My meds are Entresto 2 24/26 mg (one in the morning at about 6am and one in the evening about 6pm.

Forxiga 1 x 10mg once a day (morning).

Dixogin 1 x 125mcq one a day (morning)

Omeprazole 1 x 29mg once a day (morning)

Lixiana 1 60mg once a day (morning - this was a recent change the previous one I had 2 a day).

Spironolactone 1/2 of a 25mg tablet each day.

[Lezzers in reply to uzininemm]

We are well thank you, will be spending the day with friends so really looking forward to that. Though the weather is a bit worrying, we're on health heat alert here!

It's brilliant news your heart function has improved, presumably you're no longer a candidate for a device. Todays medication is such a life changer, thankfully.

Your meds are not too dissimilar to my husband's, except for Dixogin & Lixiana which I've never heard of before?

Interesting that you take 1/2 spirolactone every day, is that because of your potassium levels? My husband was slowly introduced to spirolactone by doing 1/2 a tablet every other day, gradually increasing to 1/2 every day then upped to 1 a day. Unfortunately ill health played havoc with his potassium, magnesium, phosphate etc ( I never even knew that was a thing until just recently) he's now back on 1/2 tablet every other day so hopefully he can gradually start to increase it again.

[uzininemm in reply to Lezzers]

good to hear you are both well.

You are right re medication and I hope things will get even better.

Lixiana is my blood thinner this was changed about 3 months ago by the GP's (think its cheaper to the NHS) as for Dixogen as far as I know its something else for my heart.

Spirolactone I thought was my water tablet, I was on fursomide as well but this lasted about a week before I was taken off it.

That's interesting in regards to the potassium level because that was what I was initially rushed into hospital for, the a and e doctor told me out of 10 it was registering a 9 and that he had never seen anyone with a level so high. Luckily I haven't had this problem since but I do keep off bananas 😀(ok its possibly pointless and stupid but it helps me).

[Lezzers in reply to uzininemm]

Wow ....9, that is a very high number. Our GP had a bit of a panic at a level of 5.9. phoned us at 6ish on a Friday evening to say stop the spiro! We were in the supermarket at the time 🤣

My husband hasn't eaten Bananas since 2008 for the same reason. Having said that his potassium went quite low last year & his nurse said have a banana, I think he ate one! After years of not eating them he didnt enjoy it.

Take care

[Hare123]

That’s great news. Well done on all your hard work

[uzininemm in reply to Hare123]

Thank you Hare 123, no taking my foot of the pebble though, I am not one who feels comfortable with sharing good news, so to hear the genuine positive reactions of others is brilliant to me.

[Cinders123]

Hi, Congratulations on your super positive news. 👏 Positive encouragement to spur me on with the lifestyle changes along with support from the medical team xx

[uzininemm in reply to Cinders123]

Thankyou Cinders 123 that is so good to hear, I do wish you well, all I would say is persevere, I have found there is no quick way to getting where I am however do celebrate each success as you go forward however small.

All the best.

[uzininemm]

Morning Blossoms, thank you.

Not sure if relief is the right word for me, I certainly wasn't expecting such a reply.

Ever since I was diagnosed I have decided to take each day as it comes and act as if it's my last, sounds melodramatic but it was the way I saw it after my initial feelings following diagnosis, that being said if the letter had sent anything bad I would have felt entirely different!

[Cee-Cee1]

Congratulations Uzininemm - it's so good to read such wonderful news on a windy and dull Saturday morning. You should be proud of yourself, all your hard work has paid off and taking the time to share positive news like yours gives hope to others in the same situation. Carol 👍😊

[uzininemm in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Thank you Carol, I one of those people who normally who can only be bothered to do something if I really want to do it (I think that is the right way of doing it) but when I do I give 1000% (which can annoy people😀), so I think I am.

The one thing my HF has done for me as changed me from having a half empty mentality to a half full one (very strange that) and also I am so thankful of what i have got and not what I haven't.

[Cee-Cee1 in reply to uzininemm]

I'm a bit like you Uzininemm, in terms of only being bothered to do something if I really want to do it, or absolutely need to 😂but stories like yours inspire me to do more! 👍

[Dogloverxthree]

how I envy your positive cheerful outlook and support to others, can you bottle it and send some this way please 🤗

[Bingo88]

Such good news and something less to worry about. Hope everything continues to go well for you. Enjoy your weekend. Brian

[Fullofheart]

That's great news. We'll done!!!!

[HHH2017]

Fabulous news! I am delighted for you! Keep up the good work in the gym etc and keep inspiring others 💪🏽

[uzininemm in reply to HHH2017]

Thank you I intended to but I didn't go today, had every intention to go this morning early but it was already hot and muggy and I have found before that this weather can raise by heart rate by about 20/30 beats a minute and therefore not a good idea.

Doing a bit in the garden was more than enough in this weather.

[HHH2017 in reply to uzininemm]

totally agree ☀️Does not agree with me. Yesterday I heard a good friend had passed, I was v upset walking v slowly to the shops to get flowers & it was 🥵 I felt my chest tightening and my fitbit registered my heart rate at 187!!!

[Heyjude31]

This is the best kind of good news. So pleased for you. Definitely time to celebrate, enjoy your weekend 👏👏🙂

[francesw47]

Great news. Really pleased things are on the up for you. Also good that you are so well that you can back away from a pacemaker. Have a great weekend.

[Qualipop]

Great news, well done. What a shame he didn't give more information like your present EF . Maybe he'll send more details to your G P.

[uzininemm in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you. Yes, do you know I did wonder that at first, but the more I think about it is it really that important for me to know.

I know for others that seeing this statistic can act as a incentive (Others figures have for me), however for me personally the thing was I knew how poorly I was at the start and know how things have improved, therefore whatever the number it is how I feel and can do that is the important thing (hope that makes sense).

It would be interesting to know though.

[Qualipop in reply to uzininemm]

I'm a need to know sort of person; everyone's different. IT should only be how you feel that matters but I like to know the ins and outs. I only found out yesterday that before my heart attack 5 years ago my cholesterol had been 6.9. It's now just below 3. Had I known how high it was I'd have done more to lower it.

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Uzininemm,

Congratulations on that fantastic news! It feels good to read something really positive.

Keep up the good work and best wishes to you! 😊

[uzininemm in reply to Smitty1956]

Thank you, I intend to my mates wife said to him when he mentioned it, the secret now is not to get complacent, and he said there is no chance of that. The hard work will continue.

[Pouchielou1972]

It's great to hear some encouraging good news. Congratulations on the major improvements you are making 👌🏾

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Fantastic to hear your positive news.Thank you for sharing this with us all.

Being uplifted by another person's heart condition improving is something we all need from time to time.

It will hopefully bring hope to others.

[uzininemm in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you Milk Fairy, you are right when I started out and ever since it is the positive news that has helped to maintain the drive forward, so it's only right and proper to help with my experiences where i can.