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.
Written by
uzininemm
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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!
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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 👍😊
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.
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! 👍
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.
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!!!
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).
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.
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.
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.
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