Since my heart attack (February 2019) I have been in a state of flux. I’m up, I’m down, I’m in pain, I’m miserable, I’m very happy, I’m shattered. I caught the dreaded illness were not allowed to discuss twice and was very ill both times. I’ve lost a number of friends and relatives; attending quite a few funerals (one in Australia albeit virtually) and to tell the truth I’m exhausted. I’ve been in so much pain lately with my arthritis in desperation I booked an appointment at my GPs for a conversation about pain management and physiotherapy. To give you a heads up on my background before my HA I was a very fit and active arthritis sufferer who was relatively pain free because I attended HIIT and Zumba classes at the gym three to four times a week. I also swam quite a bit as well as Nordic walking. I only took paracetamol if I got the odd twinge and refused to take any other medication as I had multiple allergies and a hiatus hernia for which I took a couple of tablets.
My HA changed everything. I now take nine pills a day, have three inhalers (that’s due to the illnesses were not allowed to discuss) and I’m in agony with arthritis because I can’t exercise like I used to. Now I’m in so much pain I go and see my GP. With me so far?
I had one heck of a row with her. Nothing disrespectful or fisticuffs but she gave me a telling off and I gave her one back. She asked my why I was there and I told her I needed advice on pain management as I was in so much pain I could be touched. My body was so sensitive that I tried reflexology and found the experience so painful that it was suggested I speak to my GP about it. GP just looked at me and said “Lesley (that’s my real name) what do you want from me? You’re an old lady with very bad arthritis. You’re going to get older and the pain will get worse. You won’t take painkillers so what do you want me to do? I am not a physiotherapist”. I said I didn’t think she was God but she could give me the advice I needed on pain management.
She said she didn’t think reflexology was any good medically but it may make me feel more comfortable. She also told me that because I wouldn’t take anything for pain I was becoming more immobile and therefore having trouble losing weight. Her advice was take painkillers regularly and not when I felt so bad. Then I would be able to cope with the pain, have better sleep and do more and exercise and therefore feel better.
It’s only been a week and I’m taking paracetamol three times and paracetamol with codeine before bed. I’m sleeping better. I’m swimming more and going out more. I feel I’m back to being me. My HA and the illnesses were not allowed to mention made me feel so nervous about exercise and going out. AND I HAD NEVER BEEN TOLD I WAS AN OLD LADY BEFORE. I never thought of myself as old even though my age has been discussed. I’ve made major changes because of the support from my GP surgery’s different methods of treatment and the support from this site. Don’t leave this site just because there are some people who are annoying. It could be that they are suffering and the only way they can vent is on here.
Thanks to all who have helped me. A stubborn old lady who thought she knew more than the docs. Lol.
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Maisie2014
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You’ve been on quite the health journey. I’m sorry to hear about the small confrontation you had with your GP however, she might be right about the painkillers and taking it regularly throughout the day instead of as and when you have pain.
My cardiologist advised that I take paracetamol 3-4 times a day for my chest pain that is caused as a result of my myocardial bridging (congenital heart defect) as I refused nitrates due to there being some contraindications around that and I’m not fully comfortably with nitrates yet, as there’s a lack of research on how it affects those with MBs. I’ve noticed that despite the pain still being there, it takes the edge off of the pain. I can see from your post you’ve had some relief doing it this way too.
I imagine I’ll be driven out at some point too at this rate 🤣.
HI MAISIE Ihave the same health problems as you and am too a stubborn old lady who doesn't always follow the Docs advice but they are often right. Glad to hear you gave in and am now feeling the benefit of meds With a bit luck once you can exercise more and build your muscles back up the pain will decrease and you might be able to cut back on the pain meds I have had a aortic valve replacement 3 months ago and am doing cardio rehabilitation to get me fit again after a year of inactivity due to breathlessness and exhaustion On wards and Upwards is my new motto
That was a rather abrupt statement she gave you , The one thing that did stick out for me , especially as we are both in the UK, is when she said " what do you want me to do? I'm not a physiotherapist!"Well , ok , they might not be a physiotherapist, but they could refer you to one , which is part of the reason you go to see the GP.
I'm glad you are feeling more yourself on the pain killers and getting going again but if you feel you need a bit more professional support as you be build back up do ask for the GP to refer you to Rheumatology Physiotherapy or self refer if you can do that in your area.
If you love swimming , a big tip, , you probably know, walking in water and aqua exercises are also good , if you've not done them before and fancy some instruction or the safety of being in a group your can also get your GP to sign you onto the Exercise Referral Scheme, and they may have Arthritis specific Aqua exercises classes in your area which you can join for free or at a big subsidy as part of the scheme.
The good thing about classes of different sorts linked to the NHS schemes is that they are used to catering for people with various health needs , or are for those health needs and have already been assessed so it gives you peace of mind to try them.
Just wondering , are you taking the Paracetamol with Codiene at night rather than in the day based on the GPs advice ? If so , and you didn't know already, it can unsettle your stomach and cause more stomach acid much like aspirin and other anti-inflammatories, so it's a good idea to have a little snack or milky drink before you take it to protect your tum and stop possible night time indigestion / GERD. As you are feeling so much better it would be sad to lose it because of a side effect.
I'm more of a believer in being as old as you feel . If you feel awful , you can feel like your 104. On a good day you could be feeling like your 30 again , mentally , even if not physically, and it shows in the smile on your face. So I hope you end up looking like the youngest " old lady" in town very soon as you continue to get on your feet again. Onward and upward. Hugs, Bee
Yes. I’ve tried all of the above thanks. My doctor is very supportive and I was grateful for the blunt but correct response. I can self refer but didn’t know which part of my body needed it first. You can only refer one at a time. That’s why I wanted to speak to her. My arthritis is in my neck, back, knees, hands and feet. Walking in the swimming pool controls the pain in my knees but inflames the pain in my back and feet. Swimming inflames the pain in my neck and just about anything seems to inflame my hands lol. I’m only taking the codeine with paracetamol at night but not every night. I’ve never really felt old but when I was holding an 80th birthday party for my husband a couple of weeks ago I was shattered even though I’m only 72 lol.
Hi Maisie, well done, the Dr is right. I do exercises in bed every morning for the arthritis in my knees and hips, they are not too strenuous and have saved me from many a painkiller. I also go to the gym regularly for 'proper exercise ', it sounds like you are getting back there and soon you won't be called an old lady agin 🤞👌. Dr Michael Mosley has started a new podcast on radio 4 called staying young. I listened to the first one last night, I highly recommend you to listen, he is talking about HIIT training in short bursts, which nowadays lots of experts reccomend, especially for people like us 😃
yes it is pretty good. They’re saying it was that exercise programme that kept me from having a heart attack earlier. I’m not able to do such strenuous exercise now but I do as much as I can. The bed exercises are really good if your back freezes up during the night. It really pulls it back.
Hi Maisie2014, so pleased to read your post I’m going to try paracetamol 3/4 times a day for my back problem to see if it helps me. I have MRI results back for my back and will be seeing Gp next week. To be honest my back problem affects my life more than my heart problem. You take care AND you’re not old .
Sometimes we don't want to hear the truth. I once went to a chiropractor with really bad sciatica, so bad that I couldn't walk properly as it felt like a piece of broken glass was in my hip. She was a brusque Belgian who told me to stop anticipating the pain. I was so furious 'what does she know!'. But on my walk from the tube to home, I decided to give it a go. It was amazing. I had no idea my limping trying to avoid the pain was making it worse. Thought I would share.
Congratulations on being able to see your GP to shout at! Here in N. Wales it is all Locums and telephone calls from Drs at home. I have actually referred myself to a course which covers physio and life style and am waiting for a placement. (Expect September). I have arthritic knees and could have replacements but am leaving it for the present. Because of other medication and funny reactions I can only take paracetamol for pain but have not gone down that route yet.
I've had chronic spinal pain for 20 years due to degenerative discs and spondilo lysthesis and fibromyalgia for over 30 years. Like you when it was just fibro I was very active; moved house, dug up an entire garden just 10 years ago then the spine got worse then a heart attack and I could do less and less. Like you it was a complete shock to be told I was an old lady. My DOB happens to say 75 but my head still says 29 and I just can't accept the slowing down. I try and try to keep mobile but it gets more and more difficult even on high doses of opiates.. I have a friend in her 80s who would absolutely refuse painkillers but I persuaded her to take just one daily paracetamol and what a difference it's made; she's back walking her dog 5 miles a day since a hip replacement.
My Dr and I also have had the occasional "Frank exchange of opinions" pain is a odd one, and I was myself against taking extra pill's, after the bypass I was on the usual cocktail and the idea of taking more on top, well did he want me to rattle? .So after a discussion with my shouty cardiac nurse, I called him back (well the practice) and said okay gimme some drugs.
You gain a better balance when you are not actually fighting pain, with the Sharp edge blunted you can start to judge what actually causes increasing pain and what helps.
It's rather ironic analgesia can be a tool towards needing less pain relief or better targeted, and just a small reduction of pain gives a far better quality of life.
I still occasionally call my Dr "Donald" when we are going for it, the receptionist wanted to know why and I pointed out that calling him by a ducks first name was better than saying quack.
Take the pill's, Go swimming and tell us how the Zumba classes Go gory details about dancing preferably.😁
You’re right. I used to go window shopping for exercise so that it would take my mind off the pain of walking. Indoor shopping centres when it’s raining and outdoor if it’s dry. I found I was doing so much to keep my mind off the pain that I was getting very tired. I still worry about my heart but now I can think more clearly I’m sure I’m better for taking the painkillers. I’m not having as many panic attacks.
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