Fatigue

[DasyB]

Hi, I'm 10 months post aortic valve replacement and a single bypass and although I felt great a few months ago I am just so tired these days - its 9.30 am and I am sruggling not to go back to bed - there's no way I could be doing all the cardio gym stuff I was doing post op, help! what is it? I'm on beta blockers, statins, ezetimebe and asprin. I had 3 months of iron - might is be good to get more? GP just impossible to reach......

[Cliff_G]

DasyB, sorry to hear this.

You've been through a fairly serious operation and it will take time. However, some meds do make things hard, and beta blockers are one of them, notorious for making people feel heavy-legged and a lack of energy. Statins and to a lesser extent Ezetimibe can also affect mainly the strength in your legs.

It is a little odd, though, that you were ok but feel like things are getting worse. I would say you need a full bloods test to check things like your iron, thyroid,etc.

If phoning the docs is difficult, maybe go into the doctor's surgery and stand at the reception until they make you an appointment.

[DasyB in reply to Cliff_G]

Thanks Cliff

[devonian186 in reply to Cliff_G]

Could be useful to stand in front of the reception and collapse dramatically. You will need to judge if moaning softly will be helpful.

Seriously, you do need to get an appointment and with your record you should have a high priority. If you can't get an appointment what hope is there for other patients?.

[DasyB]

OK thanks! just realised I missed the 7 am GP window again, memory going too!!

I think I am due my annual blood test soon so I'll wait for that. I have many niggles but nothing very serious I think, so I will leave the GP appointments for people who are really ill I'm just too tired to even try and deal with it all

[Greencat59]

Morning

I had AVR almost 2 years ago and over a year later I started to feel really fatigued. You need bloods checked as meds can change all sorts of things in your physiological system and not always show up immediately.

I had a cardiac liaison nurse for a year who was my first point of call and was fabulous. I’m also very lucky with my GP and the whole medical centre as they prioritise anyone with a cardiac history and I always get seen the day I call with any issues . Unfortunately I know this is not the case for all people so you need to self advocate and persist and not feel a nuisance in doing so- you must become your own best advocate! Take care.