Heart failure

[Tenners]

When I went for another hip operation, about years ago, the anesthetist, out of the blue, diagnosed arrhythmia and sent me straight to a specialist. I had refibrulation, and all seemed well, although I had been getting out of breath which I put down to overweight (since been hip breakages) and old age (68),I still walked (with a stick) over 3 miles on the first of March 2023.By the first of May 2023,(and since) I struggle to walk 12 yds without stopping to catch my breath, and Similarly can't stand for more than 4 or 5 minutes. I've been in hospital, when they drained me, but despite all the meds, I still carry a lot of fluid. It seems I have HF@stage3. I see a specialist heart nurse every fortnight and I'm taking enstresto and loads of other stuff, but there's no change.

It's like my health has dropped off a cliff, as though I've aged 20 years in a few months. Every activity I ever did, gardening, fishing, bird watching, drinking with friends, is done with. I'm too old to adapt Quickly. This all seems a pointless exercise.

[desertduster]

I do sympathize as your story is very similar to mine (although I am a tad younger at 61). I was in rude health until last winter when I got hit with the first signs of heart failure (chiefly maddening palpitations and breathlessness when lying flat). It has put me into a complete tailspin and I cannot enjoy any of my previous activities. In the brief moments I am symptom free I am dreading the next run of palpitations or the next night - which has become a horror. I honestly cannot recognise myself from the person I was just a year ago. I wonder how many people realise how devastating this condition (and the diagnosis) is? I wonder if it's even worth trying to try and "beat" it as energy/motivation/positive thinking (something I never enjoyed even in good health) seem non existent. Would you believe I am now technically on holiday for a few days but my only thought is there is no cell signal should I need to call an ambulance. It's no life. I hope you can find a way through and, if you do, please share it here. My best wishes.

[Tenners in reply to desertduster]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm Bipolar, so death doesn't worry me one jot. Things would be far easier were my (grown up) kids not a consideration. It sounds silly, but I've always considered that people became old gradually, and adjusted accordingly. I can't get my head round this. It's not just the inability to do anything, even, if I do ever see anyone, there's nothing to talk about! A couple of people have told me to be more positive.... hmm, OK.

[Heartfairy]

Hello Tenners, I’m so sorry to read your story. It’s difficult isn’t it to get your head around what your life was like before the health problems kicked in. I felt like I was grieving for my old life before my heart attack as since it, I have changed what I eat as I was also classed as pre-diabetic. So out went the freedom to eat whatever I wanted and in came a more healthy range. Not a bad thing really but like anything, I felt I had the freedom to do whatever, whenever without thinking. And now I imagine that’s how you’re feeling - your old life has gone and this is it - it’s hard isn’t it? But only time will help us get our heads around how we can pick ourselves up and live just in a different way. You’re still you and your family and friends still love and need you. Are you able to get any support from a counselling service perhaps offered by your GP or the cardiac team as it often helps to talk about it and get advice. You are still a relatively young fella, I know you won’t feel it what with everything that’s happened, but with the right treatment and support it could be a case that with a bit of time, you will adapt and get your head around things and take up new ways of how to progress with your hobbies. When your health isn’t what it was, it’s difficult so I completely understand where you are coming from but it’s not the end. You are stronger than you think, you probably just need some time and support. Will you try and get the support you need and talk about your feelings with someone who can help you. Let us know how you get on won’t you? How you feel is actually normal - take care ❤️🧚🏼‍♀️

[Tenners in reply to Heartfairy]

Thankyou, you're very kind.

[Poorlizzie]

Hi I had similar story diagnosed with AFib then heart failure in December. I was put on Bisoprolol and enalapril and still was breathless and fatigued only now had a cough. My EF is 32. Saw the cardiologist 4 months later and he changed me to Entresto and that made a tremendous difference. OK I cannot go back to my Scottish Country Dancing but I can get about and walk my little dog. We all have different reactions to drugs and the side effects . Worth trying a change of medication they all do much the same thing or reducing your dose. Do not give up! They would not increase my medication because BP less than a hundred until I was changed from a cardiac nurse to a pharmacist who was far more understanding.