Studying at the medical school, having a heart condition

[Applemango]

Hello, I am new here.😊 Unfortunately, I have experienced possible stress cardiomyopathy (takotsubo cardiomyopathy). I had to give up on studying public health and epidemiology due to multiple health issues including a heart condition at the medical school in the UK this year. After that, I found that I have to give up on studying these models due to symptoms of possible stress cardiomyopathy at the medical school in the US this month. Fortunately, I believe that I can study these modules from home if I can recover from the symptoms. However, the symptoms of unexpected chest pains linger in reality. In my life, I have to withdraw from the universities twice against my will, which hurt psychologically. I fainted twice in the last twelve months. Although I am still optimistic in terms of my recovery from some of the symptoms, I am unwell every day. I thought that these symptoms would be self-limiting at first.

Some of my friends did not comment on my heart condition. Perhaps my words came across as tragic but l am just trying to live a normal life to restore my fitness very hard. I feel sad about this.

I am planning to channel my energy and time into figuring out some psychological and medical management strategies for de-stress step by step. I wish to return to study soon. I take some Chinese herbal medicine (i.e., Sansoninto) as well as regular medicine.

Thank you for listening to me.🙂 I hope to live life to the fullest despite having multiple health issues.

If you have any suggestions or better ideas for a heart condition, I would be grateful to take advice🙏

Wishing you worry-free days and good well-being 🩷

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am sorry your plans have had to be put on hold and go in a different direction due to your health issues

But you are doing everything to help yourself

You have set plans maybe a new path but is admirable and goals what you now might be able to achieve and having such a positive attitude can help so much with health issues which you seem to have

Staying as fit and healthy as you can , a good diet as well as this attitude you have should see your conditions

Keep us updated on how you are doing x

[Applemango in reply to BeKind28-]

Hello, BeKind28. I appreciate your kind words and attention to my health concerns.

How are you today? I hope you had a lovely day.

I was a sad person originally as I have some health issues originated from my grandmother's health issues. As time goes by, I realised that my life is different from my grandmother's one through my academic journey. My international friends have been very helpful and gave me good insights to expand my world 🌍

I have learnt a lot from British negative capabilities to ride uncertainty out during my undergraduate years. Also, my fellow British students at university had health issues and earned degrees successfully, which inspired me in many ways ✨ For these reasons, I am able to be optimistic about my future, albeit with psychological/physical issues.

Today I will try to use Powerbreathe that British Olympians use to increase my lung capacity 💪 I hope some management strategies will work.

I believe that there are always second chances in life.

Thank you for your compassion and caring mind. I hope you have a restful day ahead.🍀🫖☕

[BeKind28- in reply to Applemango]

Hello

Your outlook on things is very inspiring and because of that I am sure you are going to get through this and go on to be very successful x

[Applemango in reply to BeKind28-]

Hello, thank you for your kind words and for reading my messages 😊

Yes, I hope to go through my health challenges using workable methods. I believe that most problems can be tackled little by little even if they look insurmountable at times.

Thank you very much for brightening my day 🙂✨ I hope that everything will go well with you ✨ Sending you gratitude and positive sunshine to be able to stay happy ☀️

[BeKind28- in reply to Applemango]

Hello

Thank you for your lovely reply and hope you have a lovely day to x

[Applemango in reply to BeKind28-]

Wishing you the same 🩷✨

[BeKind28- in reply to Applemango]

x

[fishonabike]

hello, i am sorry to hear that your health has got in the way of your studies and hope that you can find ways to return to your studies - as someone whos studies were affected and eventual career brought to an early end by health issues i can understand a little of your situation

i have also had an episode of Takotsubo, this is a poorly understood condition (as you are by now well aware!) and, although most people recover well, the longer term consequences are beginning to be recognised - i am a member of the facebook Takotsubo Support group, which has members from all over the world

through this group i have become aware of the wide range of conditions which can affect and influence Takotsubo - you might find it helpful to join and share your learninng as well as maybe learning something from the members and resources there

[Applemango in reply to fishonabike]

Hello, thank you very much for sharing your experiences of takotsubo and for giving me kind thoughts 😊

I am glad that you can understand my symptoms of takotsubo. Yes, there is no specific treatment at the moment and the symptoms linger in my case.

As for the FB group, it sounds helpful! Thank you for the information.

One of my doctors mentioned that I have been suffering from the symptoms of takotsubo because of sympathetic nervous system overreactivity. Therefore I received acupuncture treatment to suppress the sympathetic nerve. I felt much better then, but the efficacy of acupuncture is temporary.

Do you live a normal life at the moment if I may ask?

Do you have any coping strategies for the symptoms of takotsubo?

I wish you well, good well-being and joy 🌸 Much appreciated.

[fishonabike in reply to Applemango]

i am glad you have found my response helpful - i hope you decide to join the FB group as it has been very helpful for lots of members and i think you would find a lot of helpful information there

i recovered well from my episode, but other health issues mean that my life is not exactly normal - however i am not affected by any long-term issues as a direct result of Takotsubo as far as I can tell - i enjoy my life more now that i have learned to live within my limits

i don't know how recent your episode was or what symptoms you experience so won't offer any coping strategies here, other than "be kind to yourself"

i have found that medics tend not to appreciate the longer-term consequences and effects of the conditions they treat, partly because few of them have experienced them (i say this as a former nurse!), but also for a huge variety of other reasons - so while i hope that you find a way through your health issues i also hope that they will inform your future professional practice in developing a greater understanding of the people at the other end of the stethoscope - i know that having health issues during my training made me a more empathic and understanding nurse

[Applemango in reply to fishonabike]

Hello again, thank you very much for your kind words and the helpful information.

I am so sorry to hear that you have other health issues but you used to work as a nurse! Yes, I do agree that being empathetic and kinder to anyone matter, in particular people with vulnerabilities.

At least, I am glad that takotsubo hasn't affected you much at this stage. I do hope that everything will go well with you in many ways 🧡

I appreciate your teaching and caring mind. May your days be lovely and restful.

[Uldine in reply to fishonabike]

Hi fishonabike. I was interested in your reply to Applemango as I too have had a huge episode of Takotsubo's. I am on medication, seemingly for life, but have had to do my own research as the hospital no longer wants to see me. I feel very alone now the support has been stopped. I did not know about the Facebook group, so I am going to look it up. Thankyou for the heads up.

[fishonabike in reply to Uldine]

i hope that you join the group and that you find it helpful

[Bikica1234 in reply to Uldine]

Can you explain to me what kind of diagnosis it is? Is it cardiomyopathy or something else? What are the symptoms of Takotsubo disorder?

[Applemango in reply to Bikica1234]

Hello, thank you for asking. Perhaps the symptoms depend on a patient. Please have a look at this article below. I hope this helps.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Danceawaytheblues]

I am sorry to hear about your Takotsubo episode. Please take heart (no pun intended) from this old lady who has has two episodes. One in 2002 and another in 2020. I am now 78 and enjoying every day. There is a world outside that is just waiting for you to find your place in it. I wish you every happiness and success in the future. Love and light Marianne. x

[Applemango in reply to Danceawaytheblues]

Hello Marianne, thank you very much for your kind words and for sharing your experiences. It must have been hard.

I am relieved and glad to hear that you are enjoying your life. I hope that my symptoms will be manageable like you do. I have hope for recovery.

Thank you so much for your caring words and warm wishes.😊

I sincerely wish you wellness, peace and countless happiness 💖🌸

[Silvertail]

Hi there. I've had takotsubo CM four times and, although I still have some damage to my heart as well as fatigue at times, I am living an almost normal life. I've been told walking is the best exercise for your mind as well as your body. (I also have other health issues apart from cardiac disease.) I hope you will feel much better soon, both physically and mentally. ❤️

[Applemango in reply to Silvertail]

Hello, thank you very much for sharing your experiences and for your kindness.

We are in the same boat as we have multiple health issues. Yes, I often feel fatigued and take a nap.

I am glad to hear that you live almost normal life, albeit with psychological issues. I do hope that you don't push yourself too much and please be gentle to yourself 🧡

I will try to take a walk again as you suggested. I was a bit scared because I had chest pains outside occasionally. I will need to go through trial and error to find some solutions for me.

I appreciate your cordiality and kind attention to my issues. I wish you well, good well-being and serenity 🍀

[Silvertail in reply to Applemango]

Thank you.

[KIMMY60]

Be careful with the herbal medicines I had a massive reaction to one I tried all my neck swelled up ended up in A&E, I wanted to be a doctor when I was young but new I couldn't do the night shifts they do so didn't try I do feel for you

[Applemango in reply to KIMMY60]

Thank you very much for your kind words. Yes, herbal medicine has side effects. I studied that. I hope you are having a good day smoothly. I am hoping to be an epidemiologist. I can just work from home.

I wish you good well-being and happiness 🍀