My husband had bad flu over Christmas and since then has had huge issues with breathlessness, bloating, fluid retention and fatigue. He's had ECG's, MRI , chest x-ray and bloods. This has shown up that he has fluid around his heart as it's just not pumping properly, is severely anaemic and his vitamin D levels were low. The Dr has put him on Bisparol, a diuretic, iron tablets and vitamin D. He's been signed off work for 5 weeks (bus driver)and we are waiting for an appointment with a cardiologist and an echo cardiogram. The breathlessness and fatigue are the main symptoms and he can barely walk 5 steps without needing to stop. He struggles to sleep well at night as the fluid in his chest affects his breathing and due to the bloating and fluid retention he can't get comfortable during the day to nap.
I'm not really sure why I'm writing all this, I think I just needed a place to let it all out. He's only 47 and up untill now has been fit and well. It just seems to have come out of the blue and knocked him down. He's normally such a strong person and it's just horrible to see him like this.
If you've read this far, well done and thanks 😆
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Muzzyduck
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In my own experience of fluid around my heart diuretics work well to get rid of the fluid fairly quickly .Your GP /cardio will have decided what is best for your husband in view of his other health problems. You can put your husband on a cancellation list for the echo in order to be sure he gets it down sooner rather rthan than later. When someone cannot get to their appoint. or cancel for any reason you get the appoint....usually it is a few hours or perhaps a days notice. I mention this as hospitals have long lists for appoints. now and if you just wait it could be months before your husband is seen.The cancel. list gives you a good chance of being seen sooner. i have used it several times and it is successful about 50% of the time.When you get the echo. get the results as soon as you can....ask for the result and ask when you are scheduled to see the cardio. Do not wait too long for anything. You do have to be proactive these days.
It is possible that some of the breathlessness and fatigue your husband is experiencing is down to being post viral and may gradually disappear with time. I certainly struggle with these issues after a bad virus infection and it takes time to get back to 'normal'. Otherwise as far as your husband's treatment is concerned you might find the link below useful since it lays down an NHS code of practice concerning treatment waiting times in England* , but how it translates into practice is an unknown.
My wife had this. She ended up being admitted and put on a diuretic drip for a week. Her diagnosis, eventually, was viral myocarditis leading to heart failure. She is now on long term medication and is reasonably OK. If your husband can’t sleep or lie down because of fluid on his lungs I’d call an ambulance and force their hand. Don’t let them fob you off. I eventually got my wife sorted out with a second ambulance call. I used 999. If I hadn’t I’d be a widower. There is a post code lottery for cardiac care.
I had the same symptoms as your husband after a viral infection at 49 years old and was put in a diuretic drip for a week, which quickly got rid of the fluid, but thankfully I was back to being able to sleep and the breathlessness disappeared from the very first dose. I'm back to feeling like myself again despite everything.
Flu can be very problematic. Does your husband eat healthily, exercise well and is the correct weight?
As A bus driver he may find all those things difficult to do and eventually they will catch up with him when there is some sort of trigger, such as flu.
Sleep is very important. Is there the means to sleep separately for a little while so he can toss and turn and get comfortable without disturbing you too much?
As regards your appointments, you may need to push gently,
I was exactly the same but I did not have a virus mine came from nowhere. I called 111 they sent ambulance. I had lots of tests immediately and was diagnosed with heart failure. I am now very stable and well. And am going back to work April. It is not a death sentence. Just have to modify ones life. Please sleep with lots of pillows as upright he can, this will help with breathing. Please get back in touch with GP your husband should be made to feel more comfortable and his symptoms eased until he has his cardiologist appointment.
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Hubby getting chest pains
