Stents

[CARPCARPER]

Hi I hada hart attack last Friday and had 2 snents and still geting pain and its makeing me very anxious I feel like il never get back to normal it realy geting me down I feel like i wunt be able to get to the gym which the gym has been a big part of my life for ten years I feel so depressed I feel so low I feel like I'm going to be stuck in in this hole for ever

[BeKind28-]

Hello

It was only last Friday and you had stents as well it really is early days

The pain you are feeling is quite common they have been messing with your heart so it is going to need time to settle down

Feeling low like you do is also common for so many of us especially in these early days but you need to be patient with yourself give yourself time to heal because this hole you feel you are in you will come out of it

First I hope you will be offered Rehab and when you are then take it and go they will gently ease you back into exercise while been in a safe environment and then you can slowly build up from there

Think of it as if you had broken your leg and arm you would not be able to go to the gym and you would have to wait for them to heal and then ease yourself back into your routine I think you would accept that would be reasonable

Look at this the same you need time to heal and gently get back to where you were

If you are struggling you can talk with us the Rehab Nurses if you were given any contact numbers , there is your Doctor to but I think they would say it is still early days

Let us know how you get on x

[CARPCARPER in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi thank you for your reply I know its going to take time I suffer with very bad anxiety and panic attacks and very bad depression I over think the worst things in my head iv never had any thing happen to me before that stops me doing thing so this happening as realy knockd me about mentally I hate not being able to do what I enjoy like gym fishing or riding my bike or just going town shoping with my wife I know it's still very early day but feel so fed up and scared it realy as effectid me mentally I spoke to my aa sponsor and he said I'm going though a self pity stage which is true I just feel so fed up

[BeKind28- in reply to CARPCARPER]

Hello

I to suffer with severe anxiety and it has been over 2 years since I had my triple Bypass and still find every day a struggle trying to mentally deal with things and I know I routine that suited us and helped us before this happened when it is taken away even for a short while it makes it so much harder

I think a week just after you are entitled to some self pity as long as it does not go on to long

You will get there I think focusing on trying to be patient and accepting what has just happened , finding other distractions while your body heals but you will get back to doing what you enjoyed x

[CARPCARPER in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you I know just over thinking and feeling depressed

[BeKind28- in reply to CARPCARPER]

You must know the saying

One day at a time

Accept the things you cannot change and the Courage to change the things you can

It works if you work it x

[Survivor1952]

The improvement isn’t instant. I had two stents last May and felt much better almost straight away. That op was just a week after my silent HA.

They did some checks before discharging me and it turned out I had further problems so I stayed in hospital. Just over three weeks later I had AVR and a single CABG.

I’m now at 8 months post OHS, I ran a 5k park run at 3 months and I’m still doing them. I still have occasional mild discomfort from the chest muscles on my right but apart from that I’m as fit now as I was 10-15 years ago.

So the bottom line is don’t be impatient, healing takes a while (much quicker for PCI only than I have been) and a lot depends on how much damage was done by the HA. Every one of us is different so don’t lose hope either …

[CARPCARPER in reply to Survivor1952]

Thanks just been the gym did 20 minutes on the tred mill going very slow I at to stop because I started feeling strange but I know it'd going to take time

[xxb492]

Hi there, I was the same! Mild HA on new year's eve and 2 stents fitted but felt aches and pains after and never quite felt ok. Assumed I'd be 100% fixed straight away but after speaking to the cardio rehab people I realised the enormity of what I'd actually been through and that it'd take time to heal just like any other injury.

One thing that I found that did affect me was the Ticagrelor I'd been prescribed. I had trouble catching by breath and a vauge tightness in my chest most of the time which left me anxious about the success of the procedure. After researching it I realised it might be a known side effect but no one told me about this and no one seemed too bothered. In the end I attended a&e and forced the issue. Finally in consultation with the consultant they agreed to swap out the Ticagrelor for Clopidogrel and what a difference! The day after swapping I felt 100%! No pains or tightness and I can breathe normally! I finally felt that I'm back to normal and I feel really confident for the future at last.

So, in summary, it will take time to heal naturally but do be prepared to research any side effects and raise any concerns with your drs. You will recover and feel so much better than before your HA. Hope that helps you and anyone else that might be feeling the same way!

Take care, cheers!

[xxb492 in reply to xxb492]

Oh, and thanks so much to everyone on the forum. It's been a real comfort to know that I'm not alone in this journey!

[Murderfan58]

I can only tell you about my brother . But will say the pain may be from the heart attack and having the stents has improved your blood flow into your heart and the pain you feel is the heart damage and having the stents put in. I am no expert. Just an idea.

My brother had permanent AF and over 10 years ago had 2 stents put into his heart after an angina attack which landed him in hospital for 3 days and they found blockages in his heart. He had the stents put in as an out patient. He said it took him 45 mins to walk from the car which was parked opposite the entrance to the hospital. 2 hours after the stents where fitted he said he could have run home. He did had a bit of discomfort for couple of days but he could climb stairs without stopping and he didn't snooze as loudly. . No idea if this has helped. I have PAF . Wishing you a full recovery.

[Come2jesus]

hi I had a massive heart attack (right CA completely blocked) I’m 67 and have been very active all my life ex personal trainer police and army. What you’re going through now is a humbling experience you have to suck up your pride and be patient for the healing to work. You have had major surgery it takes time relax and take a break.

[Davey77]

Your heart has been bruised by inserting the stents. Imagine how long it would take a bruise to heal completely, then add more time since you're probably on blood-thinners.

I wasn't particularly fit before my HA, but I'm happy (ish) to exercise under supervision at Cardiac Rehab classes. Some of the people in my class do a lot of exercise outside of the class, but have the reassurance of knowing they're observed regularly during exercise in class by a trained nurse.

I hope you can find good Cardiac Rehab in your area. I'm lucky that in my area they have a team that sees you in hospital before you even have the operation and a good local class to move on to later