Advise please

[CallMeSunny]

I’ve been following your excellent supportive site since a minor heart issue 5 weeks ago when I was diagnosed with an enlarged right ventricle and atelactasis in base of 2 lobes and referred for an echocardiogram, the result of which I now have. No significant abnormalities….which I’m grateful for.

A little background information. I’m a 78 year old female diagnosed with mild asthma (since childhood), sero negative inflammatory arthritis, post partum DVT plus recent DVT post lumbar spine decompression and cyst excision. I have instrumented fusion L1-5 and now severe retrolisthesis which is causing nerve entrapment. I recently had medial branch block injections to relieve the pain which helped for 3 weeks. My orthopaedic consultant says further surgery is out of the question, he’s referred me to a pain specialist and a physiotherapist who has fitted me for a lumbar brace. I use a variety of wheels and/or sticks to help me mobilise!

The problem I’m experiencing is that when I try to walk using my two sticks for support, I’m finding it very difficult and consequently causing breathlessness and lightheadedness within a short distance. Would you keep gently persevering with short ‘walks’ every now & then or do I need to report these exertions symptoms? I’m assuming I need to speak to a GP anyway regarding the atelactasis as I’ve had no input from anyone about it.

Thank you for reading.

[Happyrosie]

I’m so sorry for your arthritis problems. I don’t think it’s possible for us here to say whether your mild exercising is causing or exacerbating symptoms. Are you waiting for cardiac rehab? Are you in touch with your hospital Cardiology? They would be the ones to advise you I feel. For instance some chair-based exercises.

[CallMeSunny in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks for your reply HappyRosie. I haven’t had any advice from the hospital where I had the echo done, just the letter. I think you’re right re chair based exercises…. chair yoga is something I could try.

[nicknack999]

hi, im assuming yr in the uk. can you find a contact for your local community cardiac rehab team. the nurses that ran my group were so helpful. we could just call for advice. they also ran a weekly exercise class where people of all ages, up to 80+ were exercising under their monitoring. From there I learned how much I could push myself after my HA. best of luck