Cardiac arrest and stroke

[Lrfc]

Hi not posted in 12 months. I had a out of hospital cardiac arrest nov23 I was just started walking in march and add a stroke now I have PTSD and having counselling.and started cardiac rehab .the conciler wants me to walk further to push myself.but my cardio rehab nurse doesn't want to do to much.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am so sorry what you have been through and PTSD is very hard to deal with and counselling can be beneficial however when your Counsellor suggests they want you to push yourself a little further just how much are they suggesting ?

I think you need to be asking them that question if you have not done already and then explain to them what the Rehab Nurses have said and whatever the Counsellor has suggested ask the Rehab Nurses if they would be happy for you to do that if they say no on this one I would listen to the Rehab Nurses

You will get through this but seems you are getting conflicting information what you should do physically so you need to get it clear and then if needed your Counsellor can come up with other ways to help you through this

Let us know how you get on x

[Lrfc in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks for your response.i will let you know are I get on🙂

[BeKind28- in reply to Lrfc]

x

[Wonky_heart]

Wow, firstly, give yourself a huge hug and pat on the back for getting through such a tough time. My daughter has severe complex PTSD and by chance has (after a very long wait) found the best psychologist who specialises in trauma therapy and the difference is amazing. So take comfort that, in time, PTSD won't control your days as it does at the moment. That said, not every councillor will always be a good match and if you don't feel confident in them, then it might be worth finding someone new. A Councillor (or psychologist) is NOT medically trained so I would hesitate to take any medical advice from them over a medically trained nurse or doctor. They are each specialists in their own field, but that's where it ends. You've got a lot to deal with and will have good days and rubbish days. Remember to be kind to yourself and if advice feels wrong, then perhaps it isn't the best for this time, but may be in the days ahead. Good luck and huge hugs

[Lrfc in reply to Wonky_heart]

Thank you for your response. Will try and go for a little walk.to get some fresh air

[Driver11]

Firstly like me you are one of the few that survive an out of hospital CA so please feel like you are the lucky oneYou need to speak to both and what the other experts you to do. There is a compromise

Good luck it will all start feeling better

[Cocoadonkey]

Hi there

I would agree with the other comments, the cardiac nurses are medically trained and their advice on how far to push yourself will be the one to listen to.

I am glad you are getting help for the PTSD. My husband had a cardiac arrest in A & E, which they still class as out of hospital as he was not under treatment at the time - had just walked in. It must be doubly hard for you with the stroke as well. My husband has been lucky in that he has had not major complications since his arrest 3 years ago.

As others have said, counsellors are all different and everyone reacts in different ways. My husband tried hypnotherapy as well which helped his with coping and relaxation techniques when he is feeling anxious. Also EMDR which we paid for privately. He only needed a few sessions - again for coping techniques. His main issue was claustrophobia, which they think was due to being in an induced coma for nearly 3 days, but all these things have definitely helped.

Keep going, you will find ways to cope with this and listen to your body too !

[Lrfc in reply to Cocoadonkey]

Thank you for response. Wish you both good health

[andy110519]

Hi, sorry to hear you're having a bad time of it. Whilst it is good mentally to push ourselves physically, you have physical restrictions you must take into account and your rehab nurse is definitely the one to listen to.I had an OHCA 5 years ago and have struggled mentally at times. There is a good source of information for survivors on the Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA UK) Facebook page and website which has come from survivors and specialists so is well worth a look if you haven't already found it.

Take care and don't overdo the exercise.

Andy