Frustrated, fed up and worried

[HA24]

Hi everyone. I had a STEMI in August 24 and as many people report my recovery was slow with various chest pains, side effects and emotional ups and downs. But gradually things were beginning to improve, I was walking more and faster and feeling as if I was getting somewhere.

Prior to my hear attack I suffered from chronic pain which on the whole I managed with medication, exercise, mindfulness and visualisation.

My cardiac rehab wasn't available until the beginning of Feb. When I went for the assessment I explained I might find some elements of the class difficult because of my pain and I was assured the exercises could be personalised. It became apparent at the first session that from a pain perspective I wouldn't be able to do the class as it stood and following this session it was 5 days before I could do my usual walking. I contacted rehab to explain the situation and asked if it was possible for someone to contact me. I received an email saying they were sorry to hear about my problems and had discharged me back to my GP.

I decided to go it alone with my back exercises and increase the speed of my walking which from a cardiac point of view was fine but has resulted in tendon damage and more pain.

My GP is very supportive and has referred me to physio who have told me I have very poor muscle strength in various muscles which means my back is taking all the strain of any activity. End result more exercises for my back, constant pain, highly anxious and unable to do enough exercise to increase my heart rate. All very depressing!!

Sorry for rambling but just wondered if others with chronic pain have had similar experiences and if so what might have been helpful.

One final thing I don't have access to a cardiac nurse and I have completed a pain management programme in the past.

[PaoloRossi]

Sorry to hear about your chronic back pains, HA24. I had an aortic valve replacement last May and was fortunate to find the local Cardiac Rahab (8weeks) and then the Heart Smart sessions (10weeks) helped me in my recovery. Separate, and prior to my heart op, I had suffered from lower back pain/discomfort for 30+ yrs. I have used physio and chiropractor services throughout this time. My sense is that 'the right' health provider is out there for the large majority of us but it can take time to research and 'test' their services. Key is that they understand and personalise their service to your specific needs eg I had a chiropractor who was effectively a 'strong handed' masseur rather than a traditional methods....yes, he did the occasional 'click' of the joints , loosening the vertebrae, but it was mostly about deep massage to the lower back surrounding tissues. Regular week, fortnightly to start and then once every couple of months since..... The other self-help for me that worked in combo with the 'hands on' treatment was daily back exercise routines (morning and evening). I can see that you've tried these and and sadly, the pain is too chronic, in which case you have to stop doing them. Hopefully, you will find a practicioner that can help you first of all and then pick up your home exercise routine. Exercises that may help you are Flexion, Lumbar Rotation Stretch (both legs together, then one at a time), Unilateral low lumbar stretch, Cat & Camel, Cat stretch. I hope you find the right provider and get to a point where the discomfort/pain is manageable and allows you to live 'normally'. Good luck.

[HA24 in reply to PaoloRossi]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I think you're right - it's about finding the right person - in this case someone who understands chronic pain management alongside cardiac rehab. I'm reluctant to involve too many people at once so will speak to GP and NHS physio again in a couple of weeks and then start looking at possible options. Very much one step forward and two steps back at the moment