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Has anyone experienced a substantial, noticeable personality change since SCA? I have, and family and friends say I am much more calm and I find myself to be much more tolerant of things that used to really tick me off!!
Exercise Heart disease Surgery Anoxic brain injury Sudden cardiac arrest Panic disorder Anxiety Pain Memory Stent Depression Folic acid Stress
Yes, I'm sure I don't have heart disease. I think when I was in the hospital, they did every test (along those lines) known to man. :-)
I am pretty healthy overall, which is what makes all of this so confusing.
Lydjahh, I am actually being treated for anxiety and depression. That's been since before my first cardiac arrest. I have always been "the nervous type." At first the doctor said she didn't think anxiety had anything to do with it. But now that they've ruled out so many other things, she feels it could be a big part of it. So many questions and no answers!!!!
I guess there isn't much I can do at this point except make sure my girls are being watched carefully. Hopefully they will develop a new and more efficient test. It sounds like they are working on it.
Thanks so much for all of the support!
Love, Mary
I wish I could remember where I read this info, but panic disorder has been linked to SCA. I have panic disorder, but my cardiologist doesn't think it was the cause. I feel better NOT knowing the genetics, but I will relent and get them done eventually. Just more to ponder.
WOW!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. QUESTION, ARE THEY SURE YOU DON'T HAVE HEART DISEASE? JUST HAD TO ASK! I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS. TTYS LEENIE
Well, today I got the genetic test results. They weren't expected until October. Even the doctor was surprised. I was very disappointed with the result. It came back negative for CPVT. It seems that would be good news, but that leaves us back at square one, not knowing for sure what caused my SCA, and not knowing if my 3 daughters are at risk. Not to mention the doctor says this does not rule it out as a possibilty. I don't really fully understand the whole thing. But there are no more test I can take.
If it had been positive, the girls would have been tested and we would know for sure if they have it. If so, they would have gotten ICD's. Now I feel like they are walking around like ticking time bombs. It's very scary. I really don't know how to handle this...
Hi,
I'm VERY SLOW to respond to this question (I had a third (but successful!) shoulder surgery in August). I became calmer and more anxious at the same time after my sca. I think the calm comes from not remembering what used to upset me. And I consider that one of the greatest gifts of my sca. I got some very good help/rehab on my abi (anoxic brain injury) post sca and I learned tools to track short term memory issues (what do I need to remember today?) as well as an increased awareness of the emotional ups and downs I was having for awhile. "How to shut up until I've had a chance to think about what I want to say" is one of the best gifts! ONE MAIN CALENDAR was the best tool and it's a desktop-sized one that hangs on my wall with "to-do" boxes in front of every item that calls for action/tracking. I look at it through the day if I'm home and transfer the info to my purse calendar as often as I can remember to do it. :) If I haven't done a task-with-a-box I transfer it onto the next day (until INFINITY if necessary). I also use my cell phone to deliver alarms throughout the day if an event/appointment needs to be remembered/tracked later. The emotional roller coaster eased up after a few years (my sca was in '87) but I still have to occasionally SIT ON MY MOUTH when I have the urge to burst out with words that are impulsive and possibly hurtful or troublemaking (that's called "disinhibition" in neurological circles) Great conversations. Keep it up.
Mary Lyons
Longview, WA
Hi All....
Sorry I haven't been around lately...been a little depressed and sick, but better every day. Stay well and happy!
Thanks, Leenie. I will let you know when I hear something.
So far the start to my school year has been a good one, though. I go to the doctor Tuesday to have my ICD read.
Hi Mary, Well you know October is around the corner. I hope the results are what you are looking for. I'm so glad that I was able to start living with out all the stess. It really is a must for me. And the TBI is getting better everyday. Those games really work,I hope that you found sometime to try it. It's not over night but I really see a change in my spelling and putting words together. Hope all is well!! Leenie
Hi Leenie,
I can't believe I have such a stressful job, either! I am actually hoping that at some point I can stop working and get medical. I had a genetic test done that will hopefully tell me what's wrong. It may be stress related, and if we can prove it medically I'm hoping I have a case. I guess it's wait and see. The results take up to ten weeks, so I won't know until October.
Love, Mary
Hi Mary, I think the lyica I was on caused my weight gain. I lost 5 1/2 pound so far. I feel a little pain in my feet but it's not to bad. I think you should find a way not to get so swamped. It just causes stress and stress is very bad for anybody. I still can't believe that you work and on a stressful job. I really hope the new medication helps you. Hang in there and check out shockwave. Leenie
Hi Leenie,
Unfortunately I haven't checked out shockwave yet. I am a teacher and just started back to school yesterday. I'm already feeling swamped!
I am also struggling with gaining weight from meds. I am pretty sure it is an anti-depressant I'm taking. The doctor just changed it to something that might actually help me lose weight. I've gained 25 pounds in two years.
I have always had a lot of anxiety, and then some depression. This whole SCA business doesn't help a bit! I was actually quite depressed all summer, so I'm hoping the change in meds will help. I just made the change a week ago, so I can't really tell.
Hi Mary, It's not to bad, you have to eat well, exercise alot and of course take all those medications. I really working on the neuropathy treatment right now. I'm try to get off those meds and use my H wave machine for the pain. I have always been a very thin person, I gain two much weight for my taste and its because of the meds. Working on that!! Have you check out the game on shock wave yet
I look forward to checking this site every day!!
:-)
Thanks Paul & Mary....patience just isn't my strongsuit. And my recovery is all about time and staying the corse. Yes seatbelts really hurt or push on the ICD.
As far as attitude and depression, that does improve with time. I am much better now and don't cry for an hour about all this expensive and stressfull heart stuff. I do love this site and enjoy all my heart friends. Take Care all....Mary Corinne :)
Leenie,
That sounds like a lot to deal with! How do you feel overall?
Thanks for clearing that up for me. OK these is when spelling is going to be a problem. Here I go, I had 2 blocked arteies. LOL. one was 100 % and the other was 80 % blocked . The stent was put in the 100% one the other is being treated with meds. Not to bad. LOL Leanie
Hi Leenie,
It's the middle of the night (4:00 AM to be exact) and I can't sleep. I decided to check my email, so here I am!
Anyway, ICD stands for implanted cardiac defibrillator. Since I had a sudden cardiac arrest in July 2006 (my heart just stopped for no apparent reason), they had to put in a defibrillator so it would shock my heart back to normal if it ever happened again. Then last December, I had another sudden cardiac arrest. The ICD did it's job and I survived my second arrest, even though no one was around when it happened. (My husband saved my life the first time.)
I have heard of a stent, but what condition do you have?
Mary
Hi Mary and Paul Mary I'm happy to here that you don't have neuropathy, Mine is under controll. Can you please tell me what is a ICD. All I have is a stent. Leenie
Mary Corrine,
My husband already wrote this, but I wanted to reinforce it. It WILL get better! I remember worrying that it wouldn't. I still feel it sometimes (2 years later), but overall it's not a problem at all. Even about 4 or 5 months later, it bothered me when I had a seatbelt over my left shoulder. That is no longer a problem for me.
Good luck!
Hi Leenie,
I do not suffer from neuropathy. (I had to look it up to find out what it is.) That must be horrible!! My only real problem is the minor memory loss. It drives me crazy, but I am getting better and better at finding ways to deal with it. Some of that is just being able to laugh at myself sometimes... :-)
I go back to work Tuesday. I'm a teacher, so I've been off for the summer. Hopefully all will go well!
I'm glad you got to have some time for a vacation! Hang in there.
Love, Mary
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