6 weeks post SCAD

• By KAKLeon
• Reply 3340859
• September 2, 2012 at 8:15 am
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Hello tjoc25 ... I can certainly relate to how you feel, and what you've described is very much the "classic" SCAD experience. That doesn't make it any easier, but just know that what you're experiencing emotionally is normal. You've gone from 100 mph to 10 mph, and that is a hard adjustment! Plus going from fit and healthy to being a "patient" isn't easy either.

I'm so glad your echo looks good and that you're doing cardiac rehab. That is the best thing you can do to regain your confidence! It will seem slow, but your heart and body have been through a lot and recovery just takes time.

It may help your spirits to participate in the SCAD clinical trials at Mayo Clinic. Here is some information...it is a virtual study; no need to go to Mayo.

http://www.inspire.com/groups/womenheart/discussion/scad-research-reminder/

Hope your day is going well. Forgot to ask, are you being treated with medication?
Katherine

• By fietsdame
• Reply 3341206
• September 2, 2012 at 10:38 am
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HI tjoc25! I felt that way too. Like many of us who survived a SCAD I was very active, healthy, no risk factors. And like Katherine says, it is a classic SCAD experience. I think we are fortunate to have found each other to share and to learn! I am almost 6 months out from my SCAD - MI and it does get better.
For me that scared and vulnerable feeling has not completely gone away, but it does improve. It took quite a few months for me to regain my strength and energy but cardiac rehab was a huge help. It is not unusual to have strange things going on in your chest after a SCAD and MI - but is can still be scary to experience them! I believe I had some spasms in the weeks after my SCAD which caused symptoms much like my heart attack started out. I also now have occasional premature ventricular contractions which are new to me since the SCAD and they completely freak me out when they happen.
Hope you are feeling a bit better today!
Lisa

• By tjoc25
• Reply 3341601 · In reply to 3340859 by KAKLeon
• September 2, 2012 at 1:16 pm
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Hi Katherine and Lisa, and thanks for your replies. I am on medication: metoprolol, clopidogrel, atorvastatin, amlodipine and baby aspirin. Nitro too, if needed. While in the hospital, I was also treated with an intra-aortic balloon pump for 24 hours or so. A weird experience for sure!
I have an appointment with my cardiologist this week, and I will definitely talk to her about joining the study. Today does seem better- a good night's sleep always helps! I'm glad to have found this site, it's amazing how much it helps to know you aren't alone.
My SCAD happened while on vacation, a few days after a strenuous work out. I started having chest pain immediately after my work out, but ignored it for 4 days, telling myself it was probably just a pulled muscle. I eventually went to the ER, and discovered there were ST wave elevations on my ECG. I went to cardiac cath from there, where there appeared to be tear in the distal portion of my LAD. It was too far down and too small to stent. The chest pain and ST elevations returned the following day, at which time the doctor decided to use the intra-aortic balloon pump. I was "on the pump" for about 24 hours, weaned and it was removed. I was released a couple of days later. Since then, I have been taking my medications, and been pretty active (not Crossfit active, but active). I am still having some non-specific and vague symptoms, including pvc's, more indigestion and occasional, mild and short lived chest pain. it 's kind of a weird new world to be thrust into- I'm glad to hear that it does get better.

• By ShantiHeart
• Reply 3341869
• September 2, 2012 at 3:08 pm
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Tjoc25, I echo the comments of others here and just would add that, re your indigestion, it could be caused by your meds. Many of us on plavix and metoprolol or other beta blockers have developed acid reflux/indigestion when we did not have it before. Of course one always has to wonder if the symptoms that seem like indigestion are heart symptoms, so always good to err on the side of caution ... but just wanted to let you know that this other explanation has also been observed in SCAD survivors. By the way, my SCAD MIs were in August 2011, so just celebrated my first anniversary! So take heart (pun intended) ... things do improve as you go along. Blessings, ShantiHeart/Lynda

• By PVEES
• Reply 3342372
• September 2, 2012 at 7:23 pm
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Hi tjoc25,

Based on how I felt 6 weeks post SCAD, you are doing very well. My SCAD occurred two years ago. It took me about eighteen months to feel like I would be able to achieve my life goals. Take care of yourself and listen to your body. I no longer believe that my heart attacks, stents, and drug complications will dominate my life for the duration. It took me that long to get the right treatment plan and medical team in place and recover from drug complications. Many of us can and do get past the feeling that our hearts betrayed us by dissecting when we were in the prime of life. I'm learning to trust my body more than ever before. I just listen much more carefully now. Although I think about my heart health every day, most of my mental energy is used in living my life.

Take care,

Patti

• By chinadiva
• Reply 3346757
• September 4, 2012 at 11:58 am
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I know how you feel, coming up on my one year anniversary of SCAD....things are going okay, except I feel as though I can't exercise the way I want - lost 26 lbs pre-scad, and most days I don't trust my body, although I try to listen more often...I look forward to the day, when I can feel 100% normal whatever that is...

• By kcscadx2
• Reply 3348277
• September 4, 2012 at 10:22 pm
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Hi tjoc25'
It really does get better, having a heart attack tends to change us in ways we never thought of before our SCAD. I was like you, my first SCAD was down in the distal portion of my artery and they couldn't reach it. My 2nd SCAD was during a jazzercize workout and I have been medically managed on both. Remember to give yourself time to heal, we are here for you!

• By BonB
• Reply 3359221
• September 8, 2012 at 6:40 pm
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Just give yourself some time. Once you start re-hab you will start to gain some confidence because you'll have someone there while exercising and that is great reassurance. I had little pangs and strange feelings for the first 2 years. I just celebrated 4 yrs post scad this summer and am so pleased at how I feel. Most days it's hard to believe that it even happened. 6 wks is so new and your emotions are just trying to comprehend it all. It will get better, but baby steps now are best.
Best wishes,
Bonnie

• By Scad041012
• Reply 3359415
• September 8, 2012 at 8:32 pm
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Hey,

It sounds like you are in great shape. Just to let you know I am 5 months post scad and running again. Prior to my SCAD, I lifted weights 3 times a week and ran 20-25 miles a week. What Drs keep telling me, is that SCAD is a one time issue unless you have blockage due to plaque. I didn't do any rehab. I don't know if my doctor felt this was a one time issue or I didn't need to do rehab or what.. It's kind of scary to be on my own.. I deciced after 4 months and 10lb weight gain, I was getting back to my old routine, I just listen to my body. I am now run/walking 3-4 miles a couple times a week. Keep a positive attitude, set goals to get back to normal or it will drive you crazy.
I experienced chest pains after the initial SCAD and 8 weeks later had another cath, the dissection had remodeled itself with meds. Studies show that chest pains after a heart cath is not necessarily from the heart, but from the cath itself. A normal heart atttack takes a normal 6 weeks to heal like all other surgeries. Take it slowly, listen to your body and get back to enjoying life!

• By debmcg
• Reply 3365175
• September 10, 2012 at 10:53 pm
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Hi tjoc25! I will echo what a lot of the women here have already said. . .what you're feeling is completely NORMAL! Yes NORMAL. Unfortunately! I had my SCAD in January of 2011. I exercised regularly, had/have great cholesterol, blood pressure, don't smoke, etc. Out of nowhere comes SCAD! It takes a while to get back on your feet again and you will likely be beyond cognizant of every little feeling in every little part of your heart for a very long time, if not for the rest of your life! But it definitely gets better! I am on MANY of the same meds as you and also had the balloon pump. I have two stents in my LAD. Hopefully cardiac rehab will be great for you. You will be back on your feet again. Just take it easy for now and let your body heal. Listen to your body. You will be back active again when the time is right! Hang in there and we're here for ya!!

Deb