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Congestive Heart Failure

pam52
0 Recommendations

I had a triple by pass in 2000 also both carodit arteries repaired in 2001. I did go back to work for about 7 yrs. The last 6 months were really rough, but I had no choice, then I had to have my hip replacement... That put me on disability. I still feel so useless, I have never been out of work before for this long. Recently I have been getting signs of Congestive Heart Faliure, I know the signs because of my Mom, grandmother and my Dad... so I guess I should of been prepared for it, but I'm not... I go to my doctor in a few days to get my report from the tests I had taken. My chest feels heavy and some swelling which I never have. Also, fluid around my heart and in my lungs... It's not fair but high blood pressure I've had since my early 20's and high choslestrol I have had since my mid thirtys. If anyone had this, I would love to talk to you
Pam

Explore topics in this discussion:

Heart transplant Heart failure Surgery Counseling Bypass surgery Lasix Rheumatoid arthritis Stent Osteoarthritis Asthma Heart disease Arthritis Diabetes Cardiomyopathy Spinal fusion Pain Pacemaker Congestive heart failure

11 replies

kathybg

PAM-1ST YOU NEED TO BE MORE ACCEPTING AND PATIENT WITH YOURSELF, YOU ARE STILL YOU NO MATTER THE HEALTH CHANGES. I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW FRUSTRATED AND EMOTIONAL YOU MUST BE. I AM 48, A LIFER HEART PATIENT (OPEN HEART AT 12 YRS-PACEMAKER IN 2004-NEW AND CORRECT PACER W/DEFIB IN 2007). I'VE BEEN ON A HEART TRANSPLANT LIST SINCE 12/08 DUE TO SEVERE HEART FAILURE CAUSED BY THE 1ST PACER PUT IN WAS THE INCORRECT TYPE FOR MY CONDITION AND ATE AWAY GOOD MUSCLE IN MY HEART FOR THE 3 YRS. THAT I COMPLAINED TO 2 AREA CARDIOLOGISTS & WAS BLOWN OFF. I FINALLY RETURNED TO THE CITY TEACHING HOSPITAL THAT DID MY OPEN HEART AND SPINAL FUSION, THEY IN TURN SWITCHED PACERS HOPING TO REVERSE DAMAGE BUT TOO LATE, TRANSPLANT ONLY WAY OUT. I TOO AM ON SS DISABILITY FOR PAST 1 1/2 AFTER WORKING FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS AS A GERIATRIC NURSE'S AIDE WHICH I MISS OVERWHELMINGLY EVERY DAY. I GET FURIOUS AT MYSELF OFTEN BECAUSE I CAN'T DO WHAT I USE TO DO, WELL I CAN BUT TAKES SO MUCH LONGER AND DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TOO EXHAUST ME. A GOOD DAY NOW IS MAYBE GETTING THE DUSTING DONE!! BUT I AM HERE AND NOT GIVING UP-YOU TOO BETTER NOT GIVE UP. DO WHAT YOU CAN IN YOUR HOME, MOSTLY TO STAY SANE BUT ALSO GIVES YOU A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. KEEP BUSY W/READING, CRAFTS, TALKING TO FRIENDS ON PHONE, WRITING NOTES/LETTERS TO FAMILY /FRIENDS. DON'T EVER STOP MAKING PLANS W/FAMILY/FRIENDS. GO W/THEM TO LUNCH, DINNER, OR THE MOVIES. I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY AS TIRED AS I AM ALL THE TIME SO SCHEDULE THINGS EARLY SO YOU CAN BE HOME EARLY IN EVENING BEFORE YOU REALLY CRASH. YOU'LL LEARN IN TIME TO READ WHAT YOUR BODY IS TELLING YOU, LISTEN TO IT AND DON'T OVERDO. I'VE LEARNED THE HEARD WAY-IF I OVERDO I ALWAYS WIND UP W/COLD AND SORE THROAT. GET TO A GOOD CARDIOLOGIST WHO YOU TRUST, ONE WHO LISTENS & TAKES YOU & YOUR SYMPTOMS SERIOUSLY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOU MAKE OUT & IF YOU WANT TO TALK EMAIL ME AT kathybg2002@Yahoo.com UNTIL THEN KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS-KATHYG

pam52

I know about Florida heat, my Dad lives in Palatka and I have been going down there about every 6 weeks and staying for about a 3-weeks to a month. it's about 500 miles from where I actually live. I used to visit him during the summers when I was younger and I stayed at Daytona Beach every day I could dawn to dust. Take care and everyday is worth it. I go to the doctor today to find out just how bad it is, I will let you know.
Pam

pam52

Hi Pam
I am trying to lose weight and watch the salt and sodium intake. I haven't had much swelling in my feet. when I feel bloated I take a fluid pill and that helps. I had a birthday yesterday and was a little depressed.
I am trying to get over it. I will report what my doctor tells me today.

pam52

Coughing is the worst for me and the feeling of heaviness in my chest. I go the doctor today and maybe I can find out what I need to do.
Thank you and take care
Pam

DaytonaKaren

In 2001 when my youngest was 13 months old, I broke my ankle in three places. I believe the inactivity from that accident activated a hereditary link to heart disease. By 2006 in addition to the severe osteoarthritis that had set in from the breaks and wear and tear, I had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, diabetes, and ventricular tachycardia. After a cardiac cath, my defibrillator was implanted which has saved me at least twice, once recently. Since 2006 I have had 7 hospitalizations for CHF.

I have learned to control most of the symptoms for the CHF, limiting liquid intake to 48 ounces daily which is difficult here in Florida heat. In addition I take 40 mg lasix twice daily. What I find most difficult is the constant pain with no relief in sight. You can't take nsaids which eliminates all arthritis meds. Some days I just stay in bed and cry. Some days its tough. I push myself because of my kids but if it weren't for them, I don't know that I would try so hard.

good luck to you all. I love reading your inspirations.

Karen

pamscha

Hi Pam- Your situation sounds similar to mine. I had bypass surgery in 2000 after aheart attack and heart failure. I was 52 at the time. I;m also diabetic, and have developed many complications from that disease. I had to retire on disability after the heart problems occurred, and I became very depressed. I felt totally worthless to society. I eventually went to counseling and took antidepressant meds-it really helped. Now I do some volunteer work in the heart unit of my local hospital and other places to occupy my time. I still take med for heart failure and several other problems. I lost weight and started watching salt intake. I feel much better today than I did in 2000. Take care and let us know how you're doing. Another Pam

Lynnedz56

Coughing was the sign that I was getting a lot worse. In fact, I finally lost my voice. As I got better the cough has lessened. And I have to restrict sodium and fluid. I can have 2,000 mg of sodium and 2 liters of liquid a day. I saw my kidney doctor yesterday and he is amazed at my progress...with my kidneys and my congestive heart failure.

pam52

Yes, I do watch my salt and sodium intake, I have not had any swelling so there was no need for dierutics until now and my fluid intake, well I have something in my hand all the time to drink... but I know about having too much... thank you so much... I will try and be more careful with my fluid...

Pam

Gammacygnus

Hello all. I have chronic heart failure for 10 years from dilated cardiomyopathy. Are you watching salt/sodium intake? Are you on any dierutics? Also need to watch fluid intake.

pam52

Do you cough alot, I cough so deep sometimes it makes my throat sore and I do cough up something I call it flim but I remember my Mom coughing alot? I just can't seem to get rid of it... When I go to the doctor on the 10th, that's the first thing I am going to ask her... If you want to talk just send me a message... I know how hard it is to have this and try to work too... I was glad that I got my disability, but I miss the interaction with people I worked with...

Lynnedz56

Where to start. I've had knee problems since I was 19. Over a year ago I started to get a lot of swelling in my legs. And the doctors kept blowing me off. I also started to ache everywhere. Finally was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. And the doctor just kept giving me drugs which had bad side affects. The swelling continued until I collapsed last August. Congestive heart failure. Most likely caused from my asthma. I changed my life quickly and lost 50 pounds, but still did not feel quite right. A month ago they decided to do a heart cath to show me nothing was wrong. Well, now I have a LAD stent. I continue to work, but with all of the medical stuff I have days where it is very hard. So, I can relate.

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