My Personal SCAD experience

jenafish616
  • By jenafish616 · September 24, 2012 at 10:14 pm · 11 replies
  • In Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)
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It was September 17, 2011 (I was 38 years of age) and I was on my way to run a 5K, I didn't make it, instead I found myself in an ambulance with EMS telling me I was having a heart attack.. huh? how could this be I don't have any of the risk factors.. I was only in the ER for moments before a cardiologist on call on a Saturday night approached me said I was in the middle of a heart attack and told me I was going to the cath lab. again huh? what is everyone talking about I was thinking. so to the cath lab I go. my cardiologist is wonderful I was so lucky he was on call on a Saturday night. As he is exploring he found the rare occurence SCAD.... luckily he has seen it 1 other time in his career so he knew what to do with it, 1 stent was placed. After an hour I wind up in a room where I wound up sicker than a dog all night, my husband stayed with me all night and got me through it, that was worse than the heart attack.

I stayed in the hospital for 2 days and I still wasn't comprehending how serious this was until after I got home and did some researach and then realized my whole world was about to change, I had my ups and downs and couldn't believe this was happening to someone who hasn't even had a cold in years...but I had a lot of support from family/friends.

I did the cardiac rehab which helped me alot, it was a great outlet for me and I was so use to exercising but didn't know where to start so this helped me. although after rehab I didn't continue excersing as I went through a divorce so between that and trying to heal I had to take care of myself in other ways.

A year later I have finally went back to working out and my husband (ex) and I are great friends and I am emotionally and physically 100% better.

sorry if rambled, it feels good to get it all out sometimes to other people that understand and I am looking for people to chat with who knows exactly what I have gone through and understand the frustrating moments we all have.

Thanks for reading my story.

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11 replies   

debmcg

Welcome Jenafish! Your story sounds very similar to many of the SCAD ladies I know! Including myself! Glad you are feeling better a year later! This website is very helpful!

Deb

SojournHR

Hi Jenafish - I am a bit older than you but your history sounds very similar to mine. I had a 5K on the docket for 09/08/12 but had the SCAD on 09/01. Like you, I was surprised to hear that I had a heart attack and all of this medicine and hospital stuff was new to me. I'm still "observing" the weekly anniversaries as every Saturday, it feels weird to me when I think what happened. It was only in the past week or so that I have comprehended the seriousness of everything that I experienced. Fortunately I didn't have to have stents or surgery but it has been somewhat traumatic nonetheless. THANK YOU for taking time to share your story. It helps me to know that my feelings are normal. I am glad that you are feeling better and doing as well as you are.

Mcmcmc

Hi jenafish,
I had my scad heart attack on sept 20,2012. Happened after swimming. Glad to hear you are doing well a year later. I was wondering if your husband became your ex this year? It is none of my business, I just know it is such a difficult year...

jenafish616

MCMCMC - Wow you are only 5 days out from having your episode? I am sure you will be back to swimming in no time!

Yes my husband became my ex and not only did I have the SCAD and the ex-husband but my dog was diagnosed with cancer 2 days before my SCAD and she had surgery the week after I got home so we recovered together. So I had a rough year, but I am back on track and a lot less strees in my life. The ex and I are much better off as friends and we still have a good relationship. I think I talk to him more now than when we were married ha!

Mcmcmc

I had my scad in 2011. Typo! It's great that you can be friends. When it rains, it pours they say.

KAKLeon

Hi Jenafish, I was 38 when I had my SCAD also, and that was nearly 10 years ago! It has been a fast decade, to say the least.
I'm so glad that you did cardiac rehab and are forging ahead with life. You sound like a very strong person, very inspiring.

We all have been in your shoes so keep sharing and asking questions. With all the experience on here, we hopefully can relate or at least brainstorm with you!

Katherine

fietsdame

HI Jenafish! Thanks for sharing your story...mine is similar as well (but my husband and I are still married ;-) I am a little older, 46 when I had my SCAD in March 2012 , healthy, training for a 1/2 marathon, no risk factors. Crazy S*#t, isn't it? Great to hear you are doing well.
If you don't mine private message me the name of your cardiologist and the hospital you were treated in -- I used to live in Auburn and travel that way for board meetings, and like to have a "just in case" place to go that knows something about SCAD!
Lisa

Peanutty

Hi Jenafish! Thank you for sharing your story & total unexpected life changing experience you went through! I too can relate & understand to all your frustrations from what you went through! Glad to hear you feeling better! I too, (38yrs) went through the same thing as you, minus the stent. This website is very helpful & you'll meet so many other women that have similar stories. Thanks again for sharing your story!

ca0371

I too was 38 when I had my first SCAD event. That was a little over 3 years ago. I totally get the huh? feeling. When they told me i'd had a heart attack & was first in line for the cath lab, all I could do is cry. The nurse thought I was scared of the cath lab. That was furthest thing from my mind! They had just told me i'd had a heart attack! I too ended up with 1 stent, but had several complications. So glad you found us! It's a wonderful feeling to know that we are not alone in dealing with this mysterious condition. <3

amelia

Hey Jenafish, Your story brings back memories for me. I also had my SCAD in September when I was 38 - and now it's 18 years later! The difference is I wasn't training for a 5K, but had no other risk factors. I'm thankful all of us can share our stories and support each other. Thanks for sharing your story - you sound like a strong person!

BeZwoman

Hi Jenafish.... So glad you took time to post your story. I had my scad HA on Mother's Day, May 8, 2011. I was a very healthy 57 year old with 5 children.... I had no life habits that should have contributed to having cad except for high cholesterol numbers that were genetic. My mom had passed 30 years before of a 'sudden' HA, unexpected, she was only 46. My story went like yours after the ambulance ride to the regions Heart Hospital... Except I had to have OHS, as I had 4 scads... All in major arteries.... So blessed God put me in the right place at the right time! After a week I went home to recover.... What a life changing year. I decided to separate for awhile from what I considered an emotionally abusive relationship after a year... I now live alone with my cat, in a lovely little cottage by a creek. Still working out the details of the divorce, as we have a 'McMansion' on a golf course and the spouse in the house feels he is entitled to the digs and all the 'stuff' we accumulated over the last 28 years together. By the way.... He feels I had a HA, got surgery, all is well now, so get over 'yourself' and get back to taking care of him and all his life sucking needs again.... Hmmm. So I live in the moment now, and try to become the person God has planned for me. I am happy. If you would like to share life stories, I am here, in NE Pa, on the lake. I am open to chatting with anyone .... BeZwoman@gmail.com

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