Heart Trauma Recovery

[olbriar]

I was expecting a pissing contest between my cardi and and kidney guy. It might come yet I saw my cardiologist this afternoon. He understood being off of the four drugs the kidney guy said to quit taking but said it will only be temporary and he will have me back on the meds. I told him I felt way too good without them to consider taking them again. "We've got to consider the long term with your heart." was his response. I'm closer to 72 than 71 years old. What the hell long term is he talking? It took me 71 years to have a heart attack. I don't think long term at my age is possible no matter what the drug... sheesh.

 

[olbriar]

I saw my kidney specialist today. It was all good news and back slapping today. Dr olbriar was right and being so sick and dehydrated screwed up all of my med numbers. Everything is back in the norm and he thinks I'm doing great. He can't believe how active I am. He wants to see me again in six months. Maybe the week of extreme diarrhea and dehydration was a blessing. I'm completely off three meds and another has been changed from a 25 mg daily to 10 mg. I would gladly be off all meds if possible.
I feel great but I'm also glad to learn that my blood work confirms I'm doing well.

 

[olbriar]

It's been a couple of months since I last posted a health status update. I may not be improving, it's impossible to see any changes. I am feeling great and very rarely feel tired or exhausted. I certainly have no complaints for a man nearing seventy two. I see my cardiologist the second week of August. I'm not looking forward to the fight we will have. He promised me that he would have me back on the meds that were dropped when I had my kidney problems and I told him it wasn't happening. We will see who prevails.
My nephew that is close to fifty just had a stent installed. He was feeling tightness in his chest and tingling in his fingers when he worked out at the gym. He was wise enough to seek professional help and they discovered he had serious blockage. He was only in the hospital two days and was released. He's home and feeling great like nothing happened. That's the difference of having some warning signs and addressing the problem vs just having an extreme attack and allowing it to beat up the heart muscle to the point it took months to become somewhat normal again. I should have went to the hospital hours before I went and would no doubt be in better shape with a quicker recovery. I nearly killed myself.

 

[rootabaga]

I’m so grateful you got in when you did, @olbriar and your nephew as well. We humans can be very quick to dismiss or explain away symptoms and sometimes the result is a premature death.

“I’m telling you, I feel fine,” should never be anyone’s last words.

Enjoy the weekend!

 

[olbriar]

I have an appointment with my cardiologist the end of the month. It is then that I will find out the results of the echocardiogram I had done today. It was a year ago when I last had an echo and it was positive enough that I was allowed to return my defib vest and was cleared to ride my bike and do light work. I'd like to think that my heart has continued to recover but that might be too much to expect. I'd love to get off some of the meds I take. One way or another, I'm anxious to hear how I stand.

 

[rootabaga]

I have an appointment with my cardiologist the end of the month. It is then that I will find out the results of the echocardiogram I had done today. It was a year ago when I last had an echo and it was positive enough that I was allowed to return my defib vest and was cleared to ride my bike and do light work. I'd like to think that my heart has continued to recover but that might be too much to expect. I'd love to get off some of the meds I take. One way or another, I'm anxious to hear how I stand.

All the best, my friend. Wishing you every good thing for the results and the year ahead!

 

[olbriar]

The news from my cardiologist wasn't good. I finally left the hospital after my heart attack with an ejection rate in the high teens. I had to wear a defib vest until February of last year when my echo showed my ejection rate had improved to 35% 50% and up is normal. My current ejection rate has dropped to 25%. The doc sent me home with some literature and suggested i read up on a defib implant (ICD) that he recommends. He admitted my heart might improve with the opportunity to get outside and work. An ICD surgery will put me on my ass for 4 to 6 weeks eliminating my lawn business. I'm just not ready to become a slug. I'll do some more research but I'm opposed to the surgery at this time.