A bit of a roller coaster.

I'm new to all this, one of life's lucky survivors. I had open heart surgery (aortic valve bio) and a single bypass on February 13th 2013 here in Rome. I had AF problems and was given a DC shock to stabilize this. A few days later and I collapsed in the X-ray room. I was transferred to a different hospital a few days later to have a PM fitted on the 22nd Feb. I felt good and confident but totally wired! On the 10th March I didn't feel well AF was back and I was scared. I was readmitted to my original hospital's cardiac unit stabilized with drugs and discharged 4 days later feeling fine. So fine indeed that I drove myself to my PM check up where I was told that I had had Arrhythmia since the 8th and I would have to undergo Ablation to correct it. This was done on the 22nd March (unpleasant) and my HR came down from 125bpm to a steady 70ish, and with it went all my confidence. I had been promised a full return to normal life, bar a drug or two. Yesterday was horrible, my BP was back at 195 over 110 in the morning, I rang the hospital and was advised that I could take an extra Micardis. It helped for a few hours during which I rested in bed. In the evening it was back up again.
I have lost sight of that recovery to almost normal and swung from an extremely positive attitude to one of lack of trust in what I am being told by the only people I should be able to trust implicitly. From here is your new start, a new chance you lucky person, to feeling condemned to being the perpetual English patient in Italy.

3 Comments

One thing at a time

by IAN MC - 2013-03-27 06:03:40

Hello awoodworm ...Buongiorno.. What can anyone say, apart from " Try to be positive if you can; you will get there in the end !! "

It seems that you've had plumbing problems which presumably the valve and bypass surgery has taken care of. Then you were given a double whammy by also developing electrical problems which hopefully the ablation has dealt with.

Is it just the high blood pressure now which is keeping you that short step away from normality ? Micardis is an excellent drug; but with resistant high BP it is often necessary to add other drugs before it can be controlled.

Try to trust the docs ; it sounds as though you have been a complicated case for them and they are treating each new scenario as it comes along to the best of their ability.

Best of luck, and keep us informed

Ian ( from a freezing cold UK )

Hang In There

by hacpra1125 - 2013-03-27 08:03:49

Wow what a trip. Hopefully you will be all fixed soon. It will be nice for you to feel normal again. Good luck God bless.

Thank you

by awoodworm - 2013-04-15 11:04:15

Thank you both. My Cardiologist did indeed add Norvasc 10mg to my collection and also changed the Micardis to Micardis plus as I was having plumbing problems in a new region. The blood pressure is now undercontrol but I have tired and had a tight chest since the ablation. I have read on other forums that this is not unusual. I have rested more and finally seem to be past the worst, have to remind myself I am only just 2 months post operative!

Cheers Andy

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

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