My story..... you are not alone

I am French Canadian 🇨🇦 born in 1952 and I am a retired RGN living in South West England for the last 42 years. I was diagnosed with LBBB in 2013 following a routine pre op ECG for a knee Arthroscopy. The GP told me, “Lots of people have that and it’s not a problem!” So for 3 years, I lived in blissful ignorance. I did have SOB but GP said it was Asthma and prescribed inhalers. Then in Spring 2016 I happened to mention LBBB to a locum. Within 3 hours I had an ECG. The next morning, a 24 hour ECG and within 3 months, an Echocardiogram, Cardiac MRI and had seen the Cardiologist. I was prescribed an Ace Inhibitor and a Beta Blocker. Now that altered my life..... I slowed down to a crawl, had little energy and thought I was dying. So my diagnosis is:

An EF of 26

Heart Failure

Left Bundle Branch Block

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Ventricular Fibrillation

Dyssynchrony with apical rocking ........ but no real symptoms still apart from SOB. I no longer see THAT GP but I have great support from the new partner at the practice. I was advised a year ago that I will need a CRTD and it has taken me a year to make up my mind. 

I have been everywhere from deep within a very dark place to elated. I have thought I was going mad. I convinced myself that they had mixed my notes with someone else’s.  I can be tearful at the drop of a hat. Even today, 4 days before my CRT-D implant, I am still wondering if I am doing the right thing.

But my constant is this site. I have received such support. Who are these wonderful generous people who take the time to write so eloquently and from the heart ❣ Thank you to each of you...... you know who you are. I will update you as soon as I can after November 1st, 2017. ❤️

3 Comments

Hang in there Mapleshaz

by Grateful Heart - 2017-10-28 10:32:27

The waiting and anticipation is the hardest.  A few more days and you will be on the road to recovery.

Try and keep busy the next few days....it'll go by faster.  :)

Grateful Heart

WOW

by NiceNiecey - 2017-10-28 23:47:51

Wow, that's a lot to deal with. It sure sounds like you're doing the right thing to me.  Even if you "only" had LBBB, that is serious and your original physician should have been much more proactive in getting you the proper tests and care. Thank goodness you've managed to get along up to this point.

Go for it!  And don't look back.  I know you'll let us know how you make out on the 1st. You will be in my prayers.

Niecey

Good luck with the surgery

by Cbee - 2017-10-31 01:12:57

I have an almost identical diagnosis. I also had LBBB, Heart Failure EF of  10 to 15, dilated cardiomyopathy. I'm 49 year old female living in Colorado. I felt horible before getting the CRT-D implanted 6 months ago. I had no idea I had heart issues either and my primary care physician also missed it. I passed out at work and was taken to the ER. Where they diagnosed the LBBB but still let me go home. Thankfully, I started reading up at home and went back to the ER a few days later and saw a cardiologist who ran the correct tests and I recieved the CRT-D on an emergency basis. At the time I thought it would have been nice to have some time to adjust. But I think it's hard either way and I too second guessed even after it was done if I had done the right thing. Know at least for me the recovery wasn't terrible but it did take some time to get used to it all.  It's been 6 months and I feel so much better and I have no doubts the CRT-D implant is responsible for my feeling better. The meds take some getting used to and they may need to adjust your settings a few times so be patient with yourself. But I'm back to jogging on the treadmill and I've been cleared to ski this winter. I know it's overwhelming at times but it does get so much better.  Good luck on Wednesday!

Carol

You know you're wired when...

You have rhythm.

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