So I went to the Hospital today for my post op visit

Hello Clubbers

I am so very grateful to be able to write this post today.

I had my CRT-D inserted on Feb 26, after being diagnosed last november with serious heart failure (cardiomyopathy - enlarged heart, left block, acute lung edema, EF at 15%, not very good...
In January, my EF went up to 27, so the medication didnt do the job, so I got a CRT-D.  The operation went well, no pb healing.

The one thing I had a hard time handling, was the fact that for over 3 months, I had no information what so ever. But, at last !! Today I had my echo, EP and cardiologist appointement.

Echo revealed my EF went up to 42% -  I could have danced !!
Than, I went to the EP;  He gave me all the explainations I wanted to ask him. And so now I know at last, that I am 100% paced in both venticulars.  He tried different settings in order to try and use less energy so my device will last longer. I was thinking of Asully at that moment, because some of these settings paced so hard that I had parts of my body moving.  (Asully, if you read this, I can understand a little part of what you are going thru ).

Than my cardiologist. She was very happy with the results, and she accepted to :

- stop the atorvastatin - I was so unhappy with this med, I have no cholesterol issues, they said, "better safe than sorry". But I did have acute hepatitus, and I know what this molecule does to your liver. Yeah !!
- reduce Bisoprolol, furosemide and potassium  Yeah again !!

I just wanted to share with you guys. You might be the only ones who understand trully.

Thank you all for reading me, and being here.

 

 

6 Comments

Great news!

by AgentX86 - 2021-06-03 20:39:36

Unless your CRT-D fires, you shouldn't have any problem with battery life at all.  That's the last of my worries.  Pace at what makes you feel good.  Are you still twitching?  I had a spasm on my left clavical the first night in the hospital.  That wasn't fun but, like everything else, I was told it was "normal".  They fixed it before I left.  I assume they fixed yours too?

I don't understand the atorvastatin.  With acceptable cholesterol levels, you shouldn't have been on it at all.  It's got nothing to do with the electrical system.  And, no, it's not a benign drug (are any?).  It can also be hard on the long muscles (particularly the leg muscles).

Anyway, it's great that you're doing so well!  I hope your EF continues to improve.

 

 

atorvastatine

by Tulp - 2021-06-03 22:05:10

They said they wanted to take my cholesterol level to the lowest because of long term effectiveness. I hated it from the start, but they insisted, saying that my veins would be cleaner and well protected.

Concerning the device, I forgot to mention that he put it back to the initial settings. I had no pb since I left the hospital in February.

 

Incredible news

by Gemita - 2021-06-04 04:02:03

Dear Tulp,

What a truly wonderful success story and uplifting message I am reading from you this morning.  I cannot believe it either.  You have finally got the news that you so deserve.  You never stopped trying to live a productive life even when you felt so unwell and I am sure your positive attitude has helped to tip the balance in your favour.  I am dancing with you Tulp and at 42% Ejection Fraction you must certainly feel energised.

I wouldn’t concern yourself over pacing percentages.  It is more important right now to keep those ejection fraction percentages increasing to help your heart recover and to give you more strength.

You sound as though you had an excellent appointment with your EP who answered your many questions.  Her positive attitude in reducing or stopping some of your medication tells me that she is confident that your improvement with cardiac resynchronization has been immensely successful and will continue to be so. 

Thank you so much for sharing your success story with us Tulp.   A truly remarkable achievement.  I am so glad that when faced with serious illness you decided to live as well as you could within your own limitations and it has clearly worked for you.  I think you should create a new work of art to celebrate your increased ejection fraction.  There will be so much light, colour and hope in the painting.

Gemita xx

active painting

by Tulp - 2021-06-05 23:48:10

Thanks Gemita and Agent for your feedback. You and many of this club have been essentiel in my "going better" process.

Gemita, You are right about my painting, I  just posted  my last triptych.

 

 

I am so happy Tulp I got choked up!

by asully - 2021-06-06 01:45:04

I haven't been on in almost a week I think so a little behind and as I scrolled down I clicked this without realizing it was your post at first!

Then I read about echo results scrolled up and saw it was you!  I am so happy your improving and get to come off some of the meds that give many of us terrible side effects!

Your EF results are wonderful!  When I got back above 40 in the past and started exercising I barely noticed I had a heart problem at all, I was in the gym 2 hours a day 6 days a week.  I lifted weights with my healthy 30 year old friends and they couldn't keep up.  I road my (electric) bike everywhere and felt great!  I was 100 percent paced at the time, that never bothered me because I felt great.  I am so happy you are what they call a "responder"!  Congratulations!

Please celebrate for me and be active and enjoy this new chance you have!

thank you Asully

by Tulp - 2021-06-06 21:29:01

Hello my dear

Glad to hear from you, and thank you for your sweet note.

I will celebrate this, already have, and will continue to.

I hope you will get this new chance soon aswell. Everybody here does.

 

 

 

 

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