Heart Attack Support Group

Hi Cindy and welcome to DS. You've found a great place to get answers, and if not answers you'll find folks who know how you feel. Unlike you not much time has passed since my MI but I am scared. I had mine on 5/24/09 and every little flutter, every little pause my heart makes sends me into a mental frenzy of questioning what is going on with my heart????? Have you talked to your MD about these feelings and about your trouble sleeping? He/she might be able to help with some meds. I take ambien to help me sleep and have for quite a while. I don't take it every night, although I have mostly since my MI. For a while it was the only way I could get to sleep. The emptiness you feel could be depression. Talk to your MD about it.

Please let me know how you are getting along. I'll be praying for you.

Happy thoughts and prayers to you!
Pam

Cindy,

I agree with Pam. I had my heart attack on 4-1-09 and I sleep little and with every beat of my heart I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I unfortunately remember my attack and the aftermath. I did die twice. Mine was due to pain medications I was taking for my RA. So, now I can never take another narcotic for anything. If I am not in fear of another attack I am depressed and angry at myself.

I hear from others that things will get better. I know that having this resource over the last month has done me well. There is just something to say for listening to others who have been where you are. Stick close to us and we will stick close to you, friend.

Thank you both for your advice. It makes me feel better to know that I am not alone, which is how I've been feeling. I am so glad I found this group, I think that knowing that other people are experiencing the same things I am will be a tremendous help for me.....thanks so much for being here.

Cindy

Hi Cindy,

I think your feelings are normal, and we all go through them from time to time. And yes, it does get better.

I think from my point of view one of the most amazing stories I have seen is the one of this young guy from England, and what he has acheived. This story has personally been inspirational to me.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1200903/Heart-attack-teen-survives-transplant-champion-bodybuilder.html

Talk about getting on with things when life deals you a rotten hand!

I wish you the best of health always

Paul

Totally normal! I don't know why the doctors don't prepare people for these type of after-effects. Mine didn't and obviously I'm not the only one. You had yours while CAMPING? That really is scary. What happened, and how did they manage to get you to the hospital quickly enough? I had mine at home, so all I had to do was call 911 and wait for the ambulance. I was 'lucky' in that sense.

I have been plagued with anxiety ever since I came home. The first 2 weeks were AWFUL!!!! and my first appointment was a week later with a NP who seemed so uncaring. I went to the cardi a couple of weeks later and then he tells me I have anxiety problems. DUH! I'll bet I called their office every few days with questions. My heart would flutter, pause, catch up. I called it itchy-twitchy which is how it felt, but no one had ever heard that term used. It has gotten better. My MI was about 9 weeks ago. You being a year survivor really gives me hope and inspiration. You go , girl!

Pam

I was camping with 3 of my children and other family members. Was the first vacation I took in years! That will teach me. I was repositioning my tent as we were camping on a point on the bay, so it was quite windy. The tent had been blowing in on my son all night the night before. So anyways, I was pounding in the tent stakes and I started to get a not so good feeling in my chest. I went into my sisters camper, she figured I was having a panic attack, and went outside leaving me alone in the camper with my 15 year old daughter. When my arms went numb and my jaw started to ache I knew it wasn't a panic attack. My sister took me to the local clinic, who sent me to the nearest hospital, by car I might add, they did bloodwork, nothing showed up but they kept me for a few hours for observation. I started to get the same feeling a few hours later and they confirmed I was having a heart attack. I was then transfered to another hospital that was equiped to deal with me. I stayed there for 2 days and was then transfered to the main hospital in the province for an angiograph and angioplasty with 1 stent inserted. It was a horrible ordeal. But I agree with you that my doctor didn't tell me I was going to go through this emotional rollercoaster. It was his MAO who told me that there was such a thing as post MI depression.

I can't believe its been almost a year. but I remember being where you are now and It does get better. I have also gone through a breakup and am now raising my 4 children on my own, I'm sure that doesn't help my emotional state either. I'm glad I can be your inspiration.

Hi Cindy,
I had my HA and 4 stents placed on 6/12/09. I'm still scared. I think about my HA and dropping dead every 20 minutes or so, lol. Hey it used to be every 45 seconds, so I figure I'm improving. I'm going back to work Monday. I'm worried, but I need to get back to living. I am so tired of living in fear. I think as times passes, we'll get better and better.
Jean

Hi Jean,
Let me know how you get along at work. Are you going back full time or on light duty? I went back to work this past Monday light duty and it has gone smoothly so far. Everyone is very supportive and I actually think it has helped me, although I am very tired when I get off work. I hope your week goes well with an easy transition taking one more step back to a 'normal' life.
Happy thoughts and prayers!
Pam