Heart Attack Support Group

Hi Melanye: I've been having computer problems. I was under the impression You attack occured years ago ( sliiy/dumb me )
Five months is like yesterday when You have a tragic event like a heart attack and having pass on not once but twice.
As You know RA causes chest pain - i read somewhere that there is a self test ( on women only) wherein one can push on a certain part of the chest and ( something ) happens ! i know this is no help but i'll check my memory library and. see if i can remember where i read the article. Did you ever get my email last Sunday? ShepherdTommy

I had a mild heart attack March 22 of this year so just over 5 months for me. I still get very paranoid also if I feel any twinge or ache in my chest. I try to do stretching and deep breathing to calm myself. We have to give ourselves time and not expect to just be over it right away. Listening to others here has helped me alot. Also doing things to stay healthy and keeping busy helps.. Stay positive I believe it will get better with time.. :) Desiree

Hi Melayne

I feel greatly for you.

I know with myself that its been over a year now and there are still times when I think 'what was that" ? when I get a twinge or a pain.

It is because we are super aware of the chest area, and our brains are processing our thoughts and responses through the emotional area of consiousness first, because it is an emotional event that happened. And very scary.Before our heart attacks if we went walking too fast, or exerted ourselves too much and we had a twinge, we thought nothing of it, because those feelings were processed in the logical side of the brain.

But in saying this, how is your health generally? I know with my own self my health is pretty good if not better than ever, and I tell myself through affirmation that often. I know it sounds a bit wishy washy, but it does help.

It certainly does take time and the worst thing that we do to ourselves is to tell ourselves that we are sick. The brain being what it is, it will make our thoughts happen.

Hope my thoughts have helped

Kindest

Paul

Hi Melanye,
I had my HA on 5/24/09. I have had, and continue to have anxiety and depression, over every twinge, every tingle, anything that is 'different' (and that includes a lot of stuff). It is so tough! MY PCP says it will get better over time, but it will never be the same because my life has changed. I sometimes ask: Why me? Was it my fault? What did I do to deserve this?

I don't have the answers to my questions or to yours, but here's what has helped me: First of all my Christian faith has pulled me through the worst of it. I've been a Christian for many years (about 35). Reading the Bible, especially Psalm 103 and 116, became even more important to me after my HA. Those two became my own personal 'Hail Mary' so to speak. I read them every night, sometimes over and over. I include my church 'family' in this aspect as well because they prayed for me and with me, and supported me greatly. We are a small congregation, but full of wonderful Christians. Secondly, I try real hard not to compare myself to other people, both healthwise and spiritually. I believe we are all unique individuals on our own personal journeys, and we learn different things in different ways in God's time. Thirdly, I am on a couple of meds for depression and anxiety. In about a month my PCP and I are going to work on 'weaning me off' one of them, but I'll probably always take a med for depression. I was on it before my HA and I am so much better when I take it.

You are in my prayers every night, as are all my DS friends. Please be patient with yourself; it takes time to heal both physically and emotionally.

Love, happy thoughts, and prayers to you my friend. I do believe it will get better.
Pam

Thank you, Pam, so much. I respect you and trust your suggestions. I appreciate you more than you know.

I have been a Christian since I was 7, that's 33 years. My faith in God is what has carried me through all of my trials. And I know He wanted me to live through dying twice for a purpose. I pray I am able to find that purpose and live it out.

Melanye :)

Hey Melanye,

I agree with you: you are here for a reason. The day my cardi told me that my heart attack was massive, the kind that most people don't live through, and that he didn't know if my heart would 'come back,' that we would have to wait and see, I cried all the way home. The only thing I could figure is that God left me here for a reason. I just pray that I can fulfill His will whatever it is - and that He lets me live a long time. I really hope that I get to see my grandchildren. Right now I'm having a hard time, feeling bad, and sometimes it's hard to trust Him. But if it weren't for Him I don't think I could have made it this far.

Love, happy thoughts, and prayers for strength to you my friend.
Pam

Pam,

I have to have hope. I hope that I will feel better. I hope that my body will start recovering again...I hit a plateau about 2 months ago. I want to feel up to doing something...anything. I'm just so tired and weak.

You guys keep telling me to give it time, but my doc says I may never come back. While he has no hope, I plan to keep on hoping!

Melanye :)

Melanye,
I have that same thing where I am hypersensitive to every twinge, every little chest sensation. It's normal, but not pleasant. My PCP says it will get better over time, but it will take time.

Docs don't know everything. I like Paul's ideas for positive affirmations, and along with prayer I'm going to implement them. Yes, we do have hope. Please be patient with yourself.

As always, you are in my prayers. God bless.
Pam

give it a little time!

In another week I will be at 7 months since my heart attack. Things are not any better than when I originally wrote this post. I'm really distraught over what my life is...sometimes it doesn't seem like a life. I want to be able to do simple things. I want to be able to read again. I want to be able to leave the house for something OTHER than a doctor's appt.

My body got smacked by a Mack truck. I understand that. I'm just struggling with the lack of progress over so many months and with this body. You know what would really be great? If I could walk to the mailbox and back!!

Melanye :)