You sound like you could use support and /or a friend. I am really busy right now but will respond to your post some time tonight so be sure to check back.

Welcome to this forum, so sorry to hear about your heart attack and at such a young age but it does not have to be the end of the world. Some of these meds can be real butt kickers and that is something you cannot overlook. Dealing with the aftermath of a heart attack can be very very hard. It has been 5 years for me and yet a day does not go by that I don't think about it. It sounds like some of what you are going through is from the meds and some from the psycological fallout. Some depression and anxiety is very common. We have had to face the fact that we are mortal and of course most of us have a hard time dealing with the "what if it happens again"? We want to know that if we do a, b c and d that we absolutley will never have another heart attack and of course that is impossible. All we can do is lower our risk factors and the rest is up to God and fate. I'm going to suggest you see your primary care phy. and be screened for depression. Many of your symptoms sound like they could be from that and you have nothing to lose. I know I told my cardiologist several times this would be much easier to deal with if I felt better. I also have been tired and lethargic with very little energy. I tell people I went into the hospital having a heart attack one person and came out someone else. But it is getting easier, hopefully they can get control over some of the med symptoms, some you may need to tolerate. You can feel better but at the same time may have to get used to a new normal. Good luck, we are here for you when you need it.

Jeff

Thanks so much for your reply Jeff! I feel GREAT without the meds...but doctor said it is too soon to get off of them. I really don't think I suffer from depression but the beta blockers keeping me from being inactive CAN be depressing!

So it's been 5 years for you...are you still on beta blockers? Do you struggle with some of these same symptoms or are you passed that? Or is it different everyday? To add insult to injury, I just discovered that there is also a great chance that I have sleep apnea (hence the tiredness, slow metabolism, and rapid heart beat).

The good news is today I feel GREAT (yesterday I was on the couch). I started a new beta blocker today so we will see in 3 months how I feel!

Thanks again for your feedback and please keep in touch!

PS-Thank you for your word on "doing what we can". I am trying to eat right, workout, etc. But I do allow days of rest when I need to (guilt free). And although my faith has been shaken, I am a strong believer that my life is in the palm of God's hand. The fear of the "what ifs" seems constant but I tell myself that I would rather try to live life to the fullest than have a bad quality of life due to fear.

Have to respond as I have been through the same feelings. My Stemi heart attack happened March 30 2012. I have 2 stents in the "widowmaker" artery 95+% blocked and the RCA 85% blocked. I was put on an Ace Inhibitor; Zocor, 325MG Aspirin and Lasix. The Zocor was making me ache so bad; back; legs; and leg cramps that would put me to tears. I stopped taking it about 8 mos after the HA. and started to feel some better. I also started a supplement for the liver called COQ-10 200mg. Was told by the cardio nurse this would help replenish this enzyme that the Zocor would deplete.
I went from a very active 59 yr. old male to a "wimp" had fear that I could have another; wonder if I slept if i'd awake again. Then came the anger because I didn't have the stamina; if I exert myself to much I get fatigued very easy; still happens. I did get depressed; but coped with it by walking as much as possible and focusing on getting better. I have been treated with Beta-blockers and an artery dialator called Isosorbide. I have been diagnosed with CAD; CHF; Ischemia; Cardiomyopathy..heart doesn't pump enough oxygenated fresh blood back to my body. They believe I have mild COPD and have me on Spiriva and an Albuterol puffer for short of breath attacks.
I am just grateful that I am a survivor and I hope you begin to feel this way also. Yes; God will help you through this. We will be here for you as I have been on this forum for over a year. The support from all has been a life-saver! God bless! Pieere

Wow Pieere! You ARE a survivor! So it sounds like for you, every day is different? So have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea? I have those same concerns...that my heart isn't getting enough oxygen when I sleep! I know I didn't get good sleep last night...but I am grateful that I have some energy today...I think it is due to the fact that we switched my beta blockers (I am telling you, I was just on the couch all the time)! Anyway, I do love to walk, workout, and zumba (when I have the energy) but I TRY to make myself do some sort of exercise irregardless.

Thank you for your comment!

Hi, I'm so terribly sorry for what you've been through. One small suggestion...have you had your electrolyte levels checked? Especially your sodium level. I'm no doctor but if you have not had this done, make it a priority right away. I could be life-saving. Not just breathing but quality. You shouldn't still feel this week. Please let me know. I was in that place just a very short time ago. Now I'm on a liberal salt diet and feel much better.

Dana

Dana...were your levels low and now you intake more sodium? I don't understand bc to my understanding from doctors, sodium is a big no no (although i do use some...mainly salt alternatives though). I think (know) my tiredness is from my beta blockers (which slow down heart rate...and everything else). I am on a new beta blocker today and so far feel pretty good (although usually it takes about 3 months to feel the full affect). Sleep apnea could be another problem (losing quality sleep) but the fatigue I felt was like....couldn't even walk to the kitchen without needing to sit down bc so tired and sleepy. What kind of doctor do you go to to get this checked? Thanks for the tip!

I went to the ER, but my family doctor is now monitoring this. And, yes, I am on a liberal salt diet. I was in the hospital 4 days getting iv saline poured in. My body sheds sodium and I have to eat lots of salt. Actually, I love salt, so this is not too hard. When sodium levels are down it causes weakness, confusion, and eventually coma and death. I am lucky that my son-in-law is a doctor and recognized my symptoms. I think you should insist on getting this checked. It is just not that much trouble.

To answer a few of your questions, Oh first of all I'm so glad you seem to be feeling better. Yes I am still on a beta blocker, Metoprolo 2x day. also crestor [ a statin ], lisinopril [ an ace inhibitor ], Trilipex for tryglycerides,. If you are on a statin they can also really kick you in the rear, muscle pain etc. I've asked my doctors about going off some or all of these meds for a few months just to see how I feel and they are really against it. I have never re-gained my original energy level and I think a lot of it is the meds. I also was told I may have sleep apnea and was supposed to go in for a sleep study but have not got around to it.

Take care,
Jeff

Thanks Dana...will bring it up to my doctor on the next visit.

Jeff...I am for CERTAIN that the meds cause a lot of our symptoms (funny, it's not even our heart issues creating all the symptoms). I was so tired of the meds so I threw them down the drain and felt GREAT...until my next visit when I got scolded by my doctor. Sooooo....I am trying to use wisdom while still trying to have quality of life. I am feeling better though but I think it's bc I switched my beta blocker (to Bystolic). Usually it takes me about 3 months to feel the full effects so I am PRAYING to God that this is the right bb for me! Oh, yes, and lisiniprol also kicked my butt! Decided to get off of those and was sooooo glad that the doctor agreed to this!

Blessings on your days!

Hi Chollensbe,
I think you did the right thing in finding a support group. I feel no one will understand what we went through or will go through unless they have been on that cold metal table. at least that is my experience.
I've actually been away from this site for a while partly cause i got a lot of help from some great people here and felt great , but mostly cause life had other plans and taken me away. But life has also has brought me back, sadly to say in the form of really bad anxiety. ugh!
I was 34 when i had my episode, fortunate for me though I didn't have any side effects from initial meds (statins, or beta blockers). I followed Dr.'s orders and made a full physical recovery, heck, Ive even run a marathon! I wish I could say hang in there and everything will be alright, but I know its a tough road ahead. The mental part in my opinion is the harder part of our survival. I feel one thing that most if not all survivors want to do is just get back to "normal" and move on. But we can't ever get "normal" back we have to learn a "new normal". For me that includes a lot of things, taking meds, eating healthy, having a support group, working out with heart rate monitor, meditating, relaxing, etc..... and that's only a short list!! Lol
It's been 7 years and I am now 42. I feel physically I am 100%, mentally maybe 75%(stupid type A personality! Lol).

Louie

We can so relate to your experiences. Isn't it sad that the very medicines that are intended to help us have side effects that mimic heart disease. What irony.

As a veteran of multiple heart attacks, a heart overhaul, and a computer control mechanism for said broken heart let me share some of my experiences.

First, I'm not a great fan of medications, well except those the neighbor kid sells on the corner, however, many years of studies have shown that certain ones can reduce the risk of future heart attacks in people who've experienced one. So give careful consideration when deciding whether to take them or not.

I too react quickly and badly to many medications however my Cardiologist and I worked together to find the best combination for my needs. And that has improved my quality of life significantly. Little tricks like taking Statins and Beta Blockers at bed time can eliminate the problem with lethargy and tired feelings. Additionally it helps you sleep at night.

Yes, withdrawls are common with many heart medications and you should not stop cold turkey. For example, with Beta Blockers you should step down slowly so as to prevent the worst of these side effects. Some can be dangerous. Again, you need to talk with your Cardiologist and read the literature that is provided with pharmaceuticals.

Now if you are truly driving away friends, well that's a lesson to be learned. When people ask how you are feeling, they really don't care, it's just a social grace they are utilizing. I have learned to make light of my adventures in heart disease. Let's face it nobody wants to listen to a whiner, so make it interesting if you are going to talk about it, don't bore them to death. My humorous stories even buy me additional time with my Cardiologist.

Making light of the situation has the added benefit of improving your own mood and how you cope with the adversity. It's natural to have ups and downs, recognize them for what they are and try to keep a positive attitude. I visit heart patients all the time and the ones I see who do best are those who smile and make the most of things.

I hope this information helps in some way and wish you all the very best.

I stuck it out with the full medication regimen for about six months. Then I started doing some web searching and learned that side effects are a problem for many people.

I made the decision to discontinue my beta blocker, with only token resistance from the cardiologist. Within a few weeks, I had more energy and was sleeping better. One of the side effects of the beta blocker was nightmares -- intense, bizarre, every night. If you don't sleep well, you can't get well.

A few months later, I discontinued my ACE inhibitor. My blood pressure was just fine without it before the heart attack, and just fine after I discontinued that medication. Within a few weeks, I had more energy and the nagging cough I had developed started getting better.

Part of being a survivor is taking charge of your life, and that includes being actively involved in decisions about your medical care.

WOW! Wonderful advice from every one of you...thank you SO much for taking the time to reply.

Louie, thank you for your honesty and you hit the nail on the head when you spoke of a "new normal". I know you are right and it has been an adjustment as I rediscover my life and find what that "new normal" is for me. I don't struggle with the anxiety that much...I guess because I have a strong faith and just say that GOD knows the length of my days and I am still here so He is obviously not done with me yet! :) But I do want my quality of life to be good. I want to feel great again...I am naturally a "go getter" and yes, a Type A personality as well (working on that)....so feeling tired all the time and laying around the couch is depressing! I also love to cook healthy meals and workout and do zumba...all of which i DON'T do when I am not feeling well. What a blessing that you don't have any side effects from the meds! May I ask what beta blockers you are on?

RoboPop, Unfortunately for me, I can't take beta blockers at night bc they keep me up. :( Although, I will say that Carvedival (sp?) taken at night made me sleep like a baby! BUT...I was experiencing a lot of digestive problems and hair loss. :/ What beta blockers do YOU take? Thank you for your candidness about how I should respond to others. I am usually a light hearted bubbly personality but with the H.A. and all the meds...I am a different person. More withdrawn I think..people are always asking if I am ok. Not to mention all the weight gain that can cause any girl to feel slightly depressed! :/ But your post encourages me..thanks for sharing!

Minor7th, I totally agree with everything you said. I know that I feel better without the meds but I want to use wisdom. I too have had nightmares and cold sweats which leaves me waking up feeling horrible! I just keep feeling like the meds are toxic to my body and when I look up what a toxic body looks like, I have all the signs! So I am really going to consider getting off the beta blockers but I do like that my heart feels "normal" on them. Did you feel your heart doing funny things when you first got off them? Sorta like what mini anxiety attacks feel like? I would be interested to know bc that is how I felt when I got off the beta blockers the first time and it scared me a bit.

Thanks again everyone for your posts and insight! :)

Hi Chollensbe,

I am sorry to read about your heart attack. Like you I am very new to this site, I joined yesterday. What I am not new too is the heart attack, I had mine 13 years ago at the age of 42. I can tell you. I am not one to give advice I myself have been dealing with aniexty for many years.

What I can tell you that I am shocked that there are so many people out there that were even younger then I was and they are doing fantastic I am grateful for finding this site and reading the many stories, for the first time in a long time I feel that I may be able to overcome this awful feeling.

You are very lucky to have found this site at such a early point in your recovery.

I wish you the best!!

Lenny