I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment..

[SeaBreeze]

Hi, I always feel better when I share my feelings here...

Some of you know I had a heart attack in Mid November.  I had a bad couple of weeks getting used to three new medications and coming to grips with "I had a heart attack", I'm 49 !

I've had a couple of really strong days this week, good energy level etc. Today was not a good day, I had 3 followup appts, a hairdresser appt, mini car repair emergency and had to buy 'work out clothes' because nothing fits...

I'm heading for a 'flare' due to the stress on my body from heart etc. I'm one big spasm...

My memory is horrible, one of the appt I had today was with my diabetes nurse; and I didn't bring my glucose meter, had gained weight and my blood sugars were on the high side... On top of that I had 'missed' my appt with my endocrinologist 'today' so the nurse had little to work with... Further, they changed my insulin while I was in the hospital and there is no record of the change on my chart..  I've run out of test strips so I have no idea what my blood sugar is, no one has samples of strips but yet I'm told I must test 3x a day (strips are about a dollar a piece) so I must wait for the refill date... so I thought I'd buy the urine dip sticks but "you need a prescription".. ?? when did that happen ??  When I was on Atkins I just bought them outright... I dunno... Is it me

The meds are causing weight gain, I can see the swelling in my ankles and feel bloated, I'm already on a diuretic, my potassium is low all the time, so they don't want to increase the diuretic... Both my ankles are swollen so somehow that is not as significant as only one..

My anticoagulant therapy is making me crazy... The INR measurement is fine, but since they started Plavix, my platelets are weird, little scrapes and stuff just ooze... not bleeding, but not clot either... gross... They've already taken me off the aspirin. but I absolutely can't come off the Plavix as it is perserving the new stent... 

I start cardiac rehab tomorrow, going 2 hours a day, 3x a week for 3 months... that's a big commit but I think it will be good discipline and will keep me exercising and coping...

On Friday I have an 8am appt with my GP, for the bleeding issues, GERD vs. ulcer..
At noon on Friday I'm having a echo stress test to rule out angina as I'm still having a "pressing" feeling on my chest with exercise... Its really stressing me out that its not going away...

I sat waiting for my car in a damp dusty garage waiting room for an hour, so I'm even more achey. Thank God I like the mechanic, I never feel overcharged... But today he was out of sorts and I asked him what the matter... He said he and friends had just buried their 42 year old high school buddy that died from heart attack on Sunday... Well, alrighty then, just let me just take another ativan... I'm surprised I didn't hear from my ex, because he knew the guy too...

Ok, I think I covered all the body systems... and I feel better venting "as usual"... OK guys... I'm done... all fixed... LOL
Thank you   

[Collie]

With everything you have to deal with, it is not suprising you feel overwhelmed, I felt that way, and I was just reading it. i could not have done all that in one day, and still have the wherewithal to come here and write about it. I hope things are better for you soon, remember to set some time aside for yourself.

Collie

[SeaBreeze]

Yes... and I'm wide awake Collie...

[kimbo]

c breeze, 
wow !  Sorry for your bad day, and everything all at once on you.   GOOD NEWS !  Tomorrow has to be better. 

Happy thoughts and pray blessings to you. 

kimbo

[irish]

Seabreeze, Just a minute while I sit down. Wow---you really have your days and weeks filled with appts. Also, with all the stuff that has not been "going by the book" I can see why you are frustrated.

Hopefully the docs will get the swelling in your ankles addressed. May be that you need some medication changes. Also, make sure that you ask the docs if any of the meds you are on are interfering with the Plavix or increasing its action. Do they do Plavis levels for this med? I have never heard of it, but it may help adjust the dosage.

That old diabetes is such a bugger. I know I will be so frigging upset when I get it---notice I said when not if. It runs in my family and I am 65, overweight and am not getting enough exercise. Also, I am not eating right. Anyway, hopefully they will get the scripts for the sticks. It makes me so mad the way they make everything a prescription. This way they can really charge and control the price. Can't imagine why anyone would want a urine test stick unless they are testing for sugar??

I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by the rehab. Everyone that I have talked to who had rehab loves it and doesn't want to quit. You will get to be with a group of people and hospital staff that will be so supportive and helpful. The social aspect alone is worth a lot. Everyone says they feel so much better when they are in rehab. Something to look forward to during this long winter. This will also help your blood sugars. Good luck and may these nexts weeks settle down for you. Enough is enough. Irish

[Scottietottie]

Hi SeaBreeze 

I think you're doing amazingly. Seriously. Hubby got dxd with angina this year and went into a 'decline'. Goodness knows what he'd be like if he actually had a heart attack. He's actually pretty fit. Didn't need treastment other than statins and beta blockers - no surgery or anything - and the whinging he's done since is just amazing! He even told me I didn't know what it was like to live with something that wouldn't go away. Duh!!

Hopefully the rehab will be as Irish says. Anyone I've known who has been to rehab is pretty enthusiastic about it. It's the mutual support. Helps a lot.

I hope they get your meds sorted out too. They need to in order to minimise the discomfort.

vent any time. We'll always listen.

Take care - Scottie 

[Katybarstool]

Hi Seabreaze

Sending you a BIG HUG.

Kathyx

[Epson]

SeaBreeze,

When it rains, it pours. I can relate to what your going through and it seems like having an AI disorder and what ever else we have, it really does make it harder to recover.

Since my bladder cancer surgery, I just don't think I will ever get better, but I am sure a will it just takes more time, a lot more.  Luckily I have a great wife to help me through this dark period, moral support is a great thing to have.

It sounds like you are doing well by the number of errands you are running around doing, it's a lot more then I could do, just don't over do it.

[BonusMom]

Just a little overwhelmed?  My goodness, you've been blindsided!  My DH had a heart attack at 44 and was placed on statins.  Initially, he also had some weight gain.  I'm so sorry to hear about the mental fog.  To me, that is the most frustrating aspect of SjS.  I can alleviate, to some degree, the dry mouth, but there's nothing you can do to help the brain fog.  I find myself getting pretty anxious when the brain fog sets in, which certainly doesn't help.  Please keep us posted and don't be afraid to ask for support.  That's what we're here for.

[wen.uk]

Hi Seabreeze

Huge pat on the back and hugs for coping the way you have recently - not surprised things are getting a little too much !!!!

I truly hope you are soon feeling better, keep us posted with your progress.

Wen x

[beverley]

Wow Seabreeze,

I don't know how you manage day to day with everything you have to deal with.  You are obviously very brave and determined.  You make me feel that all my difficulties are really minor - thank you for putting life in perspective.  I hope everything starts to take a turn for the better soon.

Beverley