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  1. #1
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    Dec 2004
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    Default Good News/Bad News

    For years I have struggled with pains in my Back, Hip,Legs, Feet and hands, swelling of legs and belly, shortness of breath and fatigue.
    Seen every kind of specialist one can come up with, nobody could work out what was wrong.
    Turns out that all my complaints were typical signs of heart failure and it has developed slowly until it came to a head Saturday morning when I was rushed to the hospital with heart failure.
    It was a rough couple of days but the good news is that I am now pain free (as long as I take my meds).
    The bad news is that it is a life sentence and nobody knows when it will strike again.
    I am seeing my doctor on Thursday and a specialist on 26 March.
    My doctor will decide whether I have to see a Cardiac Specialist.
    I am enjoying a painfree life the best I can although I am still fatigued.
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Woodstock (Cowra)
    Age
    74
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    3,372

    Default

    Our prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery
    The person who never made a mistake never made anything

    Cheers
    Ray

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Sutherland Shire, Sydney
    Age
    71
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    1,301

    Default

    Organise a visit to a cardiac specialist sooner than later. (Much sooner than later). I would pretty well insist on an angiogram be done, basically painless, but probably the best way of seeing what is going on inside you.
    I had a double triple bypass (6 bypasses) about 4-1/2 years ago after having several of your symptons. A blood test indicated that I had had a heart attack after consulting a GP about shortness of breath started the whole process.(Don't know when, and I was incredibly lucky that it wasn't a major one and didn't hurt).
    Anyway, all is fine now, and I hope you get good results in the near future.

    Alan...

  5. #4
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    Dec 2004
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    Up North
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    Default

    Thank you Alan, I will certainly ask for a referral.
    Unfortunately it is proven I have heart failure, there is no cure just treatment to keep it at bay.
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    Sorry to hear about this - I hope things pick up for you soon.
    Good luck with getting it checked out.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Townsville, Nth Qld
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    Default

    An angiogram is the most definitive test available, and can show blocked or diseased arteries. Often is is just a simple matter of inserting a stent to open up the blocked arteries.

    Don't give up hope just yet. I would get to a cardiac specialist immediately so he can schedule the angiogram.

    If your GP starts pussy-footing around, just tell him you are experiencing chest pains and shortness of breadth at times. that will open up some doors for you. Better to be safe than dead
    regards,

    Dengy

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Dundowran Beach
    Age
    76
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    19,922

    Exclamation

    Sheeesh Saisay, not good to hear!!!

    Get a referral to a cardiologist and make sure you have an echo cardiogram and a trans esophagial cardiogram.

    Don't pussy foot around ! Tell the GP exactly what you expect him to do for you and that is refer you on..

    All the best mate!!

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

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    As said above tell your GP you wish to see a Cardiologist your GP is not trained to deal with this problem, If you have Heart failure (Cardiomyopathy) you need to
    find out what type you have the most common being Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
    Cardiomyopathy is not a symptom of blocked or restricted arteries however this can be a condition you may also have

  10. #9
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    Dec 2004
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    Up North
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    Default

    Thankyou all.
    I have a wonderful GP who never pussy foots around, she likes pushing the almighty specialists and get them down from their pedestals
    I am aware it is a death sentence but I am going to stay on death row for many years yet.
    I have just found my family after 14 years separation, thanks to the family court but that's another story.
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Sanstone Point
    Posts
    296

    Default

    That's a bastard thing to happen to you mate, hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel for you in the future.

    Foo

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
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    Up North
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    Default

    Thank you all for your kind words.
    The problem I have with my heart is Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF).
    Put it simply, my heart is worn out and does not have the power to pump the blood back from the extremities (arms and legs).
    Hence the blood vessels get dilated and start leaking fluid through the walls into the tissue and I get fence post legs and arms and I get fluid ON the lungs not IN the lungs.
    Fluid tablets do not work because the heart does not have the power to return the fluid.
    All I can do is sit in my bed with the legs and arms elevated so the fluid can return by itself.
    What I need is an investigation to see how bad the damage is.
    Sometimes the only solution is a pacemaker or a ventricular assist device.
    Hopefully it is not that bad
    In extreme cases a transplant is the only solution but I think I am too old at 75 for them to consider that.
    All in all, the only thing I can do until Thursday when I see my GP is rest and take it from there.
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Townsville, Nth Qld
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    Have you ever seen a cardiologist, or is this your GP's diagnosis and recommended treatment to lie with your limbs in the air??

    Why not go for a pacemaker if it improves your quality of life? Millions of people wear them quite happily, in fact, they many would be dead without them.
    regards,

    Dengy

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Up North
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    Default

    I need all the tests first. I was told by the doctor at the hospital, he was a little iffy about me going to SA for a week, but he gave me permission as long as I had plenty of rest until they can sort something out. Not easy when you live up here in the north. Doctors don't like to leave the bright lights.
    Making appointments down in Brissy is a bit of a logistics nightmare.
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Townsville, Nth Qld
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    Default

    So, from what you are saying, you have not seen a cardiologist? That should be your first priority. You may well find what you have is easily fixed, and your quality of life restored.

    How far north are you? There are a number of highly regarded cardiologists here in Townsville, and with excellent operating facilites, both at Townsville Hospital and the Mater. Dr David Thoreau is one of the best, according to patients and nursing staff at the Mater. His wife is also a cardiologist.
    regards,

    Dengy

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Pakenham, Victoria
    Age
    53
    Posts
    350

    Default

    Hi Saisay

    The first thing you need to do is not consider it a life sentence.

    My father had a major heart attack at 62. Almost lost him. He just turned 80 and is now healthier than me!

    I performed CPR on a 15 year old kid 8 years ago when he collapsed with a heart attack. He made a full recovery and is about to get married.

    It's not over till it's over.

    Danny

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