Back Pain & Heart Attack

[wheelinround]

This is what took place prior during and after my recent heart attack. Transpiring from this thread (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=87853).
Its not meant to be a medical know how just a description and log of what took place over almost 2 weeks.
I have added links for better understanding and photophobes :p

17th Jan
It started whilst working in the shed drilling 1/8th holes for the lid for the pullies of my Metal Bandsaw sitting in the wheelchair using a battery (GMC) drill reaching up and over to hold push and drill. I have worked in this position many times before.

During this procedure my Trapizius (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Illu_head_neck_muscle-es.jpg) muscle in my neck enlarged causing pain and a burning it transferred along the shoulder. I dropped my arm position back to normal and it eased giving it time to return to a normal feeling. I finished drilling and fitting the lid. I spent the rest of the day taking it easy and resting it.

18th Jan
The whole Day was spent resting as the shoulder and neck were tender almost like a torn ligiment.

19th Jan
My birthday, neck and shoulder felt better but still decided to rest it especvially after when standing for a short period I had a twing pain in the middle of my back (this I found out later was at the Thoracic (http://healthforworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/thoracic-vertebrae.html) vertibra). Lunch time and LOML had decided I could have a Hamburger and chips this isn't something we do often, after eating I felt as though I had indigestion :badair: so sat up off the lounge where I was sitting and moved back to the wheelchair. Intantly I guess with moving and lifting my neck and back went into spasams I was in agony my right pectral muscle joined but no where cloe to the heart my whole shoulder and neck was on fire :weeping2:. Sue asked often if it was my heart - I replied it didn't feel that way Sue tried to massage it :gaah:was to tender, no good trying to go to Dr's in the car call an ambulance.

Approx 2pm ambo heart resus arrived just as I did this big 3 dry :puke: nothing came up, they did all tests for heart nothing showed any signs on all machines, blood sugar normal. All 3 Parramedics agreed pinched nerve Thoracic off to hosptial:stretcher: offered me pain killers. Morphine which due to my main disablility Charcoot Marie Tooth (http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/cmta/mab.php) I can not have as it weakens the muscles further. This disabliltiy I have had since age 7 diagnosed when 14 not main stream, confirmed by DNA testing only recently and although Heriditary in many cases mine is not. Yep makes me Unique :U .

Every bump turn shake in the back of the Ambulance was pure agony :scream: , finally there and into paramedic station, resting was easing it, some hour or so went by and I finally got into Emergency given Voltaran pain almost gone. It was late no idea of time they were doing all sorts X-Rays, scans, blood tests it was the latter results that came as they were considering sending me home. Dr made me lay back and wear an oxygen mask I asked why, she said do so with in moments I was told I had suffered a Heart Attack:oo:. Prof of Heart surgery came to see me did ultra sound and found the source of the problem and schedualed surgery for the follwoing day before lunch time. Some where around 1.30am Sue went home being told I was stable and in good care she had flowed the ambulance in and been with me constantly.

To Continue.

[RufflyRustic]

:sweatdrop: Crikey!!!!!

[ptc]

Ray
i think you need a power drill
more power,

[Barry_White]

Ray

It is interesting about heart attacks.

When I was doing Cardiac Rehabilitation they had a bit of a forum with all the current attendees and the result was that there was as many different indications of a heart attack as there were people in the forum.

Although I didn't have a full on heart attack but an angina attack my indications were a bad ache up both arms from the wrists to the shoulders.

When my son had his heart attack he was asleep on the lounge and woke up with aching across the back of the shoulders. He thought it was the way he was lying on the lounge. He went and had a shower and as soon as the hot water hit him he started vomiting which caused him to slip over in the shower and hurt his wrist which he thought he had broken,

He got dressed and drove twenty minutes into the hospital at Ballina. He was complaining to the doctor about his wrist and told the doctor he was having trouble breathing. The doctor started asking what he thought was strange questions until the doctor said to him you have had a heart attack at age 40. They then hurriedly transferred him to the Gold Coast hospital where he spent a week and then ordered to change his lifestyle. He now spends more on medications than he was spending on cigarettes and alchahol.

A few years ago my GP told me you will know when you have a heart attack. You will get a crushing pain across the chest. That really isn't so.

My warning here to anyone is don't take any risks, if you get any kind of pain that seems unusual get straight to hospital because it may save your life and don't feel embarrased about it because it is better to be sure than dead.

Sometimes the first indication of a heart attack is death.

BTW the roughest ride I have ever had in my 70 years of life was going backwards on my back in an ambulance.

[Allan at Wallan]

Just to add to the previous comments ...
I had no pain whatsoever, just a bit of tightness in the chest
... something that could be overcome by a can of cold Diet
Coke ... a bit of "burp" material.
I continued going to work for three days (still no pain) before
finally seeking a medical opinion.
The result: Heart damage, inserted two stents and just
avoided a third one. Now on heart tablets for life.

Summary: Don't take a risk - take a test. You only have
one life so do not gamble with it. I was lucky!

Allan

[Ad de Crom]

Ray, you had the luck that you have a wonderful and attentful wife, isn't it.
Oh well a hospital is now a kind of a factory, they bring you in, and as soon as possible out.
Hope to see you soon back in the woodwork world.
Take care. Ad

[Howdya do that]

Glad your still with us Ray:2tsup:

[billym]

good to see you posting again.billm:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[prozac]

Happy that you made it through Ray. Keep us posted?

I have read that an aching jaw can be another symptom of heart attack.

[wheelinround]

20th Jan

I got some sleep during the night had some chest pains but very light. Prof Leung came and did another ultrasound prior me going down to surgery at 1130am. Sue had of course after a restless night sleep returned by 10am and told I wouldn't be back till approx 3 hrs.

I was going to have an Angioplasty (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/withdrawn/cp35.pdf) done (seems many of our fellow forumites have had it done before). Unlike them I didn't get to see it all happen on screen even though I was awake throughout, I believe you have to be to help guide the surgoen.

Everything was going great I was in recovery a chain of events followed. They changed oxygen mask from full cover type to those little nose thingys, with all the air-conditioning etc my sinuses cleared. This has effect later.:roll:

During recovery they have to keep preasure on the groin where they enter through the artery, this is just hand preasure to release blood flow.

In a matter of moments/seconds this all took place.

Fellow doing it had to sneeze so turned away, I mentioned I wanted to sneeze he turned back and thrust his hand down, saying try not to, a small sneeze came out pain in the belly mild, he released I sneezed again little bigger he also sneezed again making sure he turned away but released preasure slow to put his hand back as preasure I flet pain.
While this was happening they put up a drip something called Reopro to this I had a reaction to blood preausre serious drop I felt cold and wet told them so panic stations :oo:. Reopro was taken off and something else in its place (not blood) as this could have caused further trouble.

The Reopro had caused a bleed into the abdomen cavity filling it with blood straight from my femal artery. It was like inflating a ballon with water crushing everything in its path.
The team were great they got me stabalised rang for a CT scan which needed to be done to make sure no further bleed was happening. :~ 4 1/2 hrs latter I went down for the scan, returned to surgery with all clear and sent off to Critical Coranary Care Unit where Sue was waiting for me she had gone home to return later.:snog:

Finally I was allowed food (:puke: if you can call it that) I had not eaten since lunch on the 19th. Fluid in the form of a drip and water, tea were poured into me I was flat on my back.

Nurses had to turn me as my abdomen was so swollen and sore I couldn't use muscles at all.

Later in the evening I was asked to take Lipitor a prescribed drug for lowering cholesterol, I had during the early 2000 been given this by my GP it casued me some of its side effects then and did again (I had warned the nurse I had a problem with it).
Liptior can cause nausier, light headness, server cramps of lower limbs the latter of which is my problem I go rigid from the leg cramps. :D this would be great if it made me stand up right :p. The frist night wasn't a problem but the next day and what ensued was.

to be continued

Ray

[ptc]

Ray
thank you for the details of your visit. very interesting
hope you are well and truly on the mend.
Peter and Sue.

[wheelinround]

22nd 23rd 24th Jan
All pretty much the same resting moving with pain finally sitting up a little.

Moved out of Coronary acute to sub acute I always was told I was just pure CUTE) where after 3 days of bed baths I was able to finally get into a bathroom :D ah to shower shave and $#@#

Over this period I had another CT scan double check for bleeding - X-Rays of chest region as I had been coughing up blood small tiny amounts but they were worried. No problem it cleared.

Liptor also can cause strange things like weired dreams during one of these I was so badly cramped I couldn't move to even press the buzzer. When I awoke in the morning I was soaked from sweat & a nightmare/dream about Chinese Numbers:doh:. I am not one who takes Med's or strong pain killers but almost beggged for a Tremidol which was given and it knocked me out but released the cramp which had been going for more than 12 hrs.

24th to 30th All days with small improvements, cramping still happening till they took me off the Lipatol this takes almost 5 days to clear the body still slight cramps in thigh and stomach today but easing.

Meds I was put on

Asprin 100mg prevents clots
A new heart drug Clopidogrel Plavix 75mg prevents clots side effects of nausiea and makes you not want to eat, slight temp rises 2 deg
Rampril 2.5mg for blood pressure
Bisoprocol 5mg Blood pressure
Pantoprazole reduces stomache acid 40mg


Thank you all for your comments and points of view

Only yesterday I find out that a Freind in Tamworth Col Hemmings a member of the OTGA who does minatures came down with Pnumonia and they discovered he need a Stint due to heart attack he will be in surgery Thrusday. Rang him this morning and he for an Octaganarian is in good sprits esepecailly after 3 of the OTGA fellows drove up to see him yesterday.

Since I returned home improvments are better than daily major one being able to do the short stand when getting dressed.

Thats it I guess sorry it has been long winded. Thanks to the forum for allowing it also.

[Bluegum]

Ray, its good to hear thet you're up and about. I hope that you have a speedy recovery mate. Thanks for the read as it surely opens up ones eyes when you have it explained the way that you have here.

[munruben]

You're doing fine Ray, keep it up :2tsup:

[wheelinround]

Thanks for ALL the encouragement

I am bending and moving easier cramps are less and less not as tired finally am eating better due to throat problems and a dry swollow making it hard. Dehydration with the heat and med's :(( is the Prof going to get a rocket up his when I see him. Even my GP said get off that crap ASAP (Bisoprocol 5mg Blood pressure) have it changed, my GP is more into natural med's when he can advise for them.

[ptc]

not long before you are stuck into the goodies I hope.
What is your favorite anyway ?

[wheelinround]

not long before you are stuck into the goodies I hope.
What is your favorite anyway ?

Pete by favorite you mean drink it used to be Scotch :D but not had one in over 15 years and beer well one maybe a year.

If you mean wood well as i am still only new to it I am still playing nd trying to find my Zen wood.:rolleyes:

[AUSSIE]

Good Morning Ray
Up bright and early this morning? Was just wondering how you are going, and up pops your posting.Hope you are improving a bit more each day.:2tsup:

[Batpig]

Dear Ray,

It started whilst working in the shed drilling 1/8th holes for the lid for the pullies of my Metal Bandsaw sitting in the wheelchair using a battery (GMC) drill reaching up and over to hold push and drill.
Mate - you've got to stay away from those blasted cheap Chinese powertools! :oo: The trouble is that none of the doctors are interested enough in Woodwork and DIY to have actually bothered looking into how far over the "Critical Level of Frustration" the confounded things can drive you...:wink:

Now if I was you, I'd be "going" Medicare for some sort of "German Powertool Allowance", by telling them that a few Metabo's and Festool's are going to work out cheaper in the long run than repeated visits to Hospital...:D You'll be saving them an extra Bed...:cool: And maybe there's some sort of PBS-style list that has "approved" tools in each category? The only thing is, their idea of "Generic Substitutes" will involve having to take a Bosch "Green" instead of a "Blue", and that sort of thing. And watch out for the AEG's because a few of them are made in China too!...:no:

So nice to see that you are still alive and kickin'...:) (You have probably taken a few years off Sue's life, though...:oo:)

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

[wheelinround]

Yes Ross doing fine

Bat Pig your riot :D:roll: not bad line of thought though.

Ray

[ptc]

Ray
I was Thinking more about your favorite meal ?

[wheelinround]

Ray
I was Thinking more about your favorite meal ?

:doh: Pete with a cook like Sue its a hard choice :rolleyes: as she always makes it fresh no premade sauces.

Thai dishes Green or Red Curry or her Thai Chicken Salad, Thai Noodles all made fresh even the curry paste

Chinese not enough room to list but since being home she has made me Mango Chicken, Pork in Plum sauce all minus the MSG.

Not much she can't make

[ptc]

I love a good Curry !
I have to make my own. My Sue Don't like it !
Let me know when i can forward the jokes to you.

[wheelinround]

I love a good Curry !
I have to make my own. My Sue Don't like it !
Let me know when i can forward the jokes to you.


No prob have a new monitor being looked into ATM hope to have one soon for the PC :2tsup:

[ptc]

Good One !

[ss_11000]

glad to hear your on the mend ray :2tsup: ... that sounds like one huge battle you went through!!!

[jmk89]

Good to see that you are on the mend and that your sense of humour is back - hospitals always cause me to lose mine! Give your specialists both barrels - they need it from time to time to remind them that they are treating thinking and communicating equals, not machines.

[wheelinround]

I want to thank each and every forumite for without their support and encouragement it would have been a lonely journey. :2tsup:

I am improving each day the abdomen is easing greatly stomach muscles easier to use bending down to pick things up off the floor and sitting back up great without to much straining. Short stands during the day using the vanity bench. Dehydration stabilized, eating better almost a full meal.

Ray

[AUSSIE]

Go Ray
Doing any burnouts yet?
Maybe next week?.You are getting there
Ross

[wheelinround]

Go Ray
Doing any burnouts yet?
Maybe next week?.You are getting there
Ross

Yes Ross Sue is annoyed at the tire marks on the tile floor :no: not me I say :;

[munruben]

glad to hear your on the mend ray :2tsup: ... that sounds like one huge battle you went through!!!It was just a flesh wound :D

[wheelinround]

It was just a flesh wound :D


Not even that John but it is or was a belly full red stuff

[artme]

Well Wheelin you've been through the wars and come out still cheerful.:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

Trouble with heart symptoms is that we only ever hear about crushing chest pain, difficulty breathing and pains in the arm.This is ashort list of symptoms as I have discovered. I guess I am Lucky that my lovely wife watches me like a hawk or I might have bee in serious strife.

[jerryc]

Ray,
Glad you've come through what must have been a rough spell. I was going to send best wishes sooner but was distracted. I have a rebuilt heart due to heart failure and suddenly I ran out of breff. Couple of things about hospitals, as you know they are full of sick people. Other thing is they are not best places to rest and recover. I'll give an example.

You can imagine that sleep was difficult because of breathing and so dosed to the eyebrows with KO drops I was looking forward to being off the planet for the night.
No such luck. First a dear old lady appeared. small and frail and supported by four nurses. I felt sorry for her especially when the extended family appeared and told me she was senile etc.Quickly discovered senile she might be and frail looking but the voice at full throttle would stop a train. Family left and then worse happened . they wheeled in this guy who was not only only suffering heart problems but was drunk out of his mind. Somewhere he had decided the heart monitor was no tot his liking and had ripped it off. Problem was nurses couldn't find it and were trying to get through the alcoholic fog to find out where it was.. He was in full voice telling them he didn't want help or the monitor. Then the old lady let forth with her bellow. I won't continue except to say it went on all night.

Like you Ray, it's nice to be home so get well.

I'm lucky because my wife is a cardiac nurse so like you and Artme I get the best of care.

Jerry

[wheelinround]

Yes hospitals are full of sick people even many of the staff are such.

Last night in Acute CU 2 nurses delighted sitting at opposite ends of the charge station chatting and laughing al night long on the grave yard shift at a volume they could have heard in the mourge.

The last night in Sub Acute CU some mungrel took great delight in using a battery drill and screwing something that was pure teasing using tools for such as I.

Funniest was no matter where I went in the hospital X-Ray,scans theatre all I could thing of is where could I use that in the shed. T-Tracks everywhere all sizes, gantries, slide tables, the scan ultrasound they used and monitors during the procedure I could see being used for doing deep hollowing:doh::roll::D

am I sick or what have I got it bad:p

[jerryc]

Ray,

Some nurses are pure angels but others? Best left unsaid.

Being stuck in hospital for six months gave me an insight. I had to have a permanent drip, called a pick tube in me. How about being woken up in the middle of the night by a nurse and being told to straighten your arm because it's causing a false reading. When I asked why she didn't just straighten it without waking me she just looked blank.

I too have had the screaming cockatoo nurses in the middle of the night, but the opposite was wonderful. My last month was at the Alfred in Melbourne
After six months, and several times having my hopes raised that I would be able to go home the day arrived. But problems. First infection control boss was not available. He was only one who could say yes. One nurse grits her teeth and says firmly, "We'll see about that."
Infection control boss is in conference but the ward nurses as a group went into action. First the pharmacy came into the act and gave him a clear messaage. "No matter what time the conference finishes, we want a positive answer."
Next thing I hear is one of his underlings made the mistake of coming to the nurses station. Nurse reports to me. "We've made it plain this guy doesn't leave this ward until we get your clearance."
Pharmacy comes and tells me. "Normally we go off a five o'clock. You've had enough disappointment so we stay here on duty until clearance comes." And they did and it was well after five o'clock
Can't praise the Alfred nurses enough. When I walked out of there I understood the reason for the "thank you" plaques on the wall.The bad stories were at another hospital where I spent the majority of my time.

So Ray and Artme, if you read this, let's all try to stay healthy enough to be with our wonderful support partners and not in hospital

Jerry

[wheelinround]

Its going to be a slower recovery than I first expected but I am improving, the blood is taking longer to get rid of.
I picked up a viral infection which caused dry throat making it impossible to swallow couldn't eat for 2 days unless it was soup etc, this and some medications which also cause dry throat and mouth, swollen tongue saw me back in emergency with some shaking. When being put into the ambulance and that inevitable bump discovered that the internal cavity and stomach were very tender again.:)(
I could have strained at some stage as I had been crawling round the floor fixing my PC and UPS.

A CT scan revealed that the blood is disapating :2tsup: some brusing still remains :~, can't give me anti-biotics for the viral due to other meds and it could attack the blood/bruising and cause big problems.

Saw the heart specialist late yesterday afternoon as I had a few concerns, mood swings due to medications, feeling tired and listless needing to R&R far to much, bruising far to easy just moving a chair and a bruise happened.:((

Dropped one medication already for stomach acid (the internet showed what side effects it can have), halved 2 blood pressure tablets Dr was happy to do this as blood tests and BP showing good results:2tsup:.

The viral infection, head cold is a set back as the body is fighting to clear the blood and cope with both:doh:, but heart is fine. :2tsup:.

Now to work on my attitude:(

[jerryc]

Its going to be a slower recovery than I first expected but I am improving,

Now to work on my attitude:(

Ray,
Believe me I do know what you are going through. Having said that, I am also aware that each of us has different problems, different attitudes and different support. The fight back is often two steps forward and one step back. It's that one bloody step back that can be disheartening. In this I speak from experience.
However, although I haven't met you, I have an impression of a Ray who doesn't give in easily and will work on his attitude.
Best of luck mate,:2tsup:

Jerry