Early hours of Thursday morning I had another "little" heart attack... Took myself to hospital (couldn't be doing with all the fuss of Ambulance's) ... Got fed up of waiting around waiting for this,that and the other so took myself home again... Had the 3rd degree from various people so went back to hospital and was admitted... Think they got fed up of my mithering and moaning as my progress was pretty quick... Had an angiogram and the decision was not to put in any stents (already got 2 from the last episode just over 7 years ago)... My medication has been changed slightly and I now have to take Clopidogrel (as well as the 5 other tablets I have to take) and this will be every day for the rest of time... I'm told I am allowed up to 13 weeks off work with full pay as I have more than 2 yrs service (a work initiative) so my only dilema now is do I take advantage of the sick leave or just crack on with it and get back to work as soon as.... My ethic is not to mess about and get back to work but a long rest to recoup could be just what I need.... Anyone got any views they care to share ?
the clopidogrel normaly only lasts a year after that they normaly take you off it (risk of bleeding to death) and did you change your lifestyle after the last heart attack ? hope you get better soon by the way
Take the leave. You may feel fine, but that diesn't mean your body doesn't need the rest. Stress is the cause of a lot of physical problems and people are rarely aware of the impact it can have. A couple of years ago I got a slipped disc which resulted in my sciatic nerve (on the right side) being totally squashed. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced and I had to wait 3 months for the surgery. I was in constant pain, and was on very strong painkillers, but still couldn't walk more than 10 steps and found it difficult to sleep, sit, stand, etc. By the time I had the surgery, I'd become so used to the acute pain that when I came around from the anaesthetic and the pain was just gone, I felt ecstatic. I was in and out of hospital within 24 hours and felt so much better that I didn't understand why they were telling me I needed time off work. So, I went back after the absolute minimum 3 weeks that they made me take. And then tried to get back into exercising very quickly. So, a couple of months later I got sciatica again and totally freaked out that I was going to have to go through it all again. Thankfully it was only a minor slip, which healed on its own within 6 weeks. But I learned my lesson... Just because you feel fine does not mean that your body is strong enough to do everything you want it to do. So... Moral of my story... Take your time, look after yourself, and for once in your life put your health over your work. Give yourself a breather and some space to recover properly. Lilith xx
Quote by Lizaleanrob the clopidogrel normaly only lasts a year after that they normaly take you off it (risk of bleeding to death)
I was on Clopidogrel after my first attack and yes that was as you say for 1 year only... Surgeon told me as I was leaving theatre that it was to be forever this time...
Quote by Lizaleanrob and did you change your lifestyle after the last heart attack ?
Erm..... No My own fault I know....
Quote by Lizaleanrob hope you get better soon by the way
Quote by Lilith So... Moral of my story... Take your take, look after yourself, and for once in your life put your health over your work. Give yourself a breather and some space to recover properly. Lilith xx
I must say I'm tempted to take a month out... Work is very physical and quite stressful and permanent night shifts don't help either..
Quote by MikeNorth Take it easy Steve, and good luck. And I hope you've stopped smoking!
Thanks Mike... Erm.... stopped smoking... I have drastically reduced my smoking and this time intend seeking professional help in quitting altogether ... Tried to do it before on my own by going "cold turkey" and that didn't work... Tried to do it buying the patches without any support and that didn't help... So going to seek help/support this time... A change in lifestyle and work shifts is also a priority as well....
It's important that you take the time off work, your body needs to rest and get better. you also should alter your lifestyle, eg give up smoking (i know its easy for me a non smoker to say it but its vital for your long term health), eat healthily, exercise gently (take your docs advice on what exercise it right for your circumstances), take your meds, try to have a stressless life as much as posible. You need to take these steps to be healthy. I know this from personal experience and also from my experience as a nurse.
Quote by Steve Work is very physical and quite stressful and permanent night shifts don't help either..
I think you've answered your own question. You need to take the leave and make some permanent lifestyle changes. I hope you recover and it doesn't happen again. Xxx
If you've decided to tackle the smoking (which I am really pleased about) then IMHO you need to take the full time off. Smoking is not just about the addiction to the chemicals you're putting in your body but it is also about the habit of going for a smoke. You probably make a brew on a break at work and have a fag. If you can change your daily habits and do something out of your normal routine then it can help with giving up. With three months off, you can make a brew and text me abuse to distract you from your normal habits You can also go for a gentle walk and get fresh air in your lungs. You could paint a wall in the house or even get naked on cam in the chatrooms :grin:
You need to let your body heal. I hate taking time off work and went back to work a week after having my appendix out about 7 years ago. Trying to live life normally led to internal bleeding and a massive blood clot within my abdominal muscles. I had to have more surgery to have the clot removed and had to stay off work for a couple of months. If that's what can happen after a small surgery, imagine what not resting your heart could do! Take the time off! Hope you feel better soon xx
A few years ago now I was suffered headaches. Never normally one to take painkillers or time off work. I thought they might work so I could carry on. Over 6 weeks the headaches got worse. I ended up being admitted to hospital and kept for two weeks as they found out the fluid around my brain had increased. I worried I had already had a few weeks off work for a headache which even I thought was a lame excuse. Once out of hospital I was sent to see the company doctor why, then wouldn't let me return to work for a further 3 months. The moral of my story is your body is telling you something, listen to it and advice given. You know how you are feeling and don't feel guilty about not going to work and take some rest. You can take 2 weeks at a time and see how you are feeling after. Some companies even allow you to start back gradually, see if that is an option. Good luck and hope you feel fully fit soon. Minx x
Steve, In relation to the smoking have you tried " Champix " I did and it worked for me after 3 months I went from 30 a day down to 0 and lasted over a year, sadly though, I resorted back to the ciggies again, but I'll try again soon. Hope all works well healthwise mate. Paddy.
Quote by Steve Take it easy Steve, and good luck. And I hope you've stopped smoking!
Thanks Mike... Erm.... stopped smoking... I have drastically reduced my smokingand this time intend seeking professional help in quitting altogether ... Tried to do it before on my own by going "cold turkey" and that didn't work... Tried to do it buying the patches without any support and that didn't help... So going to seek help/support this time... A change in lifestyle and work shifts is also a priority as well.... kinell Steve get on the champix, regular gym and Mediterranean food you`ll feel great in 6 months but then you`ve probably been told this by your heart consultant
Steve, you're not just recovering from the episode on Thursday. If you were it would just put you back to where you were on Wednesday - about to have another heart attack. You need to recover your wellness to the point of not being at immediate risk of another episode. Put it this way, my Dad had strike 3 - and we all miss him all the time. You know what to do to move your risk level back to DefCon5 - you just need to choose to do it.
I asked my doctor after my first heart attack about him prescribing me Zyban and he flatly refused.... I am off to see the doc again tomorrow to inform him of the goings on of the last cpl of days and will approach him again about being prescribed something to help me quit... A cpl of friends of mine who are GP's have said he should have done this after my first attack.... Thanks for the good wishes and advice and offers of a cuppa and a chat everyone (not sure about the getting nekkid on cam bit though Dawnie) :lol2:
Steve, whatever you do, listen to what your body is telling you, give it the time to heal and dont push it too much too soon. And Dawnie has given some excellent advise and I really do think you should take it (the advise about the Cam sessions I mean) :twisted: You just look after yourself and get back to full health very soon :kiss:
Ref quit the fags. I smoked for 10+ years then one day on the recovery from flu just outside my house I spat a great big pool of blood all over the floor. The thoughts that went through my head in those few seconds and then for some hours after were basically, thats it dood, your dead gone kiss it all good bye. Turns out it wasent even serious just tube damage from coughing hard with the flu. Still enough of a kick in the ass that I gave up. People abuse thier bodys in all kinds of ways I even still do it now I drink far to much. Maybe this time I wont get a warning We dont always get one so when you do get one or in your case two then maybe its that time to show yourself some self respect and kick the habbit. Its all in the mind and will. Long before patchs and gum there was just the mind and will power. I coughed blood that planted the give up seed and I just went cold turkey no patchs no gum no e-cigs. Your call, your mind, your will.
I've tried the "cold turkey" way of quitting.... Doesn't work for me :-( My will power is zero.... Am off to see the Doc today so we'll see what he has to say.... He went against the consultants advice last time so I won't hold my breath And Dawnie and NWC... You first ;-)
Quote by Steve I've tried the "cold turkey" way of quitting.... Doesn't work for me :-( My will power is zero.... Am off to see the Doc today so we'll see what he has to say.... He went against the consultants advice last time so I won't hold my breath And Dawnie and NWC... You first ;-)
ask for the champix steve i found this worked and was a lot easyier than zyban
Quote by Lizaleanrob I've tried the "cold turkey" way of quitting.... Doesn't work for me :-( My will power is zero.... Am off to see the Doc today so we'll see what he has to say.... He went against the consultants advice last time so I won't hold my breath And Dawnie and NWC... You first ;-)
ask for the champix steve i found this worked and was a lot easyier than zyban I'd agree, champix far better Steve.
I have tried champix and zyban ... I still smoke! We went to a smoking cessation group and one woman on champix was depressed as hell! She sat there sobbing saying that she was having suicidal thoughts. The nurse heading the group said that depression can be a side effect of champix so if you are feeling a little down following your recent health scare, I would look at another route. Zyban originated as an anti depressant. It was noted that people taking it for depression didnt want to smoke anymore and that's how it became an aid to stop smoking. It therefore has a much better effect on your mood. I have tried to give up loads of times and like you have zero will power. Patches always worked better for me, but I usually fail after a few months, usually while socialising. There are lots of options, it's all about what works for you as an individual. There is no magic cure! Good luck x
Okely Dokely.... Box note issued for 6 weeks :shock: Zyban prescribed and dispensed... What the Doctor failed to tell me over 3yrs ago when I last asked about Zyban was that the Stop Smoking clinic's I had to attend as part of the qualification criteria were held at the surgery....In the form of a 1to1 with an advisor/support worker and that the medication is issued straight away as part of the process... Had he explained that I may well be a non-smoker now and may not of suffered the second attack Still.... Lifes full of if's and maybe's so lets just crack on eh.... Got my first weeks meds and an appointment for next Monday with the rather dishy advisor ;-) Wish me luck :-)
Quote by Steve Got my first weeks meds and an appointment for next Monday with the rather dishy advisor ;-) Wish me luck :-)
Trust you Look at the tattoo on the top of your arm. You can and will do this Besides, me loves ya and I'll do more than get on cam if you manage it!!!!
Best of luck Steve. If I can stop drinking, which is without doubt the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I've done some pretty difficult things, I dare say you can stop smoking. Funnily enough I hit exactly two months sober just today. I'll do the counting-the-days thing with you if you want? Good luck again Steve, stick with it fella. ;)
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We dont always get one so when you do get one or in your case two then maybe its that time to show yourself some self respect and kick the habbit. Its all in the mind and will. Long before patchs and gum there was just the mind and will power. I coughed blood that planted the give up seed and I just went cold turkey no patchs no gum no e-cigs. Your call, your mind, your will.
