Congestive Heart Failure - I thought I was going to die
Bankman1989
Posts: 1,116 Member
This morning was my first week. Of the rest of my life. A week ago today I really thought I was a GONER! I had already been in and out of work for the few days prior. But for the first time in my life SOMETHING felt different. It wasn't a good difference.
Those 4 days prior to 10/11 were crazy. I had just lost 20 pounds in 2 days from water weight that went to to my feet legs and stomach. I had NO CLUE how I had gained 28 pounds in about 3 weeks without really eating. My energy lever went completely in the tank. I was putting all of my efforts into working my new job and when I went home I would just watch tv or go to bed. I could never catch my breath. Was it bronchitis or pneumonia? I had to force myself to breath. It was cray!
Until the Friday night that changed my life. I decided I was going to feel better whether I wanted to or not. So I made a drink 9rum with cranberry juice). Lit a cigar and puffed away. After a few hours I decided to go to bed. I stood up and the most incredible PAIN I had experienced in my WHOLE LIFE over came my rib-cage. My knee surgery, break-ups and fights rolled up into one didn't hurt like that. I couldn't explain the feeling but I remembered thinking. I AM GOING TO DIE.
I sat back down fighting off tears. I picked up the phone and called my son's mom. I told her how I felt. She urged me to go to the hospital but I had been to the doctor 3 times that week. My feet went from normal size to the incredible Hulk size back to David banner size in about 3 days.
I sat up in my lazy boy after 5 failed attempts at lying down on my bed. Every time I tried it felt like someone STABBED me in the ribs and twisted the knife. To make matters worse I tried to "crack" my back and OMG that was by far the worst idea I ever came up with. In fact I believe I passed out shortly after that from the immense pain.
By the time I woke up I was in so much pain I couldn't even move. Somehow though I mustered up enough strength to DRIVE MYSELF to the emergency room. When people say being single "sucks" this is the number one thing that sucks about it. It was the first time I realized I don't really have anyone to rely on in case of emergency!!
Fast forward to after admission, being seen by a doctor(s), explained I lost 20 pounds off diuretics in 2 days but had gained 30 in 2 weeks prior, receiving a CATSCAN and FINALLY being diagnosed correctly. I had a blood clot in my lung.
The GREAT PEOPLE at Memorial Hermann (Memorial City location) saved my life. They had already diagnosed the problem and immediately started me on blood thinners and morphine. After a couple days I started to get my energy back. I was ready to go but they weren't quite ready for me to leave. The said they wanted to take a closer look at my heart. I felt fine and actually declined to do that but they insisted doing a echocardiogram. So here I am flirting with the cute lil nurse doing the procedure make her blush laugh and smile...until her laugh went silent and she looked like she wanted to cry. For the rest of the procedure she wouldn't say anything look at me or laugh at my jokes. I KNEW right them I was in serious trouble.
I had CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
And I was. my valves were at 50% of a normal persons. I have always been healthy or at least attempted to. I have never been grossly overweight and at one time competed as a body builder, been a personal trainer, spinning instructor, overall athlete. So then I went on the internet. BAD IDEA. What could've caused this? Vitamin K? I wasn't a drug user. I barely drank. I smoked cigars on occasion. What did I miss? All these classes I've taught or taken were for naught? What did I miss?
That it was hereditary. My mom HAD it. My grandfathers had it. Cousins. But I never though it was prone to it. But I was wrong. The doctor said there was nothing I COULD HAVE done to have this happen to me. What I didn't realize was..actually finding out saved my life!
Instead of never knowing I was now forced to live EXTREMELY HEALTHY. And that I have started. Not a drop of alcohol, cigars or COFFEE in the past week. Funny thing is they are ALL In MY HOUSE but I lost the desire to partake. Both alcohol and coffee make me wanna smoke a cigar. I CAN"T DO THAT EVER AGAIN regardless of how little the amount is.
So after the Angiogram (where my arteries are WIDE OPEN) I left the hospital. People were surprised I came back to work so quickly but I needed the distraction. I also am not a construction worker..lol. I talk to people on the phone selling large businesses internet and voice services. Not exactly getting my hands dirty. If you need a PRI or 10 gigs of internet for your company I am your guy..lol.
But now for the first time I can see the second half of my life. It started last Friday. Ironically my timer on MFP reset on that day also. I may just start over to remind myself what I went though on that day and how I have to live here on out.
Those 4 days prior to 10/11 were crazy. I had just lost 20 pounds in 2 days from water weight that went to to my feet legs and stomach. I had NO CLUE how I had gained 28 pounds in about 3 weeks without really eating. My energy lever went completely in the tank. I was putting all of my efforts into working my new job and when I went home I would just watch tv or go to bed. I could never catch my breath. Was it bronchitis or pneumonia? I had to force myself to breath. It was cray!
Until the Friday night that changed my life. I decided I was going to feel better whether I wanted to or not. So I made a drink 9rum with cranberry juice). Lit a cigar and puffed away. After a few hours I decided to go to bed. I stood up and the most incredible PAIN I had experienced in my WHOLE LIFE over came my rib-cage. My knee surgery, break-ups and fights rolled up into one didn't hurt like that. I couldn't explain the feeling but I remembered thinking. I AM GOING TO DIE.
I sat back down fighting off tears. I picked up the phone and called my son's mom. I told her how I felt. She urged me to go to the hospital but I had been to the doctor 3 times that week. My feet went from normal size to the incredible Hulk size back to David banner size in about 3 days.
I sat up in my lazy boy after 5 failed attempts at lying down on my bed. Every time I tried it felt like someone STABBED me in the ribs and twisted the knife. To make matters worse I tried to "crack" my back and OMG that was by far the worst idea I ever came up with. In fact I believe I passed out shortly after that from the immense pain.
By the time I woke up I was in so much pain I couldn't even move. Somehow though I mustered up enough strength to DRIVE MYSELF to the emergency room. When people say being single "sucks" this is the number one thing that sucks about it. It was the first time I realized I don't really have anyone to rely on in case of emergency!!
Fast forward to after admission, being seen by a doctor(s), explained I lost 20 pounds off diuretics in 2 days but had gained 30 in 2 weeks prior, receiving a CATSCAN and FINALLY being diagnosed correctly. I had a blood clot in my lung.
The GREAT PEOPLE at Memorial Hermann (Memorial City location) saved my life. They had already diagnosed the problem and immediately started me on blood thinners and morphine. After a couple days I started to get my energy back. I was ready to go but they weren't quite ready for me to leave. The said they wanted to take a closer look at my heart. I felt fine and actually declined to do that but they insisted doing a echocardiogram. So here I am flirting with the cute lil nurse doing the procedure make her blush laugh and smile...until her laugh went silent and she looked like she wanted to cry. For the rest of the procedure she wouldn't say anything look at me or laugh at my jokes. I KNEW right them I was in serious trouble.
I had CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
And I was. my valves were at 50% of a normal persons. I have always been healthy or at least attempted to. I have never been grossly overweight and at one time competed as a body builder, been a personal trainer, spinning instructor, overall athlete. So then I went on the internet. BAD IDEA. What could've caused this? Vitamin K? I wasn't a drug user. I barely drank. I smoked cigars on occasion. What did I miss? All these classes I've taught or taken were for naught? What did I miss?
That it was hereditary. My mom HAD it. My grandfathers had it. Cousins. But I never though it was prone to it. But I was wrong. The doctor said there was nothing I COULD HAVE done to have this happen to me. What I didn't realize was..actually finding out saved my life!
Instead of never knowing I was now forced to live EXTREMELY HEALTHY. And that I have started. Not a drop of alcohol, cigars or COFFEE in the past week. Funny thing is they are ALL In MY HOUSE but I lost the desire to partake. Both alcohol and coffee make me wanna smoke a cigar. I CAN"T DO THAT EVER AGAIN regardless of how little the amount is.
So after the Angiogram (where my arteries are WIDE OPEN) I left the hospital. People were surprised I came back to work so quickly but I needed the distraction. I also am not a construction worker..lol. I talk to people on the phone selling large businesses internet and voice services. Not exactly getting my hands dirty. If you need a PRI or 10 gigs of internet for your company I am your guy..lol.
But now for the first time I can see the second half of my life. It started last Friday. Ironically my timer on MFP reset on that day also. I may just start over to remind myself what I went though on that day and how I have to live here on out.
1
Replies
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And God is soooooo good!
I'm glad you are still here. Keeping you in my prayers.....1 -
And God is soooooo good!
I'm glad you are still here. Keeping you in my prayers.....
thank you :0)0 -
Thank you for sharing this more with us my friend. Anytime you want someone to talk to please pm me ok? Take care.0
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Wow! I'm glad you went to the hospital so you can be here now. *hugs*0
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Take care. My father has just been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. It's it for sissies.0
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Woah. I'm glad you're feeling better, Big Ced.0
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Thank you for sharing your experience with us - just makes us stop and take stock of life. Best wishes0
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Thank you and I will be a lot more active on here when work permits. I hope that your father pulls thru that kitkat. my mother had it and beat it! She walks about a marathon a week (or more) and is a size 2-4. She is in terrific shape at 71.1
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I love this! Thank-you for sharing! And welcome to the rest of your life! :flowerforyou:0
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Best wishes on your new journey and health0
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Great post, thank you for sharing!0
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Hey Big C! I'm so glad you are feeling and doing better. God is good and now that you know what you have you can move forward. Thanks for sharing and I'll be keeping you in my prayers!0
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I am happy and excited as well Lindo! Thank you Katie, HDub and YogaNikki! I hope this helps someone who hasn't been to the doctor recently whether you are healthy or not.0
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Wow Ced this is all flabbergasting! So glad u made it through! God is amazing in his works!!!0
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Thank you Stacey.0
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I am so glad you are okay, and you are feeling better!0
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Take care. My father has just been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. It's it for sissies.
It isn't for sissies! Sorry about the typo.0 -
Soooo glad you're ok!!!! Makes one realize the "important" things on life. God is good and has blessed you! Still praying my friend! :flowerforyou:0
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I am so glad you are okay, and you are feeling better!0
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You have my thoughts and good vibes, glad you are feeling better! I have PAH, which can lead to heart failure like that and I have been able to keep it at bay so far, but it is a risk and scares me to death. But we all keep fighting, don't we!!! BE WELL!!!!0
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MY GOODNESS!!! Very happy that you are okay!!0
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Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so glad you are feeling better.
I think the lesson here is that when something feels off, its better to get it checked out sooner, rather than later. I think most adults tend to not pay attention to what their bodies are telling them.
I'm happy you were able to get a diagnosis and get well. Take care of yourself!0 -
This is something I needed to read today. I don't know you but I'm very glad that you are OK.0
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Glad you are safe and healthy now! It's amazing how you can take care of yourself, or think you do, but something so scary can almost kill you.
PS - I also working in business telephone systems and services
We dabble in internet, but mainly voice services :happy: 0 -
I have been contemplating writing a post of my own experiences for the past few days. It is difficult to bring all that up in the air, but I guess once it is there it is there. Diseases of the Heart are the number one killer in both men and woman. Like you said, you were healthy and didn't think about it. Everyone should be living a heart healthy life style. Heart failures, attacks and others do not happen just because someone is elderly, male, nonathletic, smoker, drinks or whatever other stereotypes you may think of.
I am a 22 year old female and I have congenital heart failure, a mitrovalve replacement and a defibrillator. Heart conditions are tough, but it makes us amazing and strong! I have lived a healthy lifestyle, but my condition causes me to gain weight and take medication that does the same. Do not let your heart condition stop you from pushing through.
Dream Big! Wishing you all the best!1 -
Very happy you are okay! This is a reminder to everyone, you know your body and when something seems wrong please take that step and see and doctor and push that doctor for answers and help in healing.
Take care!0 -
I think you may have just helped me ... I will gain and lose between 20 to 40 lbs of just water ... my ankles have swollen so bad that they have busted open when bumped. I swell from head to toe. I take 80 mg of lasix twice a day and still I retain so much water. I cant breathe and over the past 3 days I have been like a walking zombie. By the time I make it from my car to my desk my chest hurts so bad and I cant catch my breath. I just want to sleep all the time I'm so drained. i feel like I'm drowning . I have a cough all of the sudden that wont go away and I have not smoked in almost a year. I am definitely going to see about having an echo done. I have had 2 MI's in the past but my doctor is not the best in the world.... Seriously thank you for sharing this .. It is pretty scary and I'm glad that you are ok!!!0
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I think you may have just helped me ... I will gain and lose between 20 to 40 lbs of just water ... my ankles have swollen so bad that they have busted open when bumped. I swell from head to toe. I take 80 mg of lasix twice a day and still I retain so much water. I cant breathe and over the past 3 days I have been like a walking zombie. By the time I make it from my car to my desk my chest hurts so bad and I cant catch my breath. I just want to sleep all the time I'm so drained. i feel like I'm drowning . I have a cough all of the sudden that wont go away and I have not smoked in almost a year. I am definitely going to see about having an echo done. I have had 2 MI's in the past but my doctor is not the best in the world.... Seriously thank you for sharing this .. It is pretty scary and I'm glad that you are ok!!!
Gabby definitely get it done. It was the difference between what my other doctors said and what this doctor did. It SAVED my life. Also my mom was in the shape you were in. She started by walking 30 minutes a day. Now at 71 she walks 5-15 miles a day!0 -
Very scary. Huge kick in the booty get moving the second act is starting.0
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Thankfully you did the right thing. CHF has been an issue with me for a long time. Had a defib put in as a precautionary measure as none of my arteries can be stented or bypassed any longer. It's all about attitude, lead a healthy life and do as much exercise as you can. I am doing hour on the treadmill every day and its helps me enormously.0
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