Wow it has been 10 months today since the Heart Attack....what a relief. During my month of down time the end of this year seemed so far away. Thankfully it was more in my head than anything else. We have survived.
I had a doctors appointment at Cedars last week and now my next shceduled appointment is in March (Officially over the 1 year mark!). Apparently the year mark is everything for the heart. Your heart does the majority of its recovery in that year, so it has been a very long waiting game. Come March the doctor thinks we will be looking at antoher Cardiac MR, but has agreed that we need to keep my radiation exposure down. It is exciting to be at the end of the healing to really see what all I am capable of:)
Thus far setbacks have been minimal. I had a bad incidence of blood loss as a result of the coumadin, so I am currently on Iron and hopefully this was just a one time deal!! Otherwise my body seems to be hanging in there, which is very encouraging. As a result I am just looking forward to the holidays and the new year. I hope that 2010 has a little less to offer (with regards to medical needs), but I am excited to be putting 2009 behind me. Officially time to move on!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Lastest
I finally found a new primary physician. I have a couple of cardiologists but not a primary care physician. I admit it was nice to see a doctor for something other than my heart. Being able to answer 'No' to things such as bladder issues, arthritis and other issues really helped. It is nice to focus on the parts of my body that are happy doing their job:)
I forgot to mention that I successfully completed a 4 mile run, the longest I have done in over 5 months! I payed a price for my efforts but I think it did enough psycological good that it outweighed the strain I put on my heart.
I must admit that Ranexa is a very impressive drug that has significantly reduced my daily chest pain. There are probably about 2 weeks out of a month that it seems much less effective but that is hormone related, I think. At any rate this buys me a decent 2 weeks a month.
My new physician is going to re-test my thyroid and iron levels. I have been experiencing significant fatigue and increased need for sleep and I would love to find a simple remedy, so we are hoping something might show up in my blood.
I have decreased in my desire to blog about this experience simply because I feel as if I have only negative information to share, but it has a therapeutic element. I spoke with a friend who is having some serious marital issues and she was grateful for a blogging outlet that was allowing her to anonymously tell her story. I guess I share this because I feel the same way. I need to be able to discuss some of the disappointments without being too negative around the people that provide me with emotional support everyday.
Unfortunately my last doctor's appointment was cancelled because of the H1N1 virus. I had brought my son to the appointment with me and they were not allowing children under 18 into the entire hospital. It would have been helpful information about 2.5 hours or 2 days prior, but I guess I will just have to find another time!
I forgot to mention that I successfully completed a 4 mile run, the longest I have done in over 5 months! I payed a price for my efforts but I think it did enough psycological good that it outweighed the strain I put on my heart.
I must admit that Ranexa is a very impressive drug that has significantly reduced my daily chest pain. There are probably about 2 weeks out of a month that it seems much less effective but that is hormone related, I think. At any rate this buys me a decent 2 weeks a month.
My new physician is going to re-test my thyroid and iron levels. I have been experiencing significant fatigue and increased need for sleep and I would love to find a simple remedy, so we are hoping something might show up in my blood.
I have decreased in my desire to blog about this experience simply because I feel as if I have only negative information to share, but it has a therapeutic element. I spoke with a friend who is having some serious marital issues and she was grateful for a blogging outlet that was allowing her to anonymously tell her story. I guess I share this because I feel the same way. I need to be able to discuss some of the disappointments without being too negative around the people that provide me with emotional support everyday.
Unfortunately my last doctor's appointment was cancelled because of the H1N1 virus. I had brought my son to the appointment with me and they were not allowing children under 18 into the entire hospital. It would have been helpful information about 2.5 hours or 2 days prior, but I guess I will just have to find another time!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Ranexa
So the last time I went to the doctor I realized that I hadn't been journaling my chest pain and activity level, which tends to be a huge help when I go in to see her. So I will try to recommit myself. Unfortunately I hate being negative and it feels as if that is all the news I have to give.
My last visit to the doctor's was great. I get around my doctor's and feel so secure. They remind me that I am receiving the best care...far better advice than my previous cardiologist that told me I was beyond his scope of practice, so this is reassuring. Leading up to this appointment I was getting more symptomatic and discouraged. In my appointment I mentioned that I was having daily chest pain, that I would rate a 5. As a result they prescribed me a new drug Ranexa, it is supposed to help people with chronic angina without affecting heart rate or blood pressure (a great thing). Unfortunately the drug is still under patent, which translates into expensive!! Despite that sad news I have been on this pill for about 2 weeks (I wasn't taking it quite right at the beginning). It really has seemed to help. My daily pain tends to be faint until the drug starts to wear off mid-day, when I need to take another dose (in the beginning I was taking it right before I went to bed...the dreams I was having were crazy!! I felt like I had lived out another day by the time I woke up in the morning!) Anyway the drug seemed to be doing wonders until yesterday, let's hope that this is only a small hiccup. It has been 2 days where my nitro has really come in handy. The doctor's have expressed their excitement that I haven't had another heart attack and that I am still alive so the medication is doing its job. I, on the other hand, have always viewed meds as a bad thing and have wanted to cut back, apparently I didn't take into account all they were preventing. I will continue to dream of days sans meds.
I am back to 10 hour nights. This really seems to help me throughout the day but is hard for an active little boy, result = not time with the hubby:(. I have been loving the sleep though!! I can hardly believe I sleep as long as I do. I never understood how my brother could sleep well into the afternoon, mind you I still cannot do this but I can easily sleep from 9:30-7:30 and still want to stay cuddled up in bed!!
Another small note, the doctor's are still very persistent that I need to keep exercising, which is a good thing. I have lost a bit of my drive but at least I know I need it. Apparently with a large aneurysm you are at 2x the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and exercise is the best way to keep forcing them to contract and dilate...in other words force them to move so they can't stop working!
My last visit to the doctor's was great. I get around my doctor's and feel so secure. They remind me that I am receiving the best care...far better advice than my previous cardiologist that told me I was beyond his scope of practice, so this is reassuring. Leading up to this appointment I was getting more symptomatic and discouraged. In my appointment I mentioned that I was having daily chest pain, that I would rate a 5. As a result they prescribed me a new drug Ranexa, it is supposed to help people with chronic angina without affecting heart rate or blood pressure (a great thing). Unfortunately the drug is still under patent, which translates into expensive!! Despite that sad news I have been on this pill for about 2 weeks (I wasn't taking it quite right at the beginning). It really has seemed to help. My daily pain tends to be faint until the drug starts to wear off mid-day, when I need to take another dose (in the beginning I was taking it right before I went to bed...the dreams I was having were crazy!! I felt like I had lived out another day by the time I woke up in the morning!) Anyway the drug seemed to be doing wonders until yesterday, let's hope that this is only a small hiccup. It has been 2 days where my nitro has really come in handy. The doctor's have expressed their excitement that I haven't had another heart attack and that I am still alive so the medication is doing its job. I, on the other hand, have always viewed meds as a bad thing and have wanted to cut back, apparently I didn't take into account all they were preventing. I will continue to dream of days sans meds.
I am back to 10 hour nights. This really seems to help me throughout the day but is hard for an active little boy, result = not time with the hubby:(. I have been loving the sleep though!! I can hardly believe I sleep as long as I do. I never understood how my brother could sleep well into the afternoon, mind you I still cannot do this but I can easily sleep from 9:30-7:30 and still want to stay cuddled up in bed!!
Another small note, the doctor's are still very persistent that I need to keep exercising, which is a good thing. I have lost a bit of my drive but at least I know I need it. Apparently with a large aneurysm you are at 2x the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and exercise is the best way to keep forcing them to contract and dilate...in other words force them to move so they can't stop working!
Monday, September 21, 2009
In Need of More Answers
So last week was another week of consistent chest pain. This meant more nitroglycerine and a little more confusion. At least I made one discovery...based on research, a woman's menstrual cycle has a direct effect on the amount of chest pain and how quick ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart) onsets. They said that is why a woman's risk for angina and heart related issues dramatically increases when a woman hits 55 (the hormonal changes). Maybe it is only a fascinating discovery for me...but I appreciate learning something new. I starting realizing some of the rythmic nature of my more constant chest pain and eventually started raiding the internet.
Another small opportunity has presented itself. The Director of women's heart health at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas has asked to look over my recordsand meet with me. She specializes in dealing with athletes, but she also specializes in non-invasize cardiology. Possibly not perfect but I am not at the point of turning away opinions and help. Otherwise I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic's Heart Institute, they have been #1 in the nation for the past 15 yrs, which is nice but also a huge trip expense etc.
Over the past month I have been more and more interested in the surgery option. Unfortunately that option is extremely risky and very invasive...not exciting. So as for now, unless it becomes a necessary step, we will keep riding the medication management train to allow surgery measures to improve.
I will be back at Cedars in a little over a week. I hope that means quality time with the doctor but I am not sure what I am scheduled for. Funny how tired you get of hospitals yet how excited you are to see your doctor in hope of more help and answers. Catch 22...otherwise things are going well. Still working and playing hard with my little man!
Another small opportunity has presented itself. The Director of women's heart health at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas has asked to look over my recordsand meet with me. She specializes in dealing with athletes, but she also specializes in non-invasize cardiology. Possibly not perfect but I am not at the point of turning away opinions and help. Otherwise I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic's Heart Institute, they have been #1 in the nation for the past 15 yrs, which is nice but also a huge trip expense etc.
Over the past month I have been more and more interested in the surgery option. Unfortunately that option is extremely risky and very invasive...not exciting. So as for now, unless it becomes a necessary step, we will keep riding the medication management train to allow surgery measures to improve.
I will be back at Cedars in a little over a week. I hope that means quality time with the doctor but I am not sure what I am scheduled for. Funny how tired you get of hospitals yet how excited you are to see your doctor in hope of more help and answers. Catch 22...otherwise things are going well. Still working and playing hard with my little man!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Running Away?
I feel as if I have been trying to run away from it since I got the news. I have been reading a lot of books and finally feel like I have a better idea about what I am dealing with. I assumed that understanding my problem a little bit better would ease my spirits or that the new medication would improve my overall health. Currently I don't know that either are really working.
I failed to post about my first Nitroglycerine pill I had to take when I was again faced with that all too familiar pain again. Nitro provides you with a crazy headache and really lowers your blood pressure, that was a long day. Thankfully I was feeling better by the next day. I was hoping that with the coumadin I would be pain free, but there must be a clot still in there somewhere. Right now the blood thinners (or anti-coagulants) are only going to assure that in a years time that I will not be producing any more clots, but doesn't erase any that have formed. So the doctors weren't too surprised (while definitely not excited) when I called to say that I had my pain return. This meant another EKG and more doctors visits. I have also been having my INR checked weekly and I have having some problems with that, not to mention insurance issues...I am tired:) I am focused too much on the future tests I will need to have done later and the idea of surgery...no thanks. I need to get back to enjoying the present, it has just been a big month!
I have been jumping at every opportunity to get away and thankfully I have been presented with a few. So I had a great family reunion, tomorrow I am off to send my little sister off to college and then to Michigan. I want the breaks. August cannot end soon enough. Hopefully this feeling will subside soon. I want to calm down! Sorry just a chance to vent a bit.
I failed to post about my first Nitroglycerine pill I had to take when I was again faced with that all too familiar pain again. Nitro provides you with a crazy headache and really lowers your blood pressure, that was a long day. Thankfully I was feeling better by the next day. I was hoping that with the coumadin I would be pain free, but there must be a clot still in there somewhere. Right now the blood thinners (or anti-coagulants) are only going to assure that in a years time that I will not be producing any more clots, but doesn't erase any that have formed. So the doctors weren't too surprised (while definitely not excited) when I called to say that I had my pain return. This meant another EKG and more doctors visits. I have also been having my INR checked weekly and I have having some problems with that, not to mention insurance issues...I am tired:) I am focused too much on the future tests I will need to have done later and the idea of surgery...no thanks. I need to get back to enjoying the present, it has just been a big month!
I have been jumping at every opportunity to get away and thankfully I have been presented with a few. So I had a great family reunion, tomorrow I am off to send my little sister off to college and then to Michigan. I want the breaks. August cannot end soon enough. Hopefully this feeling will subside soon. I want to calm down! Sorry just a chance to vent a bit.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Answers
It has taken me a week to post about the doctor's findings. I was very happy to hear that they had a diagnosis and some form of a treatment plan. On the other hand, it wasn't quite what I was hoping for...so I have a few issues, that largest of which being that I have a giant sacular aneurysm in my right coronary artery. So it turned out that the bulge they found was indeed an aneurysm. It also happens to just fit in the "giant" category...nice huh! Well the director at Cedars consulted with some other doctors and decided that right now they don't have a procedure in place to fix my current problem, but hopefully in the next 10-20 years I will be able to have surgery to repair it. As a result I will now move to Coumadin, a much stronger blood thinner. This is the part I was least excited about, but I know it will be for the best.
The director was actually going to keep me on my Plavix, but after hearing that I ended back in the hospital a couple of weeks ago and after comparing the EKGs she said that I had bypassed another heart attack. That I had in fact passed another clot...well thankfully it wasn't another heart attack (I don't have the energy or resources to go through that again any time soon).
Then based on my holter monitor tests, they determined that I have some autonomic issues that cause my heart rate to jump rapidly and for no know cause. So this is part of the reason my HR is so high when I train, so I have been put on a beta-blocker metoprolol. This is to suppress my heart rate...it decreases my performance and energy levels. To be honest, I have been so on and off tired I don't notice much of a difference. Then I also have the issue of the angina in my heart while I exercise...she is hoping that with the help of the beta-blocker that my heart can rest enough to repair itself. So we are hoping at least some of that will clear itself up.
I still have the green light for exercise...so I am still teaching spin and trying to go out for runs. They are still difficult and maybe a little more so now, but I am headed to the beach this weekend and I hope the cooler weather will make it easier on me.
There have been a few rough moments looking at few unknown that lie in my future, but all in all this was the best news. The doctor found something and could diagnose it...oh and I forgot to mention that they believe that I had Kawasaki's Disease as a child and that is what has caused this aneurysm...look it up, it really is interesting. Well I am happy to be here with my wonderful husband and have a cute little boy to show for all of it. I truly am blessed. Just another little hurdle!!
The director was actually going to keep me on my Plavix, but after hearing that I ended back in the hospital a couple of weeks ago and after comparing the EKGs she said that I had bypassed another heart attack. That I had in fact passed another clot...well thankfully it wasn't another heart attack (I don't have the energy or resources to go through that again any time soon).
Then based on my holter monitor tests, they determined that I have some autonomic issues that cause my heart rate to jump rapidly and for no know cause. So this is part of the reason my HR is so high when I train, so I have been put on a beta-blocker metoprolol. This is to suppress my heart rate...it decreases my performance and energy levels. To be honest, I have been so on and off tired I don't notice much of a difference. Then I also have the issue of the angina in my heart while I exercise...she is hoping that with the help of the beta-blocker that my heart can rest enough to repair itself. So we are hoping at least some of that will clear itself up.
I still have the green light for exercise...so I am still teaching spin and trying to go out for runs. They are still difficult and maybe a little more so now, but I am headed to the beach this weekend and I hope the cooler weather will make it easier on me.
There have been a few rough moments looking at few unknown that lie in my future, but all in all this was the best news. The doctor found something and could diagnose it...oh and I forgot to mention that they believe that I had Kawasaki's Disease as a child and that is what has caused this aneurysm...look it up, it really is interesting. Well I am happy to be here with my wonderful husband and have a cute little boy to show for all of it. I truly am blessed. Just another little hurdle!!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Learning to Pay More Attention
After having my Cardiac MR results read to me the Doctor expressed my absolute need to stay at around 150bpm when I workout. This was after I mentioned that ended up back in the hospital after hitting 192 bpm on a run. Mind you when I hit 192 I was not running...this was definitely a jog and nothing more than that. So on my next run I looked down at the heart rate monitor as I approached the first stop light, which is no more than a quarter of a mile from the start and my heart rate was at 156. I think I kept it around or under 180 for that particular jog. This is when I realized that maybe my heart just beats a little faster. So Justin and I decided to compare. We went out for a run while we both wore HR monitors. Once we hit mid-way, we did a check to see how we compared: Justin 146 Danielle 188. Mind you Justin is about 5 years older than me and not really a runner. All the running he does, we do together. I must also note that we never "ran" this was a slow jog, probably 10min mile pace! This is when I realized that I cannot even fathom what 150 would really feel like. I just don't know if I have always run this high or not. To make matter even a little more interesting...you can tend to train at a higher HR when you RHR (Resting Heart Rate) is higher to begin with. Well I happen to have a really slow Resting Heart Rate at 45bpm vs. 67bpm (avg.). So who knows!!
The doctor's office called today, which made me a little nervous...only to find out if I wanted a slightly earlier time for my appointment! I think my heart would have been in better shape without that call! Haha..my life!
The doctor's office called today, which made me a little nervous...only to find out if I wanted a slightly earlier time for my appointment! I think my heart would have been in better shape without that call! Haha..my life!
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