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Still tired after PFO closure...

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Posted 6/11/2010 9:07 AM (GMT 0)
I had my PFO closure just over 3 months ago now.  I had two holes in my heart and had a Tia late last year.  After the closure I had lots of sharp pains and fluttering, which left me feeling quite scared and anxious.  This has finally settled a bit, but I have some palpatations and mild pain.

What I am finding hard is the tiredness, when will that improve?.. Anyone else feel the same?  Also exercise, how?....when I am so tired. Just wish I had more energy. Hope things improve soon.

Posted 6/11/2010 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Sasha,


I am sorry to hear you are so tired. Wondering if you have discussed this with your physician as they may want to do some lab tests to see if there is a reason for you to be so fatigued.



Do be your own best advocate so you can get back out and around.



Kindly,



Kitt
Posted 6/11/2010 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kitt.  I have had so many tests & blood tests since the Tia last year, and doctors have found nothing but some are saying the tiredness maybe from the 2 holes I had.  Yes, I guess it will just take time.  Im 'halfway' at 3 months, but docs have said give 6 months for the healing after the PFO closure.
Posted 6/29/2010 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
I was lucky enough to go into the surgery in a healthy state physically. I work out 4x week and am in better shape than over the past 15 years.

When I started exercising 2 yrs ago, I found it was super hard and I was very tired. After a few weeks of regular exercise, I had much more energy and desire to work out.

This may be true for you, too.

What I did was tell myself I was only going to do 5 minutes of exercise. Then I got ready, shoes/clothes/hair/Ipod........and went to do my 5 minutes. Well they usually turned into 30-40 mins! (there were a few times I stopped at 5 and walked away in the beginning!)

I hope this helps somewhat.

Posted 6/30/2010 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Sasha,

I'm sorry so hear your fatigue has not improved.....mine is not much better either. I am still having chest pains as well. My blood pressure has normally been 80s to 90s over 50s to 60s.....but this is normal for me. The strange thing is my resting pulse has been upper 80s to upper 90s a few days this past week with no change in my blood pressure, and it stayed like that all day. I made an appointment with a highly recommended cardiologist here....its tough moving away from one that you love!

Keep me posted!
Posted 7/1/2010 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Arewethereyet

Hi, :-)   Thanks for your post.  I used to be quite fit and in great shape 9 months ago.  I have since found out my meds may be making me tired ( I am on Citalopram ), but I am determined to push myself.  I will try what you suggested, tell myself I am going to exercise for 5 minutes and just push for longer each time.

I have just received a pilates dvd in the post.  Will see how we go.

rmil

Good to hear from you again.  Not so great that you are still having chest pains ( so am I ).

Please let me know how your appt goes with the cardiologist.

Posted 7/1/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Will do! Unfortunately it isn't until July 30th, but I will let you know how it goes.


Ps....sorry for all of the typos before, I usually do this from my phone and I don't proof read as well as I should!
Posted 7/6/2010 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
i too have just had a closure last wed,totally confused by it all. hospital sent me home same day felt fine but nx day it changed im tired get pain in my chest,feeling anxious about everything and as for lifting help i really dont no what i can and cant do!!!!!!!! im so scared im doing things wrong :
Posted 7/6/2010 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ginger2

Welcome to the forum.  I was sent home the same day as well and like you feeling rather anxious but as time goes on it gets better.  I am still getting the odd sharp pains that leave me feeling a little uneasy, but I feel things are improving and I have a final check later this year. Tiredness can be a factor, try to rest when you can, but try to relax as well.

I know all too well what you are feeling. 

Don't over do it on the lifting or exercise, light exercise every day I was told.  Then after 6mths you can go back to the normal.

And ginger2 don't worry, you will be fine...

Here for you anytime you want to talk :-)    It does help.

Posted 7/7/2010 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
hi thanks for ur reply,i had spoken 2 the hospital where it was performed and basically told them i think they needed to give more info out 4 patients post pfo!!!! its not fair to leave us wonderin if what we feeling is 2b expected? fully understand that we all different but just a guideline wld b gud. as im experiencing sum pain she suggested going to ae 4a check? but if better informed wldnt need 2waste their time? when i read your response it was like reading about myself,still have issues with lifting i work in a sch kitchen and heavy pots part of my working day she says after 2wks that b fine? but u say 6mths b4 u fully bck 2normal,ive only got just over wk off as dont get paid plus gp says ok 2work!! so confusing just glad this web site exists cause i going stir crazy thanks and if ne more advice wild luv2 hear thanks again ginger2 smilewinkgrin
Posted 7/7/2010 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
its me again just been reading sum of the other posts in forum and omg we all the same,these docs need 2chq this site get all the info! these feelings r oh so normal and its not as quick a recovery as my consultant implied!!!!!! very blaise!!! mayb they shld go thru what we have then mayb understand this complete feeling of losing control at least i no what 2expect and can now chill a bit thanks to u all
Posted 7/7/2010 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ginger2

What I was told when I left the hosp was bed rest for a couple of days, then 'light exercise'.  Just don't over do it and push yourself. For example - I was told 6 mths before I could go back to the gym ( If I went ) or to do gentle walking ( no power walking ).  You just work yourself back into it slowly.

I know how you are feeling as before I found this forum I was so anxious and stressed, worrying if the pains were normal and if the pain I felt in my chest on 'leaning forward' was normal. I didnt know how to explain it or who to talk to...

After reading other posts here, I didnt feel so alone. 

Let us know how things go for you...

 

Post Edited (Sashaxx) : 7/7/2010 12:57:34 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/8/2010 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
hi sasha thanks for taking time to reply,now with regards to exercise told after 2wks do all as normal! have actually spoken to hospital and voiced my concerns that we just left in the dark nurse said comments would b noted but not gona leave it there im writing in too!!!!!!! slowly begining 2feel human again but scared about return to work nx wk! many things would b done without thinking so gona b hard having 2 remember? plus tirdness!!! oer why did i do this i sum times wonder??? everyday life feels so scary at moment,chest pains breathless random pains all over and my groin altho bruising gone feels lumpy and tender!! still at least i shldnt hav another tia so shld at least b gr8ful 4 that so gona stop moaning now lol thanks again smhair
Posted 8/5/2010 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
well here i am almost 4 wks since op! im feeling so much better now things almost back to normal. tiredness one of my biggest complaints plus if i lift ne thing too heavy i get chest pains!!! is this same for any1 else?? bck with consultant 24th aug so hoping 2b told all ok?? lol good luck to any1 else about 2 undergo it works out in the end smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/6/2010 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Ginger,

I still battle fatigue and chest issues if I lift really heavy things.....please don't push your limits too much, especially in those first few months. I know it is hard. I am an athletic person, and all I wanted to do was get up and get back to my life, so I know its hard. Just try not to over do it ;)

I went in for my one year appointment today, and found out there may be complications. So please, please be kind to yourself, ask your doctor questions, and let him/her know about any pains and the fatigue.

Take care!
Posted 8/7/2010 9:42 AM (GMT 0)
Rmil, thanks but like you say so hard not to try and get back to normal! im at my 6wk appointment end of august and will certainly mention these feelings,trouble is get the feeling my consultant is very blaise about these things,he does this op all the time is what he told me on the day!! so he the expert? lol mayb they should have it done,get sum understanding!!! thanks for your reply i hope all turns out ok for you. welcome to the forum its great knowing there people out there who understand how you feel. take care
Posted 8/7/2010 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
Rmil, sorry was reading back thru replys and realised you member before me? forum said you a new member? Thanks for reply its great knowing others feel same as me family dont really understand it! think cause nothing to see,means im ok! but that along way from truth!!!! worried most of time in case im doing sumthing wrong? pains can catch u any time totally unaware!!! thanks again byeeeeeeee confused
Posted 8/7/2010 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ginger

I agree with rmil, please dont push your limits.  It has been 5mths since my device was put in to cover two holes ( which it hasnt quite covered ) and I am STILL so tired.  I have two young kids  and some days I just feel like crawling back into bed to sleep as I feel weak and tired.

I cant stay on the treadmill long and doing exercise makes me exhausted, but I still try to do a little but like you say...the pains can get you anytime and that has happened a lot when I exercise, so do take it easy, but do what you can.

 

Posted 8/9/2010 10:03 AM (GMT 0)
hi sasha gud to hear from u 5months already!! i cant believe how quick time is passing one minute im panicking nx im all done and 4+ wks already!!! still apart from my tia last aug ive never experienced any of what i feel now its so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!! just wonder when things be bck to normal?????? sumtimes wonder if i shld have left well alone!!! the chest pains are sum thing else!! catchme out when i least expect, sumtimes when im laying down going to sleep if im on my bck it feels like sum ting sharp sticking in me!! strange!!!!!!!!!!! trying to take it easy but life just seems so busy at moment,rushing here there everywhere????? lol still gona have a break in france soon so will chill then,does any1 no if while on clopidigel are we allowed the occasional drink??? cant seem 2find out on instructions? take care thanks smurf
Posted 8/9/2010 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ginger

I know exactly what you mean, the pains can get you anytime.  Im still getting them and a fluttering type feel as well as light dizzyness.  I also have dull daily headaches.  It's hard to explain to people who dont understand what Im going through, but I get the pains, fluttering etc daily, I guess maybe thats because the two holes were not quite covered??.. I have to wait to find out...

I don't know if you can drink on Clopidigel...check that one out.  I had my first drink in 10 months last weekend, and I enjoyed it smilewinkgrin .Im off all medication apart from asprin. Enjoy your break in France, lucky you :-)

Posted 8/10/2010 9:00 AM (GMT 0)
hi sasha, im so looking 4ward to my break,just hoping 4 sum sunshine! feel as if im going downhill rather than up? had a bit of time few wks ago all seemed ok but now chest pains happening more!!! not bad but just enough 2b aware of them more than b4. bck at hospital in 2wks so mention then! ive started exercising again swimming and i do a weekly line dance class!! lol dont realise how energetic it is??? still helping to lose the pounds!!!!!!!! smilewinkgrin know when enough as pains kick in. i only had the 1 hole which was bigger than they thought but told it completly covered?? so hoping thats me all sorted? will u require more surgery? a lady in with me had3 which they cld nt cover completely so bck 4further op?? im gona spk with chemist about my tablets,i dont drink often so not thought of b4? but while on holiday welllllllll different story,take care thanks this chat so helps with things really thought only me who experiencing these pains!!! scared witless at 1st,now i no not totally MAD!!!!!!! lol byeeeeeee
Posted 8/10/2010 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
Ginger,

Definetly not just you. You are not alone! I hope you have a great vacation!

RMil

Post Edited (rmil) : 8/10/2010 6:20:58 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/16/2010 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
hi all well a while since i last here,have seen consultant who says im doing well,but as im having breathlessness and pains he sent me 4 a scan! sumthing there but gota wait til i go back to consultant which orginally 4 feb but now bringing 4ward??? bit disconcerting but dont think ne thing 2bad??? but also doing other dept of hospital as i have a prob with snoring!!!!! saw ear nose throat,who because of my tia is now refering me to lung dept as i stop breathing in my sleep???????? sleep apneoa is also a major cause of strokes??? news 2me!!! still at least im having a full MOT haha hows every1 else doing? chest pains and breathlessness now a part of my life but hey im still kicking!!!!! lol smilewinkgrin
Posted 9/30/2010 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Ginger :-)    glad to hear things are mostly ok with you, but it's good they are bringing your appt forward.  Im having the same as you, breathlessness and pain, but it's the tiredness thats really hitting me.  Guess that's something I need to bring up at my next appt.

So..when are you off to France? :-)

Posted 10/2/2010 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
hi sasha, gud 2hear from you,tell me today i slept in till 12noon!!!!!!! never done that not even in my teens!!!! im sooooooooooooo tired these days cld sleep 4 england!!! lol chest pains seem 2b settling now breathlessness is a major factor 4me i cant seem 2do ne thing without feeling out of breath feel like im still smoking? i gave up last yr so bit miffed? cant believe 3months already gone since surgery! where does time go? u take care look 4ward 2hearing from u again byeeeeeeeeeeee ps doing a sponsered abseil of 100ft on the 30th oct for the stroke assocciation wish me luck,wld never have done but a stroke gives u a different outlook on life!!!! confused
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