Now, I think, I'm properly scared

[scarfman]

I've been telling people I have a false sense of security about my heart attack Thanksgiving eve. I recognized the symptoms right away and was whisked to the E.R. by qtrhorserider. So I was only in pain for about an hour before the morphine and the nitroglycerin took effect. Intellectully I know I had a surgical procedure, and need to be careful about diet and exercise From Now On; I've been taking my meds, watching my sodium, fat and cholesterol, and yesterday I went and registered at the cardio rehab center where I'll be going to exercise Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for many weeks. But on an emotional level all I've been feeling is that I've had a nice vacation but it's time to get things back to normal.

One of the meds I've been prescribed isn't for everyday, it's a nitroglycerin pill for if I have pain again. Nitro opens up your blood vessels, which stops the pain because it stops the cause of the pain. About 3:30 this morning - about two hours ago - I woke up, or was already awake, I don't remember; and I was having chest pain, again, and my left arm felt numb, again. I poked qtrhorserider to bring me my nitro pills.

After the first one, the pain went away but my arm still felt funny. The directions I was given with the nitro pills differ from doctor to doctor to nurse to nurse: either you're supposed to take a nitro pill, and take another and go to the E.R. if the pain doesn't go away in five minutes, up to three pills; or, you're only supposed to go to the E.R. if the pain doesn't go away after three pills. I had my pain go away after the first pill, which presumably means any blood vessel issue cleared up - but I had to take a second pill anyway in order to make my arm feel better. I'll report all this when I go into the rehab center in an hour or so.

But now, I think, I'm properly scared.

Comments

[athelind.livejournal.com]

Ack.

I hope your diet-and-exercise adjustments help stabilize the problems over the long term.

Stoopid bodies.

[kaffy_r]

My thoughts are with you. I, too, would be scared - I'm rooting for more time and more practical knowledge of your individual situation to help you beat back the fear.