Heart's ok - glad I checked...

shade2u2 · Oct 14, 2004

Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

Over the past couple of weeks, I was having some tightness in my chest. Since my father, uncle & grandfather had heart attacks by age 50, I got to celebrate my 43rd birthday, this past Tuesday, at the Cardiologist's office. Then got to go Ohio State University Hospital for a "heart cath" yesterday.
Well everything in the ticker looks excellent! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I felt a big relief as soon as I left the hospital. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I probably strained a chest muscle probably when splitting firewood & then "ole anxiety" did the rest. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Then only bad thing, my wife now wants me to get a hydraulic splitter & loose my big wedge and she heard the doctor tell me that I need to start a regular excersize routine. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I like splittin wood for excersize. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Make sure all you guys keep an eye on the ticker, especially if you have any of the risk factors.

wroughtn_harv · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

It was about six or so years ago. I'd went to the doctor for something or another. While we were discussing things I mentioned chest pains.

He asked me to describe them. After listening to me he prescribed me some nitroglycerin capsuls. "If you get a chest pain. Place one under your tongue. If the chest pain goes away quickly, run don't walk to the nearest emerency center. However, if you get a splitting headache we know it isn't your heart."

Well I went to the pharmacy to get the two prescriptions filled. My daughter worked there at the time.

Two things. One, I'm usually in my own world and just visiting everyone else's. Absent minded comes to mind. Two, some people can walk into the room and no one will notice. That's not me.

So typical of me I walked into the pharmacy part of the supermarket teasing everyone within a block or two. I placed the prescriptions in my daughter's hand and continued to banter with the pharmacist.

She walked over to the computer and started entering the information. She was in profile. What caught my eye was the tears coming down her face as the typed.

It was a wake up call for both of us. She realized her father was vulnerable, maybe even human.

More importantly I realized my life wasn't my own. It was important. And I had a responsibility to take care of me.....for them.

ronjhall · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

 start a regular excersize routine.

 I like splittin wood for excersize. 

Regular exercise will allow you to continue to do what you like. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I got the same recommendation after a recent annual checkup. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Bird · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

( then "ole anxiety" did the rest )

I used to get some little chest pains and could usually tell before my chest started hurting tht it was coming on because I'd first get an aching in my jaw. In June 1976, I was at a seminar in Shreveport, LA, and had taken the family along with the travel trailer and one afternoon, was hit with terrific chest pains, and not only the aching jaw, but one whole side of the my face went numb. After an hour or so in the emergency room, the pain went away, but then I spent 20 hours, flat on my back, hooked up to the monitoring machines in the hospital, which gave me a terrific backache, and I told them I was getting out of there, over the doctor's protestations. He tried to convince my wife that it had to be a heart problem (even though I'd watched that monitor for 20 hours and it looked normal to me), and gave her a bottle of nitro pills for me (which I never used).

So I came home and went for an EKG, upper GI, etc. and found that I had a hiatal hernia. Every time I've had an EKG since, they say I have a "non-specific abnormality" (whatever that means) and never seem concerned about it. In 1976 the doctor prescribed Gaviscon, which I took for a few months, then I started taking Alka-Seltzer, which helped some, and I used Alka-Seltzer regularly for several years, before I quit taking any medications. I still get those chest pains occasionally and I've found the fastest relief I can get is simply a few swallows of 7-UP or Sprite, and I keep one of those handy at all times.

I think the "ole anxiety" you mentioned is what got me, and probably caused me to hyperventilate, in Shreveport.

wroughtn_harv · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

I've got severe carpul tunnel problems according to the doctor. And, believe it or not, sometimes the symptoms or chest and shoulder pains. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I know.

But I'm not.

Like I told the doc, "there's five things ya'll ain't going to get a knife near, eyes are two of them, hands also,................

Bird · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

( I've got severe carpul tunnel problems according to the doctor )

Harv, if it gets bad enough, I can guarantee you'll have the surgery and be glad to get it, after you go two or three months without even going to bed because you can't sleep anyway, like I did. Of course you hope to find the right doctor to do it. My mother had one hand done in Aransas Pass and the surgery didn't help. She came to Dallas and had it re-done by the doctor who did mine and our youngest daughter and no more problem.

So I can recommend a good specialist if you ever need him. Incidentally, he says himself that surgery is a last resort.

shade2u2 · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

It was tough for me to go the "knife" route of the Heart Cath which is surgery to me... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I've never been in the hospital for anything. I asked the Doc what he'd do. He said that he would have the cath, but he's also done 16000+ of them so it's a different perspective. I'm sure glad that I did. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Today I feel 10 years younger due to the RELIEF even though the groin is still heeling from the cath.
I'm thankful that my wife was there for me & that it's over for her too. It does "gound" you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Maybe most think it not a big deal, but I guess I'm at somewhat of a crossroads right now. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
My 10 yr old daughter knew something was up over the last few days & you could see her concern, but we didn't fill her in totally until after. She was extra "cuddly" yesterday. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif That's what it's all about. She's off school today & my 23 yr old son is here also, so we can hang out. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

tc35dforme · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

Have you tried daily doses of Vitamin B-6 to help alleviate the carpal tunnel problems ?

I do 100mg of B6 with a B Complex multi each day and it makes a lot of difference.

I'm not presribing....just suggesting you give it a try.

rfawkes · Oct 15, 2004

Re: Heart\'s ok - glad I checked...

I just had my 3rd heart cath. This one was especially wonderful, as they found no problem, and are going to start upper GI tests next week. The first one and the second one were the real thing and stents were put in. Now, after the wake up call, exercise, diet, stopping a 45 year tobacco habit, I feel really good, except for arthritic knees that make the walking less than enjoyable. My doctor said eventually, the pain will be less as muscle tone holds knee joints in place. Don't be afraid of a heart cath.