feeling more symptoms

fisher6476 · Nov 29, 2003

OK Guys,
Am I just more aware of the symptoms I had? The last week or so I seem to be getting more and more lethargic. I also notice a "discomfort" in my chest. It is very mild, just barley know it is there. Also seems to be more pronounced after I eat. I have read where an anyuerism can sometimes give you some symptoms of discomfort as it might come in contact with other tissues or structures in the chest area. Maybe now that I am getting much closer to my surgery date I am just psychologically more aware.
What do you think? The other thing that is a real pain in the butt is that i can no longer sleep past about 3am. Doen't matter what time i go to bed! I am hoping to keep working thru Wed and take Thursday off as a final prep day. But I don't know if that is smart now.

Kenny F · Nov 29, 2003

That was precisely my experience the last couple of weeks pre-op. My calves got tired, I felt a deterioration or a 'presence' in my chest and an overwhelming thought that my valve was worse than we thought. It was.

BUT - we have to be realistic too. You are facing OHS - what was once the Big One (everybody but us thinks it is now routine

). I would be more concerned if you never gave it another thought! As far as sleeping, we all deal with our fears differently, but you can bet you are subconsciously wrestling with this.

"I am not a doctor or psychologist" (disclaimer) but I have been there!

You'll do great becasue you are ready. If you are getting worse, than that only proves your good judgement in going ahead. And it certainly shows why we shouldn't wait any longer than needed - who could stand it?

Ross · Nov 29, 2003

Symptoms may be more pronounced because of the acute awareness of the problem and then again, maybe not. The sleeping thing is a subconscious thing. You may not think that your thinking about stuff, but you are.

JohnB · Dec 1, 2003

Hi Steve,
I am feeling very few symptoms, but almost exact same as you. Sometimes find myself bringing my right hand up to my left chest due slight discomfort or ache, can last a couple of hours. I sometimes manage to sleep until 4, but usually 3 am. Thought it was all psychological or caused by worry, but maybe not.

All the best for Friday, we will be thinking of you,

John

fisher6476 · Dec 2, 2003

Hi John,
It is always good to find out someone else has similar concerns.
I don't know what it all means but I guess it just feels better when you find out you're not the only one. I hope things are getting clearer in your mind on how you are going to proceed. I think a lot of reason I can't sleep is because there is so much going on in my mind, did I make the right valve choice, the right surgeon, the right hospital.? I sometimes still think " I relly don't feel that bad...do I really need to go through all this"
On a more concious level I know I HAVE made the best choices for me. And I know that even though my symptoms are not that bad that this condition is more than likely fatal without surgical intervention.
It seems maybe we have somewhat similar circumstances (same age,some same feelings etc. so if I can help you in any way, feel free to ask in a post or privately. One of the hardest things for me (and everyone else I think) is the waiting. Still driving me nuts and puts me through some emotional ups and downs but I am OK and you will be too.
Steve

dwfreck · Dec 2, 2003

Steve,

Oddly enough, I'm feeling a similar discomfort in my chest since my angiogram on 11/18 when my cardiologist reduced my surgery timeframe to 3 months.

As for the lethargy and sleeping, I've been fighting both of those ever since my cardiologist changed my diagnosis from "probable surgery this lifetime" to "definite surgery in 3-5 years". That was a little over four years ago. I complained to my family doctor about the lethargy and sleep problems, and he started me on anti-depressants. That was a little over a year ago. We've just now found the right AD medication.

Stress does funny things to the body, and non-physical stress causes very physical results.

Hang in there and remember to sing, "Drive, drive on down the field..."