chippa13 1844 Report post Posted December 29, 2008 Apparently, I'm just part of that one percent who this can happen to with no real cause. Cholesterol levels are good, diet wasn't great but not terrible, either. I carry a few extra pounds but not enough to strain the ticker. Everyone that knows my clan says I'm the last of the three brothers that this should have happened to. All the nurses and doctors kept saying that I was not supposed to be there for this. It just happens to some folks and I was the one. Now if the darn lottery would just cooperate I'd be much happier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hattrick74 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2008 chippa what type of diet did they have you start? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number21 3 Report post Posted December 29, 2008 Glad to hear you caught it in time chippa!I just got word at a medical screening for my new job that my BP is a little high at 29. With a family history of high BP and your story, I am going to consider getting a stationary bike, just to help shed my extra weight. I should also watch my salt and caffeine intake.Speedy recovery Chippa! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 chippa what type of diet did they have you start?It is a low sodium, low fat, low cholesterol diet. Translation: low flavor. Kidding. It isn't that bad and I really don't have to change all that much. Sure, steak and cheeses and pizzas are going to be very few and very far between but I really just have to cut salts and fats out of stuff.Strangely, there is no mention of caffeine at all. Sure, I can't be pounding Mountain Dew but I can still have my morning cup of joe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LegoDoom 0 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 i dont know if its possible to explain it in words, but what did these new chest pains feel like? i am glad that your okay and thanks for the heads up, i am in my late 20's so its never to soon to start being cautious and getting checked out regularlyI guess the best I can do is, take the worst muscle cramp you've ever had, then triple that, and put it into your chest, left shoulder and base of your neck.Something leads me to believe that I wouldn't be ignoring this type of warning sign.Hope everything stays well for you. Coming from someone who went through a health issue last year that had no previous warning signs, I know how much of a life changing experience it can be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allsmokenopancake 0 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 Quick and speedy recovery to you Chippa. Hope you get back on the ice (armour or not).I will still disagree with almost everything you say here, keep your mind working at least!!!Seriously though, all the best, glad you are on the road to recovery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foppa21 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2008 i dont know if its possible to explain it in words, but what did these new chest pains feel like? i am glad that your okay and thanks for the heads up, i am in my late 20's so its never to soon to start being cautious and getting checked out regularlyI guess the best I can do is, take the worst muscle cramp you've ever had, then triple that, and put it into your chest, left shoulder and base of your neck.Something leads me to believe that I wouldn't be ignoring this type of warning sign.Hope everything stays well for you. Coming from someone who went through a health issue last year that had no previous warning signs, I know how much of a life changing experience it can be.Us guys ignore warning signs like that far too often. I work in an ICU that, among other things, gets all the unstable chest pain and post heart cath patients with stents. I've never taken care of a male patient who came in to the ER at the first onset of chest pain. Most take several days, some weeks. We had a patient recently who waited two weeks to come in and didn't have much of a viable heart at that point. He ended up dying in the blink of an eye on Christmas night about an hour after I came on shift. So I guess the "moral" is, don't wait to come in. When you talk about heart ischemia, time is definitely of the essence.On a different note, Chippa, I'm curious as to which meds they started you on? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted December 31, 2008 I'm a walking pharmacy. I'm taking aspirin, Toprol, Plavix, Lisiprisin, and Zocor (it started as Lipitor but my insurance doesn't cover it). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foppa21 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2008 LOL, that's actually not that bad compared to a lot of people I've seen. I'll never forget an admission history I did on a patient a few months back. His wife handed me his home med list and I just about shit myself. This guy literally took 30+ pills a day! Lisiprisin...that's a new one to me. Is it actually lisinopril by chance? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted December 31, 2008 Yeah, that's it. Hey, I got most of them right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rustpot 1 Report post Posted December 31, 2008 LOL, that's actually not that bad compared to a lot of people I've seen. I'll never forget an admission history I did on a patient a few months back. His wife handed me his home med list and I just about shit myself. This guy literally took 30+ pills a day! Lisiprisin...that's a new one to me. Is it actually lisinopril by chance?My dad's on about 25 I think. Some are supplements, most are blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure, cholesterol... He literally has two of those big 7-day pill sorters (morning and night) and his script and other pill bottles fill a large shoebox (he wears size 16 Nikes).He's been to the emergency room several times with heart palpitations, arithmea (sp?), maybe something else. He's damn lucky to not be diabetic or have needed open heart like his father and one of his brothers.Yay bad genes! I'm already working on needing a new knee at 22, most of my uncles and my dad have been through 2-4 of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foppa21 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2008 LOL, that's actually not that bad compared to a lot of people I've seen. I'll never forget an admission history I did on a patient a few months back. His wife handed me his home med list and I just about shit myself. This guy literally took 30+ pills a day! Lisiprisin...that's a new one to me. Is it actually lisinopril by chance?My dad's on about 25 I think. Some are supplements, most are blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure, cholesterol... He literally has two of those big 7-day pill sorters (morning and night) and his script and other pill bottles fill a large shoebox (he wears size 16 Nikes).He's been to the emergency room several times with heart palpitations, arithmea (sp?), maybe something else. He's damn lucky to not be diabetic or have needed open heart like his father and one of his brothers.Yay bad genes! I'm already working on needing a new knee at 22, most of my uncles and my dad have been through 2-4 of them.Wow, that's polypharmacy for ya. Let me throw a guess out there on some of them. I'll say...coumadin, amiodarone(cordarone, pacerone), lisinopril(prinivil), metoprolol(lopressor), clonidine, some kind of statin - either crestor, lipitor, or zocor...and, now I'm drawing a complete blank on what the rest could be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rustpot 1 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 Some of those sound familiar, yeah -coumadin and vytorin for sure... and Cialis ;) He might be down in the count he's taking. Did you know you can get a gel-capsule the size of a dime that has like 3000% of standard daily potassium? I know one is that, along with different herbs and various other non-prescription pills he's taking on doctor's advice. If he was like most Americans (me included) and avoided seeing the doctors he would probably be dead long ago, or at least have been hospitalized for something far worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foppa21 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 Ha, that's good to hear about the potassium. The potassium pills we pass out on the unit are about the size of my thumb! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyJTa 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2009 Well, a little positive note and some kudos to Chippa... Thank you again for sharing this experience with me at least. You made me open my eyes, and potentially saved my bosses life. After hearing your story, I found a new Dr, I've been dieting and exercising (I'm down about 30 pounds) and saw my cardiologist for the first time since my 21st birthday. With my 31st coming up on Monday, I'm happy to report that I have been given an A-OK by my doctor. A clean EKG, and 10 minutes on the treadmill for an exercise stress test and my doc said I look good. But during all these doctors visits, my boss (51 yrs old) mentioned that he needs to find a new doctor too. He said he always gets chest pains through his sternum area, and a strange sensation in his neck. I explained to him that on a few occasions, I got a little quick "pin prick" feeling in my chest- nothing sustaining, and that's what got me to the Dr's to get some tests in. He said "No man, this is like a jabbing pain" and I told him he was crazy, and needs to go to the ER next time he gets them. Fast forward 3 weeks, I'm in his office, and he's running the buttons on his shirt and says "Jesus..." and replies "Just an itch"- I got on his case instantly, and stated telling my peers about his chest pain. After about 6 people getting on his case- he called his doctor yesterday. His PCP refused to see him because it was chest pain, and they told him to get to an ER. He ended up having a 90% blockage and also had a stent this afternoon. His doctor said if he didn't come in today, he probably wouldn't have made it through the weekend. So thanks again man, you've smartened me up, and potentially saved a life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2009 I'm glad you are ok. That is so bizarre, usually to have that at your age you would need a really warped cholesterol metabolism. I'd add to what you said by telling people to get their fiber and omega 3 fatty acids in their diets. American diets can be horribly deficient in both and the correct fat ratio really benefits your heart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyJTa 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2009 I'm glad you are ok. That is so bizarre, usually to have that at your age you would need a really warped cholesterol metabolism. I'd add to what you said by telling people to get their fiber and omega 3 fatty acids in their diets. American diets can be horribly deficient in both and the correct fat ratio really benefits your heart.It was my boss with the blockage, not me. My doctor thinks it was more or less stress and anxiety that was my issue (got a wedding coming, big 'life changes', etc). My boss with the blockage on the other hand, I think it was just years of poor eating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foppa21 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2009 Poor eating, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, lack of exercise, family history, genetic predisposition...it can be one or (usually) several of a number of things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted March 3, 2009 Well, a little positive note and some kudos to Chippa... Thank you again for sharing this experience with me at least. You made me open my eyes, and potentially saved my bosses life. After hearing your story, I found a new Dr, I've been dieting and exercising (I'm down about 30 pounds) and saw my cardiologist for the first time since my 21st birthday. With my 31st coming up on Monday, I'm happy to report that I have been given an A-OK by my doctor. A clean EKG, and 10 minutes on the treadmill for an exercise stress test and my doc said I look good. But during all these doctors visits, my boss (51 yrs old) mentioned that he needs to find a new doctor too. He said he always gets chest pains through his sternum area, and a strange sensation in his neck. I explained to him that on a few occasions, I got a little quick "pin prick" feeling in my chest- nothing sustaining, and that's what got me to the Dr's to get some tests in. He said "No man, this is like a jabbing pain" and I told him he was crazy, and needs to go to the ER next time he gets them. Fast forward 3 weeks, I'm in his office, and he's running the buttons on his shirt and says "Jesus..." and replies "Just an itch"- I got on his case instantly, and stated telling my peers about his chest pain. After about 6 people getting on his case- he called his doctor yesterday. His PCP refused to see him because it was chest pain, and they told him to get to an ER. He ended up having a 90% blockage and also had a stent this afternoon. His doctor said if he didn't come in today, he probably wouldn't have made it through the weekend. So thanks again man, you've smartened me up, and potentially saved a life.Don't thank me, thank the good folks of SNHMC for what they did for me and the post-procedure folks at the rehab I'm attending for educating me. They deserve all the thanks in the world.Update on my story: I had my stress and echo tests yesterday. The preliminary report from the cardiologist on duty was a thumbs up. Next is my appt with my cardiologist on Monday. Hoping for another thumbs up and a return to the ice to follow shortly thereafter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foppa21 0 Report post Posted March 3, 2009 Did they tell you what your ejection fraction was? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted March 3, 2009 Not yesterday but I believe the number was 60% post-procedure. That is what the rehab folks have in my file. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foppa21 0 Report post Posted March 4, 2009 Sweet, that's still in a normal range. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted March 10, 2009 The kid returns to the ice tonight, probably looking something like Bambi on ice after almost 3 months away, but the kid returns. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LkptTiger 1 Report post Posted March 10, 2009 Good luck, man. Just have fun with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted March 13, 2009 Survived 2 games this week, although my back thinks otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
