Chest Pains without enzymes showing a heart attack

I have been experiencing severe chest pains much like that when I had my prior heart attacks. I went to the ER over a week ago and after a stress test, it was determined that it was angina. But now, not only do I have the chest pains, I am having skipped beats that takes my breath away. It is so hard to catch my breath at times. I also have a feeling of faintness from time to time. I am without insurance, so I can't follow up with a cardologist, but I know there is something wrong. I can't convince the residents at the county hospital of this. I am wondering if a heart cath would prove this. It sucks today without insurance. I always had it until I lost my job. I went to the ER with chest pains and shortness of breath shortly after I lost this job and before I could put a policy in place. They found the right coronary artery was blocked 90%. That was it. I had been diagnosed with CAD and now no insurance will accept me unless I have around $800 a month for a policy that won't cover the CAD for 12 months anyway................Please help!!

[ChatterAlly]

I am a payroll/benefits manager. I opted not to keep the Cobra. Now work for a company that doesn't offer health benefits/

[surfgirl]

I feel for you.............I don't know how long ago you lost your job, but if you were on their group, they have to cover you for 2 years under COBRA.  I am an employer, and I am sure of this.  You would have to pay back premiums to get it reinstated, if you have not cancelled formally as yet.  They may even pay for the ER visit then,  If you did not have  a heart cath, how did they find the 90% blockage?

[ChatterAlly]

Should I go back to the ER???

[surfgirl]

how did you find the 90% blockage.....are you right or left artery dominent?  I doubt if the ER would help, but I do think you need to see a cardiologist who can admit you directly to the hospital.  That is , unless you have an acute episode..then take a bayer aspirin and call 911.

[ChatterAlly]

I went to the ER 3 years ago complaining of chest pain and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Much like I do now. They admitted me and did a heart cath the next morning. The blockage was found then. Since then I have had 3 heart attacks that weren't really noticed until the blood work was done. Tryponin (I think that's how its spelled) levels were elavated. But the caths at that time only showed blockages that were too small to deal with. Now this year, I have these skipped beats with chest pain and a feeling that my breath is being taken away. The last trip to the hospital (10 days ago) they didn't order any cath. Just the stress test. I met my target, but when slowing the heart down there were some changes on the EKG and I felt some chest pains. The cardology department never came to my room, but discharged me saying it was angina. I know deep down something has gone astray, but not in the mood to sit in the ER again, only to be sent home. Going to a cardiologist without any insurance is not an option. They just ask that I go to the ER. That's the answer when I consult my GP. And he's right. Without the means to have the tests done, it's hard to diagnose what's going on........It's called being in between a rock and a hard place. And it's not fair to a woman that went to college and has worked since she was 16. Worked in this capaicity 33 years now.I am only 54 and ths is so hard for me. Brings me to tears. I just don't know what to do or where to turn......Thanks, for listening, though.

[surfgirl]

I am so sorry.I for one would NEVER be without health insurance...I have seen too many people lose everything....my kids all have their own insurance.  It is like being without car insurance, or homeowners.....I have sacrficed much to maintain my policy, but I have no option.  I pay almost 1200/month, just for me.  We all make choices in our lives, and have to face the consequences............you, IMO, made a reckless choice, and are in dire need of help.  This could be a matter of life and death.  I wish you well.  I hope you at least medically managed.  Good luck.

[ChatterAlly]

This is suppose to be support???????

[jim62]

Sure sounds like support to me.  What kind of support did you have in mind?

Sympathy?  Ok, I'm really really sorry that you're in such a pickle.

Advice?  Ok, i'd say go get checked out by a cardiologist.

Opinion?  Ok, being without health insurance is not a good thing in this day and time.  It was a bad idea to not keep the cobra.

Anything else I could help you with?

[ChatterAlly]

Not keeping the COBRA reckless??????? Hmmm...let's see, I am supporting 2 grandchildren and 1 foster son. At the time, I was in good health and thought it a better idea to pay the mortgage and utilities, even put some food on the table while pounding the pavement for a management job...I was 51 ya know and the younger ones were looking also........Only thing I am looking for in here is why I continue to feel so crumby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChatterAlly]

btw........howdy neighbor. I'm in Texas too

[Jack54]

I meant to tell you to call and try to get all of your cardiac medical records. Make yourself copies and have these records available for the ER doctor. They will inevitably lose these records, lol.

[Jack54]

Whether or not you have insurance, you can get help. We the taxpayers pay for illegal aliens and prisoners to have heart transplants. So that being said, let us look at your situation.

Your life is priceless. You can go to the ER of a public or not for profit hospital that receives funds from the federal government. Once there, they cannot legally make you leave until you have received treatment. In your case, your symptoms suggest you need either a nuclear imaged stress test of a cardiac catheterization.

If you had insurance, and considering your previous cath that did show CAD, they would probably skip the stress test and perform a cath. Then they could insert stents to clear your blockages. This could/would prevent you from having a massive fatal heart attack and relieve your chest pain. Of course you must make sure that your lifestyle is heart healthy after being "fixed".

If the doctor chooses a stress test, and if the results show a lack of blood flow to the muscles of your heart (ischemia), a cardiac catheterization is required. This is the natural course of treatment that you SHOULD receive without having to raise heck!

You will be billed for the associated cost, depending on the hospital you choose. Pay a small amount each month on these bills. Do not let them bother you. Remember the illegal aliens and murderers who receive heart transplants and bypass surgery.

Some hospitals, such as the Cleveland Clinic, do not turn anyone away due to finances/medical insurance. They are a not for profit organization. They have at least 2 locations. One in Cleveland Ohio and one in Miami Florida.

If you are not close to anyone of these locations, try to find another hospital that will not turn you down. I flew to Cleveland from Alabama and took a taxi to the Cleveland Clinic ER. They performed a cath the next day and inserted the 4th stent into my LAD. I have another stent in my obtuse marginal or left circumflex. I am blessed to have medical insurance though. My coverage is from my wife's policy. She works and I am retired. I try to keep house :)

Hugs and best wishes for your future health care,

Jack

[jim62]

Hi neighbor.  I'm not sure that plan would work very well if you have any assets.  Of course, you'd be alive, but probably wind up having nothing.  That's why our medical care system works so well for illegals--they have nothing.  I'm at a loss............What part of Texas?

Jack, you sly devil!  Covered on your wife's policy?  A month or so ago, you had no wife and no family at all, remember?  Musta been a whirlwind romance, I suppose.............Oh what a tangled web we weave etc. etc.

[ChatterAlly]

They would have to fight the IRS for any thing they could liquidate now, Jim

[surfgirl]

IMO, a 50 something person with a history of heart disease who opts to drop her health insurance should not whine "unfair" when it hits the fan. There are many companies that offer health insurance, and with a college degree and 33 years experience, I don't think it would be too hard to find one.  Or a second job at McDonalds, or whatever it takes.  We reap what we sow.
I have heard of patients transferring all assests, even getting divorced, and then going on medicaid.  I had a young man with ALS who did that.  Bitter as hell too.

[surfgirl]

You are in great shape today!  LOL.

[ChatterAlly]

Thank you Jack..........Houston area.  Live on the beach in Galveston. Surfgirl, dear friend, I was a healthy woman when I lost my job. Was in between when I ended up in the ER. Hind sight, eh?

[ChatterAlly]

Chest pains have settled down a bit today, but still so short of breath. I wish i could get this elephant to move over.

[Jack54]

I have never denied having a wife and 2 grown daughters. Can you show me where I made this statement? I know that you can't because I have never made it.

You are either truly confused or just trying to make me look bad. Why are you hounding me on this board? I was here before you and all was fine. You and your pal, Surfgirl are making it hard on myself and other sick people.

As far as I know, both of you are asymptomatic and living the high life. I and many here are in the middle of a heart disease crisis. A little pain might help you to be more compassionate.

As for the old board that doesn't exist, I helped many, many people understand their heart problems. Then I had people that begin to hound me for whatever reason. Envy in how I dealt compassionately with people was one I think.

I began to drink because of my fear of death and made some terrible post on that board. One was faking suicide. My father committed suicide when I was 3.5. That was the most painful event in my life. I think I thought it would be the most painful way to get back at my enemies, or cause them the most pain. Turns out that only Vee seemed to really care.

Before that came the infamous "Cheeseburger War" started by your surfing gal. Are you making these hateful comments so that your groupies from your "main heart support group" can come here and see just how you are man enough to dish out punishment for me?

No one here cares to hear about things that did not happen here, except for all of you that came after I changed my name here to Jack, after I could not log in under Goldie.

Remember when you had 2 screen or log in names on the old board and under the unknown name you were making derogatory post that everyone thought was me, just by the way you worded your post? I caught you and proved it without a doubt to all. Did I get an apology from you, when you tried to make me look bad? No I didn't.

Get off of my back.

Surfgal, keep agging on your pit bull.

[ChatterAlly]

Thank you for your post. I have been stewing over what to respond to the two of them myself. Many come here with real questions and problems, like myself. The last thing they need at a time like this is to be criticized and ridiculed. As for surfgirl's post "you reap what you sow" that goes both ways.
I will be following up with my doctor today to get more answers. Since being discharged from the hospital 10 days ago, I still feel there is something going on that perhaps a cath will reveal. My last cath was a year ago this past June. Thanks again, Jack.

[jim62]

To be honest with you, your fake suicide really got to me.  I spent a lot of time researching obits and such to try to document it, as did several of your other "friends".  Then, you turn up over here, alive and well, and deny being on the other board, deny the suicide thang, deny knowing folks who considered you a friend, and yes even denying your wife and two grown daughters.  I think you will be able to find the post involving the "no family" concept.  I'm not going to spend my time looking for it.  But, that's about it in a nutshell.

Yes, on the other board you sure did help a lot of people.  And also, on the other board, you hurt a lot of people, probably more deeply than you can fathom.  There are some of them that are still very wary of posting anything on these boards because of the explicit threats that you made.

In spite of all this, I bear you no ill will.  I hope you feel better, now that you have admitted to this stuff.  I know it did me some good.  I am now prepared to not mess with you any more.

Confession is good for the soul, ain't it ?

Love,

Jim

[Jack54]

[Jack54]

You are so welcome my good friend. I do not know where the bitterness comes from. These two are in good shape physically. I guess you could say that they are in "remission". Jim is a retired postman that receives a good retirement check. surfgirl is a very successful entrepreneur. She has had tragedy in her life.

The funny thing is (not funny), you can lose all you have in order to save your life, and when you recuperate, you can slowly rebuild your life, with regard to having the "material possessions". Maybe these two look down on people that do not have medical insurance and material possessions due to a series of unfortunate, life shattering events. We are not always in control of our destiny.

I can surely empathize with your raising grandchildren...I raised one of my grandsons for the first 8 years of his life. It is a very demanding job. They are so dear, but at our age, it isn't really right for us to have to raise our grandchildren. I gave his Mother all that she needed to be successful. She blew it. She is finally doing just great though. A bad thyroid made her crazy!!! We had no idea. It went undetected for years. If anyone has a heck raising teen, I advise them to get their thyroid checked.

Money means nothing to me. I could easily live under an overpass :)

Oh yeah, my grandson is coming to live with us for 3 or 4 months. His father is in the Army (go Army lol) and is being transferred to another far away state. My daughter is expecting and is due in November. She is going with him to have the baby and they want my 9 year old grandchild to have us to keep him straight with his home work and all. They will be busy house hunting and baby stuff, lol.

I really miss him. He will be here Thursday. I have been fortunate enough to have really  spoiled him all of his life.

Best of health and luck to you :)

Jack

P.S. Do you know a French middle name that starts with an M, and will go with Jeremiah ----------Cardon? It is a family tradition to have the initials of JMC. They are Cajuns (French Canadians I think)

[Jack54]

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Big Hugs!!!!!}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

[ChatterAlly]

ummmm, Maurice, Marcel, Michel...............I'll let you know tomorrow what this doctor days today.

[jim62]

Darn, I missed that part about people starting to "hound you".

You don't suppose your threatening to kill them and their families may have had something to do with it, do you?

Or maybe all that foul language may have done it........

Beats me.

[Jack54]

It is possible but not probable.

[islandmomma]

Oh my Heavens! I could not let myself believe it, not even when several people said you were here, Jack!!

I grieved for you as a fellow sufferer, a fellow cardiac patient with significant issues, for a long time. I saw you as a victim and I defended you and dumped a big support network of my own to preserve or to try to preserve your memory as someone who was well-intentioned but fell by the wayside. I actively alienated them because I insisted that they must have appropriate sympathy and regret over our inability to help you. They on the other hand did not trust you...seems they were right (surfer girl and jim among them). I think I must be stupid to champion the underdogs as I have tended to throughout my life....:( I need to grow up. A bit late for me (56) but maybe not too late.

Whoever you are, Randy or Jack or OKD or whoever else, I want you to know that you have been a reasonable chunk of my disillusionment in the recent past but, then again, it is not your fault. It is just part and parcel of how completely naive and blind I have been in oh so many ways! My heart hurts again BTW...likely angina and maybe other more psychic pain, only in the last few weeks/months or so (I am 3.5 years post CABG now--hurrah---NOT!!) and this is not unexpected given my family history. I plan to do nothing about it anyway. I do not expect to post here again and am posting nowhere else at this time but could not help but tell you how personally affected I am by your 'revival'. A part of me wishes, as I said at the time, that I could feel cheered by this 'miracle' as I said I would if they (the others) were right but I do not think I can find that part of me anymore. I see too much real suicide and its repercussions every day to be very forgiving of you duping your 'friends' in the way that you did, whatever your rationale. To me and others like me, it was inhuman and unforgiveable...

Watch yourselves on this site, everyone else. This man is a fairly good source of information and can be very supportive but he tends to turn on others and it is not predictable what he will do when that happens. Just be cautious. He needs support too. I leave him to you :). Good luck.

j

PS How about Merde? sorry...couldn't resist...It would not be a good name for a baby but might be a good middle name along with your many aliases for you...

[jim62]

Very well said, and right on the money.

Hope you're doing well.

Jim

[Jack54]

Jan, I am very sorry to be alive, and to have disappointed you. What do you expect me to say in order to apologize? Should I make excuses for what I did as far as faking my suicide, or just say that I did it to hurt very, very kind and loving people like you?

Is it obvious to you that anyone who does what I did is not right in the head? In my defense should I write about the damage to my brain and how it occurred? A heart attack, two strokes and a never ending supply of alcohol is not conducive to good mental health.

People like Jim for instance, found my buttons and pushed them frequently. Jim is rotten to the core. However much he hounds me, it will never be enough to satisfy his group of pseudo humans that he so loves to try to impress by constantly harassing me. People here do not know of his group with the queen bee so adoring of Jim and vice versa. These people are reading every bad thing that Jim says to me and about me, which makes Jim hold his chest up and out with glowing pride.

Some from the old board can tolerate me, and that is good. I am just here to try and help people through the experiences I have had, and will have with heart disease. My head id much more clear. I haven't drank in almost a year.

People will continue to humiliate me, but I have apologized for the last time for what I did on another now defunct forum, and at another time with angry, constant bickering childish people. I may be a sorry no good in many people's eyes but as long as I am civil, and do my best to help people here on this forum, I think that I will be just fine. I am a shut in and study heart disease in my spare time. I do most of my socializing online, with heart disease patients.

I am so sorry for making you think I killed myself but now that I have apologized would you please leave me alone?

[islandmomma]

I am sorry for the digression and hope you get your symptoms checked out. They do not sound at all good to me.

We do what we do to do what is best for all for whom we are responsible. Insurance or no insurance, your life is hugely worthwhile. No one's judgement here applies except your own.  No one has walked in your shoes. Insurance per se is often not a guarantee anyway. Often it is a false promise. We may as well always be aware that'...there but for the Grace of...." , go I...in all of our situations I think anyway.

Make the system work for you and for all of those who love you!!...and Good Luck!
IM

[islandmomma]

Yes, I will and thank you for responding.You did not disappoint me and please do not misunderstand. Only I disappointed me in actual fact as it turns out... I do not mean to be wry or critical. I was just shocked and I have done that (shocked I mean!) in recent years a lot, silly woman that I am!!

I only wish I had known this earlier....it might have saved me some stuff of my own, Jack, to be honest with you.I wish you no ill will and I am glad you are feeling better but see that you are still scared. I hope your anticipated surgery goes well and I still hope all goes well for you in general. Please watch out for other issues interfering in your ability (and I believe this is genuinely your motive) to help others. I am glad the 'demon' is under control to some extent...it made you mindless and irrational and argumentative and you lost your real intent I think.

Welcome back Jack, I guess. I hope your stay here is better...I am letting this whole bit (huge chunk) of nonsense go. And (I think anyway) TY also Jim for your (as usual but always appreciated) wry, and easily misunderstood but witty comments/double entendres....

j

PS And aren't we all a strange crew? :)

[Jack54]

You have convinced me that I do not deserve the right to help others, due to the demon in me. I will stay away from health forums forever. My you are an ever so bright and convincing lady yet so delicate as to have huge chunks of whatever removed from you.

Your pal.
OKD Randy and Jack.

[Celeste77]

Never in my life have I seen such bitter hostility amongst people that really don't even know one another, nor have I seen people so uncapable of forgiveness or understanding.
"Funny" (loaded with sarcasism) how hate consumes so many and yet they proclaim to be compassionate loving people, only here to "help" their fellow mankind.
What a crock.... Misery loves company, plain and simple.

I've been here for years and this was a peaceful caring forum until a few months ago. What a shame that it only takes so few to ruin the whole bunch.

[islandmomma]

Don't be silly. I meant no ill will. I never did. Your 'demon' is not an uncommon one nor unknown in my family. It makes you no less worthwhile Jack. It just makes you much more vulnerable and much more unpredictable.

Let this be, I beseech you. I apologize for needing to verify this whole thing for myself....

We all have our various demons...mine are not that different...

Nite Alabama Jack!!:). I am sorry for disturbing your new place and am now shutting up (unless you want a response, in which case, I am sure that you will let me know)....

Good luck, fella (no sarcasm intended---I have generally not been good at the arts of sarcasm or subterfuge---sorry)....

j

[Celeste77]

Jack~
I see no reason for you to go.
The important thing is that you have helped yourself get better. Mental breakdowns are no different then any other illness. We all have our breaking point and god knows the havoc physical illness and mental stress can cause or the lengths one will go to find relief.
You've tried to make your peace, you've apologized enough.

Forgive yourself, let go of the past, and leave the rest to whallow...

islandmomma~
You posted right as I did. My post above was not directed at you. Though I don't know you, or about you, you seem to be a kind and caring and most importantly, forgiving women.
Not that it matters, but you've restored some of my faith in people.

[islandmomma]

I do not know this place, Celeste, and regret intruding. I only know some of the people and was led here by others who knew I had an interest some time ago. I shall retreat now and have not saved the site to re-visit.

I have no hostility as far as I can find it in me re this issue... I have lots of 'real' sources if I need any to add hostility to cardiopulmonary disease itself and post CABG, as well as being now well into litigation with biggy insurance companies.. I choose to be as positive as I can be. My new goal is to be less trusting/stupid/naive. For me, that is a HUGE one!!

I have been watching these dynamics and have been disillusioned by them for more than three years now. The same group of people/prominent players simply rotate from site to site as sites are dropped or, as individuals, the people are banned. Someone shoulfd be doing a dissertation on these dynamics.... JMO.

I say again "Beware, those of you who truly seek support and info on these sites, you shall find out that there are other pitfalls to watch out for". I nonetheless understand (and have been there) re the need to know and seek support.

I do not mean to insult anyone here before, since, or henceforth. I suspect that none of us want to do that. If this post is mistrusted, then it shall be.... I just hoped to spare someone equally naive a disillusionment if all is believed as presented on this (or any other) site.

IM

[viennaustria]

It is real a pity: no edit button here isn't it?:)

[viennaustria]

I f  you write  as a  "shrink "as our Sue once called you , or "headhunter" or psychiatrist as you are called at north or just jan bc....always interesting to read you  islandmomma...good to see you are clicking........
...and I hope you save this site to re-visit.

[Celeste77]

islandmomma: "I have been watching these dynamics and have been disillusioned by them for more than three years now. The same group of people/prominent players simply rotate from site to site as sites are dropped or, as individuals, the people are banned. Someone shoulfd be doing a dissertation on these dynamics.... JMO. "

It seems "they" have found a new playground and with all the drama and nasty remarks, have managed to run off quite a few people that really needed some support. It's really sad when you think about it. I feel like I'm watching horrible re-runs of Beverly Hills 90210, only with new players and more back-stabbing.

Anyway, I wish you the best. May you find health, kick the biggy insurance companies kesters, and decide to re-visit us. Most of us members (speaking of those that I have come to know that have been around here for awhile) are actually quite nice, compassionate, and knowledgable and really will have your best interests at heart.

.

[Awake and Unafraid]

You have passive aggressive written all over you.  

[viennaustria]

Ya :)
New people came. Just like as a World Turns. Just like as people move, just like we born and die....they are (WE ARE) book-marked that site, we might be here to stay..........we don't need a permit from the OLD posters ,do we? :)

Oh and before I forget THAT board is not  that board you had before us, you got a new board as we all know a board for all your PVC needs where you can feel free from us, remember? I could go there too and all of us new people, we not only have heart disease, but arrhythmias as well. I personally wont, I respect your "playground" and PVC support group THERE.  

Support has many different forms. Hugging and being sweet only one way. Just let everybody be as he /she is.

This is a new board order, like it not; you and all those old posters whom feeling the same about us, just deal with it finally would you?:)

Have a great week-end ALL .

[viennaustria]

Are you a "shrink" too?:)

[FLBrat]

Hey Tush!!, I missed you. Honest.
IslandMomma - yeah, it was disappointling to have the sham played on us.  Excuses are made, apologies are made, eh, life goes on...What is the old saying, "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me."??
Awake - you excel at the nasty comments yourself.
V - good day
Jack - drama is not necessary.  If you truly want to help you do not have to make yourself a victim.  If you have pride in yourself, that should be enough.  You threw a death threat at me, but I didnt care then, and dont now.  Dont wish you ill, I just find it easier on my heart to ignore your personalities.
Jim - hello, didnt want to just ignore you
Chatter - sorry for the hijack of your post.

[jim62]

Why, thank you very much for thinking of me.

And, hello right back atcha!

[Celeste77]

I had not noticed that you yourself were part of this "new board order", but thanks for the warning. :)

[lulama]

Well, Celeste,  if you hadn't noticed that  Vienna is part of the "new board order", you have missed some of the most arrogant, insulting comments on the board.  You can be sure she will "wax eloquent" after this post.............As for *some* of the others.not all,  they suffer from varying degrees  of mental, or emotional, (I'm not knowlegable about psyche speak ) "issues".  and you are right, they sure seem to have taken over the board.

[jim62]

Am I in the "new order"?  If not, I'd like to get in.  If so, I'd like to be # 3.

[Jack54]

This has gone way to far. This board is supposed to be moderated. I haven't checked yet, but I would assume that Med Help International receives funds from prestigious institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and the National Jewish Research and Medical. My wife has been treated at National Jewish and I have been treated at the Cleveland Clinic once and plan to have surgery there fairly soon.

I am going to contact these institutions and ask them to read all of the garbage written on this board about me. I have CAD and other heart problems. Anxiety is documented to cause angina in myself. These false accusations should never have been allowed to be made. I have never threatened to kill anyone, even after the second stroke I had, plus the alcohol I consumed. I may be dumb, but I am not crazy. Death threats are a serious offense and had I made them, one or more of you would have turned me in and I would probably went to jail.

Had the moderator assigned to this heart board done the right thing, she would have immediately banned all of you who have made accusations against me, such as the death threats. All of you have violated the terms of use of this board, without impunity.

I have done nothing wrong here on this board. I came here only to give and get support. Yet "Jim" has treated me like an animal. I believe that when the moderator of this board said "if there is any proof then show it, or stop the accusations"; it appears by this statement that if there was proof then she would let all things from past events not occurring on THIS board, whether true or not, "PLAY OUT" to the end. This is what has happened and I feel very depressed about how this was handled.

Read the agreement that you signed before you joined this website. I have copied all of the accusations made here, along with the degrading trash talk by the "Jim" character. Legally any of you along with this website can be held responsible for deformation of character.

If the board is properly cleaned up, I will harbor no ill will toward anyone as long as I am not persecuted by anyone for past gang fights on a now defunct heart support forum.

[whineyhiney]

This is so strange!  Oh my.  Let's get back on topic.

[islandmomma]

LOL, it took me forever to find this again and I thought it had poofed as I forgot the thread title and access. I should not post, not here, not anywhere, and I apologize again to Chatter who is appropriately trying to stay de-stressed (and should, as this is all silly nonsense and only a temporary digression). On the other hand, I wanted to respond to those who speciifically named me. I have never been good at being transparent or anonymous. It is a personal flaw LOL!

Celeste, you sound like a very sweet and sincere woman. I wish I could stay and learn your story (and probably others who are here but, once burned, twice shy, on a semi-public site like this one). [I think this is the hcol replacement site no one was coming to? or is this somewhere else?].

I wish you all well anyway.... :) TY, Celeste, for your response(s) to me and to others I see above, and if the contamination has extended here and especially if I have added to it, I am sorry. There are other sites with more zealous moderation. If you feel you need support, do not give up looking around.

U&A (why does that sound odd and maybe even ominous to me already?).... You know me not at all (or do you?....and, if you do, why would you make these pronouncements regarding my personality style?). I have to tell you, quite frankly, that I value your opinion less than the extent to which I expect you know me....no insult intended. I just have WAY better reality testing now, about these sites and some of the people and their issues who/which inhabit them. And just who are you?? :) Masks off?? Hard to pay any attention at all to those who hide....:)

Vienna, I appreciate the ?compliment.... I think anyway....I cannot stay 'though, whatever you may choose to call me, and I still wish you all the best although I do not think I truly know you. I wondered who "Vee" was and now I know :). Are you a Cdn?

Jack? BE WELL!! MIDCAB sounds infinitely better to me than CABG. HONESTLY!! You and I have the same nasty genetics and similar physiology: left dominant coronary artery system and strong familial history. You have had 3 years to prep for this surgery...I had 4 days in early 2004 (I was 52 then) to prep for open heart CABG. You CAN do this! It is not such a biggy. My issues were complications. The surgery was a piece of cake...well, sort of, not really LOL!...Still, 't was better than I expected. :)

BTW, is there really a wife of that name--the poster? You have no idea how that affected some and even extended people LOL....You see, I am a videogame nut and I 'worked it thru' on a couple of games for weeks/likely months (now saved to the hard-drive of my computer as a sort of...what?...LOL...tribute/memorial/penance?? I am sure the saves and desktop icons would have gone eventually!). These were games featuring you and your family by name as I recalled or had been informed, post mortem, and included all the' featured players' on the various sites, villains and heroes...Silly me LOLOLOL!! This should free up some megabytes for me for sure LOLOLOL!!

I apologize for my irreverence and tell you I am still glad you are all still alive (ALL of you, despite some of you being mighty twisted). I am hugely glad actually. It means good sh-- happens as well as just the usual , regular  'sh-- happen'-ing'.... Also it says that we are all survivors in some strange way. Anyone else not expect to get to this age?...or not understand why we have?

Fear not, cardiac newbies. These people (the principal players') are just frustrated. They are actually full of information and support but most of them feel so helpless that they fight among themselves. I think they are all useful and worthy people, even the cantankerous ones. If you ask them for help, they will maybe behave better...:).They are good-hearted, despite their cardiac issues, and they need a focus. Me? I am going back to my (LOL surreal?) life....:)

When my specific madness is past LOL, perhaps I shall return.

Bonne choix!

j

PS Vienna is from Canada?

PPS Oops, sorry, I think I was the one to 'wax eloquent'......

[va_tony]

Jack. Please don't leave.  You need this Forum and this Forum needs you.  You have a wealth of knowledge and personal experiences as well as the desire to share it.  I realize you and I have had our differences on the HCOL board but that's in the past as far as I am concerned.

Regards

Tony

[Jack54]

This note from you Tony means more to me than you will ever know. I just wish that the people that I still, and always will think so much of, would treat me as I deserved to be treated, no better or worse. I apologize to all of them again. I hate to think that some came here just to punish me, then left. We all have hard times in life and I think I was going through my hardest, I hope, when I was on HCOL. I would rather pass on as to have another stroke. I have never liked to hear or make excuses but there are times when you need to be truthful, which may sound like an excuse.

Thanks again for the kind words and compliment. Maybe sometimes I will tell you that I personally know that you have helped an endless number of people with their arrhythmias and other heart disorders. You have calmed their fears and gave them hope with your vast knowledge of the subject. I won't say it now though, people may think we are just swapping compliments here :)

Jack

[Celeste77]

I agree with you. Tony has contributed alot here. I've always found some comfort in his words and knowledge. Even in a few of his harsher posts I've read (concerning anxiety), I felt the underlying message was one of true compassion to help and wisdom.

I've also enjoyed your presence here Jack. In a few of our exchanges, I've found real emotion and a sincere desire to help. As I have told you before, your posts are very informative from a very human standpoint....and that's something I feel is a very fine quality.

Hope this finds you well. Take care.

[Jack54]

Thank you so much for these kind words you have written. I wanted to also thank you for your "brave" words of advice to me, during a heated discussion the other day. People come and go on these forums, but some of us feel the need to hang around and help. I get a sense, or feeling of accomplishment if I can help someone. It is pure therapy for me to share my experiences. I am kind of a shut in, so it helps me more than those I struggle to help, lol.

I am retired and have been since an mi and light stroke. I was actually forced into retirement because I no longer had perfect health, which is what my life's work required.

I had a second stroke that was not as light as the first over a year ago. Both effected my guord more than my body :)

My 9 year old grandson is here for 3 months, so I will be busy with him, but will try to post when I can.

Yep, Tony is about to get his degree in EPeasiology, lol (EP). Anxiety is a killer I do believe and I am talking about the kind that effects our mind-body functions through stress and chaos. Stress done me in and will do others the same.

Of late, I am having trouble with my diastolic heart function. Certain measurements have shown this, i.e. my slightly enlarged left atrium and really high left ventricular end diastolic filling pressure. One problem that is more than likely the cause, or one of the causes is failure of my LV to relax after it beats and allow for proper filling from my LA.

I was thinking that since my mi, or even before, I have never been totally able to relax my chest. It may sound far fetched, but I wonder if this has had an effect on the muscle fibers in my heart, or LV? Laugh out loud if you feel the need :)

So I think Tony is right on with anxiety. Trouble is, it is real and hard to deal with for me, without the use of mood altering drugs, which I do not like to take at all. I have tried meditation and I like it.

I think that we have to be aware of the desire in all of us to be happy and relaxed. If this desire is not present, then we must dig deep and find it because it is there in all of us :) It just gets covered up by life's old garbage and such. We can do it.

My best to you and thanks again,

Jack

[ChatterAlly]

I just wanted to give you all an update on my condition. I went to the doctor last week with severe shortness of breath and chest pains. The EKG showed supraventricular tachycardia. So with the symptoms and the history of heart disease I was advised to return to the ER. Which I will do tomorrow. My friends have really been pushing me to go through with this. I just get tired of going in and having to repeat myself because I am not under any one cardiologist. I will update you all as soon as I can............
Thank you all for your advice. And I never turn down a prayer. I will be taking several of those with me.

Ally

[pvcqueen]

weird

[Jack54]

SO glad to see the update! Sorry PVC Queen :) , but is not weird at all to me if you look back up, past all the garbage, which I am responsible for, to Chatter†Ally's original post....

Your right coronary artery is blocked 90% which can/will cause the SOB and chest pains. This could cause you to have a heart attack, and If this blockage is considered "organic heart disease", which I do not believe it is, the SVT could be serious as the little write-up says below. I think organic heart disease is a broad term and may be associated with enlargements and heart block. However I would not worry too much about the SVT's. It may just lead to more stress that you surely do not need at this time.

I know from first hand experience that this is true. I have unstable angina (angina at rest) and it is either brought on after over doing it (work), an hour or more after I have rested, or it is immediately brought on by emotional stress. When I let something make me really angry, and stuff it, the angina starts big time. If I react to whatever made me angry, the same thing happens. It is really strange but true. So I seldom get angry. I have learned to cope with it through professional help.

Yesterday I took my grandson to a movie and some shopping. His whiny mood I endured for hours without scolding him. During the drive back home, I pulled oved and took two doses of nitroquick...I have been told by many cardiologist that one should not endure angina. Some believe it is actually damaging your heart muscle.

Do you feel the SVT when it occurs? I may have a tad myself that are getting progressively worse.

Here is just a spill on SVT that is not copyrighted. Good luck and I am hoping that they will stent the RCA very soon. It doesn't hurt a'toll :) I gots 5 .....Keep us updated please and I sincerely apologize for the mess within your post :(

Best

Jack

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Supraventricular Tachycardias

Atrial (supraventricular) tachycardias
The term "supraventricular arrhythmia" refers to a diverse group of abnormal rhythms ranging from chronic atrial fibrillation to paroxysmal sinus tachycardia due to reentry within the sinus node. Supraventricular tachycardia can be broadly defined as any tachycardia requiring the atrium or the atrioventricular (AV) node, either in whole or in part, for its perpetuation. The atrial arrhythmias vary considerably in their rate and regularity, their clinical manifestations and the setting in which they occur. These rhythms are characteristically abrupt in onset and termination and are often seen in patients who do not have evidence of organic heart disease. Although these disturbances in rhythm are generally benign, in patients with organic heart disease a rapid supraventricular rhythm may produce significant hemodynamic complications. In some patients with pre-excitation syndromes and antegrade conduction down an accessory pathway, there is a risk of sudden death.