Susan's Posts

Hi there, I've been waiting for an update for you since we are about the same time out from surgery! I just completed 1 week of cardiac rehab. I too feel MUCH better and am doing a lot but YES, I get very fatigued on some days and I'm usually done by about 9:30 or 10 pm at night, sometimes earlier, and just go to bed or read in bed. My cardiologist says energy and stamina come back with time. Oddly enough, even though I dragged myself to cardiac rehab yesterday, I felt better afterwards. I don't feel fatigued when I'm exercising, only when I've exercised and then I'm just sitting around. I'm still on 200 mg of amiodarone and 40 mg of a statin. Hoping the amio will go away in 2 weeks.

I'm the same with the exercising. I'm really tired even walking across the parking lot but once I get started on the machines I'm a lot better and feel better right afterward. When I got home, I worked in my office a little bit, then got ready to go out and by 9:00 we were going into a brewery in an old church and I didn't think I was going to make it up the 2 flights of stairs. My friend asked if I wanted to go up a couple more flights to the balcony and I'm like NO. MY husband says I'm just very out of shape but I can't help but start worrying- maybe everything's not ok with my heart, maybe the valve is failing, maybe I'll be this way for the rest of my life. So later when we got home, I went straight to bed with tears in my eyes. I have a wedding to go to tonight! Let's hope that goes better! I did have over 7000 steps on my Fitbit yesterday and that's a record for me! Hopefully, you'll be off the Amiodarone soon. I got taken off a couple weeks ago and definitely feel better.

Susan - We have more in common than just our first names! I felt exhausted for a very long time after surgery. I work from home, so I could take a little power nap in the afternoon, otherwise, I was completely wiped out. I spent decades sitting at a desk and was always tall and thin, so I didn't do any significant amount of exercise. (My husband also tells me I'm out of shape!) I went to cardiac rehab and still go twice a week to the extended class. However, I noticed that I still felt winded climbing stairs. I thought the same thing - did the procedure fail? Well, a stress test last week revealed that everything is fine. My test was normal. Apparently, leg strength is as important as heart strength! You'll get there - but it takes time. Once you're off the medication, you're likely to see an increase in your energy, too. I'm changing up my workout and have already noticed a bit of difference. You'll get there. Be patient with your recovery. All the best!

Thanks Susan! Yes, stairs are bad and inclines, like when you increase the incline on the treadmill. I also work from home so not a lot of movement going on there, and I take afternoon naps as well, or at least lay down and rest, and I've noticed if I don't do that I'm exhausted at night - like barely able to trudge up the stairs to bed. I guess we do have a lot in common. How long ago was your surgery?

Susan - My surgery was in December of 2017. But, I remember early into cardiac rehab when they were increasing the incline to 2.5 it was tiring in 10 minutes. You'll build up your strength and endurance. Now, I walk for 30 to 40 minutes alternating the incline from 4 to 7. I hope to increase it further over time. You'll get there. Also, make sure you're breathing as you walk up the stairs - many people breathe differently or even tend to hold their breath under exertion You're going to be fine with a little time, too. ❤