I wish to hear from either MDs or actual heart attack survivors with CHF & edema?

Question

I want to compare experiences & value your input to see how typical or not my fate was.. In Sept.;'05 a car hit me with massive velocity. shortly after admission - in ICU - I had a MASSIVE MI with scarring in EVERY WALL of my heart. Cardiologists said they have seen few as devastating. I ceased breathing, put on respirator-I had surgeries to repair tibial fracture. I took my LIsinopril daily. I urinated copiously & ate & drank & slept normally. Fixator was removed from my tibia, and I could walk well with no atrophy & no impairment. Then in early Nov.06 -suddenly I noticed marked swelling & edema of feet,ankles,calves, knees, thighs, & abdomen & 30-lb. weight gain.
Simultanously I began to gasp for air with every breath, on any movement or exertion, or speech.. Ejection fraction tested 50% - but radiologist declared severe global hypokinesis, severe bilateral ventricular dysfunction. All lab work normal. Does CHF happen so many months after MI? Why? All diuretics FAILED.Thoughts?

mdgcats- thanks for your answer. ICU Drs said the MI was not crush inj, but provoked by severe internal bleeding , from many broken bones, & pure SHOCK to heart's nervous system .(A stress) -I never knew heart s compensated for one full year from MI. I felt well, walking, talking, all-around. Cardio says mostly scar tissue remains now. He said if not for accident, I might have lived to nice old age., if no severe demands on heart. Diuretics fail utterly, from my right leg, cold water streams out day & night, I have to wrap with DEPENDS guards to keep dry. Edema is so severe. Please pray for me. I beg Jesus to heal me or at least take me now, as I don't wish to linger in torments for years like this. I have become an invalid at home, cannot walk to my mailbox, or climb stairs. They urge me for digoxin but I don't believe digoxin can compensate for my near - dead muscle. EJ of 50% usually doesn't indicate digoxin. One cardio saw my EKG & said - Never have I seen such damage.!

schumaker: If the data do not add up, they are not my invention - only the conclusion of those who examined me. I do not fabricate test results. My illness is very physical and somatic, and not a "mental" problem. I told you already that I am unemployed, but since I have some bank accts., cannot obtain any govt help. I do not wish to be sued by hospitals when I don't pay their bill. It's happened.!! Also I dread and fear hospitals, the hospital who took me in when the car struck me - NEVER INFORMED ME OF THE M.I. - They chose to keep quiet about it. I learned later from records obtained. If you are amused to see how I try to unravel this illness & get a sense of what to expect, I'm happy you're amused. I simply never had such sudden change in my health and it was not gradual. If I were in hospital, they cannot say just when the water sequestered in my tissues will cross back over into the capillaries. They have few certainties.
I am bearing intense pain quite bravely.

schumaker: I believe your have a basically good heart. So try to be compassionate towards those whose behavior you find unusual. I'm trying to glean bits of info from all directions, cause the medical system has NOT explained to me clearly how & why this has come about. I don't wish to be patronized by MDs who mumble under their breath when I ask them for explanations. I'm sorry if my redundancy upsets you - I can't help my bewilderment. when you see my questions again - simply smile and say "May God help that man to find his way". I respect you and even enjoy your criticisms although I never know exactly WHAT doesn't add up.

Answer 1

Honey, I'm a nurse who has taken care of lots of people with CHF following massive heart attacks.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
Hopefully you have the best cardiologist around. If not, get a second opinion.
It sounds to me like your heart was really strong before the heart attack. Was it caused by a crushing injury to your chest? I think it was but need more information to say for sure.
Sounds like your heart "compensated" for as long as it could. You need to be seen by a top notch doctor, preferably at a major medical center.
The best of luck to you.

Answer 2

My father was 63 when he passed away but he had a heart attack 10 years earlier. He finally passed away of Lung failure. He ok for the first 6 and then he started walking very very slowly. He had edema and his diuretic medicines worked for a little while untill he had to go to the nursing home because he would fall down when he stands up somethings (Pain). Diuretics stopped responding and he was always 30 pounds heavier with water. He suffered 4 cardiac arrests from CHF and then his lungs just stopped working from the backflow.

Answer 3

Sir,

You have asked this same question in slight variation over twenty times on this forum. Your story is unfortunate and I am sorry. The reason no one can answer your question is that the data from many perspectives does not add up. Further you make comments like "I don't want IV" and "I don't want to go to the hospital." I think your medical problems are real. You strike me as a smart individual - you are a layman, however, that may or may not fully understand the issues at hand. Participating on this forum does not solve your problem. Getting to competent specialists will. Medicare is available to you if you are destitute.

Might I respectfully submit that getting help with the mental aspects of this issue might be your very best strategy for now? Good luck.

How can you read my answer and interpret it as me suggesting your medical problem is all in your head? My criticisms are aimed at getting you to look at this from another angle - rather than to continue to do what is destined to be futile.

I am suggesting that this is obviously a horrific experience for you. I can tell from your writing that you are traumatized from it. Now, how would you expect to make good decisions if you are too anxious to function very well? Therefore, I am suggesting you seek help to get methods to cope with the situation so that you can make decisions in your own best interest.

You have said that you refuse hospital admission, IV medications and are seeking guarantees where there are none. If your kidney function is normal then you WILL respond to diuretics if they are administered by IV. If you kidney function is not normal then an infusion of natracor and diuretics will accomplish the job. Ultra filtration of course is a possibility but of last resort and only if a fair trial of the others have failed.

You are making decisions by not going into the hospital and not allowing the standard methods of care to be employed, that is effectively prolonging your own misery. You are deciding that it is better to have a savings account than it is to have the medical care you need. If you become destitute, then you will qualify for goverment assistance. And if you have not applied for disability, from the sounds of it, you certainly qualify.

Answer 4

Through Y! Answers, you won't get any responders. Take some real action.