I'll try to keep this brief and concise.
Last Monday, 9/13, I was fine, felt normal. Did all of my usual daily activities including multiple up/down stairs without a second thought.

Tuesday, I met a buddy for lunch. Had a cheesesteak sandwich and a couple beers. When he dropped me off, I discovered that the the walk up the driveway and the 3 steps up into the house had winded me. So I took it easy and surfed the web for the rest of the afternoon; went to bed early.

Wednesday, I started closing the pool for the season. Again, serious lack of energy and shortness of breath during exertion. Not my norm, but it was hot and muggy, so I thought that was a factor. Back inside with the job only 25% done. Back on the couch with the laptop. Another evening hitting the rack early.

Thursday I got up, had my coffee, and when I went back upstairs to shower, I had to stop halfway up (15 steps) to catch my breath. Took BP and pulse measurements after the shower. BP was somewhat elevated, but pulse was higher than I expected - 125bpm. So off the the Doc-In-A-Box I go.

At this point I suspected that I might have picked up the 'Rona again. The previous Sunday I attended a memorial service for a cousin who passed last year, and the place was full of NYC covid/vaccine disbelievers, with not a mask in sight.

So the DIAB did a chest xray and EKG, and said he could see something going on in my lungs, but not enough detail. Referred me to the hospital for a more detailed scan. Drove myself there.

After 4 frustrating hours in the ER, they finally gave me a CAT scan, and shortly thereafter a bed.
That's when the ER Doc advised me that I had "extensive pulmonary emboli, including a saddle embolus which nearly occludes (90+%) the right pulmonary artery, and suggestion of right heart strain".

Friday morning they did a mechanical thrombectomy to remove the saddle embolus. They also installed a filter to capture any stray clots that might come up from my legs.

Spent the next three days mostly on my back in the Cardiac Care ward. Released Monday afternoon.

Now I have a six month regimen of blood thinners, a gaggle of new Doc's to add to my rolodex, and a radical lifestyle change to execute.
Scotch, cigars, steak and butter have been taken off the list. Ugh.

But I guess it beats the alternative.

Folks, if your body tries to tell you something is wrong, please listen to it. Had my wife not nagged me to get checked, I would have likely tried to gut it out. My plans for last weekend included a flight to Myrtle Beach to visit my brother. Had I gotten on that plane Friday morning, I'm not so sure I would have been able to walk off it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: motor59,

Holy crap! You really dodged that bullet. Saddle embolus is major. It's almost like the pulmonary version of the widowmaker in the heart, imo. Thank your wife, the "doc-in-a-box" and the ER doc.

Yikes! Sounds like you got to the ER just in time.

Yeah, I don’t fool with warning signs. Spent overnight in hospitals twice in recent history—once for suspected heart attack and, more recently for a stroke eval following an eye stroke. Cleared both times, but better safe than sorry.

Hope you mend well soon.

Glad you are well.

I can relate. Glad you took care of it.

In mid-March 2007 I exerienced strange feelings in my upper chest and drove myself to the nearest ER. EKG was OK but blood analysis indicated something going wrong in the heart. Had scans next morning, which revealed at least 3 of the 4 coronary arteries were severely blocked. I was scheduled for surgery the next available operating room. The surgeon performed a quadruple bypass, and indicated that I was trying to have an attack while he was operating. I am glad I paid attention to the symptoms (and advice from best friend).

flashguy

Glad you got to it in time for sure!

Had my widowmaker back a few. Had no real symptoms other than tired like you!

Don’t screw around. If you don’t feel good, please get checked out…please!

quote:

Originally posted by motor59:

Scotch, cigars, steak and butter have been taken off the list. Ugh.

Maybe they meant Scotch eggs?

I didn't get all the medical stuff but I understand it's something major. I'm glad you made it through.

Ever since I got my first kidney stone last month and I went to the ER, it seems my body has been feeling odd. Odd enough for me to have not drank coffee since. I know it has nothing to do with it but I'm just trying to feel my body.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:

quote:

Originally posted by motor59:

Scotch, cigars, steak and butter have been taken off the list. Ugh.

Maybe they meant Scotch eggs?

LOL, I wish.

For the rest of this year, my marching orders are:
NO alcohol of any kind
NO tobacco products
NO red meat with extremely limited exceptions
NO pork or pork products
NO creamy soups
NO potatoes
NO real pasta
NO processed sugars in any form
Dairy is limited to non-fat milk, and low fat yogurt. NO butter, NO cream, NO half 'n half.
NO more than 3 eggs/week. Egg whites are OK.
NO soda.
NO artificial sweeteners in any form.


This is going to be a real steep learning curve...

Eat to live, not live to eat.

Be careful with the blood thinners. Everything that is good for you in the natural or herbal category may have a blood thinning effect.

Examples: garlic, ginger, turmeric,red clover, ginseng, cayenne, flax seed to name a few.

Take your blood thinner. Absolutely no risky activities- no ladders, avoid any fall risk. Try and follow the dietary guidelines. Watch how much Tylenol, Motrin you take. Avoid aspirin.

quote:

Originally posted by motor59:

LOL, I wish.

For the rest of this year, my marching orders are:
NO alcohol of any kind
NO tobacco products
NO red meat with extremely limited exceptions
NO pork or pork products
NO creamy soups
NO potatoes
NO real pasta
NO processed sugars in any form
Dairy is limited to non-fat milk, and low fat yogurt. NO butter, NO cream, NO half 'n half.
NO more than 3 eggs/week. Egg whites are OK.
NO soda.
NO artificial sweeteners in any form.


This is going to be a real steep learning curve...

Glad you caught it in time. I have to say, though, that you should get a second opinion on the diet.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by motor59:

LOL, I wish.

For the rest of this year, my marching orders are:
NO alcohol of any kind
NO tobacco products
NO red meat with extremely limited exceptions
NO pork or pork products
NO creamy soups
NO potatoes
NO real pasta
NO processed sugars in any form
Dairy is limited to non-fat milk, and low fat yogurt. NO butter, NO cream, NO half 'n half.
NO more than 3 eggs/week. Egg whites are OK.
NO soda.
NO artificial sweeteners in any form.


This is going to be a real steep learning curve...

Glad you caught it in time. I have to say, though, that you should get a second opinion on the diet.

I second the second opinion on the diet.

quote:

Originally posted by motor59:


LOL, I wish.

For the rest of this year, my marching orders are:
NO alcohol of any kind
NO tobacco products
NO red meat with extremely limited exceptions
NO pork or pork products
NO creamy soups
NO potatoes
NO real pasta
NO processed sugars in any form
Dairy is limited to non-fat milk, and low fat yogurt. NO butter, NO cream, NO half 'n half.
NO more than 3 eggs/week. Egg whites are OK.
NO soda.
NO artificial sweeteners in any form.


This is going to be a real steep learning curve...

Glad you're ok.

I have to say though, whoever made you that list is an idiot.

I would really question some items of that diet.

^^^^^^^^^
Yep. I generally go with what my physician suggests. Overly restrictive diets are unsuccessful and self defeating.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by motor59:

LOL, I wish.

For the rest of this year, my marching orders are:
NO alcohol of any kind
NO tobacco products
NO red meat with extremely limited exceptions
NO pork or pork products
NO creamy soups
NO potatoes
NO real pasta
NO processed sugars in any form
Dairy is limited to non-fat milk, and low fat yogurt. NO butter, NO cream, NO half 'n half.
NO more than 3 eggs/week. Egg whites are OK.
NO soda.
NO artificial sweeteners in any form.


This is going to be a real steep learning curve...

Glad you caught it in time. I have to say, though, that you should get a second opinion on the diet.

Looks as if you will only be allowed to eat green and yellow vegetables and some fish.

flashguy

Thanks for getting help right away. I've had several friends ignore symptoms of major issues and die.

Glad you made it ... 2.5 years ago I had the big one... 100% blockage....

one day I'll be in trouble I guess:
out of all you have given up... the only thing I cut out after 3 months of going the 100% route and rehab... was bacon and butter... the whole medical insustries anti cigar thing is foolish. Read Sam Fullers book "A Third Face", and you'll understand why.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
^^^^^^^^^
Yep. I generally go with what my physician suggests.

I tend to season my physicians' recommendations with a bit of my own informed counsel

However, this is his life, medical condition, doctor, etc., so, while I had detailed comments on that list, yesterday, I decided to just leave it.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Overly restrictive diets are unsuccessful and self defeating.

This is true.

If I had joint problems, I'd go to an orthopedic doc. If it were heart problems...a cardiologist. If lung problems, pulmonologist. It's almost always good idea to see a specialist for very important health issues.

That being said, if I wanted advice on diet....I'd go to a dietician/nutritionist.

The diet that was given to you is almost exactly what we told cardiac patients back when I was a nurse ( in 1980 !! ). Old advice, super strict diets are likely to fail.

Glad you're Ok !