New and scared
I'm here as a worried partner, looking for advice/reassurance/help/support for my partner and myself. He had viral myocarditis 4 years ago but 'had' made a very good recovery (lost a lot of weight, diabetes in remission) but over the covid lockdown he put weight back on and he's recently started suffering from angina (not diagnosed yet but we assume so as it's short lived and comes on with walking uphill but not on the flat). He has also started getting swelling in his lower legs (had this years ago when he was very overweight) and abdomen (new symptom). He has a family history of heart failure at a young age, so we're both very concerned that it's hitting him too. He's only 52 🙁
His weight loss 4 years ago made a huge difference to his symptoms, so I'm desperately hoping we haven't left it too late.
Following the myocarditis, he is on various meds for water retention, BP, beta blockers and a statin.
I wonder if the returning symptoms mean a return of the diabetes?
What are the best things we can do to help him whilst we're struggling to get a doctor's appointment. Have sent them all the information and photos over 24 hours ago but not even a phone call back yet, so goodness knows when he might get an appointment.
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Hi.
Thank you for your post and for your inquiry. Your partner is very fortunate to have advocating on his behalf. As I am sure you know, we cannot offer medical advice or diagnosis over the Internet, for your partners own safety of course. That said, I would agree that the symptoms your partner is experiencing are cause for concern, and it may be a good idea (as you have decided already) to have him see a physician. And especially with the angina and ankle swelling, I would think it may be a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible. While you are waiting to get an appointment with his physician, it may be a good idea to take him to a walk in clinic or even an emergency room to be seen. This way your partner would get an immediate diagnosis and treatment if that is needed. What do you think? John. heart-failure.net community moderator Thank you for responding John. Our surgery (we're in the UK) has just called, 36 hours after I rang, and he has an appointment on Friday morning. My partner filled in a triage-by-text form yesterday and sent it, with photos of the swollen leg and stomach, to the Doctor ...this is how it works since covid in the UK ... getting to see a doctor face to face is like trying to grow sunflowers in the snow! They seem to have all disappeared.
He (my partner) is trying to reassure me that if the dr thought it was urgent, he'd have called him in today. The chest pain/angina only occurs with walking uphill. Flat is fine.
Re 'walk in', not something we have here in the UK - and our emergency room, A&E is can be a 12 hour wait.
My partner's legs seem a lot better today, so some of the problem might have been the extremely hot and humid weather we have been having.
The surgery will do an ECG on Friday, so I suppose that's a starting point, along with the change of diet we've realised is absolutely necessary .... cross your fingers and toes for us.Thank you for the update. Glad to hear you were able to schedule the appointment with a doctor you were seeking. And glad to hear that your partner's legs are a lot better today - that is good to hear. Thank you for sharing a little about how healthcare works in the UK. As you note, that is quite a bit different from how it is here. We will continue to keep our fingers crossed that all goes well for you and your partner. And please do give us an update when you learn more. All the best. John. heart-failure.net community moderator.
