Hidden from the Heart

By CommunityMember14

1 min read

I tried to ignore the symptoms of heart failure until I was a patient with heart failure, pneumonia, and a blood count of seven. It was too much to hide for very long. I nearly died from the four symptoms and was placed on 23 prescriptions to get me back to ground level.

I had heart failure with added problems including not being able to breathe. I sounded like a freight train as I tried to maneuver into the den with the dog. Nothing tasted right, and I was depressed until I decided to start looking at the good things such as survival.

Having a positive outlook

I live alone, and my dog Angel is my companion, so I had to get well for her. I looked into myself and saw that I had to be thankful for being a survivor and knew I had to try to get better for myself, not anyone else. I'm thankful for surviving all the odds and being one who can tell others that there is hope for us, even if we feel there are times we are hopeless. So we pant, cry, scream and sometimes feel like we are dying, but we are alive. Be thankful.

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Susan Gaylor Member
I didn’t ignore the symptoms, I just didn’t recognize the symptoms until it was almost to late. I came up with my own conclusions as to why I was I was bloated like a balloon, why I couldn’t breathe well, why my stomach and intestines hurt, why I couldn’t get out of bed, and when I did I could barely walk, so on and so on. I was just hoping whatever was wrong with me would go away after some rest. Even after a month of not being able to get out of bed except to stumble to the bathroom, I still didn’t think it was anything really serious. The only reason I went to the hospital was because my partner threatened to leave me if I didn’t. He said that he wasn’t going to hang around and watch me die. I am incredibly stubborn, but that
1. John Bottrell, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Susan Gaylor" user-id="4517388"/> Hi. Thank you for sharing your personal experience with us. And I just want you to know that you are not alone in trying to get through life despite feeling feeling symptoms. It is not easy to know exactly when to seek help. Although, as the old saying goes, you do the best you can with what you know now and as you learn better you do better. And I am glad to hear that your husband's words inspired you to seek help. You must be very appreciative of him? Wishing you all the best. John. <a href='https://heart-failure.net' target='_blank'>heart-failure.net</a> community moderator
2. Richard Camer Member
 <inline-mention username="Susan Gaylor" user-id="4517388"/> It sometimes is difficult to interpret your own symptoms. I had a similar experience with my MI. I did not have the typical symptoms of crushing chest pain and pain radiating down the arm. I am glad your partner insisted you seek help. How are you doing now?
Susan Gaylor Member
Hi Richard! I am doing much better from when I was in hospital. Thank you so very much for asking! 😊
1. Leslie Castro Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Susan Gaylor" user-id="4517388"/> Thank you for sharing your story. I’m glad you are doing much better now. In some cases, some symptoms of heart failure can be overlooked as other things such as “ oh, I must be gaining weight from all foods I’m eating or I must be getting older because I can’t seem to remember some words.” At least these were some examples of possible heart failure that I wanted to overlook even though I knew better. However, the one symptom that I was unaware of was the mild seizures I was having, which was scary. I glad that you have a wonderful partner that encouraged you to seek medical help. Leslie (Community Moderator)
Leslie Castro Moderator & Contributor
Thank you for sharing your experience. Sometimes, we want to overlook things and think they will go away if we just put things off. Then, life’s hits hard and one side effect leads to another until we have a mountain of health problems. I think having a positive outlook is great and seeing a doctor as soon as symptoms arise can make a world of difference. Leslie (Community Moderator)
Olivia Rose Moderator & Contributor
I can say the same thing. I wish I hadn't ignored my symptoms of heart failure although, I didn't know the symptoms of heart failure until being diagnosed with advanced heart failure. Having a positive attitude is half the battle as well as taking the medications prescribed to you. I am so happy that you have Angel! Wishing you all the best. -Olivia
CommunityMember787231 Member
I was diagnosed about 11 years ago, less than a week after giving birth toy last child. I had a bad time with him, he was my 9th child for one, he came 3 months early and I had a C-section that got extremely infected from a piece of gauze that was left behind... So when I couldn't breathe and found out I had heart failure I thought I would just die! But, I was told it was post-pregnancy heart failure, so my brain interrupted that as an acute thing. So when I felt better I didn't go back. I lasted about 5 years, and in 2018 went to the hospital with an EF of 13%. Almost didn't make it home... And today I am feeling much better. Last EF check was 55% I continue my medication and do my best... Heart failure is chronic and don't go away... That's hard to hear. I just wanted to share that. Thanks for reading.... Angie 
1. lauren.mullin Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember787231" user-id="8863501"/> Hi there Angie, thanks for sharing your personal experience. It must have been really rough for you to manage the c-section and a new heart failure diagnosis at the same time. We are so glad you eventually got the medical care that you needed for your heart failure. So happy to hear that you last EF was measured at 55%! You must feel wonderful. Best of luck as you continue your journey. -Lauren (team member)
CommunityMember1ce128 Member
I am glad you are better, Angie. I hope you got and keep some help for the home and children. I'm 91 years and have CHF and COPD both stage 3. I feel ok when I wake up in the AM but steadily get weaker and more sob towards 3PM I feel done for the day. I went to bed at 3PM yesterday for a nap and woke up at 9PM. I fall asleep reading or even while I'm at the computer. I guess I am lucky to be around at this age. I try to keep active otherwise with reading and writing and short walks. I have a pacemaker (have a fib too) which was put in for a complete heart block for 6 seconds. I'm blessed with a large family who is always looking in on me or doing something for me. God bless them.
carolyn484Real Member
i have not had to bad of experience with heart Failure execpt short of breath and weight gain other wise God is good i hope and wish the best for each and every one. may God bless and bring healing in everyones lives 🙏🏿 
1. Morgan Drutchas Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="carolyn484Real" user-id="7023128"/> Thank you for sharing your positive attitude! Best of luck to you. Morgan (heart-failure.net Moderator)
2. lauren.mullin Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="carolyn484Real" user-id="7023128"/> I'm glad to hear that overall you feel that your heart failure has not been all too bad. When you experience shortness of breath or weight gain how do you manage these symptoms? Have you had a chance to check in with your doctor when you experience shortness of breath and weight gain? Wishing you all the best, Lauren (team member)