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← Return to Depression in Heart Disease
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Hello @oldkarl,
I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic. Our physician experts have likely reviewed your case with their colleagues at all times, and sometimes their review may lead them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment for you at this time.
oldkarl, I know that your advice to @jeffer for his son comes from a good heart, and is something we all may have to face someday. But I would also like to add that living with a chronic illness is a challenge, and it's normal to feel grief or depressed as you come to terms with your condition and its implications.
@jeffer, you have already taken the first step, that is, reaching out to a wonderful community for support, and staying connected.
I do hope that some of the members and mentors will join this discussion soon.
Replies to "Hello @oldkarl, I’m sorry to hear that you feel like this. It sounds like you’ve taken..."
I love your attitude. When we have a sense of acceptance over our condition, we are really just stepping into our purpose. When we can share our experience with others and take charge best we can, we encounter so many blessings; new friends, medical professionals, new strength, new appreciation and gratitude for our lives. Keep up the great attitude and update on how you are doing. It's amazing, when we reach out to others, we immediately make ourselves available to support, friendship, hope, laughter, etc. all the things we need to heal and really live life to the fullest!
Well I'll try to keep this kinda attitude but there are times when I'm really ill that I can't. Cause lately I've been sick off & on. And unfortunately I can't afford treatment.Been waking up at night with chest pain again, only thing I can do is take my nitro. And lately my blood pressure has been way too low. My Doctor lowered dose of my Metroprolol pill that I take at night, but that hasn't helped bring my bp back to normal. I do have to go back soon for a regular checkup, and when that happens I'm gonna let her know it hasn't changed, but that can create another set of problems, cause if my medication gets lowered I'm afraid my Blood Pressure will go back up, and that's when the bad chest pain happens all the time and the breathing problems. But I try to keep a positive attitude when I can.
It occurs to me @Sensation that your medical team could be more aggressive, reacting -- on time -- with changes in your symptoms. Updating your therapies might be weekly (sometimes daily) as symptoms change -- not monthly or quarterly as sometimes occurs. Tell your doctor of your personal concern that your blood pressure might rise back up if your medication is cut back (or cut out altogether). What has your doctor told you about why Metoprolol is the right medication for your hypertension? About where your low BP comes from?
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Hi Jeffer. I'm sorry about your son's two diagnoses. I was diagnosed with Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. I've also suffered from Depression, but for me the Depression has been a life long battle since I was a teenager. All I can tell you is to be there for him & supportive. It's really all you can do, and try & help him relax, maybe bring something to the hospital that will help calm him down, like something he likes to do, a hobby such as a game, books or something else that would keep him occupied and then maybe he'll spend less time on lashing out at the doctors and start focusing on something that makes him happy instead. I know when I had to go to the Mayo Clinic for testing, I kept myself busy by bringing my laptop along and playing games when I wasn't in appointments, it really helped pass the time. And also because I absolutely love gaming.