Posted by shineyamanda on 12/03/2018

10 years ago after I suffered from Sudden Cardiac Arrest and was without oxygen for 11 minutes, I woke up from my medical induced coma with little visual side effects. I was able to breath, talk, and walk within my 11 day hospital stay. When I got home I would suddenly lose strength in my legs and arms after I woke up. When I talked to my doctor they sent me to a neurologist. After a few tests, I was told they didn't know what was wrong and since they couldn't do an MRI because I have an ICD there was nothing they could do.

Today my symptoms are worse. I still have times when my legs and arms lose strength and I can't move or talk. This usually occurs when I am a active. I walk like a drunkard. I can't balance or stand on one foot. I can't remember words and I use words in the wrong context. I have bipolar II which I did not have before. My short term memory is horrible. Just typing this is hard because I am forgetting words. Spell check is my friend. I went to the neurologist last week and he said that if these symptoms are from the brain damage there is nothing we can do. I have to go take an EEG to see how bad it is. I am only 36 and I am scared if this keeps getting worse what is going to happen to me. I tried to get disability but was denied after 10 months of waiting and paperwork. I don't have any test that proves I have these problems. I feel like I am fighting this invisible disability with no help.

I just want to be normal again and that will never happen. 10 years and I am still having trouble accepting that I can not do things like I use to. I feel useless because I can't work more than 12 hours a week or else I will faint or be bedridden. I am lost and worried. I just want to be better.

Comments

Submitted by SCAFoundation on 12/05/2018

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Dear Amanda,
We are sorry to hear you have been experiencing so many challenging problems since your cardiac arrest. We invite other survivors to share their experiences and support.
Best wishes to you!

Hi Amanda,
I am so sorry for the way you're feeling. It sounds horrible and lonely but I want you to know that not only am I here for you but you have a full network that's here for you. While she didn't have an SCA I think I know someone that you might be able to relate to in some of the things you're going through. If you feel comfortable with it, you can email me at jamielalonde726@gmail.com and I will share your story and information with my friend Elle. You can also feel free to just email me to vent. I'm so glad you're here and want to say one more time that I'm here for you!

Jamie

Submitted by Toomuchbrainloss on 02/21/2019

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I underwent 8.5 mins of CPR in surgery last April. They gave me two drugs I’m allergic to and stopped my heart because of an incompetent anesthesiologist. My short term memory is gone, and certain long term memories are toast as well. My IQ was 142 before, now it’s 117. The hospital was certain it was a vasovagal response gone bad, and there was no post cardiac arrest care, which would’ve given me a fighting chance of saving my brain. Instead, I was told by six different cardiologists that my heart probably would’ve restarted in its own, so should it happen again, make sure those around me know to NOT START CPR for a minute or two to avoid the chest trauma! These SOBs will kill me!

So far, I’ve found only one doctor who knows what post cardiac arrest syndrome is and its protocol. I’m educating them by showing up for every appointment with printed articles. I tell them I’ll come back when they’re smart enough to treat me properly. They don’t like it but I don’t care. It was doctors that did this to me. I will no longer trust any of them until they prove they are worthy of that trust.

I had to learn about post cardiac arrest syndrome on my own, and because of brain fog my own research has been slow going, and in 6 weeks will hit the 1 year anniversary. The research says this is the end of the recovery period. I can’t get any of the medical interventions done by then. My brain is a mess. My gut has been continually upset since April and I’ve not had a normal bowel movement either. Test results on my pancreas are not good. Intermittent vestibular issues I had before are now 24/7 so walking and standing are now an issue. They never did do the surgery I was in the hospital for, and I need a hip replacement, but I’ve been told any general anesthesia now will cripple my brain even more. That means I now get to choose between my mobility or my brain function. How fabulous. I had NONE of these issues before they killed me. So yes, they saved my life with CPR, but it’s a life I don’t care to partake in and have been suicidal, which raises the question — did they really “save” me?

From reading this website, it seems the main intent is to get more people to be trained in “lifesaving” skills, but what’s the use if the life they save is now a bad one and not worth living?

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