I was diagnosed last summer with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure. I’m only 42.
Since August I have been on an ever increasing number of medications to help strengthen my heart. Very fortunately for me they are working and at the moment I am not classed as needing a heart transplant.
Trouble is that I am finding the side effects harder to cope with than the condition before it was diagnosed.
I am so so exhausted all the time but can’t sleep well. Frequently dizzy/light headed. Nauseous. Weak.
I’m finding coping with life harder and harder. Simple things like taking a shower are really hard. The housework has had to slide and more takeaways/microwave dinners had.
I find it hard to get out and planning for anything is hard. I have no idea what I am going to be able to cope with from one day to the next.
I have a DH who works very long hours but does his best to support me and I have two teenage DS who are quite good at helping if asked. There is no one else to help.
I also have a long history of mental health problems which I have been in treatment for this past 20 years.
I cannot imagine living like this for years to come. At the moment no one will tell me/can tell me what my prognosis is long term.
On bad days it gets to the point where I start to think that not taking the medication is preferable. A very scary thought to have.