Me and my heart
In 2003 I was three years out from a heart bypass after multiple failed stents and balloon angioplasties. But something was wrong. I was short of breath and I had pitting edema in my feet and legs and many other health problems. I thought I was dying and my PCP said "What do you expect, you are getting old". I was only 59.
At the same time I was having excruciating pain in my feet from small fiber neuropathy and many other health problems. I
I was looking for something to ease the pain of the neuropathy and I came across an online forum. The people there recommended that I read the articles by Dr. M. Hadjivassiliou concerning the link between gluten and neurological problems such as ataxia and neuropathy. I even wrote to Dr. H and he answered my questions. So I started on a lifestyle that totally eliminated gluten(it is so much more than diet). I was amazed with the results. The first problem that disappeared was knee pain and so many other symptoms started to disappear or ease too. The shortness of breath and the pitting edema were gone. The neuropathy greatly improved. No more pain, but I still have some residual numbness although temperature sense returned.
About 15 years ago I took another look at the results of my last glucose tolerance test. I was shocked to see that my peak glucose was 202 and at 4 hours it was 54. Ever since I was in my 20's I was told my OGTT was "abnormal" but not to worry about it. I bought a glucometer and found it was very easy for my BS to go over 200. I then realized I had been on a BG roller coaster all my life where blood sugar would shoot up and a couple of hours later it would bottom out. So now I am on a low carb and gluten free diet and keep my blood sugar stable and try to stay under 110. Makes me wonder how much of a role my blood sugars and insulin spikes played a part in my CAD.
In 2012 I did require another coronary stent. My bypass was clear. The blockage was in an old stent I was told.
At 81 years old and even with all my health problems I call myself healthy. Lifestyle changes have made a huge difference for me. I hear people say not to use the internet for solving your medical problems. But for me, the internet was a lifesaver. It put me in touch with so many wonderful people, professional and lay, who had so much to share.