The Heart Thing

[fastpitch17]

With a family history of heart failure, father died of massive heart attack at 46, his bother the same at 48. These were back in the 60s where the treatments of
today didn't exist. My brother died of a heart attack at 69 out in the freezing cold taking down Christmas decorations. Yep, even with all the cold weather and snow heart warnings. I figure at 72 I have really nothing to complain about and figured it inevidable. Friday afternoon all came true.

A couple hours after enjoying 2 beef bratwurst I started feeling some burning in my chest. Figured at first just some heartburn I do get from time to time. After a few minutes the burn increased and then the tightening started. That was enough for me, I mean sometimes you just can't wait and see what it all turns into. I was starting to come down with a cold. My wife had one and must have shared it.

Off to the hospital we went. 10-12 minutes away. Went to emergency, said what was happening, hooked up to the EKG right away. Asked the ER tech what he was seeing and of course got that, it's good standard answer. Blood drawn, vitals taken, and played there and rested while wife did the BPJS paperwork, upgraded to a private room, and heart doctor called in as well as lung guy. Stopped for a chest xray on the way to the room.

Nurses seem to be very proficient in their duties. More blood taken by doctors orders along with sputum samples. BP and vitals. Heart doctor arrived first said he was starting me on something. Glad my wife speaks the same language because I was so light headed and sight blurred I wasn't sure what was going on. All I know was this great big syringe put in a pumping equipment connected to a large needle in the back of my hand. Bigger than the standard IV needle. Evidently a heart medicine was being constantly administered to my vein. More test to come in the morning.

The lung guy makes it. Orders more test and sets me on a antibiotics course. He would see how I was doing later. Tight chested all night. Totally uncomfortable. Still figured I caught this like I had always been taught. Why wait.

Next day nurse does a skin test. I figure they were testing for TB. It was negative. Also got nasil and throat swabs. Nurse said doc noticed something in the blood test he was concerned about. Was getting antibiotic shots throughout the night and the next day. Late day lung doc stops and tells me, I had COVID. Damn, and he was going to continue antibiotic treatment and the next day start a 5 day antiviral regiment. He mentioned that I would be seeing quite a few needles coming soon. Oh, lucky me.

Nurse shows up, tray of needles. Different antibiotics. 2 into that valve on my hand. OK, I can take them all day long. Then, what she said next took away any good feeling of having shot administered through the valve. This one goes into your intestines. Say what? Into your stomach. Serious? Yep. Oooo, that stings. Total of 4 over 4 days. Antibiotics.

Finally heart doc arrives. Pretty serious by his accord. The heart attack was also caused by the COVID. His intravenous medicine pump has to continue 24/7 for now. Next day ordered a ultrasound.

4th day I begged to get out of there. The tubes connected to me held me prisoner in the bed. Both sides with tubes and I couldn't even change shirts or take a shower. The main reason I begged to go home is now they wanted to move me to an isolation area. Told my wife she could visit but if she did, she wouldn't be able to leave.

In the end with a sack full of 8 different meds, we checked out. Bill was Rp 21,600,000 juta. Deduct BPJS and my Ballance was Rp 5,300,000. I know the room difference is charged as well as over a juta for oxygen. I'm guessing some of the meds we're not covered either. They don't give you a breakdown of what's covered or not.

Back next Friday for checkup.

 

[Bad_azz]

With a family history of heart failure, father died of massive heart attack at 46, his bother the same at 48. These were back in the 60s where the treatments of
today didn't exist. My brother died of a heart attack at 69 out in the freezing cold taking down Christmas decorations. Yep, even with all the cold weather and snow heart warnings. I figure at 72 I have really nothing to complain about and figured it inevidable. Friday afternoon all came true.

A couple hours after enjoying 2 beef bratwurst I started feeling some burning in my chest. Figured at first just some heartburn I do get from time to time. After a few minutes the burn increased and then the tightening started. That was enough for me, I mean sometimes you just can't wait and see what it all turns into. I was starting to come down with a cold. My wife had one and must have shared it.

Off to the hospital we went. 10-12 minutes away. Went to emergency, said what was happening, hooked up to the EKG right away. Asked the ER tech what he was seeing and of course got that, it's good standard answer. Blood drawn, vitals taken, and played there and rested while wife did the BPJS paperwork, upgraded to a private room, and heart doctor called in as well as lung guy. Stopped for a chest xray on the way to the room.

Nurses seem to be very proficient in their duties. More blood taken by doctors orders along with sputum samples. BP and vitals. Heart doctor arrived first said he was starting me on something. Glad my wife speaks the same language because I was so light headed and sight blurred I wasn't sure what was going on. All I know was this great big syringe put in a pumping equipment connected to a large needle in the back of my hand. Bigger than the standard IV needle. Evidently a heart medicine was being constantly administered to my vein. More test to come in the morning.

The lung guy makes it. Orders more test and sets me on a antibiotics course. He would see how I was doing later. Tight chested all night. Totally uncomfortable. Still figured I caught this like I had always been taught. Why wait.

Next day nurse does a skin test. I figure they were testing for TB. It was negative. Also got nasil and throat swabs. Nurse said doc noticed something in the blood test he was concerned about. Was getting antibiotic shots throughout the night and the next day. Late day lung doc stops and tells me, I had COVID. Damn, and he was going to continue antibiotic treatment and the next day start a 5 day antiviral regiment. He mentioned that I would be seeing quite a few needles coming soon. Oh, lucky me.

Nurse shows up, tray of needles. Different antibiotics. 2 into that valve on my hand. OK, I can take them all day long. Then, what she said next took away any good feeling of having shot administered through the valve. This one goes into your intestines. Say what? Into your stomach. Serious? Yep. Oooo, that stings. Total of 4 over 4 days. Antibiotics.

Finally heart doc arrives. Pretty serious by his accord. The heart attack was also caused by the COVID. His intravenous medicine pump has to continue 24/7 for now. Next day ordered a ultrasound.

4th day I begged to get out of there. The tubes connected to me held me prisoner in the bed. Both sides with tubes and I couldn't even change shirts or take a shower. The main reason I begged to go home is now they wanted to move me to an isolation area. Told my wife she could visit but if she did, she wouldn't be able to leave.

In the end with a sack full of 8 different meds, we checked out. Bill was Rp 21,600,000 juta. Deduct BPJS and my Ballance was Rp 5,300,000. I know the room difference is charged as well as over a juta for oxygen. I'm guessing some of the meds we're not covered either. They don't give you a breakdown of what's covered or not.

Back next Friday for checkup.

Wishing you a full & speedy recovery FP.
Having recently gone through some similar stuff I can empathise fully on what a shit experience it all is. Especially the cannulas poking into our bodies & the plastic hospital mattresses.

 

[Shadrach]

With a family history of heart failure, father died of massive heart attack at 46, his bother the same at 48. These were back in the 60s where the treatments of
today didn't exist. My brother died of a heart attack at 69 out in the freezing cold taking down Christmas decorations. Yep, even with all the cold weather and snow heart warnings. I figure at 72 I have really nothing to complain about and figured it inevidable. Friday afternoon all came true.

A couple hours after enjoying 2 beef bratwurst I started feeling some burning in my chest. Figured at first just some heartburn I do get from time to time. After a few minutes the burn increased and then the tightening started. That was enough for me, I mean sometimes you just can't wait and see what it all turns into. I was starting to come down with a cold. My wife had one and must have shared it.

Off to the hospital we went. 10-12 minutes away. Went to emergency, said what was happening, hooked up to the EKG right away. Asked the ER tech what he was seeing and of course got that, it's good standard answer. Blood drawn, vitals taken, and played there and rested while wife did the BPJS paperwork, upgraded to a private room, and heart doctor called in as well as lung guy. Stopped for a chest xray on the way to the room.

Nurses seem to be very proficient in their duties. More blood taken by doctors orders along with sputum samples. BP and vitals. Heart doctor arrived first said he was starting me on something. Glad my wife speaks the same language because I was so light headed and sight blurred I wasn't sure what was going on. All I know was this great big syringe put in a pumping equipment connected to a large needle in the back of my hand. Bigger than the standard IV needle. Evidently a heart medicine was being constantly administered to my vein. More test to come in the morning.

The lung guy makes it. Orders more test and sets me on a antibiotics course. He would see how I was doing later. Tight chested all night. Totally uncomfortable. Still figured I caught this like I had always been taught. Why wait.

Next day nurse does a skin test. I figure they were testing for TB. It was negative. Also got nasil and throat swabs. Nurse said doc noticed something in the blood test he was concerned about. Was getting antibiotic shots throughout the night and the next day. Late day lung doc stops and tells me, I had COVID. Damn, and he was going to continue antibiotic treatment and the next day start a 5 day antiviral regiment. He mentioned that I would be seeing quite a few needles coming soon. Oh, lucky me.

Nurse shows up, tray of needles. Different antibiotics. 2 into that valve on my hand. OK, I can take them all day long. Then, what she said next took away any good feeling of having shot administered through the valve. This one goes into your intestines. Say what? Into your stomach. Serious? Yep. Oooo, that stings. Total of 4 over 4 days. Antibiotics.

Finally heart doc arrives. Pretty serious by his accord. The heart attack was also caused by the COVID. His intravenous medicine pump has to continue 24/7 for now. Next day ordered a ultrasound.

4th day I begged to get out of there. The tubes connected to me held me prisoner in the bed. Both sides with tubes and I couldn't even change shirts or take a shower. The main reason I begged to go home is now they wanted to move me to an isolation area. Told my wife she could visit but if she did, she wouldn't be able to leave.

In the end with a sack full of 8 different meds, we checked out. Bill was

Rp 21,600,000 juta. Deduct BPJS and my Ballance was Rp 5,300,000. I know the room difference is charged as well as over a juta for oxygen. I'm guessing some of the meds we're not covered either. They don't give you a breakdown of what's covered or not.

Back next Friday for checkup.

Did you have a collapsed artery? And had a stent put in? Why so many antibiotics? They don't cure covid. Explain why covid would cause a heart attack! Does BPJS pay for all your medicines? They certainly wouldn't pay for mine!

 

[fastpitch17]

Did you have a collapsed artery? And had a stent put in? Why so many antibiotics? They don't cure covid. Explain why covid would cause a heart attack! Does BPJS pay for all your medicines? They certainly wouldn't pay for mine!

No stent. With COVID the lungs are infected and the first hit is always with strong antibiotics. COVID has a tendacy to find those underlying problems you hear so much about. Thus is the cause of so many arguments about cause of death. COVID or the underlying problem.

BPJS never covers the cost or full cost of all meds. I think the antiviral meds which are really pricey were covered because the government has maintained the policy that they are picking up the cost for COVID treatment. Oxygen is never covered and that was well over 1 juta. My room cost more because I chose a room better that what the plan offered. I refuse to share a room with someone I can't speak with and put up with family coming and going being noisy around the clock. You only pay the difference between your plans room rate and the upgraded room.

Resting now in my isolated office. Recliner, check. Fridge, check. TV, check. Computer, check. Window, check. CCTV, check. Movies, check. Bathroom just outside the door, check. The only way to isolate.

Glad I have BPJS and never expect them to pay 100%. For Rp150,000 per month, still a good deal if you ever have an emergency. That is all we use BPJS for, emergencies. Any other visit we just pay cash.

 

[fastpitch17]

Sorry for above. Check up is Monday, not Friday.

 

[Hawk256]

Wish you a speedy recovery. I had a similar experience but BPJS paid 100% of my bill including all the medicines. Makes me a little curious as to what was done differently. I had a private room, oxygen and whatever medicines the doctors said I needed.

 

[fastpitch17]

Wishing you a full & speedy recovery FP.
Having recently gone through some similar stuff I can empathise fully on what a shit experience it all is. Especially the cannulas poking into our bodies & the plastic hospital mattresses.

Thanks BA,
Aah, the rubber sheets. Nothing says roast to death more than a rubber sheet you can't move around on. I had refused to eat a couple of the first meals. I couldn't identify what was being served and there was only one item in the three compartment plate. Fruit was always good. Had a visit from the dietitian and we had a talk. She couldn't even identify one of the items. She wanted to know what I like and I told her more of what I don't like. No rice, no green leaf vegetables, and no tofu. Started getting some chicken breast and one time some really tender beef. Each meal came with a plate of boiled potatoes. I ate a few but over half the plate was refused. Overkill. She was nice and tried to accommodate me.

All the staff were great. Always felt they had my best interest at heart.

 

[Bad_azz]

Thanks BA,
Aah, the rubber sheets. Nothing says roast to death more than a rubber sheet you can't move around on. I had refused to eat a couple of the first meals. I couldn't identify what was being served and there was only one item in the three compartment plate. Fruit was always good. Had a visit from the dietitian and we had a talk. She couldn't even identify one of the items. She wanted to know what I like and I told her more of what I don't like. No rice, no green leaf vegetables, and no tofu. Started getting some chicken breast and one time some really tender beef. Each meal came with a plate of boiled potatoes. I ate a few but over half the plate was refused. Overkill. She was nice and tried to accommodate me.

All the staff were great. Always felt they had my best interest at heart.

I got a large boiled chunk of tofu. a blackened banana & a half cob of sweetcorn. - you lucky bugger!

 

[fastpitch17]

Wish you a speedy recovery. I had a similar experience but BPJS paid 100% of my bill including all the medicines. Makes me a little curious as to what was done differently. I had a private room, oxygen and whatever medicines the doctors said I needed.

The level 1 or whatever the Rp150,000 is called only allows up to a shared room now. It used to be it provided a private room but that has all changed now. Since COVID and the oxygen shortages, they do not cover oxygen. They have also adjusted some of their coverages cost.

Quite a few changes since the pandemic. Government was overwhelmed with cost. They decided to cut out or reduce some benefits instead of getting some help to build and manage a workable program.

 

[Bad_azz]

The level 1 or whatever the Rp150,000 is called only allows up to a shared room now. It used to be it provided a private room but that has all changed now. Since COVID and the oxygen shortages, they do not cover oxygen. They have also adjusted some of their coverages cost.

Quite a few changes since the pandemic. Government was overwhelmed with cost. They decided to cut out or reduce some benefits instead of getting some help to build and manage a workable program.

Mine (152,000. a month BPJS) was a shared room and I had a lovely woman in the other bed, she was a few metres apart from me, so it didn't feel cramped at all. There was a separate sitting room area and we were permitted only 1 person from family with us- the woman had her very lovely teen daughter staying (outside school hours) & I had my hubby - he felt very uncomfortable as the only male.
& GoFood deliver to the wards always great to know hahaha.

 

[nd_eric_77]

With a family history of heart failure, father died of massive heart attack at 46, his bother the same at 48. These were back in the 60s where the treatments of
today didn't exist. My brother died of a heart attack at 69 out in the freezing cold taking down Christmas decorations. Yep, even with all the cold weather and snow heart warnings. I figure at 72 I have really nothing to complain about and figured it inevidable. Friday afternoon all came true.

A couple hours after enjoying 2 beef bratwurst I started feeling some burning in my chest. Figured at first just some heartburn I do get from time to time. After a few minutes the burn increased and then the tightening started. That was enough for me, I mean sometimes you just can't wait and see what it all turns into. I was starting to come down with a cold. My wife had one and must have shared it.

Off to the hospital we went. 10-12 minutes away. Went to emergency, said what was happening, hooked up to the EKG right away. Asked the ER tech what he was seeing and of course got that, it's good standard answer. Blood drawn, vitals taken, and played there and rested while wife did the BPJS paperwork, upgraded to a private room, and heart doctor called in as well as lung guy. Stopped for a chest xray on the way to the room.

Nurses seem to be very proficient in their duties. More blood taken by doctors orders along with sputum samples. BP and vitals. Heart doctor arrived first said he was starting me on something. Glad my wife speaks the same language because I was so light headed and sight blurred I wasn't sure what was going on. All I know was this great big syringe put in a pumping equipment connected to a large needle in the back of my hand. Bigger than the standard IV needle. Evidently a heart medicine was being constantly administered to my vein. More test to come in the morning.

The lung guy makes it. Orders more test and sets me on a antibiotics course. He would see how I was doing later. Tight chested all night. Totally uncomfortable. Still figured I caught this like I had always been taught. Why wait.

Next day nurse does a skin test. I figure they were testing for TB. It was negative. Also got nasil and throat swabs. Nurse said doc noticed something in the blood test he was concerned about. Was getting antibiotic shots throughout the night and the next day. Late day lung doc stops and tells me, I had COVID. Damn, and he was going to continue antibiotic treatment and the next day start a 5 day antiviral regiment. He mentioned that I would be seeing quite a few needles coming soon. Oh, lucky me.

Nurse shows up, tray of needles. Different antibiotics. 2 into that valve on my hand. OK, I can take them all day long. Then, what she said next took away any good feeling of having shot administered through the valve. This one goes into your intestines. Say what? Into your stomach. Serious? Yep. Oooo, that stings. Total of 4 over 4 days. Antibiotics.

Finally heart doc arrives. Pretty serious by his accord. The heart attack was also caused by the COVID. His intravenous medicine pump has to continue 24/7 for now. Next day ordered a ultrasound.

4th day I begged to get out of there. The tubes connected to me held me prisoner in the bed. Both sides with tubes and I couldn't even change shirts or take a shower. The main reason I begged to go home is now they wanted to move me to an isolation area. Told my wife she could visit but if she did, she wouldn't be able to leave.

In the end with a sack full of 8 different meds, we checked out. Bill was Rp 21,600,000 juta. Deduct BPJS and my Ballance was Rp 5,300,000. I know the room difference is charged as well as over a juta for oxygen. I'm guessing some of the meds we're not covered either. They don't give you a breakdown of what's covered or not.

Back next Friday for checkup.

Get well soon! Thank you for sharing your experience. Interestingly, it sounds like BPJS may have better coverage than the private insurance my employer provides.

 

[Hawk256]

The level 1 or whatever the Rp150,000 is called only allows up to a shared room now. It used to be it provided a private room but that has all changed now. Since COVID and the oxygen shortages, they do not cover oxygen. They have also adjusted some of their coverages cost.

Quite a few changes since the pandemic. Government was overwhelmed with cost. They decided to cut out or reduce some benefits instead of getting some help to build and manage a workable program.

This was a few months ago. The hospital I went to only had very small rooms (like a closet) at least in the part I was in. I don't know all the details as far as to why but that was my experience and never had to pay any extra.

The main point is that you are doing well and it seems the system worked in practice.

 

[Teabag]

All the best and fast recovery from my side. My wife's family history is also full of early heart attacks and she has already a stent. as a precaution, we do every 6 month a full blood check, both of us, and every year a heart CT or MRI for my wife . We hope to detect upcoming sicknes early and treadable, as we have no insurance.

Stay healthy folks!

 

[Bad_azz]

Get well soon! Thank you for sharing your experience. Interestingly, it sounds like BPJS may have better coverage than the private insurance my employer provides.

The downside to BPJS is queueing for a place to get in for follow up appointments. They are ace for emergency coverage.

 

[Hawk256]

The downside to BPJS is queueing for a place to get in for follow up appointments. They are ace for emergency coverage.

I agree 100%. Great for emergency coverage but likely to cause more heart problems if you have to schedule anything. My wife got an MRI of her shoulder throush BPJS and it was about as fun as pulling teeth.

 

[ilovered]

The downside to BPJS is queueing for a place to get in for follow up appointments. They are ace for emergency coverage.

Yep. we had instances where BPJS were our saviour.

Our son was diagnosed with ADHD; treatment and therapy and counselling (and medicines that came with it) is full BPJS.
My sister tore her knee ligament in 3 places: 2 nasty knee surgery plus painkillers plus therapy for 3 years until she fully recovered: BPJS. We ended up paying 150k per month and nothing else even though she did require many MRI photos.
My mother's heart surgery, pneumonia treatment, geriatric check ups, and 2 COVID treatments all covered by BPJS.

Yes, we had to queue for doctor visits but once we're in dire need of a medical treatment, they are there to help us.

FP, speedy recovery. Get well soon.

 

[harryopal1]

Not a lot of fun. That you are up to posting on this forum suggests you must be feeling a bit better. So, what next?

 

[dafluff]

Wow, what a story! Wishing you a speedy and full recovery!

 

[fastpitch17]

Not a lot of fun. That you are up to posting on this forum suggests you must be feeling a bit better. So, what next?

What's next will rely on how and what I feel. See the doctor for the as I understand a single follow up on Monday. Will see what he says and how he answers my inquires about mainly the meds prescribed. See if he changes anything.

Then, research each change and how it could affect me or other medications. It has been my experience that doctors here are not up on what medications contradict other medications. Every doctor I have seen here I have given a written list of any meds I was currently on. Still, a couple have prescribed meds that contradicted what I was taking and one of those could have had serious consequences. I have had an antibiotic prescribed when I was 65 or so and on it's web site states in bold letters that it should never be prescribed to anyone over the age of 60. You certainly can not rely on a pharmacy to find any errors so, you need to do your own homework. Ask questions and don't be afraid to piss off the doctor. They are used to never being questioned about anything so get away with BSing the patient.

Soon I will start doing some walking. As soon as I stop having some ballance issues and I test negative for covid. Sort of a battle on two fronts right now.

 

[harryopal1]

"... Soon I will start doing some walking. As soon as I stop having some ballance issues and I test negative for covid. Sort of a battle on two fronts right now.

Amazing how much benefit can be obtained by walking. Obviously don't stress as you begin but as you adapt you can begin to increase the rate and distance. A wife who passed from cancer some years ago had an enlarged heart from rheumatic fever in childhood. She used Wafarin, a blood thinner (also used in rat poison) and did not have a lot of energy. I encouraged her to exercise and walk regularly. We lived below Castle Hill in Townsville and in time she was able to walk to the top. Also had her take swimming lessons and it improved her quality of life greatly until cancer came.

A simple exercise to improve balance is to stand in front of a chair, so you can grab it if necessary. Stand on one leg and hold for 20 seconds. Then repeat with other leg. Evidently this is a very effective exercise. Unfortunately many older people fall because of balance problems; break legs, hips and crack skulls. A useful exercise with which to begin your day. If you check with youtube you can find seniors' exercises for stretching and mobility. Well worth while. Good luck with your progress.