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Docs said my heart was failing at 31 – I was terrified my 5 kids would grow up without a mum so I lost 8st WITHOUT jabs
Docs said my heart was failing at 31 – I was terrified my 5 kids would grow up without a mum so I lost 8st WITHOUT jabs

Scottish Sun

time03-05-2025

  • Health
  • Scottish Sun

Docs said my heart was failing at 31 – I was terrified my 5 kids would grow up without a mum so I lost 8st WITHOUT jabs

The young mum received the devastating diagnosis after spotting a terrifying symptom while getting her kids out of the bath and says 'I knew I had to do something'. Here, she reveals the life-saving steps she took MUM'S AGONY Docs said my heart was failing at 31 – I was terrified my 5 kids would grow up without a mum so I lost 8st WITHOUT jabs AFTER giving birth to her fifth baby, Georgie Cook never imagined anything could burst her newborn bubble. But in the weeks after Edward was born, the mum-of-five noticed some alarming differences compared to her four previous pregnancies. Advertisement 8 Georgie Cook, who was told she had heart failure, pictured before her drastic weight loss Credit: Georgie Cook 8 The mum-of-five says she was terrified her kids would grow up without her Credit: Georgie Cook 8 She now feels amazing, and her heart issues have almost disappeared Credit: Georgie Cook She struggled to breathe on walks in the park with her young family and climbing the stairs - and getting her children out of the bath left her feeling exhausted. Weighing 17.5st and developing worsening heart palpitations, the 32-year-old visited her GP. Advertisement After weeks of back and forth, tests eventually revealed she had developed a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), which caused her heart to become enlarged during her pregnancy. The rare form of heart failure tends to strike in the last month of pregnancy or immediately after delivery, but can develop up to five months after a woman gives birth. Georgie, who lives with her husband Matt, 34, a carer, and their five kids, Anabelle, 11, Zachary, six, Roy, five, Percy, four, and three-year-old Edward, tells Sun Health: 'I'd suffered with heart palpitations for years, but it got worse in my last pregnancy, especially after I had the Pfizer Covid jab four months in. 'I had another top-up vaccine over the next few months, and my chest pains became unbearable. 'I went back and forth to the doctor, but my symptoms were just put down to stress and anxiety. Advertisement 'I even went to A&E with chest pains but medics told me it was a normal pregnancy symptom and looked at me as if I was crazy.' At 37 weeks, Georgie finally had an ECG at the hospital, which confirmed she had PPCM. 'It was devastating news, a massive shock,' she says. 'My heart had enlarged during my pregnancies and it couldn't pump the way it was meant to. 'Secret eater' mums show off their incredible 28 STONE transformation 'It was made even worse because I was so overweight. I was struggling to catch my breath even on a short walk to the park. 'My consultant told me it could be linked to the Covid jab, and I believe that 100 per cent too. I've never had another one since.' Advertisement The risk of heart issues after a Covid-19 vaccine is very low, according to the British Heart Foundation. 'I was embarrassed to go out' Doctors prescribed Georgie medication - ramipril then ivabradine - but the palpitations and her breathlessness continued. She gave birth to Edward in October 2021, and carried on as best she could. But her health only continued to decline. And it wasn't just her racing heart that stopped her from going out. I hated the way I looked and was always trying to cover up under baggy clothes. I was embarrassed to go out Georgie Cook 'Climbing the stairs or lifting the kids out of the bath made my heart race,' Georgie says. Advertisement 'Even getting them ready to leave the house could trigger palpitations, and often I would have to cancel going out. 'They would take their coats and wellies off because I wasn't feeling well, I felt so awful. 'But it wasn't just that. I was hugely overweight, at 17st 8lb and a size 24 and just 5ft 3ins. 'Even though I cooked healthy meals for the kids, I found myself wolfing down leftovers. 'Then there was junk food and takeaways, I couldn't resist. Advertisement 'I hated the way I looked and was always trying to cover up under baggy clothes. 'Whenever we did make it to the park, I'd imagine other mums staring at me. I was embarrassed to go out.' 8 Georgie, who weighed 17st 8lb at just 5ft 3ins, in hospital for weight loss surgery Credit: Georgie Cook 8 The 32-year-old underwent gastric sleeve surgery, where 80 per cent of her stomach was removed Credit: Georgie Cook 8 Georgie lost almost 8st and now weighs 9st 1lb Credit: Georgie Cook Advertisement Georgie, from Kingston upon Thames, South West London, says she had always struggled with her weight, even as a child. As a teenager, she felt she couldn't walk around in crop tops like her friends, and got bullied as a result. 'I remember being at the swimming pool with a friend aged eight, wearing a costume, and a boy called me fat and laughed at me,' Georgie says. 'I've never forgotten it, it upset me so much. I've been so self-conscious ever since. 'I tried lots of diets, like Slimming World, Weight Watchers and meal replacement plans, but nothing worked for me.' Advertisement After discussing everything with Matt, Georgie decided she needed to take drastic action - for the sake of her health. 'I knew I had to do something,' she says. 'After trying and failing at diets for years, I knew I couldn't do it alone.' 'I felt exhausted and sick for days' Georgie began to research her options online and came across a clinic in Turkey that offered gastric sleeve surgery, where 80 per cent of a patient's stomach is removed, for £2,850. Given it was a fraction of the cost of the op at home (which can cost between £7,000 and £11,000), supported by her husband, Georgie dipped into the couple's savings to pay for it. Advertisement In September 2022, Georgie flew to Turkey for £350 return. 'Everything went to plan and five days later I was back home to recover,' she says. 'I felt exhausted and sick for days.' For two weeks, Georgie had to survive on a liquid diet before moving on to pureed food. When she was able to eat proper food again, her diet consisted of Weetabix for breakfast, meat and salad for lunch, and a small dinner. Advertisement 'My smaller stomach meant I always felt full, so I didn't snack,' she explains. And the results were instantaneous. What are the risks of getting surgery abroad? IT'S important to do your research if you're thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad. It can cost less than in the UK, but you need to weigh up potential savings against the potential risks. Safety standards in different countries may not be as high. No surgery is risk-free. Complications can happen after surgery in the UK or abroad. If you have complications after an operation in the UK, the surgeon is responsible for providing follow-up treatment. Overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment, or they may not provide it to the same standard as in the UK. Also, they may not have a healthcare professional in the UK you can visit if you have any problems. Source: NHS In the first week, Georgie lost 12lb, and in the weeks that followed she shed 4lb to 5lb each week. A scan in January 2023 - four months after her procedure - still showed signs of heart failure but it was improving as she started to lose weight. 'For the first time I felt happy in my body. I had more energy too,' Georgie says. Advertisement 'At the park I didn't lurk at the side hiding from the other mums. 'Instead I was pushing the kids on the swings and chasing them about. I even joined a gym. 'I was down to a size 12 and for the first time I could go clothes shopping and pick out anything I wanted. It felt amazing. 'I still look at myself in the mirror now and it doesn't hit home that it's actually me looking back.' 8 Georgie had the support of her husband Matt, 34 Credit: Georgie Cook Advertisement 8 The mum started experiencing symptoms while pregnant Credit: Georgie Cook By September 2023, Georgie had shed 8.4 stone and was down to 9st 1lb. But better than the number staring back at her on the scales was the realisation her heart palpitations had almost completely stopped, only surfacing while exercising at the gym. 'The cardiologist told me that I was in heart failure, and that I was lucky to be alive,' she says. 'They said if I hadn't lost the weight then I might not have been here today. Advertisement 'Shedding more than 8st took a lot of strain off my heart.' In June 2024 an ECG revealed Georgie's heart function was good. 'It was such a relief,' she says. 'Although I still need regular check-ups, I'm doing well and I feel really lucky to be here with my kids. 'Having the surgery was the best decision I ever made. Getting healthy was the key to sorting my heart troubles.'

Docs said my heart was failing at 31 – I was terrified my 5 kids would grow up without a mum so I lost 8st WITHOUT jabs
Docs said my heart was failing at 31 – I was terrified my 5 kids would grow up without a mum so I lost 8st WITHOUT jabs

The Sun

time03-05-2025

  • Health
  • The Sun

Docs said my heart was failing at 31 – I was terrified my 5 kids would grow up without a mum so I lost 8st WITHOUT jabs

AFTER giving birth to her fifth baby, Georgie Cook never imagined anything could burst her newborn bubble. But in the weeks after Edward was born, the mum -of-five noticed some alarming differences compared to her four previous pregnancies. 8 8 8 She struggled to breathe on walks in the park with her young family and climbing the stairs - and getting her children out of the bath left her feeling exhausted. Weighing 17.5st and developing worsening heart palpitations, the 32-year-old visited her GP. After weeks of back and forth, tests eventually revealed she had developed a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), which caused her heart to become enlarged during her pregnancy. The rare form of heart failure tends to strike in the last month of pregnancy or immediately after delivery, but can develop up to five months after a woman gives birth. Georgie, who lives with her husband Matt, 34, a carer, and their five kids, Anabelle, 11, Zachary, six, Roy, five, Percy, four, and three-year-old Edward, tells Sun Health: 'I'd suffered with heart palpitations for years, but it got worse in my last pregnancy, especially after I had the Pfizer Covid jab four months in. 'I had another top-up vaccine over the next few months, and my chest pains became unbearable. 'I went back and forth to the doctor, but my symptoms were just put down to stress and anxiety. 'I even went to A&E with chest pains but medics told me it was a normal pregnancy symptom and looked at me as if I was crazy.' At 37 weeks, Georgie finally had an ECG at the hospital, which confirmed she had PPCM. 'It was devastating news, a massive shock,' she says. 'My heart had enlarged during my pregnancies and it couldn't pump the way it was meant to. 'It was made even worse because I was so overweight. I was struggling to catch my breath even on a short walk to the park. 'My consultant told me it could be linked to the Covid jab, and I believe that 100 per cent too. I've never had another one since.' The risk of heart issues after a Covid-19 vaccine is very low, according to the British Heart Foundation. 'I was embarrassed to go out' Doctors prescribed Georgie medication - ramipril then ivabradine - but the palpitations and her breathlessness continued. She gave birth to Edward in October 2021, and carried on as best she could. But her health only continued to decline. And it wasn't just her racing heart that stopped her from going out. 'Climbing the stairs or lifting the kids out of the bath made my heart race,' Georgie says. 'Even getting them ready to leave the house could trigger palpitations, and often I would have to cancel going out. 'They would take their coats and wellies off because I wasn't feeling well, I felt so awful. 'But it wasn't just that. I was hugely overweight, at 17st 8lb and a size 24 and just 5ft 3ins. 'Even though I cooked healthy meals for the kids, I found myself wolfing down leftovers. 'Then there was junk food and takeaways, I couldn't resist. 'I hated the way I looked and was always trying to cover up under baggy clothes. 'Whenever we did make it to the park, I'd imagine other mums staring at me. I was embarrassed to go out.' 8 8 Georgie, from Kingston upon Thames, South West London, says she had always struggled with her weight, even as a child. As a teenager, she felt she couldn't walk around in crop tops like her friends, and got bullied as a result. 'I remember being at the swimming pool with a friend aged eight, wearing a costume, and a boy called me fat and laughed at me,' Georgie says. 'I've never forgotten it, it upset me so much. I've been so self-conscious ever since. 'I tried lots of diets, like Slimming World, Weight Watchers and meal replacement plans, but nothing worked for me.' After discussing everything with Matt, Georgie decided she needed to take drastic action - for the sake of her health. 'I knew I had to do something,' she says. 'After trying and failing at diets for years, I knew I couldn't do it alone.' 'I felt exhausted and sick for days' Georgie began to research her options online and came across a clinic in Turkey that offered gastric sleeve surgery, where 80 per cent of a patient's stomach is removed, for £2,850. Given it was a fraction of the cost of the op at home (which can cost between £7,000 and £11,000), supported by her husband, Georgie dipped into the couple's savings to pay for it. In September 2022, Georgie flew to Turkey for £350 return. 'Everything went to plan and five days later I was back home to recover,' she says. 'I felt exhausted and sick for days.' For two weeks, Georgie had to survive on a liquid diet before moving on to pureed food. When she was able to eat proper food again, her diet consisted of Weetabix for breakfast, meat and salad for lunch, and a small dinner. 'My smaller stomach meant I always felt full, so I didn't snack,' she explains. And the results were instantaneous. In the first week, Georgie lost 12lb, and in the weeks that followed she shed 4lb to 5lb each week. A scan in January 2023 - four months after her procedure - still showed signs of heart failure but it was improving as she started to lose weight. 'For the first time I felt happy in my body. I had more energy too,' Georgie says. 'At the park I didn't lurk at the side hiding from the other mums. 'Instead I was pushing the kids on the swings and chasing them about. I even joined a gym. 'I was down to a size 12 and for the first time I could go clothes shopping and pick out anything I wanted. It felt amazing. 'I still look at myself in the mirror now and it doesn't hit home that it's actually me looking back.' 8 8 By September 2023, Georgie had shed 8.4 stone and was down to 9st 1lb. But better than the number staring back at her on the scales was the realisation her heart palpitations had almost completely stopped, only surfacing while exercising at the gym. 'The cardiologist told me that I was in heart failure, and that I was lucky to be alive,' she says. 'They said if I hadn't lost the weight then I might not have been here today. 'Shedding more than 8st took a lot of strain off my heart.' In June 2024 an ECG revealed Georgie's heart function was good. 'It was such a relief,' she says. 'Although I still need regular check-ups, I'm doing well and I feel really lucky to be here with my kids. 'Having the surgery was the best decision I ever made. Getting healthy was the key to sorting my heart troubles.'

Who can get a Covid booster this spring and what do private jabs cost?
Who can get a Covid booster this spring and what do private jabs cost?

Yahoo

time02-04-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Who can get a Covid booster this spring and what do private jabs cost?

The NHS spring booster campaign is offering Covid jab to groups of vulnerable patients across the UK. Around 7.5 million people in England are eligible for a top-up vaccination. Many pharmacies also sell the Covid jab privately. Eligible members of the public in England can have a spring booster between 1 April to 17 June. Vaccinations are being offered to: adults aged 75 years and over residents in a care home for older adults people aged between six months and 74 years who have a weakened immune system and are at a greater risk from severe illness Those who turn 75 years old between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can also have the jab. NHS England says it is contacting everyone who qualifies by text, email, app message or letter. However, those who qualify do not have to wait for an invitation and can visit the NHS website, use the NHS app or call 119 to book an appointment. In different parts of the UK, the groups who qualify for a spring booster are the same but the dates of the campaign are slightly different: Scotland: 31 March until 30 June Wales: 1 April until 30 June Northern Ireland: 7 April until 30 June The NHS uses vaccines from two companies across the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. People are advised to take whichever vaccine they are offered, as both provide protection against severe illness or death. Data from the UK Health Security Agency - based on the 2024 spring vaccination programme - showed those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid for up to two months after their jab, compared to those who did not receive one. AstraZeneca pulled its Covid vaccine worldwide because of the surplus of updated vaccines from its competitors. At the firm's request, in May 2024, the European Medicines Authority withdrew authorisation for the vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. A number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer the Pfizer Covid vaccine directly to the public. The cost per single dose varies but is typically between £75 and £99. You need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid vaccine in the previous three months. You also need to talk to a health professional to check that it is suitable. A protein-based booster vaccine made by Novavax, which works differently to the Pfizer and Moderna jabs, is also available. Moderna hopes to launch a combined flu and Covid vaccine later in 2025 or 2026, after the jab passed a vital part of final-stage scientific checks in June 2024. Pfizer is also testing a similar two-in-one vaccine against flu and Covid. If you have Covid, or think you might, the NHS recommends delaying vaccination until you feel better. It also advises postponing if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness. However, there is no need to wait if you have recently recovered from Covid and feel well. The vaccines do not infect people with Covid, and cannot cause positive test results. What to do if you have Covid XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK? For most people, side effects are mild. The most common include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea. They are part of the body's normal immune response to vaccination and tend to resolve themselves within a day or two. Very rarely myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle - has been linked to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction after the Pfizer vaccine. Patients with serious allergies should talk to their healthcare professional before being vaccinated. Covid vaccine safety - What we know Rise of vaccine distrust - why more of us are questioning jabs Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?

Who can get a Covid booster this spring and what do private jabs cost?
Who can get a Covid booster this spring and what do private jabs cost?

Yahoo

time02-04-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Who can get a Covid booster this spring and what do private jabs cost?

The NHS spring booster campaign is offering Covid jab to groups of vulnerable patients across the UK. Around 7.5 million people in England are eligible for a top-up vaccination. Many pharmacies also sell the Covid jab privately. Eligible members of the public in England can have a spring booster between 1 April to 17 June. Vaccinations are being offered to: adults aged 75 years and over residents in a care home for older adults people aged between six months and 74 years who have a weakened immune system and are at a greater risk from severe illness Those who turn 75 years old between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can also have the jab. NHS England says it is contacting everyone who qualifies by text, email, app message or letter. However, those who qualify do not have to wait for an invitation and can visit the NHS website, use the NHS app or call 119 to book an appointment. In different parts of the UK, the groups who qualify for a spring booster are the same but the dates of the campaign are slightly different: Scotland: 31 March until 30 June Wales: 1 April until 30 June Northern Ireland: 7 April until 30 June The NHS uses vaccines from two companies across the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. People are advised to take whichever vaccine they are offered, as both provide protection against severe illness or death. Data from the UK Health Security Agency - based on the 2024 spring vaccination programme - showed those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid for up to two months after their jab, compared to those who did not receive one. AstraZeneca pulled its Covid vaccine worldwide because of the surplus of updated vaccines from its competitors. At the firm's request, in May 2024, the European Medicines Authority withdrew authorisation for the vaccine, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied. A number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer the Pfizer Covid vaccine directly to the public. The cost per single dose varies but is typically between £75 and £99. You need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid vaccine in the previous three months. You also need to talk to a health professional to check that it is suitable. A protein-based booster vaccine made by Novavax, which works differently to the Pfizer and Moderna jabs, is also available. Moderna hopes to launch a combined flu and Covid vaccine later in 2025 or 2026, after the jab passed a vital part of final-stage scientific checks in June 2024. Pfizer is also testing a similar two-in-one vaccine against flu and Covid. If you have Covid, or think you might, the NHS recommends delaying vaccination until you feel better. It also advises postponing if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness. However, there is no need to wait if you have recently recovered from Covid and feel well. The vaccines do not infect people with Covid, and cannot cause positive test results. What to do if you have Covid XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK? For most people, side effects are mild. The most common include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea. They are part of the body's normal immune response to vaccination and tend to resolve themselves within a day or two. Very rarely myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle - has been linked to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction after the Pfizer vaccine. Patients with serious allergies should talk to their healthcare professional before being vaccinated. Covid vaccine safety - What we know Rise of vaccine distrust - why more of us are questioning jabs Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?

Covid vaccine success 'most profound moment of my life'
Covid vaccine success 'most profound moment of my life'

BBC News

time20-03-2025

  • Health
  • BBC News

Covid vaccine success 'most profound moment of my life'

A scientist who helped develop the Pfizer Covid vaccine has said he found out the jab worked as he left his mother's Nicholas Kitchin, vice president of vaccine research at the Pfizer site in Tadworth, Surrey, developed the vaccine with colleagues from across the south east of England while collaborating with scientists around the world. During the pandemic the UK approved five vaccines for use, including one developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, which paved the way for mass Kitchin said finding out the vaccine was successful "was probably one of the most profound moments of my life". On 11 March, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic, and just six days later, Pfizer signed a letter of intent to co-develop a potential vaccine with BioNTech. Vaccine rollout In October 2020, Dr Kitchin attended his mother's funeral. After the service, he said: "Everyone turned their phones on... The BBC app was blowing up."That was the first time I found out the vaccine was successful - probably one of the most profound moments of my life." In December, UK grandmother Margaret Keenan, 91, became the first person in the world to be given the jab as part of a mass vaccination NHS worked with local government, the voluntary sector and volunteers to roll out the jab. Jo Downs had been a dental assistant before the pandemic and volunteered with the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. "Everybody realised how important it was," she said. "Everybody wanted to get back to as much normality as possible."It was about protecting ourselves but everybody else as well." Anthony Kimber from the Rye Emergency and Community Team (REACT) helped set up a vaccination centre in said: "I made a bit of a nuisance of myself. "We said we needed a vaccination centre in Rye that would supply 20,000 souls in this remote part of East Sussex."When we demonstrated we could do it, and they inspected us to make sure we could, then we were off!"

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