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Not Feeling Well After Stenting (2007 archive)

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Many patients feel very well after having a stent implanted, with relief of angina and other symptoms. But some patients have written that they experience the opposite and feel less well, at least for a period. This could be due to a variety of causes. To support others who may be in a similar situation, post here to describe your symptoms, and especially if they were resolved.

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Archived Postings from 2007 on This Page (114):

• I had a stent put in while on vacation last month. Since then I have had chronic chest pain but not of the caliber of the heart attack I had. I have taken nitro as it does nothing. I have been in the hospital every week for the past 3 weeks, the first for the MI and stent, the second and third for unexplained chest pain. I had every test imaginable after the third hospitalization, including a re-catheterization, which showed the stent and heart were functioning properly. The question is, are all those who are experiencing some sort of chest pain post stent taking nitro every time they feel chest pain? If not, how are they dealing with it. If so, it the nitro working?
Cheryl, Pennsylvania, USA, December 5, 2007

• I started with two stents in August on the 9th because I was rushed to the emergency with two blockages. Three days passed and I was put into the operating room for one more. Both were bare stents not with drug coats. I fired my cardiologist because I found he was not very non-proactive. My new cardiologist, had tests done after I began to experience shortness of breath and very big low stamina. He found problems. With angioplasty he found several bad arteries. He scheduled me for Tuesday, but I was in the ER by Saturday night. On that November 24, I had another incident with pain and discomfort in my chest and leg. I went into hospital and had one operation for two stents and later on another day, I had another put in. One is drug coated. In less than twenty-four hours, I am experiencing a strange sensation in my chest and think it can be gas. I think I am kidding myself. I might have something worse that and the doctor did not find it yet, like more blockages. My depression has almost killed me several times with panic attacks and deep hopelessness weigh on me because I want to recover and that does not seem to be happening. I am so tired of this. I almost gave up the other night. Is there any hope for any of us?
Rico, Los Angeles, California, USA, November 28, 2007

• U.R. from Chicago -- do you have any sort of rash or itching accompanying the "needle pains" -- wondering if this might be some sort of hypersensitivity reaction to Plavix or some other drug. If this continues, and certainly if this is a cause for anxiety, discuss this issue with your interventional cardiologist. And do not stop taking or alter any medication (especially Plavix) without his/her knowledge.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, Novemver 23, 2007

• Hello from Chicago, Illinois. On November 1, 2007, I had an angiogram, immediately followed by an angioplasty with coated stent for 80 percent blockage of my coronary artery. I did not have an heart attack. Thanksgiving day I started feeling needle pains in far upper part of my right chest area. This is causing me much anxiety. Cardio has me on 75mg of Plavix for 1 year and I'm taking 81mg Ecottrin together with Toprol XL. I feel worse now than before the procedure.
U.R., Chicago, Illinois, USA, November 23, 2007

• As a note to my previous post in October 07, I have been for a repeat angiogram today. I do have a stenosis and a coated stent is to be placed inside the bare metal one on Jan 9th 08. The odd thing is, my dosage of Ramipril was reduced back down to 2.5 mg from 7.5 and the chest pain has completely gone. I still suffer slightly from angina pains which occur in my jaw and throat area which are immediately relieved by GTN spray. Evidently my BP was falling too low to get past this blockage. Fingers crossed for the 9th, and hope this is the last time i have anything to do with this!!!
Kim Mitchell, Northampton UK, November 22, 2007

• Dear Angioplasty.Org Staff, Thank you for your response. I was mistaken. The stents that leaked were in the main LAD and he put additional larger stents to cover them and hence cover a larger area as well. He was very emphatic that none of the stents had restenosed. I am better although I think I have developed some sort of acid reflux.
O.D., Texas, USA, November 18, 2007

• I Had a spontaneous dissection of LAD in July 2007 which was treated by emergency treatment of 2 bare metal stents after further pain another angiogram 2 weeks later showed the stents were clear but after further pain 2 months later a treadmill test indicated a blockage which a further angiogram confirmed this was treated in Oct 2007 by 2 Taxus DES. But I still get chest pain across the left side of my chest behind my left nipple. I have become quite paranoid and have returned to hospital in a panic several times but ECG s have all been normal and I get no answers as to what is causing these pains can anyone help.
Angie, Banwell, North Somerset, UK, November 17, 2007

• On December 25, 2006, I had five stents placed. During the first six months there was little pain but I always felt tired. I also have a number of problems with joints, tendons and muscles which stops me from doing a great deal of walking or exercise of any kind. In July '07, I started to feel much better but the pain was more frequent. If I were to guess, I would say I had another heart attack. I took three nitros about 15 minutes apart and finally got some relief.
Ken Donald, Liberty, South Carolina, USA, October 24, 2007

• O.D. -- did your cardiologist mean the smaller stents were restenosing? By the way, one can't "replace" a stent, per se -- stents are permanent, once placed. Instead, another stent is placed inside of the one that is getting re-blocked, or possibly next to it to cover a longer area.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, October 23, 2007

• I had stents put in LAD recently. While placing the stents the cardiologist told me that the location of the stents blocked the branch arteries and he had to place 2 smaller stents in the branches. 4 weeks alter I seemed to be recovering well when things suddenly got worse. I passed a stress test but on the angio the Cardiologist said that the two smaller stents leaked plaque through the mesh and he replaced them with larger stents. Its only been 3 days and the severe pain has gone but has anybody heard of stents leaking plaque through them?
O.D., Texas, USA, October 16, 2007

• R.L. -- has your cardiologist mentioned a CT angiogram? Correctly-done with the newest equipment (64-slice) a non-invasive CT is highly accurate in ruling out the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). See our Imaging and Diagnosis Center for more info. Of course, as with any test or medication, you should discuss this with your cardiologist who may have very good reasons to suspect that this is not CAD.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, October 16, 2007

Early July I posted that my DH was having chest pressure/left hand tingling after heart attack June 26. He recently had a follow up stress and everything was perfect, so they say. My problem is this. He still does not feel 100%. He had the heart attack, then angioplasty (no stents) now taking baby aspirin, plavix, simvastatin and metoprolol. He has chest pressure daily. He is very depressed that he doesn't feel normal. What to do? Is is possible that he still has blockage (pressure) or could this be mental? The cardiologist thinks its a muscle problem, but he never had chest pressure until the heart attack. Is there any other diagnostic test that we can ask for besides the stress test. All I know is, he is miserable. We have two young children and he rarely does things with them anymore. He's afraid to be alone in case he dies he says. Truth be told, I would have chest pressure daily too if that was my way of thinking. Any suggestions?
R.L., Pennsylvania, USA, October 15, 2007

• I am a 48 year old insulin dependant diabetic female. I experienced a silent MI in July 07. Previous to this I had been a smoker, but had given up some 6 weeks before this. I had no symptoms of any description prior to the MI. In the process of this MI i also fell and broke my right leg.. On 1 August i had a bare metal stent inserted in my left coronary artery. This was used in preference to a drug eluting stent as I may have needed surgery to my leg. Came out on 75mg aspirin, Plavix (which has now been stopped after 6 weeks),2.5mg Bisoprolol, and 2.5 mg Ramipril. Had no problems at all until 9 weeks after the stenting. I have suddenly started having chest pain on exertion (which isn't very often as i have a full leg cast and i am on crutches). I had been given GTN spray and have started using it. Have spent a day in ED of local hospital, and am awaiting consultant appointment next week. I am so upset by all of this. I did not have any symptoms prior to the MI and now i cannot move without using the spray. I have had the Bisoprolol increased to 5mg a day and have been given nitrate tablets to take as well as using the spray. I am assuming that the stent is failing, and that i will have to have it done again. I am scared about this. I am worried that it will happen again. Anyone out there had this happen too?
Kim Mitchell, Northamptonshire, UK, October 8, 2007

• June 2007 while sitting watching a DVD with my daughter I began having excruciating pain in my shoulders and upper jaw. My daughter called 911 & I was told I was having a heart attack. I am 57 years old & have never had any heart related issues. I was taken to the ER, then to the Cath Lab where a Cypher Stent was implanted through my groin. It was instant relief at that time! I was put on Plavix, Vytorin, Lopressor and Aspirin. Initially I was feeling good other than some anxiousness when alone of what might happen, but that soon passed. This month while driving my heart started racing wildly, so much so my hands & feet were shaking. I thought my heart would pound right out of my chest. I felt dizzy & short of breath. This passed in about 3 or 4 minutes, but I was left in a great deal of pain across the back of my shoulders. That day I went to the ER and was admitted. They ran a series of tests: CAT Scan, EKG, Stress Test (which I thought would kill me when they injected the medicine: I had every reaction one could have to it) The only thing I have found out thus far is that my Potassium was a bit low and my Cardio gave me an Rx for it. Nothing else could be found. Since that episode it has happened one more time. I did the bearing down trick (as if you are having a BM) to get it under control and it worked. However, it does not take away the pain across the back of my shoulders, and it is excruciating up to 3 or 4 hours. My Cardio did give me an Rx for some Percocet when it happens, but I have to wonder what may be happening. Has anyone else had anything similar? I am seeing my Cardio tomorrow and hope he may have some answers, as this is a very scary condition especially when driving a vehicle. One has to work, so its easy to say do not drive... my Rx meds cost almost 300.00 per month so I have to work and drive. I understand SSD or SSI is nearly impossible for a heart attack unless there has been severe damage. I'm just wondering how others deal with the pain, and if any of you have rapid heart rates after stenting. Thanks in advance for any and all responses and Good Luck to everyone!!
Shelly, Florida, USA, October 7, 2007

• Elizabeth -- this is not a complication of the angioplasty or stent per se, but it is a complication of the femoral artery access site -- this is seen in both diagnostic catheterizations and interventions in about 3-4% of the time. For more information, you can read our Forum Topic on "Complications from Angiogram or Angioplasty".
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 30, 2007

• My brother had angioplasty yesterday and a stent was inserted. He seems to feel okay, but his scrotum has swollen to the size of a softball and the doctor indicated that this occurs occasionally. He said it is filled with blood, but that the swelling should decrease in about two weeks without any specific treatment. Could someone enlighten us regarding this complication? Thank you.
Elizabeth, Michigan, September 25, 2007

• I have just had angioplasty done 2 days ago and a stent was put in. I have been given blood thinners and do baby aspirin as usual plus a beta blocker, but am still feeling the same kind of pain/sensation as I did before I had it done. I only had one artery blocked. Don't know if this pain or sensation is just post operative or what?
Steve Suekey, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, September 22, 2007

• After my heart attack 2 years ago, I had a Taxus stent implanted in my LAD. For a year or more afterwards, I experienced intermittent chest pain, shortness of breath and rapid heart beat. After having several follow up tests, including thallium stress, echocardiograms, asthma testing, and MRI nothing was found. I now take .125 mg of Xanax when I start to feel these symptoms and they go away. Perhaps some of the trouble is anxiety, because after all having heart trouble is pretty stressful emotionally! I'm certainly not advocating everyone take this, but anxiety is something to consider.
L.B., Missouri, USA, September 21, 2007

• I had mild heart attack July 2, 2007 -- RCA 100% blocked, and taxus stent was inserted. After 3 weeks i started to feel shaky and tired. I was in rehab and had to have an EKG done right there because of shortness of breath. Had nuclear stress test and all was normal. I feel worse than I ever have in my life. The depression is getting worse and now I am having chest pain and severe headaches. I just feel run down all of the time. My skin looks older and my hair seems to be thinning. I am on Plavix, Lisonopril, and aspirin daily. HELP
Ana, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, September 9, 2007

• Thanks Eileen from Uk for your information saying that you are starting to feel better after 18 months after stenting. I am not having any more pain , but still am short of breath. Hopefully there is light at the end of my tunnel. Perhaps after cardio rehab I will feel better. For some people it does take time for them to get better and I guess I am also one.
Mary, Thunder Bay, Ontario, CANADA, September 7, 2007

• TJ from Texas -- the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop smoking -- and you are trying. It can be difficult, but smoking (even second-hand) is clearly implicated in coronary artery disease (and a host of other health problems). Good luck. If you're having trouble, ask your doctor for a referral to a smoking cessation program. Your listlessness and shakiness may also be medication-related. Fatigue is certainly a side-effect of some heart meds, but DO NOT change your dosage or stop taking anything. See your doctor who might adjust your meds, based on your reported symptoms. This is not medical advice -- this is a suggestion that you make sure to stay in communication with your cardiologist about these issues. Good luck and let the Forum know how things go.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 7, 2007

• Hello from Odessa, TX. I am a 45 year old woman, who had continuing chest numbness and both arms feeling like they were going to explode with pain for three weeks prior to visiting my internist. My EKG was abnormal and my blood pressure was over the top, he immediately admitted me to the hospital, and a cardiologist was called in. That was July 23, 2007 and I now have two DES in LAD. I went back in the hospital on Aug 20, 2007 for one DES in RCA. I have been feeling the same way as all of you and I have no energy, i feel very shaky all the time. I have a very stressful job, which most people do, but I can't seem to relax. I take plavix, aspirin, lipitor, Xanax, atenolol and chantix. I'm trying to stop smoking. I'm glad i found you guys, i was beginning to feel a little alone about all of this. Also since the stents, my lab work keeps showing high on calcium, potassium, glucose. What is this all about?
TJ, Odessa, Texas, USA, September 5, 2007

• Please note that opinions expressed on these Forums belong to their authors -- the people who send them in. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or producers of Angioplasty.Org. the one way or the other. We also ask once again that posters keep their comments clear and to the point, as a courtesy to our readers. Thanks!
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 5, 2007

• Greg from Nevada: I have posted here before, my story is exactly like yours. But I have severe chest pain all the time, since the morning after my cypher stent was implanted 2.5 years ago. I wish I never did it. Recent IVUS showed nothing the doctors could use to plan a treatment (they ruled out bypass for this reason, though a friend of mine with the same story took the big chance, and bypassed the stent, and he is now fine for some strange reason). Probably for me the pain is the body's continued reaction to the stent, or from the extensive chest/heart fluoroscopy/radiation required during complex stenting, as opposed to having plain old balloon (some articles are now suggesting this as a cause for post-stent pain). Those Cardiologists in Texas are limited to studying stent allergy (I spoke to them many times), and are not too clear of how to see even that problem, though they are aware of it, and are warning the cardiology community, mostly to no avail. No drug or therapy has been helpful for me.. I have tried everything whatsoever, including stem cell heart surgery, all GI and histamine medicines, all heart medicines, all supplements, chelation, various IV therapies, even xanax and related medicines. I have been scanned with MRI's of the chest, multiple stress tests, multiple angiograms, etc. No blockages, just some unexplained diastolic dysfunction. Damage to my heart is said to be actually minimal. The only thing I do is avoid any further cardiovascular disease, by following Caldwell Esselstyn's (a Cleveland Clinic doctor) book/diet/plan on reversing coronary artery disease. Preventing arteriosclerosis (with no stent) is not really difficult. The real problem is to deal with "stent-osis" I call it, potentially far more difficult. Esselstyn's plan won't help the stent situation, but it will make it so nobody is ever told to have a (or another) stent. They are useless dangerous metal, really, with no place in your body. And the fluoroscopy/radiation during the time it takes for stenting is potentially very damaging, as opposed to just angiography and ballooning. Radiologists (in many articles) are now warning cardiologists that much post-stent pain is probably caused by the extended time of fluoroscopy/radiation to the heart/chest required during the increasingly complex stent procedures attempted; better to just consider non-stent "plain old balloon" followed by medicine, strict diet, etc. Google this subject too. Order Esselstyn's book. He has a good website you can read (Google his name) with chapters from his book, pics of before/after vascular disease. Great book, available at Amazon. Esselstyn's is the only good plan for all of us in the meantime, until we learn more. As for the stent/pain, perhaps my body will deal with it all properly in years to come. I can only hope, so far no success eliminating the pain.
Steve, Palm Beach, Florida, USA, August 28, 2007

• To kevin, cornwall, ontario, canada: Kevin, I strongly suggest that you request that your physician order a blood test for you to have your vitamin D levels checked. Vitamin D deficiencies which are especially common in Canada can be frequently misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia since it will often present itself as joint and muscle pain. In Canada, the easiest way to take care of this inexpensively is with vitamin D3 supplements but don't take my word for this, check it out on Google and ask your doctor to read the vitamin D article featured in the July 19th 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Just yesterday, I spoke to the senior nurse of a well known cardiologist in Ohio who is not afraid to think outside the box. I was pleased, but not really surprised, to learn that he has been ordering vitamin D blood tests for every patient in his practice. He has been doing this for quite a while now and has found that about 85% of his heart patients will be vitamin D deficient. Correcting these deficiencies can dramatically improve the management of his patient's heart disease. Be warned, however, that most physicians are still under the impression that 400 IUs of vitamin D is for the prevention of rickets and sometimes osteoporosis in women. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Vitamin D is actually a hormone which is known to be used by over 200 genes and seems to be active in all the organ systems. Recent studies have shown an inverse relationship between many major disease states (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders etc.) and low levels of vitamin D. Surprisingly, many residents of Florida and even Hawaii are being found to be deficient in vitamin D because using sunscreen lotions blocks the production of vitamin D. Canadian medical authorities are already moving to increase the RDA for vitamin D to 1,000 or 2,000 IUs a day. Read "The UV Advantage" by Michael Holick M.D.
Gerald Oros, Collinsville, Illinois, USA, August 28, 2007

• To all posters who are not feeling well, whether it's shortness of breath, coughing, fast beating heart, etc. -- discuss these reactions with your interventional cardiologist or clinical cardiologist. Coughing is a side effect of certain ACE inhibitors, fatigue is the side effect of several medications, but all of these situations should be discussed with your doctor. After all, the reason you received a stent was to feel better and enjoy a better quality of life than you would without the stent. It may be that an adjustment is needed in your medical regimen, diet, etc. -- or that the stent may be reclosing (restenosis), which is something that can be dealt with. We'd also ask Forum members to post updates from time-to-time, especially if they've gotten answers that solved the problems.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 26, 2007

• I am 52 years old. Three weeks ago I received three medicated stents. Immediately following the surgery I felt wonderful for a couple of weeks. A few days ago I began to tire very easily and get out of breath. I feel as though I've been running, like my heart is racing. I don't know if I'm taking in too much caffeine, too little water or if I'm getting more blockages. My follow up with the surgeon went well but I'm feel anxious. Any thoughts? Thank you.
Bill Parsons, Maryland, USA, August 25, 2007

• I had non-coated stents put in 5 months ago and I'm more sore now then before I had them put in. My chest arms legs hips are always sore with pain for a week at a time. I wonder if now I could have fibromyalgia from having this done. Haven't had test for it but wonder if they should.
kevin, cornwall, ontario, canada, August 19, 2007

• Nancy -- the article you linked to below is two years old. Much has happened in the drug-eluting stent world since then, but pretty much every cardiologist feels that there is not a large difference in the outcomes between the Cypher and Taxus stent, and that both have similar plusses and minuses. Read our coverage of these studies in Angioplasty.Org's Drug Eluting Stent Center 2005 Archive (August 16, 2005) and you'll see our quote from Dr. Ron Waksman of the Washington Hospital Center:

"I think a large part of this is propaganda. Cordis is trying to show that its stent is superior to Boston Scientific's, and Boston Scientific is trying to show that there is no difference. So each company will pick up the pieces from the studies that fit their statements. When we look at our own Washington Hospital Center data, which now cover 2,500 patients, they do not show any difference between the two stents."

Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 19, 2007

• You may want to read this: health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/1514/63-40k
Nancy, Orlando, Florida, USA, August 19, 2007

• TM UK..sorry not to have replied. Am actually much better now. Stent was inserted in Exeter and the Cardiologist was marvellous...had follow ups and further tests earlier this year..they were normal. My ISMN reduced to 10mg bd. I still get a 'heavy' feeling if I lie on my back (which I rarely do) and odd pains in my left shoulder but on the whole I feel really good, it is now about 18 months down the line. I do hope you are feeling better and that time has helped.
Eileen, United Kingdom, August 17, 2007

• My 42 yr old husband had a DES put in RCA in Feb 2006. He was a smoker and has just recently developed a cough with congestion. When he was admitted to the hospital in Feb they took an X-ray and one lung appeared on film almost completely white. They thought it was pneumonia but never mentioned it again. I'm worried. Could this cough and congestion be heart problems starting up again or side effects from Plavix? The only medications my husband is currently taking are Plavix and Aspirin once daily. Thank you
Pbenge, Florida, USA, August 8, 2007

• It is now 18 months since I had a stent inserted following M.I. It has been a long 18 months! but am now beginning to feel 'normal' again. I empathize with Mary from Ontario since I felt worse after the stent was inserted than before? Have found that I cannot eat large meals and tend to 'graze' so that has helped but I really think that I must have had a) a reaction to drugs/dye or b) just plain inflammation of the outer heart muscle (pericarditis) which my consultant also considered. Hope this helps somebody out there because, I personally, felt that I would never be the same again and now I can see 'light at the end of the tunnel' PTL.
Eileen, UK, August 3, 2007

• On June 13th I had one stent put in 95% blocked LAD, my recovery went along well until this last week of July, I started getting very shaky and weak and it seems like my system is not regulating heat very well. My stomach has started getting upset as well. Has anyone else had this type of symptom, could this be a reaction to the Plavix, Lipitor, Lisinopril-HCTZ, or 325 mg Aspirin?
John B., Ohio, USA, July 29, 2007

• Jess in Japan (July 20, 2007) -- You are taking Panaldine, which is ticlopidine, known in the U.S. as Ticlid. Most cardiologists in the U.S. started using Plavix (clopidogrel) for antiplatelet therapy because ticlopidine seemed to have more side-effects, although for some patients the reverse is true. In Japan, ticlopidine is the antiplatelet drug of choice. Side-effects of drugs can vary with the individual, but shortness of breath and tiredness are symptoms that you should inform your cardiologist about. He/she may change your drug regimen or want to test that your stent is still fully patent (i.e. "open"). Do you know what kind of stent you got? Bare metal or drug-eluting? But don't change any prescribed medication without consulting your cardiologist. Let us know how you make out. Mary in Canada -- similar comments to you. We can't second-guess your cardiologist vis-a-vis your suitability for bypass. Was the pain you felt when the stent was inserted something which went away right after the procedure? This might be due to the short period when the balloon/stent is inflated and the blood flow is blocked, and it's normal. But any feelings where you are worse than you were before should be discussed with your cardiologist, as we noted above
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, July 21, 2007

• I had a mild heart attack on May 26 2007. In the hospital they tried to treat with medications. On May 26 after an angiogram showed that I had four blockages. 85% in the right artery and 100 percent blockage at the end of the artery. in the left branch 85 percent and 100 percent in one of the tips June 13 had a stent put in the right artery and felt lots of pain worse that I had when I went into the hospital. on June 18 again with an angiogram showing that the artery had narrowed below the stent. June 20 more stents. Having short of breath symptoms that I did not have previously to the stents being put in. I don't know if this is caused from the medications that I am on (rampril , labeltol plavix aspirin lipitor) I have been walking about 30 minutes every day. Don't know if I will ever feel the same. I am also diabetic, insulin dependent. Cardiologist did not seem to think that I would be a good candidate for bypass as my arteries are too small????
Mary, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, July 19, 2007

• experienced chest pain walking my dog in March. Within 5 day's was on cath table and had a bare metal stent inserted due to a 95% blockage on my RCA. Felt immediate relief, and resumed working in 2 weeks. Except for a general fatigue at the end of the day, everything is going well 4 months after. On the usual regime of Plavix, Metropolal x2, Crestor, Coversyl and Aspirin. I empathize with others on this forum with severe symptoms, but the procedure can also be positive. Good luck to all of us !
Rick G, Brampton, Ontario, CANADA, July 18, 2007

• Hi, I am 64 years old, male living in Japan and underwent angioplasty with one stent last June 22, 2007. I don't feel the same after my angioplasty. Now I have tingling sensation on my fingers, shortness of breath, and I easily get tired even walking short meters. I am taking now Aspirin 81mg (O.D) and Panaldine 100mg (B.I.D) as prescribe. Please advise and more power to you.
Jess J., Fukushima ken, Japan, July 20, 2007

• Rick -- you're correct. Forums like this tend to be a magnet for complaints -- these are important and have surfaced important and under-reported complications (which we regularly cite) -- but there is the question of balance, and something that's also lost in the news reports, etc. is just how many people like yourself have been helped to feel better and be more active in their daily lives by these procedures and devices. Thanks for the post.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, July 18, 2007

• As a patient who has undergone stenting (4 blockages opened with 3 DES in LAD) I too have experienced the various symptoms expressed on by others on this site. However my conclusion is that we are all very fortunate to have had the stent placement since they overall have helped more than hurt most individuals and furthermore those that have had a good experience are not on web sites telling the world how great they feel they are out living their lives.
Rick, New York, USA, July 18, 2007

• To all -- if you read through the many posts in this topic, you'll see that sometimes these symptoms resolve after a while as the body adjusts. Some of the "side effects" can be attributed to medications that have just been prescribed for the first time. Plavix is known to cause rashes, statins to cause joint and muscle pain, etc. But don't stop taking anything. These are issues to discuss with your cardiologist. The goal is to feel better -- and to attempt to do so mean moving in three directions: the angioplasty/stent may remove the immediate problem, the medications may provide a reduction in risk factors like cholesterol and high BP, and finally changes in lifestyle, stopping smoking, losing weight, etc. But any adverse effect should be reported to your cardiologist. If you feel you're not getting answers, try a second opinion.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, July 17, 2007

• My DH had a heart attack the last week of june - within 18 hours he underwent angioplasty to open one artery (the artery was too small for a stent) The past two weeks, he continues to feel pressure in chest, tingling in left fingers, very pale fingers and ankles, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue and has lost 7 lbs. We went back to the cardiologist and ran all sorts of tests, and they say his heart function is normal and he should resume all activity. He still continues to feel all of the above symptoms - what should we do?
R.L., Pennsylvania, USA, July 15, 2007

• Hi, my name is Sanford. I am 67 years old. 5 years ago I had an angiogram and was told the 2 blockages were not enough to warrant angioplasty. An abnormal EKG and chest X-ray revealed I needed to see a cardiologist. Last February I had 5 stents put in through the leg into my heart. I was told to start walking for 30 minutes per day and to take it easy. The first few days, I had chest discomfort. It eventually went away, but after I started working as a security guard on graveyard, I started to get these pains in my chest that became more intense and more frequent, even to the point when I barely moved. I thought it was the night air. I went back to my cardiologist, and he put me right back into the OR to have 2 more larger stents put into 2 other blocked arteries, he said he couldn't reach the first time. I had some discomfort, and he prescribed more drugs. Isordil, which is according to him, a time released nitro. He had already prescribed the little nitro pills you place under your tongue. I have been walking at least 30 minutes a day, until this last week, when I had a cold, and it kind of took the energy out of me. I have one small side blockage, and with each visit, he asks me, if I want him to go back in to stent it. I have no chest pain. Oh, an occasional twinge, or flutter, but nothing I hadn't had over many years. I am on statins (Zocor 80),Plavix 75, Norvasc 10, Lotensin 40, 2 baby aspirin, Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5, atenolol 25, and Isordin 20 three times daily. I have had no chest pains. I have walked and jogged for a minute or two intermittently. I asked if I could be taken off of the Nitro, and he said, drop it to twice a day. It seems like as long as I have no pain, the cardiologist is happy, and of course I am happy also, but... It is scary reading all of this trial stuff and test done by the AHA. One does not know what to believe, and what to do. Of course everyone is different. I have had my share of kidney stones over the past 38 years. I have one kidney that is slightly undersized, due to trauma from passing too large of stones. It seems to me, that most of these cardiologists doing this procedure are doing this procedure blindly. I had no chest pains before the first stents were put in. I was really out of breath on the treadmill, but I was over weight and have lost 25 pounds since then. I was a smoker, but had quit smoking last December 2 months before the first procedure. Anyway, it is great to be alive! I feel for others that have had this procedure, and of course being male or female, age weight, smoker or non, all has a definite effect on the outcome. But I feel that everyone is after the same results, which of course are, no pain, feeling good, and enjoying the rest of our lives. The doctor I have, knows how to prescribe all of these pills, and is more than eager to perform another procedure, after all that is how he makes the brunt of his living. I can understand how everyone feels, like a lamb being led to slaughter. Especially when you don't know what is going on, and on the operating table you are asked, after the wire is in, do you want to think about the stents or do you want half of them put in, or do you want all 5? I told him to go ahead. And yes it was a feeling like really a bad heartburn. The next time they put in the other 2 stents, it was excruciating pain. I had 2 sprays of nitro, didn't work, and then morphine. I was very close to having a heart attack, in my estimation right on the table. So, I guess, we don't realize what is going on in our own bodies. The guidelines the HMO's will pay for are largely ignored by the doctors. They have their way of getting approved. So, now what? Do I continue to take all of these drugs for the rest of my life? I heard that Plavix causes problems after a year. I heard that Zocor can cause damage to organs. So what is the answer? Thanks to any and all that respond. I hope I answered some questions others may have had.
Sanford B., California, USA, July 14, 2007

• Hi, I had 2 stents inserted from the groin area after I experienced chest pain recently. I thought my time had come and that I was checking out. At 48 I could not keep pace with anyone even on a walk, as my chest pain became alarming and unbearable. I consider myself was fortunate to have the stents.. I can walk and breath again.. I am tired and think that's a side effect of the lipitor. I pray this all works out for me. A few side effects.. but I am in a much better place.. I wish us all well and I am learning from this site..regards.
Derek Piltown, Kilkenny, IRELAND, July 11, 2007

• hi. on march 13 2007 had 2 stents put in left front and 1 put in left back artery and for last month get sore chest arms hands and legs for 2 or 3 days then nothing for a week then soreness comes back. doctors don't know why have three pinched nerves 1 in left wrist 1 in right wrist 1 in left elbow but that is not the problem thx.
Leafs, CANADA, July 8, 2007

• This site has been very helpful as many of the posts confirm what I have been experiencing. Had 3 drug eluting stents placed on June 18 2007. Now three plus weeks later and still have chest pressure. But different than the angina symptoms. No shortness of breath or squeezing. Just a pressure on the chest. Surprised that the cardiologist did not suggest that this might be the case.
BBV, British Columbia, CANADA, July 7, 2007

• 57 YR OLD HUSBAND EXPERIENCING THROBBING PAIN, ANTERIOR UPPER L. LEG. SONOGRAM R/O CLOT. BACK X-RAY FOUND NOTHING. PAIN IN LEG CONSTANT. HAD STENT 07/2006, SIMVASTATIN 80MG, LISINOPRIL 5MG, METOPROLO TARTRATE 100MG, CLOPIDOGREL BISULFATE 75MG, CITALOPRAM HYDROBROMIDE 40MG, ASPIRIN 81MG, AGITATED, CAN'T SLEEP MORE THAN 1 TO 2 @ TIME.
Lynda Howard, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA, June 30, 2007

• I'm 70 years of age and had stent installed in LAD six months ago due to 80% blockage, although no heart attack. Taking Plavix and aspirin, plus Coversyl and Norvasc for blood pressure, but also Crestor to reduce cholesterol level from 5.5 to 3.2. Initially had chest discomfort for some weeks and worried that stent had damaged artery wall or that it was becoming blocked again. However, Crestor was the cause of most of the chest muscular pain and subsequently my doctor reduced the already low dosage from 10mg to 5mg which is still holding my cholesterol level to just over 3.0. The Norvasc was added to my medication as I was still getting mild chest pain when walking uphill. Cardiologist said that I had minor arterial blockages which could not be treated and Norvasc would open these up to improve blood flow, which has eliminated the chest pain. I believe the major problem in dealing with stent placement is in the mind and once one stops feeling vulnerable and believing that it has cured the problem one stops worrying. So many people have problems because they don't maintain their medication, don't stick to a sensible diet and finally don't bother exercising - even a 30 minute a day walk which is sufficient. Have a glass of red wine daily and eat some dark chocolate!
Nick , Melbourne, Australia, June 30, 2007

• Husband is 48 years old had one stent put in 95% blockage. Having tight chest pain, stomach and groin pain, lower back pain. When trying to just walk at a slow pace his heart starts to race. He was in the ER right as he was going into a heart attack but they were able to stop it. On his release papers he is to go to ER if he has any chest pain -- however, I am reading here that many go to the ER and find that all is ok and this is quite normal for the healing process.
Tammy, Indiana, USA, June 24, 2007

• I had a Taxus Express 2 Paclitaxel-Eluting device placed in the LAD because of a 95% blockage. I had been actively losing weight during the prior year walking a treadmill three to four times a week for a half mile to one mile. I went out for a healthy walk at work and experiencde a knife dragging across my chest sensation, then a tight squeezing and finally a terrific wave of nausea. At that point I knew it was heart related and ended up in the hospital. Since I underwent a treadmill test with no conclusion, a thallium stress test with no conclusion, and an EKG which did show something but none of the four doctors I have seen have shown me the results nor expressed exactly what was seen. I had the angiopl;asty and ultimate stent placement done on April 30.

Since that time I have had intermittent chest pain that feels like a burning heavy pressure sensation to the left of my sternum which radiates to my left and and causes a dull numb sensation in my biceps near the crook of my arm. I have had blood tests showing nothing and a trip to the emergency room. I am having hot flashes and cold chills, night sweats, I often have a fluttering sensation and through PVC's, I have slight shortness of breath when the chest pain by the sternum occurs. I am stressed and worried am living a personal nightmare of constant contact with doctors. I take Paxil daily, aspirin 81mg, and am on levistatin. I am also having a great deal of problems with my blood sugar bottoming out which I did not have prior to the stenting. I have been extremely careful with my diet for the last year with a 47 pound weight loss. My appetite has flared since the stenting which may be a result of stress.

Overall the entire experience have been negative since I was not given any choice in the placement of a stent or any prior information so I could be prepared for that possibility during angioplasty. I would greatly appreciate any feedback. also I would like to know if you know of any support group in the Northwest Indiana area or of any patients who may like to speak with someone else going through the same thing as I am. Thank you for you help.
Lenore Samanas, Valparaiso, Indiana, USA, June 24, 2007

• To Deb and T.S. and any other patients with new pain or symptoms that have occurred since stenting, but were not present beforehand -- discuss this with the cardiologist. New drugs may have fatigue as a side-effect -- possibly dosages can be adjusted (DO NOT self-adjust, however. Lowering your dose of antiplatelet meds like aspirin or Plavix could be dangerous.) As for continuing pain, there is the possibility that anxiety can exacerbate such feelings, but it is important to rule out other causes. We cannot give medical advice, but many posters to this topic have written that they experience a feeling of pressure. Some have reported that it goes away with time. But any such symptoms should be reported to the interventional cardiologist who placed the stent. Abd please update the Forum so others can read the outcomes. Thanks to all.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 20, 2007

• my husband has been having continual pressure/pain in chest that radiates to neck area when it intensifies. He had stenting x3 in last month 1/2, Dr. seems to have no clue as to why this continues since last heart cath showed no new blockages. We are very worried as to what might be going on and seem to get no medical help........
Deb, Wisconsin, USA, June 20, 2007

• I had a stent last wednesday 13th June and all went well except for a angina type pain after, probably due to the stent stretching in the Arterial wall the consultant said. This cleared after a few hours and I was able to go home the following morning. However, on Monday I decided to test myself a little as I was feeling really good, no more tiredness or continuous yawning or chest pain. So I set of on a short cycle ride into town and felt wonderful when I arrived, I then returned home and realised I had perhaps done a little to much as I now had a slight pain in my chest just to right of centre of the Sternum. I read my notes again on post op. and it said no heavy lifting for one week, silly me however the consultant did say I could go back to work on Monday 18th June but I shall give it a bit longer now. Overall result; wonderful could not recommend it enough and the op. was performed through the right wrist, the radial artery which meant no pain walking and no problems with slight wound.
David Clachan, Hampshire, U.K., June 19, 2007

• My husband just had a stent put in his RCA of his heart. He is 56 years old and seems to be tired after having his procedure 22 days ago. Walking 3 miles does not bother him but he said he just feels tired. Now taking Lipitor, Plavix and 325mg. of aspirin. Is this normal?
T.S., California, USA, June 16, 2007

• Angela -- have you discussed this with the doctor who did the stenting (he/she is not a surgeon, but is part of a subspecialty caled interventional cardiology). He might be able to explain, or he might want to examine the stents and make sure they are not getting reblocked. As for stent allergies, not much is known about them. If you look in the right column, you see the we have a notice hooking up patients with potential stent allergies to a research study being conducted by cardiologists in Texas. Email stent@angioplasty.org for more about it and contact info. Another possible explanation is that sometimes, in the process of stenting, a small side branch of the artery gets blocked, which has little functional detriment, but which sometimes can cause pain. These are all topics which your cardiologist should discuss with you. You are definitely experiencing pain, it started right after the second stent -- something isn't perfect, that's clear. And, as you can see from the more than 200 postings on this topic, you are not alone. Please keep the Forum updated on what you find out.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 15, 2007

• The pain begins in the left/center area of my chest and radiates to my front shoulder. It is very acute and did not begin until after the placement of the second stent. I believe that I am having a reaction to the drug that is eluted from the stent itself or that it was improperly placed. the exhaustion I am feeling is most likely due to the medications. I have one kidney left. I was born with a deformed kidney and double ureter along with heterozygous familial heypercholesterolemia. My new cardiologist has referred me to a lipid clinic to undergo LDL apheresis because I do not respond to medication and do not tolerate it well. My kidney and liver panels have not come back very good for at least three months. Prior to surgery and the battery of meds that I now take, both panels were fine for many years. The pain that I am having is not angina because it does not go away. It has been constant since the day of the second surgery. I am sure there are many thousands of people that have wonderful outcomes with coronary stent placement and that it has saved many many lives. However, this is not the case for everyone and I think that surgeons need to be more aware of individual case details before they immediately stent people. I am not 60, 80, or even 90 years old. I am supposed to be in the prime of my life and even if I had died early, at least I would have been able to live and work until that point. Now, I am in constant pain that no one is willing to find a cause for and constant exhaustion caused by medications that I was given because it is protocol to prescribe them whether they are needed or not. I am very disappointed that science has given way to the ideal of quantity over quality of life.
Angela H., Indiana, USA, June 14, 2007

• Angela -- can you be more specific as to the the type and location of the pain? As you can tell from reading this Forum topic, there are many different reasons for "not feeling well after stenting". Some have nothing to do with the stent itself. For example, you may be having an adverse reaction to a new drug that has been prescribed, or problems at the arterial access site (usually the femoral artery in the groin), etc. The medications coming off the stent are very dilute and seldom cause a systemic problem -- they are designed to act locally. You say you have "a kidney issue". Can you explain?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 14, 2007

• I am 33. In Sept. 2006, I had a Taxus II stent placed into an artery with a 80% blockage. I did not have a heart attack, abnormal EKG etc..... I have a lipid disorder that I was born with. I was not on statins because of a kidney issue. I have always been hypotensive. It was a "precautionary test"....90 min later I was on the table. After placement of the first, it was advised that I have a second stent placed for a 70% blockage. So one month later, in I went like a blind and fatted calf and did want the doctor said to do. This was almost ten months ago, I wish I would've died on the table. I am in constant pain, The medications are actually poisoning me because of my kidney's inability to process waste (something I've dealt with my entire life, but every doctor ignores and loads me up anyway) It is not depression, I've been fighting this my whole life, but I feel worse, since the stents. I wish they would rip them out or that I had never gotten them. Maybe I would've died , but at least the last memories that my husband and son had of me wouldn't be as an invalid who is in constant pain. I am losing my fight. I think that's what hurts worse...having to watch them see me in pain all the time. these stents may have prolonged me survival, but they have ruined my life.
Angela H., Indiana, USA, June 13, 2007

• Tony -- First off, congratulations for stopping smoking -- one of the best things you could do for yourself and your heart. The feeling of something caught in your throat (scratchy?) may be a slight adverse reaction to a med, but these things are difficult to pinpoint. For example, ACE inhibitors (a typical blood pressure med taken by heart patients) can cause a persistent cough. Allergic reactions to stents are under study (see right hand column) but the first step is to eliminate the more common medication reactions as a cause. This, however, should not be done by patients themselves. Call your prescribing doctor (cardiologist) and report this problem. Often a different drug can be tried, which may eliminate the feeling in your throat. And please let the other Forum readers know what you find out.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 10, 2007

• I had a stent put in at the end of April. About a week after I started filling like something is caught in my throat, like I swallowed something wrong. I have never had this problem before. Could this be from the Stent, meds, or maybe from stopping smoking after 25 years?
Tony Pierce, Houston, Texas, USA, June 8, 2007

• Hi again All Here we are now 5 months post stent to RCA (Medtronic Endeavor DES) and stress test in March which suggested something not right. I am seeing my cardio in June, given that I am experiencing the same `pressure` on my chest area after walking (up hill is by far the worst, just like on the treadmill)which did show up on the stress test, what sort of questions should I now be asking the Cardio. They decided to leave me on Nitro patches after the stress test, which are used daily, but certainly do not stop the `pressure` on walking. My last angiogram back in Sept 2006 suggested that my first stent (bifurcation with BMS) was only mildly blocked. However they did talk about first diagonal of an ostial stenosis `jailed` by the bifurcation stent, diffusely diseased throughout?? What does this mean exactly (bi stent was a guidant bifurcation stent BMS) In my case all these stress tests are not helped by my being in Perm Atrial Fibrillation.
Terry M., United Kingdom, May 28, 2007

• Norman -- stents are implanted in the artery and become part of the vessel wall, so it's not really possible to remove them, even with open heart surgery. Has your cardiologist ruled out possible adverse reactions to any of the medications you're on? Statins, for example, can cause muscle aches, etc. (Note: do not self-adjust any medication -- only do this in concert with your cardiologist.) You might also want to check out the "related topic" on Stent Allergies -- a number of patients have reported similar reactions -- they sometimes dissipate over time.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 29, 2007

• I had a medicated stent placed in my LAD in Dec. 2006. I am 38 years old, was in good shape and have been losing weight ever since the stent placement. Besides that I have been having chest pain, jaw, back, etc. I have been told that I will never be able to have the stent removed. That it is in there for life. Do you think it is possible to have it removed with Open Heart Surgery? I really want this thing out of me, it has ruined/destroyed my life. Thanks.
Norman, Michigan, USA, April 29, 2007

• [addition to April 18, 2007] -- His diagnosis is Peripheral Vascular, with about 90% blockage in the left leg artery and a little less in the right leg. Yes they did enter the groin area. Two stents were placed on each side below the juncture of the abdominal artery-- a total of 4. Now he is starting to get muscle aches and lightheadedness. Thursday evening we went out to dinner and after dinner ended up in the emergency room for severe stomach pain ( he did not eat very much). Tests and X-rays showed nothing. ER doctor said the muscle pain is normal with Crestor and goes away in about 4 weeks. He was on Benicar for several weeks, but the Plavix (with aspirin) and Crestor have just been added. Your feedback is appreciated as I am trying to learn as quickly as possible to help him.
Barb, Orlando, Florida, USA, April 21, 2007

• I HAD A HEART CATH. IN FEB. THIS YEAR. CARDIOLOGIST PLACED TWO STENTS IN ONE ARTERY AND ONE STENT IN ANOTHER. OCCASIONALLY I HAVE A PINCHING SENSATION AROUND MY HEART. WHAT COULD THIS BE? IT DOESN'T LAST VERY LONG BUT COMES BACK PERIODICALLY. I WALKED MY 3 MILES FOR EXERCISE YESTERDAY. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET BACK INTO EXERCISE REGIMEN. UPON COMPLETION OF MY WALK I HAD SEVERAL PINCHING SENSATIONS IN LEFT UPPER CHEST. IT DIDN'T LAST LONG BUT DEFINITELY LET ME KNOW SOMETHING UNUSUAL WAS FELT. WHATS UP?
DOUGLAS H., Louisiana, USA, April 19, 2007

• Barb -- you write that your husband had "4 stents placed in the groin area". Where exactly were these stents placed? In his leg? Four stents in a small leg area seems like a lot. Or do you mean they entered through the groin area (femoral artery) but were guided up to his heart? As for the 40-50% blockage -- that is not normally considered significant. Guidelines do not recommend "opening up" anything less than 50%.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 19, 2007

• My husband had catheterization with 4 stents placed in the groin area on 4/13. He was very bruised in the groin area (called his cardiologist). Because he had a reaction to the dye for the CT 64 slice he was given Prednisone on 4/12. He was taking Benicar, Crestor and now Plavix. The procedure opened up the blockages in his legs, but a 40-50% blockage still remains in the heart area. He is getting chills frequently and now has cold hands most of the time. I am reading and trying to learn what is the norm and what is a concern.
Barb, Orlando, Florida, USA, April 18, 2007

• Response to Gail K. [April 14, 2007] -- I think the alternative would be worse than you not having a procedure done to correct what is wrong. First of all the Angioplasty/Stent procedure for the most part is painless ! They'll enter through your groin and the Femoral artery which feels no different than when you have blood drawn from your arm. You'll probably be slightly sedated and you might feel a little pressure when the stent is actually inserted. It all depends on the nature of the procedure, I was in the middle of having a heart attack, so the stent was instant relief for me ! You'll have to take it easy for a couple of days while your groin entry site heals, they might use what's called an angio plug to seal the site, it might bleed a little bit and can be bruised. It should be healed up in a week if you take care of it properly. Most people are awake during the whole thing so your cardiologist can talk to you during the procedure. All you can do is trust the doctors and have faith that their clinical judgment is in your best interest, and for the most part, they are acting in your best interest. You have to realize that a lot of these posts are purely personal experiences and a place for different personalities to express concern to others and to receive some kind of affirmation that they're not alone. If we do have one thing in common, it's that we all had to undergo something that invades our body, physically and emotionally. Like with anything that goes out of whack with your body, the worse feeling is not seeming to have control over it. You are at the mercy of medical technology and it's an uneasy often life changing experience. Someone hinted to me that the best attitude is to face the situation as a "wake up" call, rather than a death sentence. Talk to your doctor and do not be afraid to ask questions, you have a right to know what's going to be done to you and focus on the benefits, all of the other anxieties will fade in time. It's not easy adjusting to new medications, in fact in can be down right frustrating and being a little depressed is normal, I feel it at times, and everyone else on this forum has too.
David C, Lenexa, KS, April 18, 2007

• On March 21st, I had an MI with a stent placed in the LAD. I was 100% blocked with no prior symptoms or precursors that anything was brewing in my ticker. I'm 34 and do have the family history but always did a decent job of taking care of myself and have never smoked! I was very scared and was comforted by the amazing cardiology response team that took care of me.

For the first couple of weeks, a small walk to the mailbox would produce a strange cold feeling in my chest which did not radiate anywhere else. I didn't seem to be out of breath and the feeling was not severe enough to stop me in my tracks. the best way to describe it is that feeling in your lungs when your out of shape and it's cold outside...and it was random in nature. I told my doctor and we went to the Cath lab again, I have a 50% blockage in another smaller artery, but in his own words "nothing to write home about", so no intervention was done. I'm on plavix, aspirin, coreg, amiodarone (one month), Inspra, and 40mg of Lipitor at night. What is interesting is that my cardiologist is very anti-Nitro...in his assessment, if you need to use Nitro that often, then there is still an underlying issue that needs to be clinically addressed. So he has never prescribed it to me, he sees it as a crutch that unless it is medically needed, he wont give it to this patients.

I'm not suggesting that those using Nitro should be taken off it, but there is overwhelming evidence of how the anxiety construed by the mind can have a physical effect on the body. I believe there is a condition called Conversion Disorder that can produce physical symptoms in the body simply because the mind is telling yourself that it's happening. Take great pride in the fact that your alive and there is medical technology out there to help us. The old cliche has never rang more true with me now.."things could be worse". You know what, they could be. What was strange is that I would get this feeling on the way to the mailbox, but I could ride a stationary bike for 10 minutes and not feel a thing. It's been almost 4 weeks and the only thing I still feel is a slight light headedness about 2 hours after I gulp my cocktail of drugs, and my throat has a slight sore feeling at times, and it fades throughout the day. I can do about 10 minutes on the treadmill and Biodex bike without any pains or shortness of breath. I am convinced that the stent does cause some discomfort but it really does help to pre-occupy yourself and concentrate on getting yourself back to normal. I do have a keener sense of my chest and much more tuned in to little twinges, pokes, spasms, hot feelings, and all those other little sensations that we all probably felt before but now associate it with something more demonic. I've told myself that with anything, it will take time to get back into a normal routine and it's ok to report anything strange to your doctor, I have done it many times. I don't ignore obvious pains that are out of the ordinary, but I can't wake up everyday anticipating that something will occur.
David C, Lenexa, Kansas, USA, April 17, 2007

• I am new to site, and quite frankly, am getting nervous about what I'm reading. Due for angiogram on Tuesday, April 18th. Have blockage in left descending anterior artery (found on CT 64 scan). My cardiologist advises I will either need stent, and/or stent temporary and it looks like I will require bypass on that artery. Also, I have aortic stenosis and will require heart valve replacement. I'm getting very nervous just reading comments on line here about problems with stenting. Anyone have any good experiences? I'm thinking of backing out!! I am soooooo scared to even get through the angiogram and possible stenting, nonetheless future valve replacement and possible bypass at same time. Anyone ever have both procedures done?
Gail K, Edison, New Jersey, USA, April 14, 2007

• Following 2 stents (LAD+RCA), I still have angina pains with mild exertion (esp walking up hill). I have taken to wearing Nitro patches (5mg)in an attempt to allow me to live fairly normally life until next decision is taken as to what to do. One question that I have often asked myself, is how, if Nitro patches expand the arteries, what happens to the stents in the arteries? Does the artery around the stent remain the same size or does it try to expand under the influence of the Nitro? Also are there any long term adverse affects with Nitro use on a daily basis?? Anyone's experience or knowledge appreciated
terry, UK, April 14, 2007

• I'm a male 43 , was a heavy smoker up to 8 weeks ago , had real bad chest pains 3 weeks ago , turns out to be MI , got fitted with 2 DES in rca , I'm on 300mg aspirin/75mg plavix/1.2mg tritace/2.5mg cardicor and 80mg statin , have slight tight feeling in middle of chest , doc and nurses had said before that I would feel some tightness , I was fairly fit before all this even though I smoked , all I can say is I feel better now then in any time in the last 7 or 8 years , any questions ? feel free to ask me.
John, Ireland, April 10, 2007

• To Eileen, UK Interesting your saying you felt no better after Stent, but that 12 months later you do. I was fitted with a DES in Dec last year, and all was well until around 3 weeks after the op. Ever since then I have a pain in the chest and feel absolutely cream crackered, after walking for short distances but oddly not always. Had a further stress test a month ago and failed, but Cardio has decided to leave me alone for a few months. As you know it's easy to say `Do some walking` but more difficult when you experience pain if you do. I too seem to now have acid, but difficult to know if that's what's giving the pain in the chest. BTW, where was your op done?
TM, United Kingdom, April 6, 2007

• Haven't read all postings, but to LBR in Nevada, I can respond! It's another update following MI and stenting 1 year ago. I had pain from day one after stent insertion and felt really ill, nausea etc. Treated for gastric reflux but the pain was almost as bad as when I had had the MI.!!-in fact it almost seemed worse!! AT my 6 month post op my Consultant was really lovely and said I had had Pericarditis but he followed me up and after 1 year I had to do treadmill test again because of this persistent pain (which Omeprazole never relieved) All was clear- despite me feeling really ill doing test- and about 1 month on (so that is 14 months now since op) I am beginning to feel 'normal'. Doing long walks but take my time about it. I did read somewhere on here that somebody had been a year before feeling better and I second that. Been a long haul but light at the end of the tunnel now. P.T.L. Hope this helps you folks.
Eileen, UK, April 4, 2007

To ANNIE, I was experiencing shortness of breath after my heart attack and stent placement. While in cardio rehab, a pulmonary rehab specialist happened to be "subbing" in one day and when I mentioned I had mild asthma, she asked if I was on Toprol. Yes, I was. She explained that Toprol can interfere with asthma medications and in severe cases, can cause the meds to not work during an attack. I went back to my cardio, then to a pulmonary doc. After several tests (of course!), they agreed to take me off the Toprol. I have not had that breathlessness since. I do, however, experience other problems that would be addressed by Toprol. But I have opted not to restart the Toprol because the breathlessness was also leading to anxiety! Long story...BUT you may want to ask your doc about this drug interaction.
Pat W., Chicago, Illinois, USA, April 3, 2007

• Hi, I am a 50 year old female, in great shape, 5'7", 135 pounds, had 70% blockage and a medicated stent put in on January 4th. (BTW, my father died of a massive heart attack in 1972, at the age of 43, so this runs in my family) Before the stent, by 4:00 in the afternoon I could be so tired that I was nauseated, and, after a short nap, would feel better. After the procedure I never felt this way again. However, about 3 weeks after the procedure I was experiencing some disturbing symptoms, tightness in the middle of my chest and really bad acid reflex, which had gone away after the stent was put in. Anyway, these symptoms lasted about 3 weeks, and then the tightness in the chest went away, and now, other than my on and off problem with acid reflex, which i treat by eating something small every 2-3 hours, and take a nexium in the a.m. To those out there who just had stents put in, walk or do some other cardiac exercise and feel lucky. We Survived!
Cl., Texas, USA, April 1, 2007

• To all who write in with a suspected reaction toi the stent itself, check out the related topic (in the right-hand sidebar column) on "Allergic Reactions to Drug Eluting Stents"
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 31, 2007

• I had a Taxus stent put in Nov.06 after an angiogram that showed a 60-70% narrowing in the LAD. I had never experienced any pain as this was found on a heart scan for preventative medicine. I was fine as I had not had any prior problems. After 4 weeks I had extremely severe chest pains one day, ran to the doctor's office where nitro stopped the pain. I was sure I was dying the pain was so terrible. 2 weeks later I had a Myoview stress test which showed my heart was fine on every picture. Doc said he thought what I experienced was Gastritis from the pills and there is nothing wrong. I'm now on Prevacid every day and have had no more pain and it has been 2 months. I exercise at Cardiac Rehab 3 times a week and seem to be feeling okay. It's hard to believe it was a stomach problem with the pain an 11 on a scale from 1-10, but I can only hope it never happens again. I carry nitro with me and have been told to go to the hospital if I experience that pain again. I do get tired more than before the stent but can deal with that. Has anyone who never had pain before the stent experienced pain once the stent was put in?
LBR, Nevada, March 28, 2007

• In December of 2004, I suffered a heart attack which led to one DE Stent placement in my RDCA. I was 35 at the time. For the last 2 months, I had been suffering chest pains, nausea, fevers, breathlessness, tingly feelings in my arms and legs, and lower back pain. I completed both a chemical stress test and a physical stress test, which both showed no negative positive results regarding Restenosis. I could not accept the results that nothing was wrong with me, vascular or cardiac wise. I persisted to complain to my cardiologist, and my family physician, about the pain and symptoms that I was experiencing. I was referred to another Cardiologist that was in my same Heart Group. He is new to the group, and highly recommended. Finally I had someone who was listening intently. His first evaluation of me consisted of about 100 plus questions. He set me up with another stress test, which I passed with flying colors. He decided that I should have a Heart Catheterization just to have a piece of mind. He expected that I would have less blockage then what was listed after my last stenting and catheterization due to fact I was on Plavix and 325 MG of Aspirin for the last 2 years, and my cholesterol levels have been better then normal all along. He was wrong. I ended up with three (3) DE Stents. My original stent was still wide open. Question is this. Why do I feel worse now after I am almost 100% unblocked? I still have the pain that I felt during the Heart Catheterization I feel pressure on my chest, up to my throat. I wake up in the morning feeling horrible with, pain shooting through my arms and legs, pain in my chest, feel like I am gasping for air at times. By late morning and into early afternoon, I am feeling some relief,however,I tire very easily and fall asleep often during the day. By the time I am ready to call it a day and go to sleep, I have a fever of around 100. This has been going on for a week now since the stenting. I have been back to the Cardiologist. He has had me go through more EKG's, and Echo's (Sonograms). Everything shows I am ok- once again. My blood pressure shows normal, and my heart rate is better then before. All tests are normal. I do not feel normal. I feel worse. I read an article on reactions to DE stents. One of the questions I was asked a few weeks ago, was if I had any rashes. Months ago, I went into doctor's office with rashes on my hands, ankles, back, and some hives located various places. Nothing worked. No creams, no medications came remotely close to taking this away. It ended up going away on its own. Since the new stenting. Now I am getting some of these rashes back, but this time, it is more mild. I am wondering if I am allergic to the stents. I am about at my wits ends feeling so horrible all the time. Any comments?
Michael, Michigan, USA, March 23, 2007

• Adding my experience. A DES was inserted into my Left Anterior Descending Artery on 2 March due to 95% blockage. For the record I felt better within 12 hours of the procedure. I returned to a strong powerful feeling in my chest. My stamina is way up to last year's levels so I have to watch my exhuberance to drive up to my past peak. I am one of those anomalies. Health conscious, don't eat fast food, maybe ate pizza 4x per year, usually eat oatmeal yogurt, that sort of diet. Until I broke my ankle last year I was cycling 3x week @ 20-30 miles each and did strength training. I am describing myself because I had no heart damage whatsoever. The cardio guy said my heart muscle had extra circulation from my aerobics. So the stent essentially opened up the flow. So far no sensation in my chest or the Aspirin/Plavix/Tomoprol/Vytorin regime. I have further changed my diet to that of a cow.
George, Clermont, Florida, USA, March 10, 2007

• H. in New York -- when you say you've been feeling poorly, can you be more precise? Are you having angina? If there's any concern over restenosis, it might be possible to have a CT angiogram (non-invasive) done to rule out blockages. But that only if there's suspicion -- the fact that your stress tests are normal may mean there's something else going on. Are you taking meds other than Plavix and aspirin?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 10, 2007

• I am a 49 year old highly active male who had 2 DES stents place in the LAD and RAD two years ago. Prior to the procedure, I could run for hours, bike a hundred miles and climbed Mt. Ranier. I had been feeling poorly and, after a long story, the blockages were found. I have not felt right for one day since. I can't seem to get into good shape, have constant discomfort in my chest, and have a pulsing feeling all the time as if I can feel every ounce of blood coursing through my body. I am on plavix every other day, and aspirin every day. My EKGs and stress tests are fine. I have had several physicals and everyone tells me I'm fine. But I feel worse than I ever have in my life. How do I know if I have a real issue (restenosis) or if this is as good as it gets?
H., New York, USA, March 10, 2007

• Is an angioplasty ever done these days without a metal stent insertion ? A brand new book has just been published in the UK, "The Great Cholesterol Con", by Dr Malcolm Kendrick; excellent reading and food for thought. We are all told that a low fat diet is best, cutout the saturated meat and fat, eat more fruit and vegetable and yet the more I research the internet, the more I see professors and doctors telling me that to have a low Total Cholesterol level is dangerous. I have just read an article about margarine and how it is made......the author claims it is just one molecule away from being plastic and the processes of manufacture to prepare it for the supermarket shelves are; frankly frightening, yet I am told to cutout saturated fats, reduce cholesterol containing foods and eat manufactured low fat spreads. Then I read that to eat grass fed beef is what we should all be eating including eggs, sausages, bacon, meats and cut down on cereals, fruit, nuts and seeds. Take Simvastatin for example, start reading about this product and I find that two patents were applied for by Merck that were to include enzymeQ10 additives to compensate for loss of muscle tissue; yet Merck, it is claimed did not complete this task; the author states, because it would have taken more months to process and test; hence a loss of millions of additional dollars; so millions of people, it appears know little about one side effect of muscle damage; Q10 for example can be taken in such foods as Broccoli, but must be eaten eaten raw. So.......just what should our diets contain, exercise of course goes without saying, but as far as food is concerned, it seems like a fad; even the UK government tells us to cut out saturated fats, when learned men it seems tell us quite the contrary. Well......would appreciate some feedback please.
Jim Y., UK, March 9, 2007

Update Just talked with Cardio ref Stress Test done 3 weeks ago. As I thought result showed METS of 6.2, but with ST depression continuing until 8 mins of rest, indicating some lack of oxygen to heart. Oddly enough over the last 6 days the chest pains i was experiencing on expertion, since the stent implanting on Dec have mysteriously gone!!! As a result the Cardio has decided to do nothing, but to re discuss in 4 months time. Is it possible that something can have changed to have relieved my symptoms ( they actually disappeared after a 2 hour flight????) Confirmation that a Medtronic Endeavour stent was fitted (2.5 x 24mm)
Terry M., UK, March 8, 2007

• My 41 year old husband had a MI in February with DES placed in RCA. He just felt more ill every day - extremely tired, very agitated and had bouts of insomnia mixed with horrible nightmares. Yesterday the cardiologist took him immediately off of Coreg, Altace and Zocor. He now takes Plavix and aspirin, only. I thought it was dangerous to stop taking Coreg instantly? Info sheets say to reduce your activity level temporarily when you stop to give your heart time to adjust. (My husband works construction) He was on a low dosage but I'm concerned, then again I am not the doctor. Any thoughts please? Thank you.
P.B., Florida, USA, March 8, 2007

• TO: Norman from Michigan and Steve from FLA....your stories sounds like mine with one exception...I too, woke with chest pains immediately after my DES, LAD in Oct. 2005...My cardiologist told me it was "heartburn"...I couldn't believe this but took his advice and increased my Protonix to 2 day.One in the a.m.one right before bed..I feel like ME again for the most part but still have so many side effects from my other meds.Plavix and Lipitor... Lately, my left jaw is hurting and I am confused as I was just at the dentist and need a filling.Not sure I want to do this with the "bleeding" problems I'm having..Thank GOD for this forum as family members just don't "Get Life after a Stent"....God Bless, Good luck..My thought was that the "drug" eluting from the stent caused me to have heartburn, especially if I ate ice cream prior to bedtime..NO more ice cream for ME...Hope this helps...Try the Protonix....
Rosanne Giuliano, Stoneham Massachusetts, USA, March 3, 2007

• Steve -- everyone is always looking for a better device. And there are a number of stents currently in various stages of development -- but they have to go through clinical trials to make sure that there are no major problems. Many of the new products sound great, but the concept behind the Taxus and Cypher also sounded great (a few years ago people were criticizing the bare metal stents in favor of these newer better models called drug-eluting stents). The problems with DES are of such low frequency that they didn't surface until millions of stents had been placed. There's certainly a correction going on, reducing usage, but there are still many, if not most, cardiologists who think DES are a great step forward in treating coronary artery disease -- if used properly and in the right patients. In any case, people can't exactly "choose" among stents that are not approved (either by the U.S. FDA or the EU). Biodegradable stents sound great, and will no doubt be a future therapy, but there are many complex technical issues that must be solved (rate of degradation, strength of struts, etc.). As for the U.S., Medtronic is hoping to get its Endeavor stent approved later this year (supposedly a more biocompatible polymer that has so far resulted in no late stent thrombosis) and Abbott's Xience is next in line. Also Cordis recently purchased Conor, which does have a biodegradable polymer on its stent and is approved in Europe, but not yet in the U.S.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 2, 2007

• The best thing to do is to try to choose the best stents currently on the market. Google "Biodiamond stent" and their manufacturer "Plasmachem". Things certainly look a lot better there in Germany where it is made. Perhaps a US or other cardio would be willing to implant it. Seems a much better design. Or better yet go to France where the biodegradable stent is slowly being made available, and has so far very good results (research this in more detail i.e., who, where and how, I don't know the details). The medical community is not getting the word out at all about the problems with the Taxus and Cypher and other US used stents, or ways to reduce the terrible suffering after one of these things are put in you. I am suffering every day since the moment it was implanted. Just trying to save lives over here. Nothing more.
Steve, Florida, USA, March 2, 2007

Norman from Michigan (and anyone else interested): My story is very similar to yours, Norman. After stenting, I have chest pain and related problems that start late at nite and last into the next day. I also had sleep studies, and every other study. My severe chest pain started literally as soon as the drug eluding stent was implanted. I have strange vibration on the left side (leg and hand) pressure on the left side. Similar story to yours. My large DES stent was placed in the ostium of the LAD. I have been posting under "stent allergies" page on this web site, if you want to read more on my case. But I saw a post on that other ptca page (allergies) by the first person I ever heard of who actually felt better after a DES stent was implanted. I was quite amazed by this post. I previously had communicated with dozens of DES stent recipients who had much more pain after DES stenting, and I have read hundreds of posts on many other websites of nothing but added chest pain post stenting. I have never heard of anyone who benefited (namely feeling noticeably better) from a DES stent. If anyone else has had true benefit (namely reduction or elimination of chest pain) from DES stenting and are sure it is from that, please also post your true story. I (we all) would like to hear from you. At least it gives us some hope. I would find such stories amazing. So far all is quite negative on DES stents from so many on this and many other heart related web sites.
Steve, Florida, March 1, 2007

• Hi all Further to my last post, and following the Stress Test, done in Feb, I have now been given an appointment to see the Cardio next Tuesday. During the stress test I reached peak of 6.5METS and finished quite quickly with my HR at 160 (220 - my age). Although i did not feel anything exceptional during the stress test, I did feel `rough` the next day, and continue to get pressure in my chest on pretty small amounts of workload. Maybe the Nitro patches i wear keep it from getting worse. This is all unfortunately too quick following the fitting of a Medtronic DES to the RCA in Dec2006, but must wait to see what the problem is.
Terry M., UK, February 28, 2007

• I was diagnosed with costochronditis about 18 years ago - I would have episodes of chest discomfort, back pain, sore spots in the chest and usually went to the doctor to be sure it wasn't my heart. (He always assured me it wasn't but also was good to check out the possibility of a heart issue.) But when a recent routine stress test led to a heart cath - followed by angioplasty and three stents I concluded that all my previous discomfort had, after all, been my heart. But those symptoms persisted and I had even more chest discomfort after the procedure - just as many of you describe. My doctor agreed that a visit to the chiropractor might be helpful - and it truly was. After just two treatments the pain is completely gone and I feel wonderful! She agreed that it probably was costochronditis and arthritis all along - and I am in full agreement. Costochronditis is definitely linked to stress and anxiety - which would explain why it felt worse after the emotional trauma of the surgery. What we have to remember is that there may be several things going on at once in our bodies - particularly as we age. I'm back to my fairly vigorous exercise routine, I feel much less apprehensive and have decided to take my cardiologist's advice: Have faith that the doctors have done their very best, do the very best for yourself, and then live each day to the fullest! (And never underestimate the power that stress/anxiety can have to cause physical problems!) Best wishes.
Linda, Iowa, USA, February 28, 2007

• Lamar -- thanks for the post. Most cardiologists would agree with you -- prevention is much better than having to treat the disease. It would be great if just healthy foods and lifestyles could remove the risk completely (although they can remove much of the risk and should be a goal of all who are concerned about preventing heart disease). There are many medications that can also help and it's a good idea to get regular check-ups, blood tests for cholesterol, lipids, etc. and, if you have any problem, to address it early on. Also, if your chest pain persists, you should also persist in addressing it with your interventional cardiologist. The whole point of angioplasty is to relieve chest pain. Thanks again and good luck!
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 27, 2007

• First of all I love this site. Lots of helpful info. Hi,i'm 34 and had one stent placed in left ventricle if i'm correct. Don't have paperwork in front of me. Anyway since taking meds I have many of the same complications most of u have. Tired, weak, headaches, sharp chest pains. I received a cypher drug eluting stent. After researching I don't know if it was best to get a non coated or coated stent. I returned to the doctor because of chest pain. They say my EKG and cardiac enzymes were all fine. But I still feel chest pain. Not as bad as it was, but the fact they're telling me I shouldn't feel anything bothers me. Hope it all fades with time. Also took cardiac stress test. All clear. Don't like the fact of thinking i have to get restented in the future. Gonna make sure I do what I can to prevent that from happening. I want everyone to know that I've read almost all these articles and some of u are very, very strong in spirit. I want all u to know that I've prayed and will continue to pray for all of us. It's funny how doctors know that these things can be prevented through early detection and testing but goes against the rules and regulations of the food and drug administration. It's said that if they prevent us from going through this at early stages with natural cures that god put here for us to have that it would stop billions of dollars of pharmaceutical companies every year. And to think, that's the only reason why we suffer today. Just think that if that same pill you're taking now for cholesterol was given to u 5 or 10 years ago, it would have never built up in your arteries.Thus helping stop HPB, Cholesterol and heart attack.Yet the same doctors who treat U, take the same preventative measures they don't tell U about until it's too late. Now we're all on medication that God didn't intend for none of us to take. Just think, the in the old days the Romans and the Egyptians didn't take medication.They ate healthy fruit, vegetables and had natural herbs for cures.Why don't we do the same.Just an eye opener so that our kids won't go through the same thing. Listen I love U all and God Bless.If U believe he can heal us all.Pray for 1 Another so we all can benefit. Please E-mail me [post to the Forum, ed.] I would love to talk to some of U and share our experience. God Bless!
Lamar, Louisiana, USA, February 26, 2007

• My husband had a stent put in last April 06. Since then he has experienced off and on a pressure like pain in his chest. He also went into artrial fibrillation afterwards and had to have a cardio conversion which was successful. He was then put in Sotalol twice a day. After taking that a couple of months he became very tired all day and his heart rate slowed down dramatically. He was then put on only a half dose a day and the tiredness improved but just recently went into atrial fibrillation again so he was put back on the full dose of Sotalol. Has anyone else experienced this!
B.H., Indiana, USA, February 25, 2007

• I went to the Dr for a stress test and was referred to Cardio for further tests. During the angio procedure the Cardio Dr. decided to insert a Taxus DES stent. I immediately had two clots form in my heart. He inserted another one to open up the blockage. Before the procedure I never had chest pain. After the procedure I have chest pain almost daily along with pain in my left arm and sometimes jaw area. I had a EKG stress test performed about 6 weeks after receiving the stents and the Dr said everything was fine. I continue to experience chest and left arm pain and had a follow-up EKG at about the 10 week point. Again the Dr said the results did not indicate any problems. I find it strange that I now experience daily pain that I never experienced before the stents. I take aspirin, plavix, atenolol, and simvastatin. I hope the pain subsides in the future. God Bless
Jim, Shelby, North Carolina, USA, February 25, 2007

• P.B. -- where did you get the idea that this is a new unproven procedure?? The first stent was put in over two decades ago. In 2003 the first drug-eluting stent was approved for use in the U.S. and since then 6 million patients have had these devices. For the majority of patients, stents have reduced angina and increased blood flow to the heart. Has your husband experienced any adverse effects? For background, read our overview article on Drug-Eluting Stents.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 24, 2007

• My husband just had a stent put in two weeks ago. I wasn't aware that this procedure was so new and that it's success hasn't been proven. What are we in for?
P. B., Florida, USA, February 24, 2007

• Wes and others, again -- while your symptoms may not be typical, there seems to be a number of you with them. And the symptoms of chest pains after stent placement seems pretty consistent. It's hard to make any kind of diagnosis, because each patient has different clinical situations. But persevere with your cardiologists, and let them know you are not feeling better. Remember, angioplasty and stenting is primarily a procedure to relieve symptoms of pain (angina) and possibly prevent future heart attacks (although that has not been proven yet in a randomized trial). If the procedure doesn't relieve the pain, or causes more than was originally there, then something else is going on. It may be that a medication or other technique may be helpful.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 20, 2007

• Had a stent put in 9/06,chest pain started back shortly after procedure. RCA was blocked 95%. He went back in in 11/06 said everything is fine, but guess what, chest pain still there and also in left arm. He thinks I'm crazy so I just quit going. Is there any help out there or advice? This whole stent thing is big money,The FDA approved it recently. It would be a big blow to the device industry to stop drug eluting stents. Even if one life is lost it's not worth it.
Wes S., Friendsville, Tennessee, USA, February 20, 2007

JOHN U UK - your doctor is useless get rid!! what you are describing "sensitivity to cold & pains between shoulders" suggests you still have blockage of some kind, these were some of the symptoms I had prior to my stents.
David W., England, UK, February 20, 2007

• My brother had two stents put in about 8 months ago. He is currently on Plavix and aspirin. Now he is experiencing chest pains. The doctors are running more test. Is this normal, any advice as to what could be causing this effect.
V.G., Canada, February 19, 2007

• I am 38 years old and had a stent (medicated) implanted Dec. 06'. Prior to the stent placement I had really no symptoms of discomfort but maybe once every four or five months. NOw I have constant chest pain/discomfort, numbness in my hands when I sleep, headaches, weakness, feeling as if I am shaking inside, pressure in my left arm. Basically Angina. My doctor has ran every test possible, from pulmonary stress, sleep study, GI study, had my stomach scoped, etc. I am not getting better and am very worried that this may be the end. I know that I will never feel the way I use too. The doctor tells me that I need to be on Plavix and aspirin for the rest of my life. When I have to have a future surgery, I run the risk of complications. I see that many people are suffering the same and I am sorry for all of us. Is there any hope for us? What do you think could be causing all of the problems? My doctor cannot give me any answers. I only had one stent put in... Why are the doctors creating all of these problems using stents?
Norman, Michigan, USA, February 18, 2007

• I had a bare metal stent placed in my RCA in September of 2006. Ever since I've had mild pain in the center of my chest and back, usually in the afternoon and evening. Some days are better than others. I still exercise rigorously and the pain seems to subside when I do. Likewise, when I get up in the morning the pain is virtually gone. The pain isn't so bad I can't handle it (I've never taken my prescription of NitroQuick) but it's worrisome.
Steve B., Ohio, USA, February 15, 2007

• Linda (and David) -- as you've read on this topic, a number of patients find they don't get the relief they hoped for, or even experience new pains, post-stenting. The reasons are complex and as varied as are the clinical situations of each patient. Some of this seems to pass with time, as patients on this topic have reported. Some may be due to meds, emotional distress, but sometimes the angina remains. And women have a somewhat different reaction to treatment than men. It is thought that angina in women is caused to a greater extent than in men by the microvasculature, or small blood vessels branching off the main arteries. There are medical treatments to some of these problems. But you're not alone. As Dr. Peter Berger wrote in his 2004 editorial about a new drug (brand name Renexa) in the Journal of the American Medical Association, titled "Ranolazine and Other Antianginal Therapies in the Era of the Drug-Eluting Stent": "...many patients who undergo revascularization with PCI or CABG are not rendered asymptomatic and have at least some persistent angina."
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 11, 2007

• I'm glad I found this site! I had Angioplasty and three stents placed two weeks ago. For years I've had episodes of chest discomfort - my doctor said it was costochondritis and arthritis. I have been on blood pressure meds since I was 39 -exercise regularly and was careful with diet. Never experienced any pain related to activity - in fact, the exercise always made me feel better. Also have had 3 stress tests. Cardiologist saw some "irregularity" on echo and recommended a cath - which led to the procedure. I figured the chest "aches" and other symptoms were caused by the blockages, but I still am having lots of little "zings" in the left breast area, plus sore spots on the rib cage which seem to move around. In essence - the "symptoms" I had for years prior to the procedure are still with me after the procedure. Through it all I have always felt reasonably good - and have tried not to focus on any discomfort. I'm thinking that the blockages weren't the only problem - and for that reason I will probably continue to have the symptoms I had before. Does that make sense? I don't want to become paranoid about my heart and run to the doctor every time I get a little twinge!
Linda, Iowa, USA, February 10, 2007

• I'm a 59-1/2 year old male. Ever since I had three drug coated taxus express stents inserted in two of my arteries I have had minor pain. It's been a year now, and whenever I breath deeply, I feel the pain a little bit more. Now, I find that I seem to have more gas than usual. Should I worry about this pain? Any thought on my problem will be extremely appreciated.
David O., Florida, USA, February 9, 2007

• Sorry I didn't give all of the information the first time. He was given 2 stents at the time of the heart attack. They were the Cordis DE stents. I read somewhere (maybe here?) that if they were DE then they were coated, so the metal allergy shouldn't be a problem - is that right? Also, his doctor gave him some nitro tabs to see if they helped with the pain. They did, so he has to go back for another stress test. I will let you know how it turns out.
H, Tennessee, USA, January 30, 2007

• I had three Taxus medicated stents inserted in my LAD in June of 2006. Upon release from the hospital, I experienced heart fluttering and pain in my sternum. I went back into the hospital and underwent a second procedure to insert another stent where two of the previous stents had not overlapped correctly. Arterial wall had squeezed into the artery creating a flap and the fourth stent covered that mistake. After these procedures, I continued to have a persistent cough and some slight pain in my chest. It's hard to believe, but I took a Chinese herb formula that caused all symptoms to go away in two days. Take a look at Puretango.com. It looks like 2 billion Chinese can't be all wrong.
Mark McManus, Bonita Springs, Florida, USA, January 30, 2007

• H. from Tennessee -- you didn't mention when your husband was given stents. During his heart attack? Two months later? What kind of stents were they and how many? Drug-eluting, bare-metal? And what brand? You say your husband is allergic to "base metals" -- most stents are made of surgical stainless steel or cobalt-chromium -- all these alloys have nickel in them and package inserts warn physicians not to use them in patients with known metal allergies. However, in an emergency situation, this information is sometimes not available. If it is a metal allergy, possibly an allergist could help. We've been told that prednisone (a steroid) can help temporarily relieve some of these symptoms. But it's necessary to diagnose the problem first. Let the Forum know what you find out.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, January 27, 2007

• my husband, 34 years old, had a massive heart attack in September. About 2 months after the heart attack, he started having chest pains - he describes them as stingers - which have gotten increasingly worse. When they started, he went back to the cardiologist. They did a stress test, which looked abnormal, and sent him back to the hospital for another heart cath. That time, they said everything looked normal. The pains have gotten worse and he is very tired. Tuesday, he had these pains all day, non stop. The doctor gave him a new prescription, he said the pains could be from the aspirin. He also is allergic to base metals, but the doctor did not say anything about what to do if he was allergic to the stents. This pain is increasing his depression. Any help you can give would be most appreciative.
H., Tennessee, USA, January 25, 2007

• Natalie -- check out the study on stent allergies in the right side-bar. Clotting doesn't seem to be your problem (you'd know it if it was) -- but you may be experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, January 13, 2007

• I am a 49 year old female. I had a Cypher stent in May and then started getting tired, short of breath, chest pains, pains down my arm and up my neck/jaw and swelling in my legs. I felt as if someone had "taken one of my batteries out". My primary care doctor kept sending me home and finally wouldn't admit me when the ER doctor wanted to. I had 90% blockage and 40%, which led to the stent. I needed another stent, since my previous stent was blocked. I received a Taxus. Within a month or so, the leg swelling started to return, weakness, chest pain and now shortness of breath. I have a sharp pain when I breathe in often that has been diagnosed as pleurisy. It happens often now, but I don't want to go to the ER since they don't take me serious. I trust my cardiologist and he is starting tests. I have headaches, vision changes, dizziness and balance issues. All this and the overriding fatigue. I have had an extremely difficult time because whenever I exert myself, I get short of breath and chest pains. I do know I am anxious about needing another stent. I have already been on coumadin (high dose), plavix and aspirin for a blood clotting disorder. Seeing others makes me feel less alone. I have no allergies that I know of, but I know there has been a drastic change in my life since the first stent. I would never have agreed to a stent that induced clots, since my body already has a bad tendency to clot. I'll have another thallium test soon, but my heart is strong and the last time, it didn't show any problems. I don't know what to do, except trust my cardiologist and hope he is omniscient.
Natalie, Virginia, USA, January 12, 2007

• I will say that anxiety is a really hard thing to distinguish from chest pain when you first get your stent. Hopefully within time you will learn to tell them apart. Until then, if you're scared or nervous, go back to the cardiologist. I say I'd rather be alive and embarrassed then not be alive at all. Remember that we are all thinking about you.
Margaret, Baytown, Texas USA, January 10, 2007

• Hello from Paris. I'm F, 57. Just before Xmas, post a not-too-bad MI I had an emergency angioplasty and a guidant uncoated stent put in my anterior artery. I got very depressed for the first week afterwards, feeling better emotionally as I get better physically. However, after a few weeks still feeling sluggish, certainly a bit lightheaded, sometimes shaky and unenthusiastic, all symptoms worse when I'm tired. Maybe its partly a subsequent pericarditis which is slowly getting resolved, but I think its also the drugs. As my risk is exclusively bad heredity they've given me everything under the sun to forestall future problems, including beta blockers, Plavix, massive statins, ace inhibitors (?) Blood pressure normal but my pulse is down to 55, seems too low to me. My cardiologist and GP have said I should give my body time to adjust before tinkering. I also experience slight chest twinges which give me the paranoia everyone else describes. Some days I feel fine so I hope to gradually discover my former self.
G.M., Paris, France, January 10, 2007

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