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Not Feeling Well After Stenting (2008 archive)
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Archived Postings from 2008 on This Page (72): • I had two stents put in around 3 weeks ago. I
am so thrilled to read some of these posts! I am beginning to think that
much of my discomfort in my chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, and
nausea are related to anxiety and possibly some medication issues! Like
many of you I feel like I am walking on glass because I am so worried about
my heart! The doctors told me that even though I had a 90% and 70% closure
it did not seem I had heart muscle damage, but I am awaiting the dreaded
stress test in a few weeks. THAT test scares me! Not to diminish
any "REAL" problems with the stent, because obviously there could be, but I think
we all need to learn some calming techniques. Maybe much of this IS due to anxiety.
Thanks for posting everyone... it's nice to not feel so alone! • I just had two stents and two angioplasties
in my heart two weeks ago. I am now having problems with my blood pressure
going up on me and i get out of breath easily. will this subside after
a while. i am on all the medicines
the cardiologist prescribed. • My dad had 2 stents put in in September. He
felt better for a while, but had a soreness in his chest, which sounds
normal from what everyone is saying. About 3 weeks after that he began
having chest discomfort after exercising. Here recently he has been
having chest pains/discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, and his
skin
turns gray looking and he looks like a ghost. This comes in episodes,
he will feel great one minute, then all of a sudden this stuff will
happen and then he gets a warming sensation and his skin color comes
back, and
he starts feeling better. He's in the hospital right now, but it doesn't
seem like the doctors are getting anywhere. They've done, EKG's, heart
caths, Echo's, Chest X-rays, Kidney Tests, Urine Tests, Stomach Tests,
Lung Tests, they've tried a lot and nothing seems to be helping. I'm
really worried because my father is a active man, and he's just going
down hill. He's only 50 years old....Can someone help with some advice.....PLEASE?????
We're losing Faith!! • Hi My name is Marc Medoff and I live just north
of San Francisco in Marin County. My story starts on Dec.7th 2005 when
I had quadruple bypass surgery. I healed just fine without any discomfort
from having my chest opened up. But by Nov.20th 21st of 2006 I was getting
so fatigued that a stress test and angiogram revealed that the two bypasses
using the veins from my legs had failed. Two procedures and four stents
later to open where I was 90 to 95% blocked I was sent home. It has now
been two years. Within days of the four stents being placed I noticed
a numbness in my chest surrounding my heart There is no pain it is as
if someone had punched me in the chest and it is numb. And sometimes
there are involuntary sensations kind of like when your stomach growls
that make me apprehensive. One year ago a Cardiologist ran several tests
and told me all is well. I am scheduled for more tests in Mid Jan 2009.
I ask all the time about this numbness. No one I have ask ed who has
stents has this same kind of discomfort. May be it was because of the
hardening of the arteries the calcification of salts and difficulties
of placing the stents that cause this discomfort. Is there anyone out
there that can give me some feedback. • I received a stent one month ago in my rca.
Every pain in my body seemed related to the stent. Talked to the cardiologist
and was informed anxiety was normal.Most all symptoms for me were nearly
gone after about three weeks. What seemed to work for me was an occasional
Xanax and getting on the treadmill to take my mind off of it. I am a
52 year old male firefighter and not really used to all this but am learning
a day at a time. Good luck to all and hang in there. • I had a stent placed in a blockage on Sept.
23, after a heart attack, this year. I have had unrelenting pain in the
bottom of my right shoulder blade since. I feel like there is an ax stuck
in my back. I had a radioactive stress test that was "inconclusive".
I go for a heart cath this coming Tuesday. Extra strength Tylenol lessens
the pain only 5%. I am tired of living with this pain. I sleep at night
only by taking Tylenol 3 and then only 6 hours. • In response to the many postings we get here, we do not and cannot give medical advice, per se, but we certainly urge all patients to contact their interventional cardiologists if they are not feeling well post-stenting. The main reason that angioplasty is performed, in non-emergency cases, is to increase the patient's Quality of Life (QOL) more than medications are able to. So you are right to assume you should feel better than you did before! As for not feeling well, there can be a number of reasons, other than there being a problem with the stent itself. New medications are often introduced at the same time as the stenting -- these may need to be changed or adjusted. But anxiety and stress and depression are known states that patients find themselves feeling after such a procedure (and this would apply to bypass surgery as well). You're suddenly worried that over-exertion might cause the stent to move, or that having been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you now have to dial-back on living the life you wanted. These feelings can certainly make you not feel well. So we can only suggest that you talk to your doctor, and make sure there is no physical problem concerning the stent placement itself. Then rule out medication adverse effects. And finally try to relax -- exercise is a great natural anti-depressant, but try to find a post-procedure support/rehab group (your hospital may offer one) to do this under supervision, and also to connect with others in your situation. Stress reduction is important for all -- and it's best if that can be achieved without drugs -- you're all taking so many as it is. But if they help, great. Also read our Forum Topic on Exercise, Sports and Physicial Activity After Angioplasty for some support that it is still possible to run marathons and engage in vigorous activity after stenting. One last thought is from the experiences that have been posted in this Forum. More than a few patients find that their negative feelings do resolve themselves over time. But again, if you are worried about a specific feeling or pain, etc. -- talk to your cardiologist! And Don, you are correct -- the Scripps Clinic has
a highly esteemed reputation -- we've worked with a number of the cardiologists
there. • Prior to having 4 stents placed 6 days ago I
felt much better than after. With some really weird symptoms I went in
two days later for another angiogram. Still having same symptoms, went
in yesterday for a drug induced stress test that confirmed what my cardiologist
and private doctor were telling me, that my heart is strong and none
of this was related to heart problems. They told me a lot of this was
anxiety, but was switched from Plavix to Ticlid and things seemed to
be getting better. But both would prefer to keep on Plavix. I was given
Xanax if an episode came on which seemed to help, after reading lots
of the forum I am beginning to think a lot of the problems were due to
anxiety. I would get a flushing, nausea, chest pounding, pulse rate and
blood pressure increase with chest pressure. Any of this sound familiar.
Luckily I live close to Scripps Hospital in San Diego and my cardiology
group is considered among the best in the world. Although, that thought
is not helping yet. • deleted entry due to invalid email address. • I had a cypher stent placed in LAD in April,
2008. Since then, I have never felt as good as I did before. I still
have mild angina from time to time, I do not sleep as well, and I am
often aware of how hard my heart beats. I did a nuclear stress test,
and came off "normal." I am on Plavix and Remipril and aspirin, and I
do have a hernia, surgery for which is postponed for another six months.
I wonder if other stent receivers go through a period of just not feeling
really well, tiring easily, and not having much energy to do things? • I've been having chest pain while exercising
for the last 4 years. It's gone from only happening on cold days for
a few minutes to being repeatable on the treadmill (150 beats per minute
brought the pain). I've had every test done and passed them all: EKG
fine, Calcium Score was zero, stress test fine, nuclear stress test fine,
CT angiogram fine. I refused to believe that "nothing was wrong with
me" and stuck with running down what was wrong. Eventually found a cardiologist
that would work with me. He suggested an angiogram just to be sure but
he didn't expect to find anything. Surprise! He found an 80% blockage
in my LDA. That was three days ago. He put in a drug-eluting stent (TAXUS
Express2). Glad he found the problem but a bit freaked out that he found
a problem. Now I have tons of questions about stents, my long term prognosis,
etc. But right now, I'm experiencing slight chest tightness (like a cold)
and odd pains in my left chest area. Nothing nearly as sever as when
I would exercise but still they worry me. Also, before the procedure
I'd get pain down my left arm that wasn't exercise induced. Kind of ran
down a nerve it felt into my finger tips. This pain is still there occasionally.
My questions are: Is the chest tightness normal or problematic? Is the
chest pain normal or problematic? Is the arm pain normal or problematic?
I'm willing to believe some of this is anxiety caused by the new situation
of my life but I want to be sure I shouldn't be calling 911! • I am a 48 year old female had one stent placed
in the LAD 6 days ago. Doing well, but having what I call "weird" sensation
in chest. Not exactly pain, but slight discomfort and at times a mild "burning" sensation
slightly left of the sternum. Have had some back pain between shoulder
blades. I have been on Lipitor and Plavix for one week. Is this chest
sensation normal following stent and will it go away? • Graham -- check out our Forum Topic on Allergic
Reactions to Plavix. • Hi - Graham again - this time i've had an allergic
reaction to the plavix (i think) - i came out in a rash (like i'd bathed
in a pile of nettles)- it started on my back and spread to my legs and
arm - eventually going (5 hrs). Is this what others have experienced?
I've seen G.P and have been prescribed antihistamines and awaiting appointment
with cardiologist to discuss medication. This was 2 days ago - does anyone
know if this occurs often as not happened since? (plavix was only new
medication prescribed and i have eliminated changes of wash powder etc
etc). • Hi. Update on first blog i sent: 1 Cypher stent
fitted 5 days ago. i have some mild chest pain, but more of a tightness
of the chest, making my breathing feel shallow. i have also experienced
some dizziness, had to go to bed early last night due to this. i am taking
aspirin (75mg), lisinopril (10mg), simvastatin (40mg)and now plavix (75mg).
It sounds like my chest tightness/pain is something people generally
feel - when does this go away? is there a chance my dizzy spells are
happening because of the new drug i am taking? any help would be great! • Hi. My name is Graham. I am 31 years old and
had my first drug coated stent 3 days ago - 1 narrowed artery. I am experiencing
some mild chest pain (not as before) and a slight tightness of the chest.
During procedure my artery in my arm went into spasm and i was required
to take medication to address this. Told doctor about pain i was experiencing
and he stated that this was normal. 3 days on it still appears to be
there, yet i'm sensing that this is normal. can someone please inform
me that it is normal as i think this will settle my anxiety. Thanks. • Just my 2 cents. I had my 4th stent placed 9/11/08.
I was symptom free for over 7 years. Prior to this stent my 3rd was placed
in Feb of 01. Feeling tired light headed and short of breath. I think
it's a combination of medication and anxiety. Looking forward to cardiac
rehab . . . • I am a 52 years male.On 25 August 2008 successful
PCI with BMS to m LCX(80% stenosis). For stage PCI to RCA (75%) scheduled
for 25 Sep 2008. Previous chest pains still remained unabated . Angiogram
undertaken on 10 Sep 2008. Discovered Patent stent but aneurysmal dilation
noted within stented segment for previous stent at m LCX.What does this
actually mean and how serious and/or common is this? Successful PCI with
DES to m RCA was also carried out. I felt completely clear of chest pains
for 2 days and then over the last 4 days the previous chest pains have
returned. Any ideas as the cardiologist is very busy and can only see
me on Friday. I was a heavy smoker before, can these pains be related
to that as I have completely stopped now. My anxiety is very high. Would
be grateful if others have gone through the same. • N. Shah -- certainly this is a question for
your cardiologist to make sure that it's the reduction in exercise that's
produced the angina and not something else. • Hello! This is N Shah from Mumbai (Bombay),
India. I had 3 medicated stents put in my LAD (2 stents) and Circ (1
stent) in November 2007. I followed doctors' advice on diet and walking
to letter and by March 2008 had a wonderful recovery with LVEF reading
of 60 to 65%. My doctor was very proud and showed my 2D echo cardio to
every other doctor in the clinic. However, from June 2008, with onset
of rainy season, I started giving miss to my walking sessions, many times
3/4 days' at a stretch. Result: Now I have developed stable angina. My
question is: would doing exercises (under medical supervision) help activate/create
collateral arteries to get rid of angina that I have developed? • Hello, last month I had a medicated CYPHER SKS
stent placed in the bifurcation of the LAD/distal. I subsequently went
religiously food rigid; lot of fruits and vegetables little meat. After
gaining 10 kilos in a month and wrestling with my glucose and hypertension,
I realized the only thing that was going down was my mood and attitude,
I was feeling really lousy. The other week I said the heck with it, and
had a steak with shrimp and some pomegranate extract. I have been eating
fish chicken and steak with very little vegetable since. My weight has
already started going down, my exercise tolerance is increasing dramatically
and BP and glucose levels have normalized. To top it off I feel great.
My point is, not everyone does well on 9 fruits and vegetables a day. • Cheri -- sometimes these are initial reactions
which a number of patients on the Forum report will subside; sometimes
they are related to new medications you may have started taking; sometimes
they are due to anxiety -- have you discussed this with the interventional
cardiologist who put in your stent? • I just had a medicated stent put in my circumflex
artery. I feel tightness in my chest with dull pain, and my stomach is
hard and bloated and I am extremely tired. Please help, I am afraid no
one will believe me. • I had a LAD stent placed in March and bounced from one complication after another, including many described here by others and myself (bruising, shortness of breath, chest pain, angina, etc. etc. etc post stent placement). I ended up at the hematologist because I had survived both polio and Leukemia as a child and the M.D.s were becoming concerned that perhaps I was experiencing some weird complication related to those childhood illnesses and the new heart surgery that was blood related. Well it is, but one no one ever expected THIS! I have the INHERITED form of Gardner-Diamond syndrome which is usually kicked of by extreme stress. Given the stress my body has been under since undergoing a routine colonoscopy where they removed a benign HUGE gastric polyp, the hematologist said my body finally caved and kicked off this very rare autoimmune disease. He said the complications of seizures; double pneumonia; UTI; allergic reaction to Darvon which triggered a heart attack and stroke; plus aggravating a long history of migraines; P.A.T. and rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, seizures, chronic kidney disease and hypothyroidism was simply too much for my autoimmune system to handle all the stress of the stenting and allergic reactions to all 4 of the drugs I was placed on (I am hyperallergic to aspirin). They cannot completely stop the Plavix. I currently
am on 75mg. every other day and yet this morning had a 3 minute nosebleed
so now the visiting nurse who does blood draws is on her way to draw
blood for platelets and God knows what else. At least I'm not a boring
patient! Keeps them thinking and on their toes at the minimum!!!! There's
no magic pill or treatment. It is very painful so the treatment plan
is to continue the morphine, very gradual increase in my activity level/rest/
and stress reduction. Don't know if this will help anyone as apparently
there are only 250,000 people in the U.S. who suffer from the inherited
form of this syndrome. Once the bruises/hematomas/and pain are under
control, then the other specialists can weigh in. It is very important
to control my stress level or else this syndrome will only continue and
could escalate into an even more serious condition. I may not be better
PHYSICALLY but my MENTAL state is DEFINITELY improved. I had the best
weekend in ten months just KNOWING what possibly is wrong and what I
need to do to help myself and what the docs must now do to help me recover
from this 'frightmare!' I have been very very clear about how important
it is for me to be a partner with my docs in my own recovery plan AND
in understanding what is happening with my own body. • Bonnie -- your condition is some rare and we're
not familiar with treatment, etc. We can only urge you to relate all
of this to the interventional cardiologist who did the stenting. Good
luck and let us know how things work out. • hi i was diagnosed with may thurner syndrome
about 6 months ago. which basically means the compression of the left
iliac vein by the artery crossing over it with the compression being
so bad that it caused severe pain in my left leg and foot especially
after long periods of standing and also swelling of that leg ankle and
foot. After a year of tests they finally placed a stent into my vein.
Immediately after they placed the stent i started having severe back
and pelvis pain they gave me ibuprofen with the belief not only the pain
is coming from my vein being wide open now (i was told that my vein was
80-90 percent narrowed before) therefore causing more pressure on my
back. also i was told that my stent may be inflamed. Any advice? or can
anybody relate? should i be worried? i haven't had my venous doppler
yet as this is only two weeks since they placed it. i am also only 24
yrs old. • Jonathan -- learn as much as you can about why
the stents are being used, what the alternatives are, what therapy you
will need to comply with after stenting. Hopefully the more one knows
the more confident they can be about why something is being done and
how it will help them. Also,and this goes for all readers, remember that
this Forum tends to be a "complaint dept" where patients can
vent, and also connect with others who have had similar problems. The
vast vast majority of patients who get stents DO NOT have these type
of complications. • i am 44 and will be fitted with 5 stents in
the next few weeks. you guys are scaring me. I have noticed that my legs
heat up and become jumpy at night but i believe that this is due to the
increased dose of crestor statin i am on. I am also experience night
fear along with back and stomach pains which i put down to stress. • Hello From Pune, India Male 53, Stent put 23/April/2008
During last 4 days normal mostly, but occasional sharp "prick" in left
chest which my doctor says will go away. Rare occurrence of left shoulder
pain and right chest prick too. No breathlessness, slightly increased
heart beat (88), blood pressure and sugar levels normal as before. Better
follow the good advices of Margaret,
Baytown, Texas. Confident of coming back to to my original shape.
Get well soon, everybody! • To
Greg - the guy with 12 stents. Over the past two years I have had
25 stents placed. Most are Cypher, about 5 Endeavors, and a coated
stent for an aneurysm. Many of the stents were placed in areas where
restenosis occurred. Until the Endeavors, I really never had any side
effects. However, after the Endeavor placements I have noticed difficulty
breathing (mild), weakness in my legs, and fatigue. I had the five
Endeavors placed over two operations separated by 1 month. The symptoms
from the first operation started to resolve prior to the second and
then returned. I am hoping their return will also be short lived and
I believe they will. If not, then I will consult with my cardiologist,
which is something one should do anytime they have a strange reaction.
Incidentally, my cardiologist has one patient with 52 stents who has
never had a bad experience. I'm still in shock that at age 41 I have
25! I quit smoking just recently as I am not looking to overtake the
52 stent guy. I think I'll stick with 25 if I can. Best of luck to
you. By the way, do any of the editors of this site know what the current
record for the number of stents is? Just curious. • Bob -- it is true that statins (cholesterol
lowering drugs) can cause muscle and joint pains. There are several statins
on the market; perhaps your doctor can try a different one, or alter
the dose if you are not feeling well. The bleeding is from Plavix, as
you said. This is a drug that is recommended for at least a year after
drug-eluting stents, but if the bleeding complications become too severe,
you can be taken off -- the proper duration of Plavix therapy post-stent
is not rally known, but in any case, do not go off without discussing
it with your interventional cardiologist. • Jan 1st of 1998 I had chest pains, pains between
my shoulder blades and pain down my left arm. I went to the Dr and he
told me I had a pinched nerve. I spent 40 days going back and forth to
the Dr the chiropractor, acupuncture. I even had a tens unit on my back
cranked up to 10 with no effect. I spent 40 days in horrible pain. When
finally my chiropractor told me he couldn't help me and sent me to a
neurosurgeon who run a 5 minute test and told me to go see a cardiologist
as soon as I could. I went to a cardiologist who still didn't think I
had a problem but agreed to do a heart cath. During the heart cath they
found a greater than 97% blockage but were not equipped to install a
stent so the packed me up and sent me 85 miles to another hospital where
they placed a stent and I suffered a complications that took 7 days to
come out of. Since then I have had another blockage in 2004 where they
placed 3 stents in a blockage of 95%. Then in December of 2007 they installed
2 stents in a blockage of better than 90%. I have a lot of muscle pain
that has been explained that it is because of the cholesterol medicine,
I bleed like a stuck hog due to the blood thinner and I have some serious
mood swings but other than that I'm doing fine. I have had some bouts
with depression but they always seem to have a pill for this. Right now
I'm watching what I eat trying to exercise as much as I can, and trying
to enjoy life. I push myself and at times I get chest pains but I just
slow down and they go away. I guess when they don't go away I'll take
the Nitro and hope for the best. I can tell you this I don't want to
feel the pain from another clogged artery. That is a hurt that is not
nice. • Just want to thank all of the patients who have
written in over the past couple weeks to update everyone on how they
have progressed. It is so important to look at some of these situations
over time and know that the body DOES take a bit of time to adjust after
any procedure. Your updated stories are good medicine for all!! Thanks! • UPDATE
MARIE UK I thought an update on my last posting might be of use
to any anxious people out there. I had remarked that I was getting
pain and felt very anxious and was terrified being by myself. I did
not get my request for a stress test but finally an appt with my cardiologist
in 3 months time. A couple of weeks ago I made an appt but saw a locum.
He took his time with me ,completely checked me over and discussed
breathing techniques. He felt that a lot of my problems were triggered
by that and that gave me chest pain. Well. I have to report that after
nearly a year I have turned the corner. I still have acupuncture every
2 weeks but I feel a different person. As the forum editor has discussed,
the way you are treated is so important. I have not had a single pain
and now I do not feel bad about being by myself. Hope that this helps. • I just wanted to give you an update on
my condition, in case it might help others. I was getting discouraged
because of chest pain following a stent procedure (LAD) six weeks ago.
I saw my cardiologist yesterday, and he prescribed a time release nitroglycerin
pill to treat the chest pain. A few hours after taking the pill, my chest
pain disappeared, and I had a good night's sleep. He prescribed the lowest
dosage (30 mg), but apparently that was enough to relieve the chest pain
I have been experiencing. Although there are a few minor side effects
(headache, dizziness), they are supposed to pass within a few days as
the body gets used to the drug. Hopefully this will help others who are
having chest discomfort after a stent procedure. • Hello to all again (see
my posting on 3/22/08). I hope this posting will provide hope and
encouragement to all fellow coronary stent recipients. My name is Glen,
I'm 52 and except for the one clogged artery, in excellent physical
shape. I had an angioplasty (1 stent, the other arteries are clear;
couldn't seem to overcome heredity though) on 3/19/08. Since then,
I too have had allergic reactions to meds, irregular heart beats (PVC's),
and an assortment of chest pains varying from a light pinching sensation
to sharp, quick pains. However, after a little more than 3 weeks post
op, I definitely see the frequency of these events tapering off. I'm
convinced that it was my pre op physical condition that is now paying
off in a speedy recovery. That being said, I cannot minimize the anxiety
and stress of always being acutely aware of every heart beat; every
little chest pain and every little 'bump' I've experienced these past
three weeks. I have great compassion and understanding for what you
all are experiencing. The only advice I would offer is to stay positive,
try-try-try to get whatever exercise you're capable of; STAY HYDRATED!!
(trust me, it's important...the meds will dehydrate you before you
know it). Good luck and a speedy recovery to all! • Robert
M Update: Well, it's been almost 6 weeks since my stent procedure.
I'm happy to report that some days I feel great! But, other days I
still have some discomfort in my chest and back. During the first month,
I also had a sharp pain in my chest whenever I coughed or bent down,
but that seems to have gone away. I'm thankful that I had the procedure,
but I'm wondering why I still have good days and bad days? There doesn't
seem to be a pattern. Is this really a matter of "healing"? If so,
is there any data regarding the average time it takes to heal or fully
recover from this procedure? Thanks. • Follow
up to March 30 post -- After many multiple blood tests by my family
practice doc who is very alarmed (he's on the World Health Organization
so isn't easily alarmed), all we know is that my potassium level is
low which explains some symptoms but leaves far too many unexplained.
Have decided to definitely get a second cardiology opinion which the
family practice doc supports. Just trying to decide which cardiologist
to go with at the other hospital system here in our city. I'm losing
ground everyday and my mental state is now taking too much of a hit
after nearly 10 months of one catastrophe after another. Nothing in
my life has returned to anything which one would call 'normal' even
for me and I don't feel it is appropriate or wise to continue down
this same path. So tomorrow I have to make a decision about one the
cardiologist and make the appointment and suck it up once again to
face another round of tests. Will let you know what happens. • David A. -- deciding if there is ischemia can
be tricky. A nuclear stress test is one, although it is less accurate
in certain anatomies. A direct way to measure ischemia is by using the
FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) -- this is something done during a cath,
however, so it is an invasive test. But it is very accurate. Another
invasive measurement is IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) which pictures
the artery and stent from inside, so correct sizing, placement and expansion
of the stent can be verified. Both are be done during a catheterization,
although the majority of cath labs in the U.S. do not have this capability
(in Japan, all hospitals use these, and the results from the most recent
DES trials show the Japanese groups as having significantly better outcomes).
You can find out more about these technologies in our IVUS
Center. Alkso, the imaging experts at Johns Hopkins and Brigham & Womens'
are conducting studies with "Dynamic
Volume CT", using a new CT unit from Toshiba, which can show
coronary flow, using a non-invasive CT scan. We're going to be featuring
an article on this in the next few weeks. • David
A with an UPDATE. I'm the guy who had the MI on the BA flight from
Heathrow to NY and forced it to land in Iceland, where I a stent was
put into my RCA. I'm in a cardiac rehab program now, and have been
tossed off the machines by the nurses when my EKG showed unusual activity
-- PVCs. I'm on an event monitor and in the process of a few procedures
to determine what's going on. First, the good news is the chest tightness
I felt in the first weeks post stenting is gone. Second, the current
manifestation is these PVCs which feel like a fluttering heart and
may be getting more intense. The various cardiologists suggest there's
probably nothing to worry about and think that some scarring has 'shorted'
the circuitry and causes the PVCs. Ablation is a possible solution.
Let me say this is scary, terribly so, and the cardiologists have suggested
everything from nothing to an immediate angiogram to everything in
between. I'm taking the in between route, but am terribly anxious and
wonder if an angiogram will alleviate concerns I have about restenosis
or the stent moving? One of the cardiologists in the practice suggested
this and said there was some ischemia on a recent stress test, another
said it was my choice, a third wasn't sure there was ischemia. Disconcerting,
no? Anyway, that's my experience so far. I turn 50, egads, next week
and will let you know what happens. • I just had two stents put in a week ago. I
was told to do what my body would let me do. I feel a slight pressure
on my chest at most times. I believe this is normal. Last night while
sleeping I woke up to very abrupt sharp needle stinging type pain that
went away just as quick. I have a slight headache from time to time as
well. I have more gurgley gas floating around in my chest area then before
the procedure. • I had a heart attack in January 2008, a balloon
catheter was done with a stent placed in another artery. I was told to
have a bypass done for the other blockages. I went for a 2nd opinion,
and they said I didn't need bypass surgery at this time, but may need
it down the road. Ever since I had the stent and catheterization done,
I have not felt the same. I am fatigued, have constant neck, shoulder
and back pain. I have gone to another MD, and they took x-rays of the
back, shoulder, and neck area, and only found some arthritis and degenerative
disc disease. I have had these problems for many years, but the pain
is different and more severe. Arthritis medicine and muscle relaxers
do not help the problem. I wonder what could have gone wrong in the procedure
to case me these problems. I had neck pain right after the procedure
and still have it. Could there be any vessel tearing? I would like to
feel normal again. • I had a LAD
stent placed 3 weeks ago and don't feel much better than when I underwent
this procedure. Allergic reactions to post op meds haven't made it any
easier. Have many multiple health problems. Am getting a second opinion
from a cardiologist outside the U-M hospital system. Call me silly but
I shouldn't feel worse than when I got a stent for a blockage the doc
didn't expect to find in the first place. My cardiac enzymes, x-rays,
chemical stress tests etc. didn't ever through all of this come back
weird. Not until an angiogram showed dead heart tissue and a 70% blockage
in the LAD did the docs take me seriously. This is the last (hopefully)
complication following a routine colonoscopy/endoscopy procedure in early
July and I still have chest pain, fatigue, and list of symptoms everyone
says will subside. I am tired, angry, in continuing pain, and at my wit's
end, Any suggestion? cause I'm ready to pitch all these pills for the
heart and for the other serious problems which pre-existed prior to the
hospital medication error which triggered a heart attack and stroke in
July. If I could walk away from my body I would. I'm already seeing a
therapist and had been prior to this mess and along with my friends and
family are feeling stressed as well. They've seen me go continually downhill
only fight to come back from one life threatening complication after
another but this time it has us all confounded and I simply don't have
much more fight in me and I keep losing ground for no sensible reason. • Hello from Northern
Cal....I had an angioplasty 3 days ago (3/19/08). I'm male, 52, in excellent
condition; cross trained daily for years. Since my procedure, I'm experiencing
mild chest pain and occasional difficulty in breathing. My doctors tell
me that the stent procedure was successful, I have no other arteries
clogged, lungs are clear, etc., etc. However, I'm concerned that these
symptoms are the result of anxiety.....especially the shortness of breath.
I think it would be comforting and possibly therapeutic to hear from
other people that have had a coronary stent put in that are also experiencing
similar symptoms. Thanks and good health to you all. • Hi Marie and all -- 2 stents fitted 12 and 24
months Failed stress test (private at 350euros, £260), Cardio says to
keep on medication (Nitro patches / Ramipril / Crestor / Warfarin (for
AF) and Plavix and Aspirin 75) I guess i am an anxious sort of person,
and am always amazed that virtually every and any pain I get comes from
the chest area. Of course if I had no heart problems I would put it down
to indigestion, or carry on, but like all of us, knowing you have a problem
with the heart will, I suspect, always draw one to think its the ticker.
I imagine the same would so if you had a hip replacement, or other ops.
I guess it just goes with the territory, we are human after all. Just
to note I had my stress test done in Algarve, Portugal, private hospital,
very, very, good service.All English speakers inc cardiologist. Why not
take a holiday in a great country and take a day out to do the stress
test!!!!!!!!!!!! Then relax on the beach. • Sandy, I know how
you feel. I am very anxious all the time and requested a stress test
to give me piece of mind that my DES stents had not blocked. I had my
stents in LAD ten months ago. My Cardiologist has refused this test.
I have now started acupuncture as my doctor tried to give me anti-depressants
which I did not want to take and have found this to be beneficial. Incidentally,
I feel discomfort at night when I lie on my side, is this normal? • Sandy -- your reactions are not abnormal. Not
just the medical intervention, but the knowledge that you have this disease
can be frightening. Read our March 5 reply to Robert -- many patients
literally feel chest pain afterwards. This tends to go away. But you're
mainly feeling emotional distress. Try stress reduction techniques (Dean
Ornish uses stress reduction as an integral part of his therapy for heart
patients) to help you cope with this change in things. Perhaps your doctor's
office can make some referrals for you. Rehab (and emotional/mental health
is part of rehab) is very important but very often not prescribed or
taken advantage of. I alway tell patients to view our video of "The
First Angioplasty" (bottom left of our home
page). Mr. Bachmann, the first patient is now 68, still very active
in Switzerland and very happy 30 years later. He, too, by the way was
very stressed out when he discovered that he had a coronary blockage
in 1977. Good luck and please write us back to let us know how and what
you're doing. Your experiences will definitely help others. • I had a stent inserted a week ago. I am having
difficulty going to sleep at night because I fear I won't wake up. I
know that sounds really silly, but it's too real to me. Every little
pain or ache is getting blown way out of proportion My logical side says
there is no way it can be my heart because I've been examined thoroughly.
However, my emotional side is scared to death. Is this normal or is it
just my overreaction to the situation? • Thank you for
your response. Hearing that "benign stent sensation" is common was reassuring.
Just wanted to report that I am feeling much better. I've been walking,
and I'm trying to avoid sitting in front of the computer for long periods,
which seems to aggravate my condition. I've had no chest pain in the
last two days, so I think I'm on the road to recovery. Thanks very much
for your help. • Robert -- A restrospective overview study was published a couple years ago in the International Journal of Clinical Practice. Titled "A Review of the Management of Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention", it stated that:
Stent thrombosis is not common and it basically presents
with the symptoms of a heart attack -- not what you're experiencing at
all. You're most likely experiencing a "benign stent sensation",
as your cardiologist stated. And some posters here have seconded the
temporary nature of this initial discomfort. But you absolutely did the
right thing by contacting your cardiologist and, unlike some, he/she
actually answered your concerns with reassurance! By all means let us
know how things progress. • Last Friday (2/29/08) I had a cath / stent procedure.
My LAD artery had been 80% blocked for 9 years, yet annual nuclear stress
tests showed that I had normal blood flow until recently. The procedure
went well and I felt better than I have in years when I got home, but
a few days later I began to experience some chest and back discomfort.
Not angina pain as I would define it, but moderate discomfort in my chest
and back. The cardiologist told me that it takes about three days for
the body to get used to the stent and about three weeks for the body
to become accustomed to the increased blood flow. So, is what I am experiencing
normal? • Hi
David I am also 49, had pain in my lower forearms & ended up in
ER with a 90% blockage in my LAD. I don't have high blood pressure,
no high cholesterol, non-smoker who exercises almost everyday. I do
have a family history of heart problems but most of those family members
were smokers. I had the stent put in October 07 and just started experiencing
some of the same symptoms you have described. In fact, it started when
I was sick with the flu. I started getting this feeling of a cold in
my chest; no pain just like an ache and a few times tightness. I do
have a lot of stress in my life from work and a major home renovation
going on. I am trying to find ways to de-stress doing breathing and
meditation to see if that may help. I go to the cardiologist on Tuesday
to see what he says. • Hi Frank
Hal, Everything you said rings true for me as well. I had two stents
inserted April last year. I have lost weight, improved my fitness and
I am running about the same amount as you are. I also checked in to
hospital a few weeks after the procedure to check on the chest pains
and was given the all clear. I have come to the same conclusions as
you and support your theory about reflux. I feel a large portion of
my problems were also caused by subtle reflux as yours were, but mainly
at night when I was asleep. I believe the reflux caused the burning
overnight, which I would feel as the pain throughout the next day or
days. Nothing would then help as the damage had already been done.
I suspect that the esophagus would also take quite some time to heal.
Medications that suppress acid production helped somewhat but I didn't
want to take them on a long term basis so I have stopped using them.
I think I have got on top of it however by reducing the occurrence
of reflux at night by taking these steps: I don t eat large meals in
the evening. I don t eat very late or close to bed time I don t drink
acidic drinks such as orange juice in the evenings. I always take a
couple of antacids (QuickEze, before settling in. The Calcium Carbonate
is far more benign than other drugs on offer. After 10 months now the
pains are much less intense and less frequent. Every week life is getting
better. I know this may not be everyone s problem but for many, it
may just help if you address this issue. So best wishes Frank and also
to all you others out there. Cheers, Keijo • Rochelle -- you've raised multiple questions. The perforated artery situtation is one that is more of a risk when attempting to open up a total occlusion with a balloon or stent. The cardiologist can only see the arterial pathway by injecting contrast dye and watching the image on the x-ray screen. But if an artery is totally blocked, he/she can only see up to the blockage, but not beyond, since no blood flows through the totally closed area. As you can imagine, it's a difficult situation. There are new techniques being developed to help make this more successful -- combining CT and standard x-ray, using magnetic fields or ultrasound to guide the wire, etc. Unclear from your post as to whether the 100% blockage was successfully opened. Sounds like your husband has a complex situation. Does he have other problems like high blood pressure, etc. Has bypass surgery been discussed? One other problem you've discussed is the feeling patients
have that they are not being listened to. This is also a complex one,
caused by, among many things, the very short time that physicians are
able to spend with each patient, and the overall fragmentation of our
healthcare system (lack of communication between various specialists,
etc.). One thing that we try to emphasize is that atherosclerosis is
a systemic disease. It can show up as coronary artery disease, but it
also shows up as carotid disease, renal (kidney) disease, leg pain --
all caused by blockages in various arteries -- and many interventional
cardiologists or radiologists work in all these arteries, as well. We've
been proponents of the Vascular Institute concept, where the whole vascular
system is looked at, not just the heart. We know of a patient, for example,
who suffered from congestive heart failure (CHF) and was constantly being
taken to the ER with breathing problems, so severe he was given only
weeks to live. But his curious cardiologist did an MRA of his kidneys
and found a severly blocked renal artery which might explain the extreme
fluid retention causing his breathing problem. So the cardio opened the
kidney artery with a balloon and stent in a quick 30 minute procedure.
The patient recovered, his severe breathing problems ended and he has
not been back to the ER. That was almost 4 years ago. • my husband on 11-19-07 had a heart attack. while
putting a stent into a artery that was 100% blocked -- it perforated
the artery, so they put a "band aid stent" over the other. After having
a Nuclear Stress Test the Cardiologist had him return to the hospital
and they put in another stent on the right side of his heart. My husband
says everyday that he does not feel right. He continues to have chest
pain, shortness of breath, skin color turns grayish in his face, left
arm and shoulder hurts. He says when he breathes it feels like someone
has put a rag over his nose and mouth. He has been to the er many times
and admitted. As of today 02-27-08 he was admitted one more time. Every
time they say there is nothing wrong with his heart other than there
is a small artery that is 70% blocked, but they cannot get in there to
put a stent in so they are going to leave it alone. My husband is 50
and has family history of heart problems. His father passed away from
a heart attack at the age of 52 and his mother the same at 62. We are
getting very frustrated. Mike does not want me to take him to the hospital
anymore, because he feels they don't believe him when he says something
is wrong. Anyone else have this problem or suggestions. • I have had 6 stents in August, 2007. My chest
is hurting. I have told my doctor and he said it isn't my heart. Can
you help me? • I thought that
I share my experience maybe it can help those who are having these puzzling
symptoms. I am 48 and in Mar 2007, I felt textbook symptoms of artery
narrowing especially when I start to exercise. I took an appointment
with my doctor but did not wait for it as I decided to admit myself to
a nearby hospital after feeling uncomfortable heaviness on my chest when
I was driving south in a long weekend. After 48hours I was discharged
with a Taxus stent in my LAD (95% blockage)! Days that followed were
very uncomfortable. Chest pains and feeling of pressure and heaviness.
I had to go to the emergency again after 3 weeks with another angiogram
with a different cardiologist and with nothing found. I did a gastroscopy
to see if my tummy had any relevance with nothing found either. However,
during that time I started to cut down my weight and increased slowly
my exercise regime. About 8 weeks onwards, these symptoms gradually decreased
and I now, probably, feel better than I was 10years ago. I am now touching
the BMI norm for my height and run 5km every other day. I am taking the
usual doses of medicine Crestor, Noten (beta blocker) and Plavix. The
symptoms do sometimes occur with heaviness and some chest pains but much
less. I started to take Pariet to treat stomach reflux which seemed to
help me. I am still puzzled and not sure why I get these pains. One theory
I have that it could be anxiety and the strict diet at the time could
have affected this and I may also have this subtle reflux. One Advice
from my experience to all who can try, to cut down weight, step your
exercise slowly, look at possible stomach issues and try to be patient
although it is hard. • Liz -- hard to separate possible side-effects
from drugs and other problems, but none of the symptoms you list would
seem related to the angioplasty. Did you get a stent? Continued angina
may go away -- but sometimes angina is not completely relieved by medical
therapy OR angioplasty. In the COURAGE Trial, 25% of the participants
still had some angina. • i had an angioplasty in January and was started
on Lipitor, aspirin, and plavix. I also take omeprazole, amias and bendrofluazide.
Since having the angioplasty i have still been having some angina pains
although not as severe as they were before, i have a creepy, crawling
feeling in my head and slight headaches as well as a tingling on my left
cheek, i sometimes have difficulty getting my words out properly when
trying to speak to someone too. Has this happened to anyone else? Is
it related to the medicine or is it related to the angioplasty? any advice
will be appreciated, thank you. • David A. -- well that's one of the more dramatic
stories posted here in these Forums! We're assuming that you did in fact
have an infarct on the plane -- and are we to assume you got another
stent? Others have posted in this topic complaining of tightness -- but
we would recommend discussing this with your cardio. There are anti-anginal
drugs that can be helpful, like ranolazine, or therapies like EECP. Meanwhile,
perhaps some readers can share their experiences with this tightness,
and how they fared? • I'm 49 and was
flying from Heathrow to JFK when I had sharp chest tightness and diverted
the flight to Iceland (sorry to other passengers) where I was diagnosed
with elevated enzymes and in the cath lab learned of 100% blockage in
the right coronary artery. I had had a stent in this artery, 2002, but
this blockage was just above the old one. Anyway, it's been about 5 weeks
and I'm back to exercising a lot -- 5 times per week, 30 odd minutes
of aerobic work -- and like my lifestyle beforehand my diet is fine,
cholesterol low, and I'm thin, non smoker and basically drew a bad hand
with the heart attack. But even with the 5 weeks post stent I feel pressure
in my chest, a bit of tightness. Post stenting stress test was fine,
echo cardio -- all were okay. I'm fine when exercising, too. But the
tightness -- and it is mild, nothing like angina -- scares me to no end.
Does anyone have experience with mild chest tightness (feels like a chest
cold) post stenting? Any advice? • Hi I am from Canada, I had a 90% blockage to
my right artery, in October 2007, I had a bare metal stent in planted,
they used the artery in my wrist, I lost feeling in top part of my thumb,
but I figured if that was all then I was lucky. In January I had a massive
heart attack, a few days later I was transported to the city for another
stent, a drug eluting this time, they found that scar tissue had healed
over the bare metal stent, it would take longer for this to heal but
it should do so with no scar tissue. I have severe chest pain, and I
have heartburn all the time, I am blaming the stent, its the only thing
that had been added to my body. • Faye in Florida, Hear, hear!! Your recommendation
to all posters is most important. Modern medications are great and have
vastly improved the treatment of heart disease, but each one has specific
side-effects that may or may not be experienced by the user. Often the
initial diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease is followed
by the implantation of a stent and a prescription for a number of medications.
Sorting out any reactions to these meds is not easy -- but definitely
do your research and talk to your cardiologist. It may have nothing to
do with the stent and everything to do with a specific medication. Remember,
what you feel is what you feel and patient observation is very important
information for medical professionals to take into account when diagnosing
problems. Thanks for the post, Faye. Your mother is lucky to have a good
researcher in the family! • Definitely read up on the side effects of the
medications you are taking after a catheterization or stent implant. I
posted a few weeks back regarding my mother's health after having
a catheterization and stent put in. After much prayer concerning these
current health issues, God has really opened our eyes to many things
and directed us to the right physicians. Since the cath and stent implant,
my mom has experienced a variety of health issues. Zocor and Atenolol
had given my mother pain in her legs and she was taken off of these medications.
Very recently, my mother has been having a tough time breathing at night
and has not been able to sleep, so she went to the doctor and she learned
that this is a side effect of her blood pressure medication-Lisinopril-
which the doctor said can cause symptoms of bronchitis, cough, upper
respiratory infection, dizziness,and confusion. (Read up on celery seed
extract which has helped my mom to lower her blood pressure naturally.)
It is definitely worth seeking the Lord for guidance and checking out
the side effects of the medications you are taking so that you can learn
the reason you may be suffering in certain ways after a catheterization
and/or stent implant. Some medications tell you contact your doctor if
you experience certain side effects, so keep your doctor informed. • I had 12 stents
put in 3 arteries last Spring 2007. I still feel some discomfort over
my heart off and on although I have good test numbers and passed a stress
test okay. I probably should have gotten a bypass. Have others had so
many stents and feelings of discomfort like a little hard to breathe
like myself. I think 8" of stents my body still senses these foreign
objects and reacts to that. Also I had severe back pain which has subsided
90%. Anyone else have similar situation? Also anyone have recommended
ways to remove plaque? • I have just had angioplasty done 5 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? • Cindy -- complicated situation and we cannot
begin to give medical advice. But we can point out that angina sometimes
is not relieved by angioplasty OR bypass surgery. We're going to be posting
a roundtable discussion of this problem in the near future, but there
are treatments for continuing angina that range from EECP to medications,
such as ranolazine, to other types of therapy. The COURAGE trial, which
made headlines last year showing no difference between stents and medical
therapy, also showed that 1 in 4 patients still had angina after 5 years,
no matter which therapy they received. • My husband has had 5 stents, (9 angiograms),
all in LAD except 1 in right. Has not been right for 4 yrs. Last angiogram
caused emergency by-pass. Even after surgery has angina which is only
relieved by nitro patch at night and nitro under tongue during the day.
Thallium stress was negative and he is being told it is not his heart.
So frustrated. We live in South Florida and have been to so many Dr's
even went to Dr's in NYC 3x in a month prior to surgery. Every symptom
is his heart. Any suggestions? He is 54 yrs old. Had a MI at 44 then
angioplasty and was great for 61/2 years. This started 4 years ago..
HELP PLEASE.... • In September of
2007, my mom began having pains in her back and throat. A nurse friend
of ours told us that my mother needed to go to the emergency room right
away. After a few days, e.k.g.'s, and a stress test, they told her to
have a catheterization done. The catheterization showed that she had
90% blockage in one of her arteries, so they put a stent. Ever since
that time, she has experienced a vast array of pains: a burning sensation
in her leg; chest pain while breathing, crying, or laughing; pain in
her throat; and tightness in her back. Could she be allergic to the stent?
Has anyone else had these symptoms? We are trusting God to give the doctors
and us wisdom concerning these problems, and are praying for my mom's
speedy recovery. We are also praying for others experiencing the same
suffering. • I am a 56 year old male. In November of 2007
I had angioplasty. My procedure was not as simple as I was told it would
be. They went in and placed two Taxus stents in my LAD. I was told they
did not like the result in the middle of the LAD and so they went back
in a again and placed 4 more stents in between the first two stents.
Unfortunately , the surgeon nicked my femoral artery on the procedure.
I was not recovering well so they brought me back to the cath lab and
went in again to check the stents. They found them to be working and
they figured out I was internally bleeding. The wound healed by itself
and I was transfused with 2 pints on one day and 1 pint the next day.
It took a long time to feel normal. Since the procedure I have weird
pains in my chest and intermittent palpitations. The pains feel like
burning or muscle aches. The palpitations are not always related to exercise.
Since the procedure I had a thallium stress test and a 64 CT scan of
my heart. The stress test was normal (however, I had a normal thallium
stress test 4 months before the angioplasty - not much faith in that
test). I also reported to the nurses who administered the tests that
I felt burning in my chest. They asked me to tell them if it got worse
and when it stopped. It did not get worse, I finished the test and it
stopped a minute after the stress test. The CT scan showed no blockages
anywhere else but they could not see the stents due to calcification
on the artery. The MD said go live a normal life! I am curious about
stents. If they place a stent in a blocked artery with calcification
isn't the artery stretched beyond it's normal range? Would that cause
some irritations or encroachment on other tissues? Is it possible to
cause pains? When they place a stent how much do they really open the
artery- I can't believe it is 100% Does anyone else seem to have a burning
pain in their chest? • Melissa -- you present a complex case. You might
want to read over another Forum Topic on "Complications
From Angiograms" in which many patients describe problems
with nerve damage, etc. after interventions from the femoral (groin)
approach. Perhaps a neurologist might be able to help. • My husband had shoulder reconstruction about
4 months ago. A week after the surgery he started getting worse and we
went to the ER. We found out that the anesthesiologists left the j-wire
in him and complete DVTs developed around the wire. They had to cut clots
out just to be able to remove the wire. he was in ICU for almost 2 weeks
and underwent a risky 3 day clot busting procedure because the DVT were
complete from his abdomen to his calf on the right side. They had to
place IVC filter and 2 stents in his upper leg because the DVTs caused
the diameter of vein to be reduced by 40%. About 3 weeks ago, he started
having severe pain where the stents are and describes as it felling like
a brillo pad inside his leg. He is much more severe pain now and can
barely walk. We went back to the ER and he was cleared of clots and sent
home. Nobody wants to investigate this any further. He is in severe pain
and depressed. What could be causing this or are than any suggestions
on what our next step should be? |
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