Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 02-19-2021 08:19
    Greetings. I thought I had posted last night but haven't been able to find it. I wanted to introduce myself. I am  64 1/2, anxiously awaiting COVID vaccine and Medicare. I have been diagnosed with CAD for about 15 months now. 1st heart cath was Dec of '19, one stent placed for mid left diagonal branch lesion that was 95%+. I did well afterwards and came to FL, where we have since moved permanently. In March I started having discomfort again and ended up going to the ER for evaluation. Next day I had a cath where they found the same lesion had re-stenosed and placed a 2nd stent inside the 1st, and placed an additional stent at the proximal takeoff for this vessel. Again I did well for several months, but June 2nd, had another cath due to chest and arm discomfort, found the same lesion to have blockage again. That doctor said it appeared angiographically to be clot, which she performed balloon dilatation multiple times to open it up again. She changed me from Plavix to Brilinta. Another almost 6 months goes by, and end of November I was traveling in Southern IN and staying across the border in OH. Developed significant discomfort and went by ambulance to hospital in western Cincinnati. Great hospital and interventionists there. I had 99% occlusion again at the same location. They used laser athrectomy, about 8 passes, and did multiple balloon dilatations again. My doc here in Punta Gorda added low dose Xeralto to the mix when I got home.

    Now I am starting to have angina again. Not severe, but usually a sign that I'm getting occluded again. I have never had it until I'm pretty far along. Saw my doctor yesterday and he is starting 2 new antianginal meds, and will do a stress test in a couple of weeks to see of there is significant blockage developing. If they find impaired circulation will do another heart cath and decide then if it's time to go ahead with CABG. I'm getting really sick of being cathed every 3-5 months!

    Wondering if anyone else out there has had problems with re-stenosis, and what your experience has been. I am diabetic, waiting on an insulin pump to hopefully improve my glucose control. Last A1C was 8.1, not terrible, but have not been able to control it well for last couple of years. Started seeing and endocrinologist and she discovered I am pretty much type 1 now, thus the insulin pump. My cholesterol numbers have always been fantastic, never had elevation and good ratios, but my first cardiologist started me on Atorvastatin due to the diabetes. Have maxed out on that now.

    I don't relish the thought of open heart surgery, but if that's what it takes to nip this in the butt then so be it. My cardiologists think for some reason, my body is just reacting the the stent in place and that's causing irritation/inflammation and causing the re-stenosis so soon.

    Anyway, that's my story. I look forward to interacting with this group and learning as well as doing what I can to help others. I am a retired nurse with 30 of my 40 years in critical care, cardiac units and ER. Thanks for listening.
    Dennis Danner
    Punta Gorda, FL

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    Dennis Danner
    Punta Gorda FL
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  • 2.  RE: New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 02-20-2021 09:48
    Hi Dennis,

    You mat have read what I said about my OHS recovery timeline in my post to Peter on the IHS thread, so I won't repeat myself here.  Suffice it to say that, although having and recovering OHS was not fun, the recovery period was a gift.  For me, it was filled with a deep feeling of gratitude to all my caregivers and just for being able to wake up another day, spend time with family and friends and appreciate life in a deeper, more meaningful, more spiritual way than I had ever experienced before.  And, ultimately, after about 15 months in my case, I was feeling 100%.

    If you and your doctors wind up opting for bypass surgery, you have every reason realistically to look forward to a new life, free from angina and filled with wonder and the joy of living.

    I wish you the very best.  Please keep us posted.

    Ira

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    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
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  • 3.  RE: New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 02-25-2021 17:58
    Thanks for sharing your experience Ira. I appreciate your encouragement and support. I will keep you all posted. I expect If I do have to go with CABG I should have a fairly quick recovery. Attitude is a lot and I am determined to get back to my activity level that I was used to as quickly as I can.

    Just reading the posts on this forum has been very encouraging. My wife and I have a lot of living to do yet, and want to travel once this COVID crap is contained.

    Good luck to you, hope to hear from you from time to time.

    Dennis

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    Dennis Danner
    Retired RN
    [Punta Gorda, FL
    [Phone]
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  • 4.  RE: New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 02-25-2021 18:01
    And yes, thanks, I did read your reply to Peter.

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    Dennis Danner
    Retired RN
    [Punta Gorda, FL
    [Phone]
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  • 5.  RE: New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 02-22-2021 14:46
    Dennis ~ A Cardiologist once told me something that frankly sounds applicable here. He said the warranty on my body expired and as always happens once the warranty is up, everything falls apart. Without an overhaul and new extended warranty you could be fighting a no win battle.

    Were I wearing your boots, I''d go for bypass surgery. No question you won't bounce back as fast as with stents, but it should resolve that pesky problem for good, and quite frankly the surgery is not all that bad. Besides you get this awesome scar you can make up stories about your manly prowess and impress people. 

    In all seriousness, there is risk in every procedure including a cath and with your frequent flyer status you might want to nip it in the butt. 

    Keep us apprised and good luck

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    Warren
    TucsonAZ
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  • 6.  RE: New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 02-25-2021 18:06
    Thanks for your response Warren. I appreciate hearing from others who have been through this. I will definitely give very serious consideration to CABG if it comes to that. I know I will probably have to go that route sooner rather than later. I will keep you all posted as I go through further testing.

    Good luck to you sir, I hope to communicate again soon.

    Dennis

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    Dennis Danner
    Retired RN
    [Punta Gorda, FL
    [Phone]
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  • 7.  RE: New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 02-25-2021 12:39
    Dennis, read the whole history. I had my CABG at 58---1996   wow. Had a fix up CABG 2004.  Still here.  Tennis ,golf, pickle ball, drinking  as needed. Recovery and back to work was for me pretty easy. But every situation is different. My advise is go with the doctors. I suggest 3 opinions.   I have been a visitor with mended Hearts at JFK hospital here in Palm Beach County for 14 years.  Only one person that I visited with did not make it. He had major problems before surgery.
    You sound like you have plenty of gas left in the tank. The recovery now a days is basically no big deal. You have seen plenty. Let the Docs paint the picture.
    Best of luck,
    David Rosen  #206 Palm Beach County, Fla​

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    David Rosen
    Lake Worth FL
    (561) 969-7010
    DavidRosenLake WorthFL
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  • 8.  RE: New member introduction, CAD with recurring in-stent restenosis.

    Posted 03-17-2021 22:58
    Just an update. I had nuclear stress test 3/4, results were good, had a good test on the treadmill with some pain at the end, but images looked good. Discussed with my doctor who said that stress test can be about 80% accurate with some blockages missed. I am on 2 anti-anginals. He increased the one and after we discussed all the options with him, we have decided to go ahead with a diagnostic cath March 31st. Given my previous history, we all just want to be sure. If no significant blockage we will continue with medications. If there is more than 80% blockage again, we will talk to a surgeon.

    I'll let you know after the heart cath.
    Thanks!

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    Dennis Danner
    Retired RN
    [Punta Gorda, FL
    [Phone]
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