Mended Hearts Open Forum

Greetings. I found a pamphlet about this group in my cardiologists office today in Port Charlotte, FL.

I am 64 1/2 yrs old, diabetic with increasingly difficult control last few years. (Will be getting an insulin pump soon).
I had my first heart cath Dec '19, one lesion in Lt diagonal branch, 95+% occluded. They did a drug eluding stent, and I did well for the next few months. In March '20 I began experiencing discomfort again, ended up going to ER and being admitted, heart cath the next day and found severe re-stenosis of the same lesion. 2nd stent was placed inside the first, and he also placed 1 stent in proximal takeoff of this vessel. Did fine again, exercising regularly, walking or biking 3-5 miles at least 4-5 days a week. In late May I started once again having discomfort. June 2nd I had another heart cath, doctor said it appeared to be clot rather than stenosis, she did multiple balloon angioplasties. Changed me from Plavix to Brilinta. I should note that my cholesterol numbers have all been great for my whole life. My first cardiologist started me on Atorvastatin since I was diabetic.
Nov of '20 I once again had significant chest and arm pain while traveling in Cincinnati, OH. Was taken to a great hospital West Cincinnati, next morning had heart cath with 99% stenosis of the same lesion. They did laser atherectomy with 8 passes and multiple balloon angioplasties of the stent and areas before and after the stent. 100% open after this. They also increased my Atorvastatin to 80mg, Saw my doctor on return home and she also added low-dose Xeralto as well as the Brilinta.

I have been doing cardiac rehab last 2-3 weeks, and yesterday started having discomfort again. Went to rehab this morning and experienced discomfort, they stopped my workout at that point. Saw my doctor this afternoon and he started isosorbide and Ranexa, will do stress test in a couple of weeks unless things change for the worse before then.

Needless to say I am quite discouraged and concerned, as is my wife. They have talked about single bypass in the future if this keeps happening, which apparently it may be beginning to happen again. Just wondered if anyone else has had similar experience and what options for treatment were discussed. 

Thanks! Look forward to discussions in this group.

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Dennis Danner
Punta Gorda FL
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Hey, I totally get what you're going through. I've been dealing with diabetes for years, and honestly, it's been tough. The constant ups and downs with my blood sugar made me feel like I was always on edge. There were times when it was hard to stay positive because it just seemed like nothing worked. My godfather had a similar experience-heart problems and trouble with his diabetes. It was tough for him, too, feeling like he was never really in control.

When he tried Semaglutide, it helped him get his blood sugar more stable, and he felt a lot better. I decided to give it a try myself, and honestly, it's made things easier. I'm not as worried about my blood sugar anymore, and I just feel like I'm in a better place. It's not perfect, but it's definitely a bit more manageable now.

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Vlad Kharytiuk
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Kyiv
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2021 23:39
From: Dennis Danner
Subject: Frequent reocclusion of stent

Greetings. I found a pamphlet about this group in my cardiologists office today in Port Charlotte, FL.

I am 64 1/2 yrs old, diabetic with increasingly difficult control last few years. (Will be getting an insulin pump soon).
I had my first heart cath Dec '19, one lesion in Lt diagonal branch, 95+% occluded. They did a drug eluding stent, and I did well for the next few months. In March '20 I began experiencing discomfort again, ended up going to ER and being admitted, heart cath the next day and found severe re-stenosis of the same lesion. 2nd stent was placed inside the first, and he also placed 1 stent in proximal takeoff of this vessel. Did fine again, exercising regularly, walking or biking 3-5 miles at least 4-5 days a week. In late May I started once again having discomfort. June 2nd I had another heart cath, doctor said it appeared to be clot rather than stenosis, she did multiple balloon angioplasties. Changed me from Plavix to Brilinta. I should note that my cholesterol numbers have all been great for my whole life. My first cardiologist started me on Atorvastatin since I was diabetic.
Nov of '20 I once again had significant chest and arm pain while traveling in Cincinnati, OH. Was taken to a great hospital West Cincinnati, next morning had heart cath with 99% stenosis of the same lesion. They did laser atherectomy with 8 passes and multiple balloon angioplasties of the stent and areas before and after the stent. 100% open after this. They also increased my Atorvastatin to 80mg, Saw my doctor on return home and she also added low-dose Xeralto as well as the Brilinta.

I have been doing cardiac rehab last 2-3 weeks, and yesterday started having discomfort again. Went to rehab this morning and experienced discomfort, they stopped my workout at that point. Saw my doctor this afternoon and he started isosorbide and Ranexa, will do stress test in a couple of weeks unless things change for the worse before then.

Needless to say I am quite discouraged and concerned, as is my wife. They have talked about single bypass in the future if this keeps happening, which apparently it may be beginning to happen again. Just wondered if anyone else has had similar experience and what options for treatment were discussed. 

Thanks! Look forward to discussions in this group.

------------------------------
Dennis Danner
Punta Gorda FL
------------------------------

Hi Dennis,
I am truly sorry to hear about your ongoing struggles. It is really tough that you've been through so much. I've seen a relative face similar challenges with recurring re-stenosis, and it can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. The combination of an active lifestyle and medical interventions you've undertaken is inspiring, though, and it sounds like you're doing everything possible to manage your health.

In my relative's case, exploring newer stenting techniques and eventually undergoing bypass surgery provided more stability. They also worked closely with a specialist to ensure their medications were optimized. You might want to ask your doctor about alternative approaches or additional options like more frequent monitoring.

Wishing you strength and better health ahead! Hope your case get resolved now! 

All the best mate!

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Adam Finch
Student of Cardialogy
Moonachie
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2021 23:39
From: Dennis Danner
Subject: Frequent reocclusion of stent

Greetings. I found a pamphlet about this group in my cardiologists office today in Port Charlotte, FL.

I am 64 1/2 yrs old, diabetic with increasingly difficult control last few years. (Will be getting an insulin pump soon).
I had my first heart cath Dec '19, one lesion in Lt diagonal branch, 95+% occluded. They did a drug eluding stent, and I did well for the next few months. In March '20 I began experiencing discomfort again, ended up going to ER and being admitted, heart cath the next day and found severe re-stenosis of the same lesion. 2nd stent was placed inside the first, and he also placed 1 stent in proximal takeoff of this vessel. Did fine again, exercising regularly, walking or biking 3-5 miles at least 4-5 days a week. In late May I started once again having discomfort. June 2nd I had another heart cath, doctor said it appeared to be clot rather than stenosis, she did multiple balloon angioplasties. Changed me from Plavix to Brilinta. I should note that my cholesterol numbers have all been great for my whole life. My first cardiologist started me on Atorvastatin since I was diabetic.
Nov of '20 I once again had significant chest and arm pain while traveling in Cincinnati, OH. Was taken to a great hospital West Cincinnati, next morning had heart cath with 99% stenosis of the same lesion. They did laser atherectomy with 8 passes and multiple balloon angioplasties of the stent and areas before and after the stent. 100% open after this. They also increased my Atorvastatin to 80mg, Saw my doctor on return home and she also added low-dose Xeralto as well as the Brilinta.

I have been doing cardiac rehab last 2-3 weeks, and yesterday started having discomfort again. Went to rehab this morning and experienced discomfort, they stopped my workout at that point. Saw my doctor this afternoon and he started isosorbide and Ranexa, will do stress test in a couple of weeks unless things change for the worse before then.

Needless to say I am quite discouraged and concerned, as is my wife. They have talked about single bypass in the future if this keeps happening, which apparently it may be beginning to happen again. Just wondered if anyone else has had similar experience and what options for treatment were discussed. 

Thanks! Look forward to discussions in this group.

------------------------------
Dennis Danner
Punta Gorda FL
------------------------------