What a Revoltin' Development This is!

[Braveheart]

So I went for my cardiac catheterization today. Not bad at all. And the results were consonant with the echocardiogram. Did not need any cardiac stents. So far so good.

But then.............the doctor tells me that I have a blockage in the femoral artery, and that I will need a stent there. "No emergency", he says, but he wants me to have it done in the next 4-6 weeks.

One of the partners in his practice is the "chairman in chief" of femoral stents, and he wants to talk to him about it.

It may not be an emergency for him, but I am the sort of person that wants things done, "yesterday".

So I am not in the kindliest of moods now.

 

[debster913]

I feel you!

Sorry about the leg thing and wanting to get it over with NOW. I needed a balloon angioplasty myself two years ago because of scar tissue inside the artery after my surgery. Not exactly a fun day at Disneyland. Still have trouble with that leg.

 

[Marty]

No hurry Braveheart. I have a friend ( himself a doctor) who needs stents or angioplasty in both legs. He has intermittent claudication (symptoms) He will need something one day but neither he nor his surgeons are in any hurry. He delayed now for over two years. Apparently this is one of those conditions where there is no rush to do anything and no risk in procrastination.

 

[skeptic49]

If you look hard enough you'll find something wrong! Sorry to read about the unexpected complication.

Best wishes,

Jim

 

[Jkm7]

We have a 70+ year old friend who needed stent in each leg. He put it off (safely) for about two years. Finally had one leg done and then the other and did fine. It's been at least three years since and he's had no problems at all.

(Just met him and his wife for dinner this evening. )

 

[Braveheart]

No hurry Braveheart................ Apparently this is one of those conditions where there is no rush to do anything and no risk in procrastination.

Marty- That IS reassuring. My concern was that if the artery is narrowed, isn't there a greater chance that a clot could form? I am on Plavix, and take a boatload of other stuff (Vit. E, Fish oil, etc.) that tends to thin the blood.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

But then.............the doctor tells me that I have a blockage in the femoral artery, and that I will need a stent there. "No emergency", he says, but he wants me to have it done in the next 4-6 weeks.

It may not be an emergency for him, but I am the sort of person that wants things done, "yesterday".

So I am not in the kindliest of moods now.

Look on the Bright Side BraveHeart !

Be THANKFUL that they found the problem while there is time to treat it and BEFORE you suffered any dire consequences.

"Have a Nice Day" ))

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Braveheart]

Look on the Bright Side BraveHeart !

Be THANKFUL that they found the problem while there is time to treat it and BEFORE you suffered any dire consequences.

"Have a Nice Day" ))

'AL Capshaw'

Now THAT'S pulling me up short. Thanks Al, I needed that!

 

[Eva]

Look on the Bright Side BraveHeart !

Be THANKFUL that they found the problem while there is time to treat it and BEFORE you suffered any dire consequences.

"Have a Nice Day" ))

'AL Capshaw'

Braveheart,

I echo Al's words. There is a nice chinese proverb: "Patience is a tree with bitter roots, but has sweet fruits"

Good luck now and then

 

[Braveheart]

I have been doing a lot of reading on the internet about procedures for blocked femoral arteries. Apparently, the stents that may be put in that artery are big, about the size of a crayon, much larger than cardiac stents. Although medication coated stents are used in cardiac stents, medicated femoral stents are still in the clinical trial stage.

Anyone have experience with stents in the femoral artery?

 

[Braveheart]

Well, I spoke with the other cardio. Apparently the artery that is narrowed is in a place where a stent is not an option.

He is sending me for a C-T scan. He said that the issue is not life threatening, but more of a lifestyle issue.

He agreed that there is a good possibility that the radiation to my thigh 22 years ago, may have caused the problem. He did say that if I want it fixed, it would have to be done surgically with a vascular surgeon.

 

[Braveheart]

I had the C-T scan, and I am awaiting a visit to the cardio next week. I am getting more and more confused. I have had "trouble" with that leg for some time, but I had always blamed it on bursitis.

As I am reading on the subject, I think that the artery may be the cause. When I walk, the leg starts to ache. If I sit down, for just a few minutes, I can then continue my walk without pain, for awhile. Then the leg begins to ache again, and on and on. This does sound like intermittent caludication.


I asked the second cardio if what I had was life threatenting, and he said that it was more of a "lifestyle issue". I love to walk, and the thought of having to use a cane or a walker later on in life is much more disconcerting than having the operation.

Excuse me for prattling on, but I will not be content until I know what the deal is. I am attempting to get my materials together to send to CC, but I am beset with delays and frustrations in getting the stuff. On top of that, my husband has a surgical possibility on the horizon.

I really need to take things one step at a time, but I am finding that very uncomfortable!

 

[ponytaila1a]

Braveheart.....you are certainly dealing with a lot. I'm sorry. Patience is very difficult....one step at a time is the way. You are in my prayers. Please keep us updated as you progress.