Pain after stents

[trudy83]

Hi everyone, I am new to the site,was wondering if anyone one else has had any pain,aches in the left side after having stents. I have have two, 5 weeks ago but chest still does not fill right.

[vapochilled]

Had a single stent 6 days ago and have the same question, though I suspect , in my case at least, it's as mental as it is real. I'm looking for problems, and noticing every little ache and niggle that before likely was ignored.

[trudy83 in reply to vapochilled]

Hello vapochilled, I know exactly how you feel I was am still doing that. From what I'm am reading on here sounds as though it is common reaction to heart related problems. Hope your on the mend.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to vapochilled]

I hope it's settling down. One additional comment to the replies you've had, I found it v uncomfortable to sleep in my left side, for quite a long time (months) after having 5 stents inserted. I've now had 9, and still find it marginally easier to sleep on the right side.

You should, eventually, get over the sensitivity to every little twinge. I think it's really natural to be vigilant, but I've found it can be rather obsessive!

[chamoru670 in reply to Kristin1812]

Hello there. I know that this post was 2 years ago but I am looking for answers as I am worried about my husband. He had 5 stent placed on Jan 20, 2020 and it is Feb 9, 2020 now. He has been experiencing chest pains at time but we are scheduled to leave the Philippines on the 12 next week back home to the CNMI near Guam and we have no cardiologist. His blockage was all one the right not on the left. Is it normal to be sensitive? I mean he only made it to 4 METS on the stress test to determine what he can and cannot do. Will this be normal? Does he need more stronger medicines? Sorry all these questions. I wanna know what I should ask his doctor when I go with him as he gets nervous. He experiences burning sensation sometimes. Idk if it’s heartburn because he takes pills for that but still bothers him. Idk if he should use his nitroglycerin or not.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to chamoru670]

Hi again! I do hope someone more knowledgable (about anatomy and Stress test) will reply to you, as well.

I have a couple of comments. First I would write down all the questions you asked in this message, it seems a good list for your doctor. Do remember to also note down what they say in reply.

Secondly, until you see the doctor I would really encourage your husband to take his spray whenever he gets chest pain. Play safe until the doctor reviews it.

[chamoru670 in reply to Kristin1812]

Spray? 👀

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to chamoru670]

Sorry to confuse you. You mentioned nitroglycerin.......is this a pill under his tongue, to use if he gets angina? A spray with similar effect is more commonly used with angina, in the UK.

I would get him to use it with any angina he gets, until you get to see the doctor.

[chamoru670 in reply to Kristin1812]

Okay. Thank you so much!

[JakJenLew]

I had pain on the left hand side but it was mostly in my back after having stent that lasted for a few months of discomfort...♥️

[trudy83 in reply to JakJenLew]

Hello JakJenLew,Thank you for your reply it's good to know I'm not on my own with this,I know a lot is in my head,but with your reply I know there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope you are much better now.

[Marc68]

Hi Trudy. The pains aren't necessarily in your head but you're now sensitive to any twinge or ache whereas before you would probably have subconsciously ignored them. It's pretty normal to be like that.

We're all different in how we recover, and react to the meds which can be a cause of aches, and it's still early days for you. You're body has only just healed after the angioplasty so give it time and your body and mind will sort themselves out. It does get easier.

[Carlobar]

Hello, hope this helps, this was me about 4-6 weeks ago after having 27th April.

An update at the the bottom......

--------------------------------------------

A little inspiration hopefully, 51 years old Firefighter, very active runner and cyclist, not big drinker, not overweight, stopped smoking 10 years ago, not that bad a diet, that was until 27th April when I found myself in Basildon Cardio having 2 stents fitted.

To say I was in a state of disbelief would be an understatement, discharged after 3 days, the hospital was amazing, personally I can't thank the NHS enough.

It hits your loved ones hard too, my wife went through hell and I didn't really understand it because I was so wrapped up in how I was feeling. Mr Selfish feeling sorry for himself.

Once home, I felt completely isolated from any sort of advice or guidance other than what I found on the internet.

The hard bit was being told to rest, I didn't quite realise how much rest they meant, typical male found myself back in hospital 3 weeks after with a free paramedic fast car drive, discharged the same day, nothing wrong other than "overdoing it".

Started cardio rehab on week 6 and it was fantastic to do some sort of fitness again, the team here in Clacton on Sea are amazing.

Now 3 months in, 3 weeks left of cardio. I have an option to do another 4 weeks which I will be doing.

I'm currently back to running for 30 minutes very slowly and cycling but I feel I've turned the corner.

Any advice,...... research your medication, I had the Ramipril cough which was a nightmare, changed to Candesartan and the cough went within a few weeks, you will bleed more than normal if you cut yourself and you will bruise very very easily.

The biggest problem for me was in my head, anger, resentment, depression to start with, it does go, as you improve your moods do.

I still get running twinges and feelings throughout the day and they do scare me, also if I push to hard I know it the next day.

Do cardio classes, don't skip them.

Im still worried that every twinge is another heart attack, but that's part of it I suppose.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Update 30th September

Passed ECG treadmill test and it was harder than I expected but it surprised me how I managed it.

Still getting the odd twinge but not as much, a lot less but slightly different, guess we're all different.

Feeling well still running and feeling more optimistic, hopefully back at work in 6-8 weeks, could go before but lots of hoops to jump through for the Fire Brigade, that's probably a lot to do with them being sure I'm fit enough.

Good luck, hope this long reply helps you.

[AndyCrocker]

Had similar experience coming up 2 years ago now: very active in teenage years to mid 30s/early 40s then less so, & diet became more rubbishy. At 58 started getting angina which increased rapidly (crescendo angina) so called GP who said to get to A&E asap via 999 (like a muppet I drove myself). Admitted that evening, 11 days (over 2 weekends) in hospital & 2 stents. Lots of chest tightness (eventually diagnosed as muscle tension due to anxiety). Life and diet changed overnight. As others have said, a very great deal is in your head (possibly due to enormity of situation and mountain of medication suddenly hitting me). Tried counselling and for minimum period, antidepressants. Upshot is time is great healer. V weepy and depressed when 1st back home, lots of discomfort on exercising. No light at end of tunnel. Persevered with exercise starting very slowly & v small...then after couple of weeks became much easier so pushed on. Am now cycling 26 miles up & down hills, walking a great deal & generally doing what I want. Always keep GTN spray with me just in case. 5 & half stone lighter & keeping it off. Fitter than I've been for many years. Went to Cardio Phases 2 & 3 recovery programmes (still doing voluntary one) & currently on CardioFitr course (1:1 supervision) & following Cardiologist's Kitchen (see website) eating regime & Mediterranean diet. Must mention BHF, GP and hospital all fantastic but especial praise to wife and family without whose support I would have floundered. It IS a struggle...I still worry over twinges etc but am relaxing more about it all the time. No comparison now between the 'me' now and the 'me' that was in hospital. Keep at it - it does get easier. Good luck!

[Moonrakerlad]

Hello trudy83 ...this is the first time I've replied to queries on the site but I had a single stent inserted almost five months ago. I had a pain beneath my left shoulder blade/centre of back and noticed it more after exercise. The trainer at the rehab class said check it out with my GP who gave me a thorough examination and identified the cause - muscular pain from out of line body. A big relief. Always worth having the pain checked out. You'll get to know more about your body and how it's reacting as time goes by. Since the stent insertion, I've felt twenty years younger (I'm 68); I've shed three stone and now go to Phase 4 rehab class and the gym twice a week as well. Cutting out alcohol and fattening foods has helped (still have the odd treat now and again though!). Recipes from BHF are a great help as are those from the Cardiologist's Kitchen website (really useful tips and information on there). The service and support from my cardio team, nurses, rehab classes and GP have been excellent... of course not forgetting my family who took the brunt of the stress.

[trudy83]

Hello Moonrakerlad,Thanks for your reply I did start to think it was all in my head. But you have given me some really good advice much appreciated. Hope you continue to enjoy good health.

[Vikram_S in reply to trudy83]

Hi Trudy,

Is twinges still coming or it stopped. what your gp said when twinges occurred and how long does it occur.

[Hidden]

Hi Trudy, my stents were completed 15 months ago and the pain remains so I had further investigation, medication manages the issues surrounding the heart issues and the aches, pains etc., don't restrict what I can do. They are very real and shouldn't be ignored, I'm encouraged to monitor the activities, duration and scale so that I can respond appropriately.

Eat well, exercise or find activities that you enjoy to stay active and most importantly talk about the issues. The more you discuss the problem the more effective your management of the symptoms becomes. Oh, my wife just said remember to listen to those around you without being defensive.

[Hidden]

Hi trudy83,

Welcome. I have had 7 stents, which were fitted over a period of 5 years. After each stenting I also felt pain on the left side. I think it takes a while for your body to settle. Of course if you are still feeling worried, a chat with your GP may put your mind at ease. I wish you well.💜

[PT-INDIA]

Hi , I am from India ..58 years old but very active in cycling and running..diagonsed of having 100% block to LAD ..Had angioplasty done 6 months ago..recovered well ...cleared bruce protocol Stress test..but there is a pain in the left arm and left side of the body which is restraining me doing the all out training or racing I used to do earlier... Doctors say its miracle I survived training and racing with having 100% blockage due to development of natural collateral... Doctors say that its a muscular pain...but still fearing that it may be a heart issue ....A hard day training increase the pain...Hope it get off soon..

[Purplemaze]

I had one stent 2 weeks ago an had to have another heart catheter 2 days ago because of chest pain

[Scullygirl93c]

Hi there, had minor heart attack so a stent was put in felt absolutely fine and thought I was ok but recently suffer from terrible wind and excruciating back pain like a vice which is making life miserable. Searched internet to find I am so not alone with this condition. I was recently discharged from my hospital so when pains started up rung my doctor for an appointment but instead was transferred to a nurse. She couldn’t explain why I had the pains but to stop the ibuprofen I was on for the pain as that caused wind?

I never suffered with this before but this might be down to the tablets I am on interfering with one another. I am also diabetic so take metformin tablets along with thyroid levothyroxine, then on losartan for high blood pressure then add to that mixture, Clopidogrel, an aspirin , beta blocker, Amlodipine, lansoprazol and Atorvastatin. Even straight after my heart attack I felt well and no pain whatsoever for the whole week before they put in the stent but now my quality of life is to be honest pathetic as this pain last nearly all day. I am sleeping well though. It could be stress related and somewhat psychosomatic and that may be the answer but I am worried about all these tablets I am taking together.

[James135]

I was getting a dull sensation discomfort in both arms and across my chest if i did anything energetic which would go away after a few minutes when i rested, I put it down to indigestion for weeks and made a appointment to see the doctor, He thought i had Angina and sent me for a EGC when i was told i needed two stents, One in the right artery and one in the left artery, The one in the Right artery was a PCI stent and tricky to fit the stent i was told, I had the stents fitted in January 2020 and since have lost 4 stone in weight, eat healthy and go out on my mountain bike at least 4 times a week 7 miles up the steep hills and i feel amazing, I Have not had any problems or pain since and still walk alot in the hills to keep fit, My friend had 2 stents fitted 19 years ago and in 2020 he is living life to the full and feeling great so enjoy life after having a stent/s

All the very best and good health.

[Diesel1964]

Had stent fitted last xmas on my right side and get random neck aches every since

[Heringjoel7930 in reply to Diesel1964]

I’ve been getting the neck aches too. Not sure why.