I am 6 weeks post stent and have posted on here before with some great replies however I am still lost as what to to do next. I actually feel worse post Angio and stent than I did before. I can’t walk more than 5 mins without getting out of breath, feeling clammy and jelly legs, extreme chest pain, dizzy and feeling like I am going to collapse. I have been back to hospital 3 times and all they do is a troponin test and an ecg and say it’s not the heart. I understand as I work on the Cardiology as administrator that there are other hinges they can do to check the heart as the troponin will only show if a heart attack has happened and an ecg is a 20-30 second reading. My gp says as far as she is concerned that it’s not my medication. I have been discharged 3 times as non cardiac chest pain on the basis of those two tests and that’s by non cardiology doctors who they haven’t even spoken too when I have been in. My 94% blockage in my left artery was only caught because at rapid access clinic they decided first to do a CT Angio because of my mums past MI history as I passes a treadmill test showing no changes. I am concerned and don’t know where to turn to as I am now not wanting to go out and am yet to return to work because of feeling scared feeling the way I am.
Wondered if anyone else has felt worse post stent and if anyone has any advice on where to turn next.
Thanking you in advance.
Tracy 😊
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Tracy298
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Sorry to hear that you are still suffering post stent chest pain, I would bet that you were fed the line that you`ll go to the Cath lab have a stent or so fitted and then you will be absolutely fine probably better than you were before or something similar. For some this has been the case and I wish them all well but there are from the posts I`ve read a lot like you and I were the outcome has not been as positive. My journey as they like to call it started back in May 2011 admitted to local hospital with chest pain Troponin positive saw cardiologist, in brief told I was on the list for transfer to Glenfield Hospital (Regional Heart Centre) after nearly 3 weeks confined to the ward got my transfer at 1 o`clock in the morning, waited another 5 days before I got to the Cath Lab you know the procedure so I`m laid there first stent in then everything goes black an I wake up in the recovery room surrounded by nurses and monitors found out later that I`d had a cardiac arrest requiring 2 more stents, gave the team a bit excitement. Anyway to cut a long story to the bones I had 12 blue light admissions to my local hospital in a 15 month period, dropped by my original cardiologist after 3rd admission as I didn`t look good on his numbers so I passed down to a understudy who was absolutely brilliant eventually found a compromised artery in the back of the heart and that I had microvascular disease. So back to Glenfield this time on the hurry up arrived there about 02:00 interventional cardiologist waiting for me. Agreed after my first experience to wait until the full team was available in the morning so of I go at 08:00 they begin then the guy says sorry but I can`t do this I`m going to have to get my boss (you can imagine whats going through my mind after first time) so he arrives take a look and says I`m sorry but I can`t make any promises about this one after 4 attempts to get the stent in place success. Frankly all the stents have made very little difference still suffer pain most days ranging from mild to quite debilitating. However I do now have a very good cardiologist who is prepared to listen and have a very good pain management care plan in place. As stated in my previous post there`s no further intervention for me. I guess what I`m trying to say is be realistic about your condition because your the only one who knows how it affects you, don`t take to much notice of the hype and platitudes that you get, be prepared to put up a bit of a fight to get the doctors to listen.
I was exactly told those words and I guess that’s why I am struggling. So very sorry to read about your health but am so pleased that you have found a good cardiologist now. I feel bad as I work with mine but think that’s why I am not getting anywhere because of the familiarity.
I will remain realistic as I can’t see me being the all singing all dancing post stent patient.
Thank you again for taking time to reply. Support like this is so valuable!!
I`ve just read your previous post and see that your on Ranolazine and I just wondered if your cardiologist explained the warnings for drug interactions with this drug if not I would recommend that you have a look at the BNF site, bnf.nice.org.uk/interaction....
I`m on 1000mg twice daily and been on the drug for about 4 years with no problems but I always make any prescriber aware that I`m taking it as even every day antibiotics can cause serious heart rhythm changes.
My understanding from the cardiologist who first prescribed it for me is that rather than being a nitrate and dilating the blood vessels it works by relaxing the blood vessels in the heart muscle and therefore allows a increase supply of blood into the muscle. It sounds from this that they are possibly treating you for microvascular disease which a lot of cardiologist still don`t understand hence the disagreements in treatment.
My advice for what its worth is stick with the drug until you find the dose that is right for your condition as it does really help but please do your own research and be aware of the interactions with this drug.
So sorry to hear what a rotten time you have been having. The situation you are experiencing is just what my concerns were when told my husband needed an angiogram and possible stents. He had one angina attack in February then nothing more. Everyone kept saying this was the best way forward as they don't appear to do stress tests using exercise any more. I worried he was going in relatively fit, able to do anything and may come out having had a stroke or heart attack. People fobbed off my concerns yet these are told to you when signing consent. Luckily he came out of angiogram fine - no stents. I feel for you as we all go into hospital expecting to come out 'fixed' not feeling worse! I hope they find a way to help. Do they have cardio rehab where you live? I hear it is very good. Take care. Maybe try relaxation as others have suggested.
Thanks for your reply I hope your husband goes on to make a full recovery, I have been trying throughout most of my posts to raise people`s awareness that although the vast majority of the cardiac procedures carried out have a positive and beneficial outcome for the patient there are some cases were thing don`t go as planned or the problem is far more complicated than first envisaged.
So as the saying goes "Hope for the best but prepare for the worst" as is my case.
I hope I don`t come across as a whinging doom and gloom merchant because I`m certainly not I`m just very realistic about my condition and the outcome.
P.S.They do have cardio rehab and a very good rehab nurse near where I live, but I was unable to complete the cardiac rehab assessment on 3 occasions so it was a no go.
Thank you for taking the time to reply again and you’re advice is so valuable. I will have a read of the interactions between drugs and make sure I stick to getting everything right.
Keep up all the advice as you have certainly helped me.
I have been in touch with them on 3 occasions the latest being last week. They keep saying the bloood flow was good so can’t be a problem with the stent. They then do an ecg and troponin and when it comes back negative they say I can go home.
I work with my guys too on a daily basis but I think that is where I am having problem as I think as much as they care for me the familiarity is a problem too.
A week after my stent I was back to A&E to ambulatory care complaining of tight chest pains for 2 days and out of breath. all tests were clear including a chest X-ray and I was told there was nothing wrong so go home. The pains continued for a few days until I read on this site the part anxiety pays. A viscous cycle, you get a pain, you get anxious, the pain appears worse and you get more anxious and so on. Knowing this helped me to start to relax knowing in the next few weeks and months it would get better and it is. I'm not saying this totally applies to you but don't push yourself too hard. Short periods of exercise, eat better, ensure plenty of fluids and identify the trigger points and look to avoid them. go for shorter walks but more often. your recovery will take time. The biggest problem I had was ignorance of what to expect and I was discharged with no advise on what to expect so had no idea there would be problems so I panicked.
Thank you for your reply. I do think my expectations are high but partly made by the words the cardiologist used on discharge. I too was discharged with no advice and before joining here I was hell bent on googling which we all know can be dangerous. I am the first to admit that when i get a pain I panic more so totally agree with what you have said. I will try to relax more and hope that things improve and if not I can identify exactly what is the problem.
Hi Tracy,sorry to hear you are having problems and feeling so unwell and upset. I agree with the others that maybe you are doing too much and might have expectations that are just too high. What meds are you on? I felt awful on my original bundle and when I saw the cardiologist as my follow up appt he changed 2 and it did help. A GP told me my meds were fine prior so it might be worth double checking. I had a heart attack and 2 stents fitted in Dec 2017 and had no symptoms so like you went from feeling ok to feeling dreadful despite being told that the stents would make me feel like Wonder Woman. I still hope to feel much better in the long run but have realised it isn't an exact science when it comes to what meds/what dosage and the body takes its own sweet time to recover from the shock of everything. Have you done the cardiac rehab sessions?
Thank you for your reply. I do agree with you about the expectations but I guess you cling to the words from the cardiologist when they say you will feel like a new woman and like you say when you don’t you worry something is wrong. I am on Aspirin, Ticagleror, Bisoprolol, Losartan, Arorvastatin and Lansoprolol. I have asked my gp and she says that they are ok bit will get them checked at my review at the end of the May. I wasn’t entitled to any cardiac rehab sessions because I hadn’t had a heart attack so am researching my own rehab along with help from the lovely people on here.
I hope you feel even better soon and thank you for taking the time to message me.
If you go on the bhf site and search for "dvd29" you will be able to order the DVDs that takes you through all of the excersises that are used in the cardiac rehab sessions. They cost nothing and there are numerous warnings about doing too much etc. If you do not have access to cardiac rehab these are all you need for self training. Good luck
It is possible to experience cardiac chest pain with clear coronary arteries and blood flow due to the blood vessels going into spasm leading to a lack of blood supply to the heart.
Microvascular angina or coronary artery spasms are not well recognised or well understood by many cardiologists which means these conditions can easily be missed and go untreated. MVA is more common in women.
Thank you for your reply and I will be reading the articles you have highlighted and may bring this up at my next appointment and hope I can I can get to the bottom of it all.
Morning Tracy Nigel here.im nearly 3 years post ha n sca,s still get chest pain I was diagnosed with anxiety and ptsd after these events.try your gp to look at possible anxiety issues also our minds can go into panic mode if you have a gtn spray use it sit down and take calming breaths.if no spray see your gp good luck I have said many times they can treat the heart it's between our ears that's the demon.good luck Tracy keep fighting
Thank you for your reply. I will definitely check out the anxiety issues as I am he first to admit I am over anxious at the moment. You are right about the heart being treatable but it’s everything else in between.
Thank you for taking the time to reply and I will do.
Hi Tracy, I felt horrid for weeks post angio and stenting. It does take awhile for things to settle.
Have you been offered cardiac rehab? I found the rehab nurse was the most helpful person in this process. She reviewed my medication and discussed my symptoms. Then I was referred to a rehab class. Phase 1 is all about getting back to exercise and gaining confidence again - all under careful moderation. Phase 2 is actually working on the equipment in the gym. It's a great way to meet others in the same situation and get back to being active again.
Thank you for your reply. I haven’t been offered rehab because at the hospital I am under you have to have had a heart attack and stenting before you are entitled to this. I had the stenting but not the MI.
I will have a look independently at whether I can get some rehab.
Thank you again for your reply it’s much appreciated.
Doesn't sound right to me as I did not have a heart attack - just angioplasty and 3 stents. I would ask your GP to refer you to cardiac rehab. It is quite important for many reasons. Rehab is not only about exercise - more about getting you back to healthy, active living again.
Hi, Tracy, i found myself to be very week after triple stenting, as i worked on the strength and fitness I slowly got better, but it did take 3 months to get back to work.anda good few months after that to feel really well.
I had an acid stomach condition and my cardio symptoms were ONLY two incidents of chest pain (which seemed just like indigestion). Fortunately I was encouraged to see my doctor and four weeks later I was through treatment and had 4 stents plus many medications, but that's when my troubles started. Sharp pains in chest and back every few minutes and feeling very apprehensive and lacking in energy.
About 6 months later, including 2 more ecg stress tests (showing me having no heart problems) and experimenting with medications exposed my (personal) intolerance of high dosage of Bisoprolol Fumarate. When that was reduced, as if by magic, no pains plus energy and confidence returning.
Now 3 years further on I've taken the advice of the local BHF cardio support group on lifestyle and dietary changes. I also have a supervised gym routine performed 3 times a week and am fitter and in better shape than I've ever been during my adult years.
What helped me:
1. Use your local heart support group as you can talk both to trained staff and also fellow suffers who have worries but have survived and flourished.
2. You know your own body better than your GP or Cardiologist. Use their knowledge but judge the treatment which suits you best.
3. Communicate with your GP as your local knowledgeable source. My GP discusses treatment options and strategies with me and (within reason) lets me control my own blood pressure medications. We experimented and found that in my case the Statin was not the medication at fault and he changed the Cardiologist prescribed medications to relieve my symptoms.
4. Check that you understand all the cardio services available to you locally and make sure you take advantage of them.
5. Help yourself by choosing lifestyle options which best support a healthy heart.
6. Look out for all the latest information on developments in medical treatment. The BHF is a good source.
7. I nearly died just under 4 years ago, all the time since is a bonus given to me by our medical services. I cherish and enjoy it and make what changes I need to prolong it.
Hi Tracy, I’m several months post MI and subsequent 5 stents. They took time to settle - i am still coming to terms with it (im 42 and always exercised, but smoked 18-30 and have a strong family history), so it did come as a shock- I had very similar symptoms to you and went back into A&E twice, but with the all-clear twice- I can only conclude that it was stent settling and anxiety. I am lucky to see a counsellor, to talk through my fears and she has been excellent with advice/ support as has the cardio nurse from the hospital and I am now paying to see a cardiologist (money well spent I think). I have read loads (including on this great forum) and changed to a mainly plant based diet with a bit of fish, practice meditation (I found the Calm app good for this- but you can get dvds etc) and gradually increased exercise (but have been careful not to overdo it). For me it is about trying to take back some control and this has helped as has time- but as I have repeated (several times) in posts is that my counsellor states it is akin to a bereavement and psychologically the normal time to ‘get over’ / move forward after a close bereavement is around two years; this was very good to hear- that there is no rush, we should not place such high expectations on ourselves to be up and bouncing around every day. I have up and down days/moments - but the down days are less and my appreciation of being here never diminishes. The discomfort has also settled but I am not completely clear of side effects and I am hoping that a review of meds with the cardiologist may help. Personally the PPI’s did not agree with me and I am better on Ranitidine - PPI’s made me feel slightly sick and still had slightly stomach discomfort (duodenitis) that made me anxious.
I have read some amazing stories on here that give me hope for a long life still. I hope in some way my post has helped you and wish you all the best with your recovery. Best wishes , David
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