Stents (pins and needles)

[Yvey57]

Hi everyone , I am 59 and 11 weeks post stents , I am suffering more with anxiety than anything , but on and off I have had pins and needles in left hand and a dull ache in left arm . I have been back to doctors regularly as the usual pains in chest etc , but was told I’m going to get this for a good while .

I do have an appointment with a therapist in a couple of weeks , but I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this , some of the experiences to me are frightening regarding stents and the problems post stents .

I was feeling terrible on and off for a little while , but it passed as I just didn’t know if it’s a virus as my fiancé has been suffering with same symptoms ..

As a said before I am struggling mentally and every little twinge is something wrong , I just am finding it hard at the moment as getting my head around this scary experience that I know affects not just ourselves but family too ..

Hopefully I can get past this as I am a terrible patient and my fiancé is losing his patience with me as I don’t always want to talk about it as I don’t want to worry him ..

I wish everybody well .

[Avarae]

Hi..im 56 im 12 week since stent.its all normal lv how u feel..im not a anxious person but all of a sudden I'm jittery and get a weard nervous feeling ended up hospital Fri with it an chest pains and all was fine.she said it's a blitz and will come and go..they told me don't drink lot of coffee as it's bad for anxiety but mines passed now..it can be so scarey this awfull heart problem we have but we have to keep at it..hope u feel better soon lv

[Yvey57 in reply to Avarae]

Hi Avarae , thank you for you reply , but it's amazing how anxiety can become the most overwhelming part of recovery..

I stay away from coffee which I love as I know the effects it can have on your body especially with anxiety especially when I'm getting the pins and needles , but the mind is a powerful thing ..

but thank you for your kind words and I'm glad you are recovering well .. take care 🙋

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Just wondering if you were offered rehab? This is often beneficial in rebuilding confidence and you get to meet others in a similar position.

[Yvey57 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi MichaelJH , thank you for answering ..

yes I do go to Rehab and there is lots of support , I did mention my pins and needles but I'm always being told " I will get a lot of this for a while" , I was just wanting to know if anyone else has experienced same as I feel asking on this site more people have more time to answer with there experiences and you can always go back to read for reassurance..

Thank you again for replying, Take care.

[NEPHIN in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael

I would say do not worry. I had four stents over seven months ago.

I experienced pins and needles for about three months after.

I understand as the stents are inserted they can hit nerve tissue sometimes.

All disappeared now, so all good hopefully.

[Yvey57 in reply to NEPHIN]

I never thought of that , doctors say it’s not an invasive procedure , but I think in my opinion it is as like you said , it can Hit nerve tissue , but to be honest I am thankful for my treatment and I can’t complain about anything , but I now know that eventually these twinges usually pass in time .

[Judy2208]

I had ha and four stents told right hand valve blocked may look at it on a later date

Still get stabbing pains around heart and other areas this all happened 8 weeks ago I go to rehab twice a week just come back from golfing week in Turkey

This morning of for echo cardio hope to get back to work this week also

Just move through the pain it will pass

[Yvey57 in reply to Judy2208]

Hi Judy2208.. thank you for your words of confidence and on your recovery..

I also go to Rehab twice a week and find it very beneficial .

This experience is certainly a life changer and we are always told to be positive as we are lucky and to move on ..

but the psychological impact is colossal , every little ache that feels familiar is a constant worry ..

the latest thing I am having is the dull ache and pins and needles , but like I said , I have mentioned it to doctors , Rehab etc .. but it seems to be a part of recovery, I just thought if anyone else has had this symptom it would be reassurance as my anxiety can get extreme .. I do have an appointment for that ..

but I'm glad you are recovering you are doing well and you seem very positive .

Thank you again for replying .. best wishes , take care 🙋

[hutch123]

I am a year on from 7 stents. Roller coaster of emotions over that time, fear, anxiety and anger. I get lots of aches and pains. I also get reflux acid from the aspirin I take and that can give me some chest pain. In the early months I was backwards and forwards to the hospital thinking it was the big one on the way, but over time have got better at recognising different pains.

My cardiologist told me to think of it as having had heart surgery as it is invasive, the only difference was no cuts or bone breaking and muscles were stretched, as were arteries, nerves touched and tissues bruised, add to that that the heart doesn't take kindly to being man handled. He told me short sharp pains that move about is unlikely to be heart related, if it stays in one place it could be. Add to that some medications can cause muscle pain.

If you are doubtful always better to take a trip to the hospital to get checked out.

[Yvey57 in reply to hutch123]

Thank you hutch 123,

Yes I sometimes think I’m expecting to much from myself , I do get a lot of aches and pains all over and I know all the medication we take can cause this too..

I do feel well most of the time and I have more energy than I have in a long while .. and I do agree that our procedure is invasive and we shouldn’t be surprised with all the niggles for a while .

I have still have the fear , anger and certainly the anxiety , that is the worst for me , I just want to get on with life and get back to some normality , wake up without this constantly on my mind ..

but like you , I will hopefully get to know these different aches and pains without thinking the worst.

Thank you for the reply , and wish you well in your recovery..

[DavidG1971]

I’m 4.5 months in. Anxiety still there some days - but I’m miles better physically than I was even a month ago.

[Yvey57 in reply to DavidG1971]

Hi DavidG1971 ,

Yes I To feel a lot better as I had no energy before and I was just putting it down to a virus , until my HA .. but the anxiety is worse to deal with , but I’m told it all part of recovery sometimes and it’s normal 🤔...

[DavidG1971 in reply to Yvey57]

It fades. One day you realise you haven’t thought about your condition for a few hours. Happens gradually. Don’t try to rush it through. I think it’s part of a process we have to go through.

[Yvey57 in reply to DavidG1971]

Yes I am maybe expecting to much from myself.

you are right we have to get through as we don’t have a choice really .

But thank you for your advice , I will remember that this is a process or should I say “progress” .. 👍..

[Saffron63]

Hi Yvey

I’m 14 weeks post 2 stents following a heart attack. I suffered from anxiety before the attack so you can imagine afterwards., it went through the roof! I couldn’t sleep, worried about not being able to sleep, went to A+E cause I was convinced I was having a stroke, you name it I got anxious about it. I still get the sharp chest pain and have the numbness and pins and needles in the hands and so incredibly exhausted at times, I understand that to be medication related, So for me your symptoms are all normal after an abnormal invasive event, yes invasive that’s what I was told. What has helped me tremendously is counselling and meditation, Even if you just start on a meditation app. Also when your calmer gaining as much knowledge as you can about your condition, cause that can help you feel in control during an overwhelming time of your life. I’m actually better of mentally since my HA., and you will be too! Be kind to yourself try not let that internal voice criticise. We can all relate on here so write any time your in doubt.

[Yvey57 in reply to Saffron63]

Thank you saffron63..

I thought I was a strong person , But going by what everybody is saying “Anxiety “ seems to be the biggest hurdle to over come ..

I have my appointment for counselling and I am hoping to start Yoga as my daughter swears by it .. but I will look into a meditation App..

I certainly look at life in a totally different light , I am so grateful for my treatment and can’t fault the care , but there doesn’t seem to be much advice on the emotional side .

I understand everything you are saying as I to suffered from anxiety before my HA , and it doesn’t take a lot for it to go through the roof , I’m trying to keep off antidepressants as I was on them for years being a lot younger and everything was foggy then , but I also got over it .

I think we always have a way of coping and I appreciate everybody taking the time to reply to me .

But thank you again and I will certainly ask if I’m in doubt , hoping you too a speedy recovery .. 🙏🙋‍♀️

[Snapdragon_purple1]

So good to read the replies to your questions.

I had a stent fitted 2 weeks ago and I’m now getting the pins and needles in my left hand and a bit in my right. I was so worried but feel a bit better for reading that it’s not just me

Hope yours has passed now🙂x

[Bradee12 in reply to Snapdragon_purple1]

Ditto, pins and needles 10 weeks on from 2 stents and a HA. Seems par for the course.

[Diy66]

Hi Yvey57

I too have exactly the same issue, I had two stents put in last October, it’s a horrible feeling, I know as soon as the pins and needles return in my hand and arm I’m going to struggle for the next few days, I appreciate your post as I’ve asked about the same issues but not had any real answers, thanks for the post at least I’m not going mad getting stressed over it

[Callie456]

Hi, I had a heart attack and angiogram 3 months ago. Still getting intermittent pins and needles in both hands, but I think I'm getting used to it. Drs had no real explanations for me and it has caused me a lot of anxiety. It has helped to read all these comments and know it's not just me.