Help??

[2rivers]

hi I currently have COPD (emphysema) I have had this condition for a long time and deal with it ok. Back in Jan (2019) I had a severe exacerbation partly caused by a severe infection. Tests showed some disease to my right coronary artery, minimal disease to the left, My question is twofold, I am due to have a stent fitted tomorrow in hospital and was wondering if this could improve my breathing? Also I am currently suffering from diarrhea so should I cancel this procedure?? Thanks John

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Before my bypass I had breathlessness usually accompanied by angina - so it may or may not! You should postpone as if they need to go via the groin the infection risk is high! Usually they ask you not to attend or visit with any form of stomach bug as you may infect patients!

[2rivers in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael, thanks for your reply, yeah re the breathlessness guess it may or may not help. There is still blood flow through the artery so debatable, but yeah think it best to cancel. Thanks

[cowparsley]

Hi, I also have COPD coupled with HF.so difficult to know which one is causing the most problems.Good luck when you do finally have the procedure done xx

[2rivers in reply to cowparsley]

Hi, thanks for your msg. Yeah it is hard to know which causes the most problems! Does make me wonder if its even worth having the stent fitted? I feel ok at the moment no chest pain/angina! COPD is gonna get worse over time but I've had it for 29 yrs! Defo a 50/50!

Take care

John

[cowparsley in reply to 2rivers]

Gosh,I`ve had it for 12 years and do manage to lead a normal life,just not a very energetic one.Hope you`re not on oxygen.That must be a real bummer.xx

[2rivers in reply to cowparsley]

Yeah its a long time but not had any real problems until this last year, my emphysema was diagnosed back in 2000 and I had a bullectomy performed then up in Hammersmith, not sure it made any difference really so after 7 wks in hospital go back home and carry on smoking! Stupid but I was only 26 and thought I knew best!! LoL!

Had a minor heart attack in Jan this year mainly due I think to a severe exacerbation of the COPD, was in hospital for a few days and tests showed some disease to my right coronary artery, so the stent was offered! To be honest other than my breathing being a bit worse (only on inhalers! no oxygen!) I feel fine! I think due to the stresses of my job back then maybe that caused the problem in Jan, I had a bad chest infection at the time but would not go to the Doctors (typical bloke!!) but ended up in an ambulance at 3am cause I couldn't breathe!! was down to 47kg but work was always more important than eating properly! Now back up to 58 kg and rising cause I eat more now than ever! Upshot I guess is stop smoking, eat properly and don't pretend that stress doesn't bother you!!

I've rattled on a bit! Apologies!

Take care

John

[cowparsley in reply to 2rivers]

Not at all.That`s awful.Copd age 26.Must be a record! I was a smoker,was diagnosed with asthma so gave up aged 48.No improvement.Was retested and diagnosed with emphysema.Life improved for a while but had all the old symptoms back,finally diagnosed with heart failure as well.Lived as normal a life as poss.and I look very fit and healthy for my age but last CT scan confirmed lung cancer.Talk about a hat trick! Fortunately it`s slow growing so I expect the heart will get me first! I think some of us,me included,are in denial about our health problems but you really must see your GP at the least sign of trouble.I also had a chest infection in Jan.Knocked me for six but saw GP and was put on steroids.Lovely,felt I could climb mountains.Do look after yourself John,you`re still young with plenty of life to live so stick to the increased diet,no smoking and do what Drs advise.

Very best wishes for the future. Jen xx