Peripheral arterial disease-angioplasty?

[worrier2021]

Hi all,

My gran is 97 she's got peripheral arterial disease-no diabetes but had a stroke last year and obviously is very elderly and developed PAD a few months ago. She's in a lot of pain and has ulcers on her leg and swelling. I'm not sure if she has chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI/CLI) as I'm not entirely sure of the difference but it's possible it's at that stage or getting there.

She was offered an angioplasty but there are a few blockages and Dr didn't say for sure it'd work or could also even make it worse. The word amputation was even mentioned which is just terrifying. She has decided against the angioplasty because you have to keep your leg straight and this will be incredibly painful. Does anyone know if there are things they can do for this like a sedative or epidural? The Dr didn't really say but this is what has put my nan off having it.

If anyone knows about angioplasties I could really do with some advice-do they have a high failure rate? Could a frail 97 year old get through the procedure ok? Is it painful?

I'm so worried about her leg I mean you can't just leave it can you, it will get worse? She does have nurses to dress it and keep an eye on it but I'm terrified it'll turn gangrenous please help thanks so much.

[Thongchuay]

Well, 97 is a very long time on earth and it may be time to let go. IMHO there is no use in letting such old people suffer even more. Better spend as much time as possible with her.

[worrier2021 in reply to Thongchuay]

Hi I know I have a limited amount of time left with her it's not about that-she's suffering NOW and an angioplasty might help and give her 6 months with a much better quality of life versus six months in the agony she is often in at the moment. I do agree with you about not letting old people suffer-I hope euthanasia is legal by the time I'm old but that is not an option in most countries right now so not really just a case of "letting go" and just watching her suffer anyway -I am trying to improve her quality of life.

[Thongchuay in reply to worrier2021]

Sorry, I did not want to offend you, and your effort to improve her last month is admirable. And I wish your grandma all the best to still have some joy in her life.

[worrier2021 in reply to Thongchuay]

Thank you and it's ok, I totally agree with most of your post except I wish it was as simple as just letting her slip away I just think it'll be incredibly painful if her leg keeps getting worse. Hard to know what to do, we are getting some stronger painkillers so hopefully that'll help if angioplasty is not an option. Thank you for your kind words.

[Qualipop]

Absolutely she can have sedation for an angioplasty. It's good to hear they are willing to treat someone of her advanced age. We had to fight like mad to get them to treat my mother in law's broken leg when she was 94. She was up and walking around a few weeks later and lived to be 97. However you need to balance her problems wih her quality of ife. If they think they can improve it, then go for it.

[worrier2021 in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you Qualipop I think a sedative would really help. I can't even imagine them not willing to do anything for a broken leg at any age?! I'm glad you fought for it and it worked so well, that would've increased her quality of life massively. I know my gran would never live through an op now (she did have one a few years ago and they struggled to get her round) but an angioplasty is not like a big op so it seemed like a good option to at least try. It's so hard to know what to do at her age just hate seeing her suffer like this.

[Qualipop in reply to worrier2021]

They will explain the risks and wouldn't even try it if they didn't think the chance of success was worth it. They do these procedures every day on all ages. If they've suggested it I would think that they feel it's worthwhile. Talk to them. Just remember quality of life over quantity, however hard it is.

[worrier2021 in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you so much and yes definitely agree quality over quantity I'm so lucky to have had her this long. Just want her last few months or however long she has to be as good as possible.

[Qualipop in reply to worrier2021]

Just as it should be. Wishing you and her well

[worrier2021]

Just to update-my gran died last weekend. It wasn't anything to do with her leg in the end, her dementia suddenly got worse and she declined rapidly and stopped eating/drinking. Her leg actually stopped hurting her the past couple of months but she was still unable to walk. It would get infected from time to time and treated with antibiotics but never really got any worse. Anyway it was probably best she didn't have the procedure. I really thought the leg would be her cause of death from sepsis but with her vascular dementia, history of stroke and heart failure I suppose any one of those could've taken her at any time and I'm very lucky she lived as long as she did.

[Hidden]

So so sorry for your loss.Look after yourself.x

[worrier2021 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x