Intermittent Claudication (PAD)

[Somerford]

I suffer from Intermittent Claudication which I was diagnosed for nearly two years ago. Surgery has not been advised following three opinions. I am 80 quite fit cycle 50 miles a week. Has anyone had this PAD and how long for without having to resort to surgery?

[10gingercats]

a friend had claudication for c 25 years. from her early/mid fifties until her eighties. She walked everywhere and was always active as well as enjoying many foreign holidays.She always said the 'secret' to her life was keeping active with her condition.

[Somerford in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you so much for this information. I was getting very mixed views in this subject. Some very worrying.

[jeanjeannie50]

I had claudication one summer many years ago and my GP at the time (old fashioned doc you could trust) told me to reduce fat in my diet. I did and it just went, never to appear again.

Jean

[Somerford]

Thank you for that. Sadly mine ain’t going to go away. So I’m making best if it. Walking, cycling and healthy eating. So far no deterioration in my legs, so hopefully I can keep going with a little help from the Man upstairs. I just wanted to know how long some folk have had it?

[Hidden]

I'd just like to say I think you are amazing cycling at 80 years of age.Good luck

[Mountwood]

I have had intermittent claudication in my calves for years when I walk up stairs or hills. Whenever I mentioned it to my GP he would check my pulses and say they were fine. It took some firm refusal to just accept this before he referred me to a consultant who did an ultrasound of my legs and told me there was nothing wrong with the circulation in my legs. He believed my problem was due to spinal stenosis and an MRI proved him right. There is nothing to be done about it , but at least I know the correct cause.

[Somerford in reply to Mountwood]

Your story is very interesting and the opposite of mine. My GP was treating me for hip and back probs. I had scans, MRIs the lot. The Orthopaedic Surgeon I’m sure thought I was faking it. Then wham! I was on the treadmill in the Gym when I had this excruciating pain in my right calf. Visit to the same GP who checked my pulses and lo and behold he said he thought my prob was vascular. Three years wasted because of missed diagnosis.

[MMGDAY]

Hello, I have had this for over 5 years have had angioplasty twice that never worked, I just know my limitations now. Don’t want anymore intervention, it’s a greater risk. Wish I could get about more without pain though. Well done you for your perseverance.

[Somerford in reply to MMGDAY]

So sorry to hear about this. I was to have surgery last January. At the last minute tge young doctor at my pre operation clinic advised against. Despite his senior colleague saying it would be ok. I was so worried I ask for all my clinical notes and passed them to two friends if my son who were consultants in Ireland. They supported the young docs view — too risky. So got to live with it. So let’s get on with it. Una Vida bien vivida say I. Take care

[Somerford in reply to MMGDAY]

I think that is a wise decision. Take care.

[Clairealou]

Hi somerford. I was diagnosed with PAD a few years ago and was told that so long as I exercised, or at least walked, it would never go but may not get worse. My consultant didn’t think surgery would ever be an option as it hasn’t worsened and, i require s9 much heart surgery, which it does impact in terms of access via arteries. But, at the moment, all good and see no reason why my PAD will ever need surgery and as someone else on here said, bypasses are not that successful.

[Somerford in reply to Clairealou]

So pleased to hear this. I’m just hoping mines doesn’t worsen your advice on excercise is vital. Thank you.