Life after stent

[Makemineadouble]

My wife is in significant pain in her chest, neck and jaw, after her stents were fitted last year, we /she have had 3 visits to A&E where bloods come back normal, it's driving her to distraction and I feel helpless, any thoughts??? Much obliged

[Hearty21]

Hi. Sorry to hear that your wife is in pain. Did she had a HA before her stents were fitted - did they tell her that there are more narrowings in other arteries ?

twinges and aches after stent implants is normal (first few months). But if it bothers her and won’t respond to GTN spray, best is to get it checked by a cardiologist

I had a stent fitted in Feb this year after a mild HA. Since then I have been in constant chest pain, 6 visits to A&E. it is just this month, one of the cardiologist thinks it is mostly a pulled nerve in my chest. Waiting for the new medication to kick in .

[Makemineadouble in reply to Hearty21]

Yes, I'm beginning to think it's either a menopausal issue making it worse or a nerve, medication build up issue, rather than the actual heart, either way she needs a comprehensive scan, thank u

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Makemineadouble]

I am sorry that your wife is still having chest pain.

It is possible to have angina with no obstructive coronary arteries, NOCAD. This type of angina is more common in women.

The usual causes Microvascular dysfunction or vasospastic angina.

They are difficult to diagnose and often overlooked.

A stent treats any blockages however if there are problems with the small vessels or vasospasms then a person can still have angina.

I suggest your wife is reviewed by a Cardiologist to assess why she still has ongoing chest pain.

acc.org/latest-in-cardiolog...

[Makemineadouble in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank u she will arrange to talk this over tomorrow with a cardiologist, brilliant help here thank u

[Sleesa in reply to Makemineadouble]

I agree with Milkfairy. I had a stent fitted in July last year. I got home and immediately got taken back in with a severe angina attack. The Cardiologist thinks it's because nerves were damaged already causing Microvascular angina or the stent procedure caused a spasm in my arteries. I've had some episodes over the last year that have required hospital all with no heart attack or damage. It effectively means every three or four months I end up in A&E needing pain relief and a tropinin test etc, usually with an overnight stay to check it's not unstable angina. Every time I'm home again feeling absolutely fine apart from feeling tired. It happened so often my Cardiologist prescribed me Morphine to self administer during an attack should my gtn spray not help. This has helped lessen the times an ambulance is needed. I'm a year on and feel one hundred times better than I did pre stent . I exercise every day ,eat well and generally feel great bar the odd ambulance ride when the morphine doesn't work. I've accepted that this may be a thing I have to deal with. It could be spasms or microvascular. Definitely speak to the Cardiologist.

Re the morphine...it is very hard to get it prescribed so you may have to push for it if needed and show that it keeps you from ending up in hospital. Although,bear in mind all chest pain if not going with spray and /or morphine should be checked at A&E just in case.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sleesa]

I have lived with vasospastic angina for nearly 10 years,my Cardiologist instructions for me are different. Morphine has to be used with great care.

I only take morphine after I have emailed my Cardiologist to say my coronary vasospasms have become unstable and I need to be admitted.

This usually happens about once a year.

If I need morphine his view is I need IV GTN.

No staying at home, I need an ECG and troponin blood levels doing to check, no damage to my heart.

Have you had your diagnosis confirmed?

The treatment for Microvascular and vasospastic angina are different, with different risks.

[Sleesa in reply to Milkfairy]

Interesting. I will speak with my Cardiologist. I suspect they will say to continue to follow my plan. Gtn spray then 2.5ml morphine if that doesn't work. If no improvement after 20 minutes I've to ring an ambulance. So far it's seemed to stave off most ambulance rides. Microvascular on top of Chronic stable angina was diagnosed,although they make me stay in overnight in case it's becoming unstable every time I'm admitted to A&E. I'll confer with the doctor though.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sleesa]

I use hot water bottles and a TENS machine instead, so a different approach.

I was worried that you were staying at home longer on morphine, I am glad to hear you do go in sooner.

I take 10mgs of morphine which doesn't usually touch the sides for me, hence I know it's time for hospital. This involves usually an 8 day stay on IV GTN infusion and morphine.

Microvascular and vasospastic angina are challenging to live with and treat. It can take a while to find the best combination of medication to help.

[Sleesa in reply to Milkfairy]

I tried other methods but nothing else helps sadly. The plan is gtn ...wait five mins.

If no joy spray again.

No change 2.5ml morphine.

Wait five to ten mins and if no joy another 2.5ml.

Still no joy,ring ambulance immediately. Then they usually give me gas and air alongside another 5ml of morphine every so many hours if it's ever needed.

I do notice if I get cold it affects it so I can see how a hot water bottle may help some.

Take care. X

[Nettekin]

Hi. Excellent advice from Milkfairy as always. I would think it is unusual to still be suffering acute pain after this period of time. Please don't accept the menopause excuse many GPs are happy to suggest. I have not come across chest, neck or jaw pain as common menopause symtoms. Encourage your wife to contact her GP urgently for a referral. Best wishes to you both.

[Sleesa in reply to Nettekin]

My GP tried to tell me my breathlessness was asthma for three years despite me begging for a referral. I only got diagnosed with CAD after an A&E admission and a change of surgery. My advice is to push for the referral and/or change GP's if you don't have any luck.x

[Nettekin in reply to Sleesa]

Think you meant to post to original poster! 😁 agree with your comments though x

[Sleesa in reply to Nettekin]

Oops. I'm so technically challenged. 🤣😂 Take care. Xx

[Heartsofoak]

Hi, I've had 12 stents fitted over the years 1998 up to 2020 due to furring up of other feeder arteries although my actual heart they say is fine. The same symptoms reappear after time, normally a year or two in my case. The only way to ascertain what is going on is to have an angiogram which has happened every time in my case and remedial stents fitted. All my ECG's are always fine and show no problems. I am fine now and going to have an angiogram holds no fear.

[Sleesa in reply to Heartsofoak]

Crikey. 12 stents. Does everyone's stents furr up again ? I ask because I'm one year into a stent and feel great. I've been exercising,taking all meds and eating so well. I assumed this would help.

[Heartsofoak in reply to Sleesa]

Hi Sleesa

Don't worry none of mine were because of original stents referring, just bad plumbing and a cholesterol problem that runs in the family; You should be fine.

[Sleesa in reply to Heartsofoak]

Thank you.xxx

[Cookie2020]

HiWhat medication is your wife on ??

[Makemineadouble in reply to Cookie2020]

Hi cookie, she's on atorvasyatin, Lostartin

Bisoprasil

Esomaprazole,

Dihydrocodiene,

Pregablin, (for psiatica)

[TheBigHonree]

I had exactly the same 6 months after my first CA and first stent.Took me a further 6 months to get it taken seriously where a further angiogram showed the original stent had collapsed and was blocking the artery off again so had to be replaced quickly.

I'm not saying your issue is the same but don't let GPs fob you off with lines like "you're just hypersensitive" or "you're just anxious", force their hand if you have to to get it checked out properly....and by the way my bloods were good, I passed ECG and easily passed the Bruce Protocol beforehand.

Good luck...👍👍

[Sleesa in reply to TheBigHonree]

Yes ,I had anxiety thrown at me when I first complained of pain and breathlessness. You do have to push I'm afraid. Especially with Covid cancelling many appointments it's hard to get any treatment unless it's an emergency at the moment,sadly. I'm pleased they eventually took you seriously.

[Heather1957]

I have found the comments on here extremely interesting.My initial thoughts were that I would not expect to still have significant pain a year down the line.

I had a bypass in 2017 and yes, I would say I had pain of some kind for nearly a year afterwards but definitely none of the angina pain I had prior to the bypass.

On 22nd October this year I had 2 stents fitted but they had to drill into the artery as it was so furred up, I have to admit I found it quite brutal and was about 2 1/2 hrs having the process. It shook me up and even though they pumped me with pain killers etc I didn't feel very well afterwards.

Later that afternoon they decided to give me another angiogram to see how the stents were settling as I was in so much pain, it was all okay.

I was sent home the next day feeling a lot better and while I had a lot of discomfort for a couple of weeks slowly but surely things improved. That isn't to say I don't get the odd twinge but all the pain I put down to the procedure itself as again the angina pain has gone.

If I was still in significant pain after a year I would be back at the hospital wanting some checks to be done.

Always a difficult decision but the pain is coming from somewhere.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Heather1957]

Hi Heather

You might be interested in Jennifer Waller's story on the BHF website.

Jennifer had bypass surgery, then ongoing chest pain.

She was eventually diagnosed with Microvascular angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Heather1957 in reply to Milkfairy]

Which makes me wonder whether Mrs Makemineadouble has something more going on.

[Luna2012]

Hi I also had 3 stents fitted last year ,the last 2 2 in September and had the same problem, but I just rested and by January all the pain had gone and I went back to work. Just take your time and things will get better.