Back pain after stent

Sorry if this is a bit rambling but it's my first post. I used to get an intense pain horizontally across the middle of the back. It then went to the chest, throat and jaw. I used to get this on and off and put it down to digestion. In May 2021 I was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease and had a stent fitted into the RCA. Last week, for the first time since the stent, I got the same pain again. I went to A&E and after an ecg, xray, Troponin blood test and ultrasound of the abdomen, they couldn't find anything wrong. Has anyone else had this experience or know what it could be?

[Flummoxedlou]

Hello Remco. This sounds very, very familiar to me. I suffer all sorts of pains in exactly the same places and I am two years on from my CA with three stents. I also get shooting pains across my chest under the bustline. I'm told that there is a nerve that crosses over the chest at this point. I have been taken to A&E three times with chronic pains there and each time they say it is inflamed but cannot do anything to treat it and I must rest. I am rested but, guess what? I still get pain in those areas - across chest, in neck, shoulders and jaw. I have spoken to my doctors several times about this and all they say is rest and give it time. Perhaps that is the answer, time. I can't take anti-inflammatory drugs so codeine and others are no good to me but perhaps they are the answer for your problem if you can tolerate them. Good luck with it. I'm totally in sympathy.

[Hidden in reply to Flummoxedlou]

Thank you very much Flummoxedlou, I will look into that. The GP has arranged an appointment with the same Cardiologist who diagnosed CHD last year.

[Plynda]

I too have similar issues. After having 2 stents fitted I have suffered from pains in the upper middle of my back on and off for 2 years. I attended hospital once after a severe attack and was told they could find nothing wrong. Also recently had a review with cardiologist and he reassured me that it was nothing serious but could not exactly say what the issue is. I have bad periods with pain in the back for a few weeks then it seems to settle down for a week or so before returning. Pains even come on when standing without too much exertion but also quite often start after walking. I often have associated belching and the doctors don’t seem to have a clue. It’s quite depressing but I am just trying to stay positive and get on with life. Sorry, this post doesn’t answer your concerns and I wish you luck in sorting out your issues.

[Shellac]

Could Be stretch pain from the stent, I still had severe pain after my stent and I have been diagnosed with mircovascular angina after another angiogram procedure

[Heather1957]

After both my bypass 5 years ago and my stents last October I had back pain.

I never saw a Dr about it as it felt like muscular problems and on both occasions it went away.

I didn't quite understand how I could get pains in my back after a procedure in my back but I soon realised after my bypass anything was possible.

I used to take a few pain killers and they went away.

If in doubt speak to the Dr.

[XmasEve24]

Hello. I’m not sure if the original poster on here is female? But with a family history of heart problems I was once informed that heart problems in women present differently and more often as back pain. As did mine getting progressively worse into my jaw and arms-and often accompanied with severe belching and often came when I was in bed in the early hours. Therefore at complete rest. Only an angiogram showed my severe blockages.Hence an emergency CABG x2, 7 years ago at age 61. I also read a study of man whose only symptom was severe belching leading to heart surgery. If I can find it I’ll post it. About a year after my surgery I started again with much less severe symptoms, which I now know is angina and is alleviated with my GTN spray. My advice do not ignore these pains but seek your GP/ cardiologists advice. Good luck 😊

[Hidden]

Thank you all for your advice. I've just found out that the forthcoming 'appointment with the Cardiologist' will be over the phone!

[PernodCat]

Hi Remco14

Wanted to reply to your post as you have similar symptoms to me. I presented 5 weeks ago to A and E with left shoulder pain, radiating to my neck and jaw. At its worst the pain was also centralised to my left shoulder blade. I was shocked to be diagnosed with a Heart Attack. I had 4 stents fitted to my RCA and thought my problem would be solved, however, even with high doses of Ramipril, statins, Bisoprolol, Ticagrelor and Isosorbide mononitrate I have continued with left shoulder pain and centralised shoulder blade pain for most days. I was given GTN spray, which has not been effective for this but regular paracetamol can be effective most of the time. The cardiac team seem to think that because of this it is not cardiac pain but its exactly the same pain I experienced having my Heart Attack. I have since read that there is such a thing as stretch pain, where the artery is stretched before the stents are fitted. It can last for weeks or months apparently but does seem to make sense to me. Its all very stressful and have been advised I should attend A and E if the GTN spray doesn’t work but as you have mentioned they found nothing wrong when you went along. I’m waiting for my Consultant appointment to discuss all of this, although I am also supported by my cardiac rehab team. If the pain gets too severe I will go to A and E but trying to deal with it at the moment.

[Hidden]

Thank you PernodCat, your symptoms seem very similar to mine although I've only had them once since the stent in May 2021. The GP gave me Bisoprolol as a precaution until I hear from the Consultant. Reading about all the pain and suffering that you and others are going through, my problem seems a really minor matter. Good Luck with your Consultant appointment.

[PernodCat in reply to Hidden]

Please don't dismiss how you have felt in the past, I'm just grateful that I've now heard about stretch pain, which has given me a something to focus on. Cardiac professionals don't seem to agree with it but at the end of the day we have foreign objects put into our bodies so there must be some consequence to that. I hope you're feeling better and sure I'll be feeling better soon. Just trying to stay positive as it's still early days for me. Also realise that women present very differently to men so all a big learning curve. Best wishes!