hopefully I’m having my stent fitted tomorrow. The consultant said it will take 3 hours. The nurse has said I have to drink plenty before and afterwards to flush the dye from my system. My question is if I’ve got to lie there for three hours how am I going to go to the toilet ?
my stent: hopefully I’m having my stent... - British Heart Fou...
my stent
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Lemon31
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thank you so much for your reply. I have got myself in a bit of a state today worrying about little things. Hope you are doing well.
I had stent fitted 2 years ago couldn't eat for hours before it took all of 25 mins 2 have mine done but I did opt in for a pre med I was home the day after had the wire through my inner wrist never gave me plenty 2 drink either tbh I'm sure you will be totally fine I felt so much better after the stent so glad I had it done do let us all know how you got on
unfortunately I had it cancelled late yesterday for today because of the consultant strikes. So just a waiting game again. Good to know you feel much better.
Thank you. I will let you know. x
I had angioplasty 2 years ago.....I was not told to drink plenty beforehand...it wasn't an emergency admission I had been in hospital a week before the procedure was carried out.
It was a bit like a production line the day I had mine done, I was one of the last at about 5.30pm, I don't think anyone was out of the ward for more than about 45 minutes, even those who had it through the groin.
Whilst you are in the lab having it done the time just flies by and people are constantly talking to you to make sure that you're ok, I found the whole procedure quite fascinating.
It's easy to say "don't worry", but seriously don't, you're in expert caring hands.
Thank you for your reply. It’s good to know lots of positive outcomes. I’m sure I’m just overthinking it.
I don't think you'd be normal if you didn't!!
As a young lad I was a pretty decent amateur boxer and played Rugby (in the forwards) until I was in my mid 20's and was considered as a bit of a tough nut.
On the day of my angioplasty I was anything but!!
I don't know if it was the heart attack or what, but since then if I watch a sad movie I have tears running down my cheeks.....
It did me a lot of good having a HA, I've got a far healthier life style than I ever had, eat healthier, only drink 2 or 3 units a week and exercise most days....I've shed 4 stone and feel better than I've felt in years.
The side effects of the cocktail of meds after the procedure took some getting used to, but it was a small price to pay for what they are doing to help my heart.
I m glad your outcome was good. I’m hoping to lost about a stone after I’ve had it done. I’ve been off work because my job is quite physical and can’t exercise without getting chest pain even walking so I’m hoping I can go walking again and back to my swimming.
YOu will BUT it will take quite a few months before you are fully fit and allowed to do heavy work. AT first you must not even lift so much as a kettle. You could be on anticoagulants for 12 months. They have to be sure the stents have bedded in before you do anything strenuous.
I'm the same. Since my HA I seem to cry at anything sad or even happy. I'm not an emotional person generally and don't suffer anxiety but I just can't control the tears and it can be very embarrassing when I'm with other people.
Drinking a lot only applies after the procedure. Just to wash the die out of you ASAP.
thank you this is good to know.
Actually my experience is different, i got very bad back-ache after my first stent procedures and needed a drip. Told it was kidney pain, from the dye, and if I drank a litre or so beforehand, next time…..there were a few more next times….., it would dilute the dye.
It worked a treat. I now. drink about a litre over the hour or so before I go into the lab. and lots after. I always mention it and the staff, who are very helpful.
It didn’t take anything like three hours for my stent and I wasn’t told to drink plenty. However I did need to “go” and was told to just let go whilst I was on the table. Easier said than done and very embarrassing lol.
thanks for your reply the hospital have just phoned to cancel because of the strikes.
Hi Lemon 31,
I’m so sorry to hear your procedure has been cancelled. I think you’ll be called back soon as they’ll want to get on with it. I had 3 stents fitted in 2016 after a HA. I think it took a couple of hours which was longer than expected. I would drink as comfortably as you can and not worry about it beforehand. Then when you come out, drink a lot more than you normally would, to clear out all of the drugs, etc. The time does fly by, so let the experts carry you through it. Best of luck!
Hi Lemon
I had a stent in March, I was told to drink plenty after the procedure, I don't think mine took anywhere near 3 hours, but the nurses where so lovely talking to me throughout and time seem to pass quickly.
Let us know how you get on
V x
You will be able to use the washroom, pre and post. In recovery they really are just incrementally releasing the tension on the wrist bandage so you don't bleed out of the artery they used.. Of course if you have complications or they go through the groin they will set you up to relieve your bladder.
The hospital have just cancelled because of the strikes.
The hospital have just cancelled because of the strikes. No new date 😡
Oh no 😔
oh dear
Good excuse to have a drink 🍷🍷🤣
Oh Lemon31, sorry to read they cancelled. Well at least you really can have a drink. Hope they rearrange soon 🤞
Sorry to hear they have cancelled. Hopefully you will get a new date soon. The 3 hours will be the time allowed for the whole, including recovery. I was only in the cath lab for half an hour when I had 2 stents at the time of my heart attack.
thank you. Apparently it’s going to take so long because it is going to be difficult to get to and I need 2 consultants. Been told I need to stay in hospital 6 hours afterwards and maybe overnight.
It's good that they have explained the timings to you. So often that is not the case. I hope the new date comes through very quickly. ☺
whilst I was as in patient in the cardiac ward for 2 weeks , there where many people going to the cath lab for stents. I don’t think any of them where gone for more than an hour , and that included being taken to and from the cath lab. I had my p/ m inserted in the same place and used the toilet just before going in. Hope all goes well.
Hi mine took an hour and a half they were brilliant and reassuring .
My partner's stent fitting took 3 hours, I think it may have been for two reasons. First, his HA was two months before and I understand the sooner afterwards they do it, the easier it is to navigate through the blood vessels and secondly his artery was completely blocked so he needed a CTO set (chronic total occlusion). The consultant used a two point entry system through the wrist and groin, one to help guide the other. He wasn't told to drink lots before going into the 'lab' but yes afterwards to protect the kidneys. He was doing really well after the procedure but made the mistake of using his hand that had the entry point to try and open a bottle of water that had been given to him. It was really difficult to open and he just did it without thinking. As a result, he developed a big swelling near the entry point which meant they had to put a second clamp on and it then took so long for it to go down, he stayed in overnight. The bruising took over a week to disappear but 3 months on, he's doing well. I hope you get your appointment soon and then this will all be behind you.
thank you for your reply. Yes I have a 100 per cent blocked artery and I need a CTO also need a 2 point entry point. I am glad your partner is doing well this is good to know. Unfortunately they cancelled my procedure yesterday for today because of the consultant strikes I just pray I get it soon.
If it helps, maybe use the extra time to practise relaxation. There are lots of recordings out there. I used to suffer from panic attacks and tackled them by listening to relaxation tapes morning and evening. If you want any suggestions, just ask and I will forward you a link. Best wishes
Hi, Trust me on this you’ll be fine. Had mine done a few weeks ago and no problem with my 57 year old week bladder. Good luck hope it all goes well, it’s amazing on the other side. 😂
thank you for your reply unfortunately they cancelled my procedure yesterday for today because of the consultant strikes . I just pray I get it soon. I’m glad to know it went well for you.
I’m so sorry to hear this, that is so cruel, the waiting is by far the worst bit. I had a few cancelled appointments myself, it doesn’t help any anxiety you may have, that’s for sure. Hope you get a new date soon and they get on with it. Try to stay positive . Good luck 🤞
hi just to say I was so worried and anxious before my stent on 6 July 23 but as everyone saying no need to worry… I was in the lab (the room they do the stent with all equipment set up) for 45 minutes and honestly felt 5 or 10 mins max! No pain at all just weird sensation and only in arm! Seen the tv screen and was fascinating. The 3 hours after is a monitoring period with bp measurement regularly and the pressure cover on wound having air released slowly. I actually had a snooze in the chair after and the relief was amazing. I focused on what the nurse beforehand said - my question was how many are done here - about 50 a day - so focused on this being routine for them so did help reduce my worrying! Know that You are in very safe and experienced hands x
Thank you for your reply this is reassuring. Unfortunately my stent was cancelled yesterday for today because of the consultant strikes. I just pray I get it soon.
I kept everything I did to the slow and easy pace - it’s the taking it slow that I struggle with😂 but focusing on outcome helps and knowing how others have been able to go on to achieve a full life… keeping in mind not to rush reaps the benefits in the long run! In my head it’s a total lifestyle change and enjoying the more healthy cooking (not to mention dropping almost a stone!) so taking all the positives out of this and thinking you will too! Fingers crossed will be very soon xx
yeah I have put on a stone because I can’t exercise so I’m so looking forward just to go on walks and swimming. My diet isn’t that bad I can’t eat the bad foods because I get chest pains so eat quite healthy. I just need to be able to do things.
I didn’t exercise (never have been into exercise- happy with walking and dancing - I resemble daddy dancing not professional!) but did small walks on flat ground and had phone n GTN spray - once on preventative meds I found I could manage these short strolls before the stent fitted but was more walk n stop n walk n stop! Worked for me but pls be guided by the experts!
hi. I had to stop drinking several hours before the stent was fitted. Maybe you’d better verify this? Good luck!
yes I will check thank you.
Hi,I've had 3 stents. They were all fitted when I was having the coronary angiogram. So all in all it took under an hour each time. I'm presuming they are not doing that with you? Are you going in after you've had your angiogram then? You will be absolutely fine I'm sure. It's normal to feel anxious especially about needing the loo!! I'm sure they will allow you to feel comfortable before the procedure. I'm.not sure why they are saying 3 hours? That seems a long time, but I'm sure there is a reason for it. Good luck, you will be fine.
please don’t worry. With my 1st heart attack I was in hospital 2 days before I had 1 stent fitted and I wasn’t told to drink plenty of water. In fact I don’t think I even had a cup of tea when I woke up that morning. A year later I had a second heart attack it was an emergency straight out of ambulance and had 3 stents fitted. So again no water. Please don’t worry.
Hi Lemon
I had 3 stents fitted 2 years ago after a heart attack. My procedure took 3 hours. I wasn’t expecting it to be so long as everyone had said it be around an hour. About 2 hours in I started to feel the need for the toilet but thought it can’t be much longer now. I tried to hold it for as long as I could but after about another half an hour the need was so urgent I mentioned it to one of the assistants who asked if I could hold on a bit longer as they were nearly done but honestly I couldn’t so they brought one of those cardboard bed pans which they very carefully slid underneath me. Oh the relief! So don’t worry if you get caught short, it is possible to ‘go to the toilet’ during the procedure if it’s absolutely necessary! Best wishes, Trish.
Thank you for your reply. This is good to know. My stent was cancelled late the day before I was supposed to have it done. So it’s a waiting game again .
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