Proud New Owner of 3 Stents

[70Percent]

Well today’s Angiogram turned into a bit of a metal fest!

I’m just waiting for my wife to come and get me from Kings College Post Op.

I can’t fault the service I have received today, it’s been faultless.

The procedure itself, for those waiting, is not exactly painful - I’ve had worse times at the dentist but there are some strange sensations in the arm and chest from time to time.

I’m not looking forward to getting this industrial strength sticking plaster off the puncture site. You are probably going to hear the swearing from there!

[Beckster1964]

Hope recovery goes well! I had a couple fitted in July and they have made a huge difference. I took it very easy for a month but since then have been able to build up exercise and now back to running 5km 3-4 times a week, admittedly not very fast!

[BeKind28-]

Hello

This is great news

So pleased for you and I hope you now can start to recover and enjoy your life

Nice to read you had excellent care to x

[Yumz199725]

So glad everything went well hope you have a speedy recovery x

[Shabana1974]

Wow thanks for the info, I am due to have my Angioplasty investigation on 2nd and I am really nervous. Mines at Northwick Park (St Marks Hospital) But I know Kings very well my husband has been treated there since 2010 for liver cancer twice and Liver transplant in September 2009. And generally the staff there are amazing.

[70Percent in reply to Shabana1974]

It’s not quite being on holiday on the beach but I felt the procedure itself isn’t as heavy as the whole issue becomes for us psychologically.

My personal view is it’s hard to feel that potentially life changing procedures aren’t going to be very difficult to endure, as if in some way that validates them.

Actually the room of folk all moved in for the day and all left at the end as a matter of routine.

Most of the aftercare seems to be about the puncture site, which did ache a bit yesterday but is fine now.

Good luck with your procedure, may it provide the relief from your symptoms that you are after.

[Shabana1974 in reply to 70Percent]

Thank you

[Survivor1952]

I went for a routine echocardiogram in May, ended up being admitted on the spot and had two stents 'installed' four days later as a priority patient. No pain at the time although I could feel the catheter moving up my arm and across my chest! The bruise on the inside of my right arm lasted for about a month and looked as if I'd had a tribal tattoo. Surprisingly it didn't hurt.

I drew the short straw though, had a further echocardiogram three days after the stents went in and was told I wasn't being discharged - a "Houston, we have a problem" moment. Turned out I had a leaky aortic valve as well that they hadn't picked up previously. So they scheduled me for AVR and 1 x CABG.

Major difference overall and if anyone had told me I'd be running 5k Parkruns at 12 weeks post op I'd have declared them mad - but I was! Never been a 'runner' in my life but, encouraged by my rehab team, partner and a friend, I've given it a go. 6 runs to date and 4 personal best times. I'll never star as regards times but I only have one person to compete against - myself.

Fitter now than for the last 4-5 years and still working at it. Still got odd aches and pains from the OHS but it gets a lot better over time and with the right sort of exercise. I've found swimming helps a lot, running not quite as much. Swimming is hard work, I haven't got the aerobic capacity I used to but it is improving. Going to try and get out on my bike too and see how that goes.

Angiogram bruise

[Heyjude31 in reply to Survivor1952]

Gosh that is some bruise! Brilliant news about your running. I am slowly building my strength through swimming, it’s taken me a while to get back in the pool, but loving it!take care, Judi

[70Percent in reply to Survivor1952]

Mate, that bruise is absolutely bananas!

Sounds like you had a little adventure but you’re thriving now.

Wonderful to hear.

[Plum53]

Hi , surviver1952 glad you’re doing so well, thank you for your positive post. I may have a stent fitting in the near future depending on results of pressure wire test. Just waiting for my a anaemia to be sorted out.

[70Percent]

Thanks for the replies folks.

[Davey77]

I had to go back 6 weeks later for my second stent, so that I wasn't exposed to the radiation for too long. Maybe it depends on how long it takes the investigation part of the process to establish what's needed

[70Percent in reply to Davey77]

That’s interesting Davey77 . Did they use the same wrist 6 weeks later?

[Davey77 in reply to 70Percent]

Yep. Went in as an outpatient that time. Took longer to stop it bleeding, probably because I was already on thinners, but they still sent me home because they had no beds. Even though I live alone, I have an emergency alarm. Luckily it's quite a short walk to the taxi pick-up from that unit. Taxi driver's insane driving nearly gave me another heart-attack.

[PaddyRedVan]

Well done and welcome to the triple stent club!