Went in for lung biopsy and came out having had cardiac arrest and stroke.

[angels5454]

Hi there everyone. I am very upset as I went in hospital on the 14th of February this year and I went in for a needle biopsy where they just numb the area. For a good week or so ago I was having heart palpitations leading up to the biopsy, although I have had one in the past and lots of other biopsies for lung cancer. I thought everything had gon ok until I could not breathe and then the staff were all panicking that my blood pressure was low. I woke up in intensive care, they said that I went into cardiac arrest and then I was having a small stroke which they call it a transient ischaemic attack which means a small stroke.

It last a few hours and then I just had to rest in the hospital over night. It's very difficult to rest in a hospital when there is a lot going on and they are short of staff. They wanted m to stay in for 5days but then they said that they are short of beds so they sent me home after two days. I was glad to go home but I'm very worried about what happens now. I know that once you have these small strokes they can lead into others and possible bigger strokes. I still can't believe what has happened to me. I will have to go back to a stroke clinic and heart clinic. Then in March I will get my results from he lung cancer. I am use to going for ct scans and pet scans as I have had lung cancer since 2008, I had surgery to remove half my left lung in 2008 but then it came back in both lungs in 2010, it's a rare form of cancer and they had nothing for me at the time and the cancer was not a problem to me apart from a cough. Anyway I will get the results from the lung biopsy in March.

Still can't get my head around what's gone wrong.

[jillygirl]

Hi angels, you certainly have been through the wars. I am sure they will give you good advice on how to care for your heart etc. It is frightening I emphasise with you. I had my lung surgery, and then 1 year later had a heart attack .

I have been fine for over 4 years now so things arent always as bad as we first think.

I wish you all the best and hope all goes well.

[angels5454 in reply to jillygirl]

Hi Jillygirl, thanks for replying. I went to see the stroke Proffesor the other week and he thinks the cardiac and stroke happened because of the procedure what I had for the lung biopsy. I have to go for several heart investigations first then I will go back to see him. The other bad news is that I got the results from the lung biopsy and the cancer has changed so now they want me to take the drug irressa which has terrible side effects. I'm still trying to get use to these clopidogrel tablets which are giving me bad ibs, I am suffering with irritable bowel syndrome and these blood thinning tablets are making it worst. I have to take these because of having a stroke on the table while they were doing the biopsy. I told my oncologist that I want a break to get over what has just happened to me, he agreed. Do you know of anyone who has had to take the drug irressa?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Angels5454,

I am so sorry to hear about your recent hospital admission.This must have been a distressing time for you and it can sometimes be difficult to come to terms with multiple health problems. Stroke is more common than you may think. About 1.2 million people in the UK live with the effects of stroke. It is good that you have been referred to the stroke and heart clinic. Your individual care will be managed by a multidisciplinary care team involving many different specialists depending on your individual needs. The aim of stroke rehabilitation is to help restore or improve your physical and mental health.

I wish you all the best for your lung biopsy in March. if we can be of any help please feel free to contact our Nurse -Led Helpline Freephone: 0800 358 7200

All the team at the Roy castle Helpline