Had a stress test this morning....

[Cutnstuf]

...and it turns out I have a partially blocked artery on the right side of my heart. Going in this Thursday to have a stent put in. Hope to see you guys on Friday.

[Slinky]

Good luck, CutNStuff, we'll be watching for you Friday. I find out in 2 weeks for sure whether I need one or not.

[Cutnstuf]

Thanks Slinky, and luck to you also!

[kteague]

Cutnstuf, I look forward to hearing a good report from you on Friday. Slinky, let us know what you find out. Thinking of you both.

[LSAT]

...and it turns out I have a partially blocked artery on the right side of my heart. Going in this Thursday to have a stent put in. Hope to see you guys on Friday.

Good Luck....and don't forget your CPAP/Mask etc if you will be staying over.

[Sheriff Buford]

Hope nuthin' but the best for you!!

Sheriff

[Slinky]

Hey, CutNStuff, did you have your heart cath thru the groin or the wrist?? "We" have agreed to do mine thru the wrist.

Thanks, KTeague.

[LSAT]

Good luck, CutNStuff, we'll be watching for you Friday. I find out in 2 weeks for sure whether I need one or not.

Good Luck to you "Slinky".

[Cutnstuf]

Hey, CutNStuff, did you have your heart cath thru the groin or the wrist?? "We" have agreed to do mine thru the wrist.

Thanks, KTeague.

Scheduled to have it done tomorrow, Thursday the 25th. Don't know where they're gonna slip that puppy in, but those are the two choices that were indicated by the cardiologist. A different doc is doing the work and I guess it's up to him.

[caffeinatedcfo]

Good luck!

[StuUnderPressure]

Hey, CutNStuff, did you have your heart cath thru the groin or the wrist?? "We" have agreed to do mine thru the wrist.

I have no personal experience with stents, so please do NOT rely on my comment without verifying it with your medical professional - But ---

I have always heard that they go through the groin because it is easier that way to get into the artery that goes directly to your heart - i.e. further distance, but more direct path.

Or, has that changed?

Best of luck to both of you.

[oak]

Good Luck! I have had both a bypass and a stent. The stent was a piece of cake. Wishing you the best.

[Slinky]

The latest I've read is that the wrist is becoming the favored method IF the specialist performing the procedure is comfortable and experienced doing the wrist procedure.

Thanks, LSat. Actually, the stress test is of more concern to me. Simply because after 27 years of delivering mail from my car my shoulders are not happy above me head for any length of time. The stress test requires two 15 minute episodes under the scanner. My last stress test 4 years ago left me w/shoulders so sore 3 weeks later I ended up w/an MRI of the shoulder.

We've discussed this. It was at a different facility and the techs were smug, snotty, rude individuals. I've refused to ever go there again. I really, really like my current cardiologist and his staff. He brought his stress tech in to discuss how we can best do the test w/the least stress on my shoulders.

They are looking into the feasibility of IV Toradol. Toradol is an NSAID that is proving to be as effective as morphine or demerol w/o the nauseating side effects but it MUST be adequately diluted prior to infusion and might well require a second IV set in the opposite arm. This would be my preferred method. I've had Toradol once before via IV and it worked great.

Otherwise, it is 1-2 Tylenol 3 one hour prior to the scan and just the stress scan one day followed by 1-2 Tylenol 3 again 1 hour prior to the resting scan done the following day instead of the same day. I'm not wild about this method since I've never had an oral script med that didn't cause severe nausua. I'm delighted w/dividing the scans a day apart.

I know I sound like a wuss about the nausea but I spent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 2 1/2 years over 30 years ago nauseated and I still remember that vividly and do NOT handle nausea well at all. I have a much better tolerance for most pain than for nausea. Its all in my head I know but still after all these years I've not been able to conquer that fear.

The catherization and stent are MUCH less worrisome and of much more interest and curiosity to me. I'm trying to look forward to it, if it must be done, rather than dwell on this stress test. Ahhh. The weird ways of whacky women, eh?!!

[cflame1]

Best wishes and good luck to Slinky and Cutnstuff

[Cutnstuf]

Good Luck! I have had both a bypass and a stent. The stent was a piece of cake. Wishing you the best.

I hope mine will be a piece of cake also. Thanks, I appreciate that.