Hi everyone,
I just got home from the hospital where I received an angioplasty with 2 stents in my circumflex artery. Anyone know of any special issues that I should be aware of regarding my use of cpap? I have been on cpap (and apap) for 8+ years.
My experience with the respiratory dept. while in the hospital will be the subject of a separate thread.
Eric
Just had angioplasty with 2 stents
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Sleepless on LI
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Eric,
Oh, my goodness. I hope you are doing well. I wish you a fast and easy recuperation. You must be so grateful they discovered you had this problem and fixed you up. I have quite a few friends who have been through this, but none that also have OSA (or at least that have been diagnosed with it).
Please take care of yourself. And I'm so glad you are okay.
Oh, my goodness. I hope you are doing well. I wish you a fast and easy recuperation. You must be so grateful they discovered you had this problem and fixed you up. I have quite a few friends who have been through this, but none that also have OSA (or at least that have been diagnosed with it).
Please take care of yourself. And I'm so glad you are okay.
L o R i
Thanks Lori for the good wishes.
The further adventures of the hospital and CPAP:
On about four separate occasions throughout the admissions process, I informed the person I was dealing with that I had sleep apnea and required a cpap machine. When it became close to bedtime the first night I mentioned to the nurse that it was getting late and I had not yet been supplied with a cpap machine. She looked at me blankly, checked my chart, and asked me if I had told anyone about needing one since there was no mention of it in my chart. I told her that I had gone through the whole explanation of machine type, pressure settings, mask type and size with 4 separate people all of whom appeared to be dutifully writing down every word that I said. So she called the Respiratory Dept. who came up with an OLD Bipap machine and a collection of unusable masks. Needless to say I did not sleep at all the first night, as the machine wasn't working right and the mask didn't fit. The problem with the machine was that on the inhale cycle, there was a pronounced stuttering to the air supply which varied in intensity from distracting to painful. The next day I never saw anyone from the Respiratory Dept., so as it got later, I asked a friend to stop by my house and retrieve my "emergency" cpap machine, which is in a carry bag with everything needed in an emergency. So when bedtime came the second evening, I used my machine instead of the hospital's. Funny thing was that I was told that I couldn't use any equipment of my own unless it was checked out by the hospital and had a sticker to that effect on it. I told them that I am using the machine, and if they do not want me to use it, I want them to write, in ink, in my chart that they understand that the hospital is unable to provide me with a functioning cpap, and that they acknowledge that I have not slept in over 48 hours and feel that not sleeping another night is an appropriate recuperative protocol. Let's just say that at this point, I probably could have brought in my own heart/lung machine, and no one would have said anything.
The sad part is, they get the "big" things right, but they totally lose control with the "small" things. I will continue this rant, if anyone is interested in hearing it, with the problems with not being given appropriate food for the 6 consecutive meals that I was there for.
The further adventures of the hospital and CPAP:
On about four separate occasions throughout the admissions process, I informed the person I was dealing with that I had sleep apnea and required a cpap machine. When it became close to bedtime the first night I mentioned to the nurse that it was getting late and I had not yet been supplied with a cpap machine. She looked at me blankly, checked my chart, and asked me if I had told anyone about needing one since there was no mention of it in my chart. I told her that I had gone through the whole explanation of machine type, pressure settings, mask type and size with 4 separate people all of whom appeared to be dutifully writing down every word that I said. So she called the Respiratory Dept. who came up with an OLD Bipap machine and a collection of unusable masks. Needless to say I did not sleep at all the first night, as the machine wasn't working right and the mask didn't fit. The problem with the machine was that on the inhale cycle, there was a pronounced stuttering to the air supply which varied in intensity from distracting to painful. The next day I never saw anyone from the Respiratory Dept., so as it got later, I asked a friend to stop by my house and retrieve my "emergency" cpap machine, which is in a carry bag with everything needed in an emergency. So when bedtime came the second evening, I used my machine instead of the hospital's. Funny thing was that I was told that I couldn't use any equipment of my own unless it was checked out by the hospital and had a sticker to that effect on it. I told them that I am using the machine, and if they do not want me to use it, I want them to write, in ink, in my chart that they understand that the hospital is unable to provide me with a functioning cpap, and that they acknowledge that I have not slept in over 48 hours and feel that not sleeping another night is an appropriate recuperative protocol. Let's just say that at this point, I probably could have brought in my own heart/lung machine, and no one would have said anything.
The sad part is, they get the "big" things right, but they totally lose control with the "small" things. I will continue this rant, if anyone is interested in hearing it, with the problems with not being given appropriate food for the 6 consecutive meals that I was there for.
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Guest
wait until you see the bill where they charged you for using your own cpap machine along with the junker they failed to get working.
Post angio; I'd keep an close eye on things (tell your spouse to watch you) and note any subtle changes whatsoever especially when it comes to cognitive thinking, speech etc., you don't want any clotting or signs of a stroke. Are you on antiplatelet medication like Warfarin (Coumadin)? Hopefully it is something better than just Plavix.
That angiography procedure can sometimes knock loose plaque and it seems to get all your blood vessels inflammed no matter how careful they are, I had one about 5 years ago, no stents but man I seemed like I hurt everywere afterward. I was already on 325mg aspirin, I just stayed on it and took a Aleve twice a day in addition for several weeks and it finally got better.
Post angio; I'd keep an close eye on things (tell your spouse to watch you) and note any subtle changes whatsoever especially when it comes to cognitive thinking, speech etc., you don't want any clotting or signs of a stroke. Are you on antiplatelet medication like Warfarin (Coumadin)? Hopefully it is something better than just Plavix.
That angiography procedure can sometimes knock loose plaque and it seems to get all your blood vessels inflammed no matter how careful they are, I had one about 5 years ago, no stents but man I seemed like I hurt everywere afterward. I was already on 325mg aspirin, I just stayed on it and took a Aleve twice a day in addition for several weeks and it finally got better.
So far, just Plavix for a year, and 325mg enteric coated aspirin for life. I am curious to see the bill from the hospital. In addition, to my displeasure, I have also been prescribed Lipitor. I do not believe in indiscriminate use of statin drugs, (my cholesterol is 170) however I completely trust my cardiologist's judgement.
RE: Just had angioplasty with 2 stents
I had my angioplasty in 1997, with 2 stents placed in my LAD coronary artery (lateral anterior descending). My cardiologist also put me on blood thinners for awhile, and Lipitor, a beta blocker, and 325mg of aspirin for life.
Shortly after that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, but could not tolerate the FFM interface because of my claustrophobia.
Finally, in 2003, after another sleep study, I began using a CPAP with nasal pillows, and have been a faithful user ever since.
Other than annual stress tests, I never see my cardiologist, and am very fit and healthy.
My total cholesterol is consistently under 100, which is the target for anyone who has had coronary artery blockages. Your count of 170 is much too high, and your doctor was certainly correct in prescribing a medication to lower it.
Although I was not on CPAP immediately following surgery as you are, I cannot help but believe that getting a good night's sleep will only assist in your complete and speedy recovery. Obviously, however, if you have concerns, please talk with your cardiologist about them.
Good luck
Shortly after that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, but could not tolerate the FFM interface because of my claustrophobia.
Finally, in 2003, after another sleep study, I began using a CPAP with nasal pillows, and have been a faithful user ever since.
Other than annual stress tests, I never see my cardiologist, and am very fit and healthy.
My total cholesterol is consistently under 100, which is the target for anyone who has had coronary artery blockages. Your count of 170 is much too high, and your doctor was certainly correct in prescribing a medication to lower it.
Although I was not on CPAP immediately following surgery as you are, I cannot help but believe that getting a good night's sleep will only assist in your complete and speedy recovery. Obviously, however, if you have concerns, please talk with your cardiologist about them.
Good luck
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