Another week, another heart cath..... (not-so-good update)

[Claudia1]

DH has more chest pains last week and had another heart cath (3rd in 7 months). He has had continual shortness of breath, fatigue, and pain so we are back at the Heart Institute for another cath today.

He is only 55 and not ready to slow down at work. I'm not sure if he will come back 100% after this one. Scary.

I'll post the results later.

(I LOVE the public computer in the lobby!)

 

[j's m]

for both of you. Good luck, hope they can do something to make him feel better. Keep us posted.

 

[Serena]

Claudia, I hope they can take care of this. {{{hugs}}} you know you're all in my prayers.

 

[Philagoofy]

Claudia1, I'm not sure if you've written about this before but I suppose they aren't finding anything, hence the 3rd heart cath. I thought I might relate my husband's experience recently.

He kept complaining about shortness of breath & chest pain. He had stress tests and scans but they showed nothing. Finally, the cardiologist suggested he go in for a heart cath.

They found that his pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart) was growing stiff, which made his heart unable to beat properly. He was scheduled for pericardial stripping that week. It was about a 4 hour delicate operation but he came out fine. They didn't remove the whole pericardium, but enough on top so that his heart would have no problem beating.

I don't know if this would help since your husband has already had 3 caths but maybe it's something you could ask the doctors to rule out?

Btw, my husband is 54, they don't know what exactly was the cause, could be several things.

I'm hoping for the best for your husband, stay strong & good luck, good health.

 

[Big V]

I will say a prayer for your DH Claudia.

 

[minkydog]

What do they think is causing it? is he having little heart attacks, angina, coronary artery disease? My DH developed congestive heart failure 3 yrs ago as a result of his severe lung disease. He got a pacemaker and that has helped immensely. Most of his disability comes from his lungs now rather than his heart.

In my husband's case, working part-time has become the only answer--he simply cannot work fullt-time due to the lung disease. He requires a lot of rest. Every now & then he thinks he can do it, he goes back to work for no longer than 2wks and BAM! back in the hospital for yet one more week in CCU. His last one was in May(pericarditis) and it took him 5 months to get back on his feet(he works about 3 days a week). It has taken him 3yrs to get to the point of understanding that he will NOT be working full-time ever again, and in fact, needs to be actively planning for his (nearing) retirement. My DH is only 49. We're hoping he can hold on another 2yrs when he will be eligilbe for full pension.

I hope they can give you some good news today, or at least something easily fixable. I know what it is to worry about your man.

 

[Claudia1]

We are home and the report is not so good. Last June, DH had some blockages that were 30-40% in inoperable areas. Two of those areas are now 80% and they cannot be stented or by-passed. We will try to reduce the plaque with medication and a stricter diet, however he has been doing most of that already. The pain has been from spasms/angina.

If he has pain that cannot be controlled by 2 Nitros, it's back to the ER every time. Since the pain comes and goes on a regular basis, this will certainly make us stay on our toes.

Not a whole lot of hope in this prognosis.

 

[Serena]

Claudia,

 

[meeskamouska]

Your DH is my thoughts and prayers!! Hope that you are able to find some good DRs that can find a solution.

 

[Kitty 34]

Claudia, I'm saying a lot of prayers for your DH. My DH is 54 and has had heart problems for three years now so I know the worry you feel.

 

[Philagoofy]

My thoughts are with you both, hoping for a good outcome somehow.

Have you had several different cardiologists/surgeons check it out, maybe another doctor will have a different idea of a way to help, maybe a new method.

Good luck.

 

[minkydog]

I'm sorry to hear this. I would definitely seek a second opinion on whether a bypass would benefit him.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I am sorry Claudia. This must be very scary, especially for your DH. I can't believe that they can do nothing. I would get another opinion. New tchnologies and techniques for things are discovered everyday. Keep the faith. He is in my prayers.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Have the Dr.s reccommended any vitamins or supplements that might help/at least wouldn't hurt?

I am taking fish oil capsules after talking with my dr. DH takes it with the amino acids Taurine and Arginine for his minor heart arythmias. There is one brand that is "burpless". Fish oil omega 3 capsules in higher doses are supposed to be good for the heart.



http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3006624

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Also has Dr. reccommended the Dean Ornish books/program? My DH trys to follow that diet. It is hard but DH is well motivated by 2 uncles dying before age 45 of heart disease.

 

[DawnCt1]

my thoughts and prayers are with you both. it sounds like you are availing yourselves to excellent care. i hpoe that the drugs work.

 

[Muffy]

Hope he is feeling better soon. Take care!

 

[Madaboutthemouse]

Claudia! Lots of prayers and good thoughts being sent your way!

 

[Keli]

Oh my, that just isn't good. I'm really sorry for your and your dh and the health crisis you are facing. Hopefully the meds will work.

 

[Karalynn]

Claudia, you and dh are in my thoughts and prayers!! for you, and for dh The best you can do is take it one day at a time and stay optimistic! There are always new treatments, procedures, medications happening. Lets all hope something works for him!