Heart Bypass Surgery

Hi all!!! I have a couple of concerns about my husband. He has been doing remarkably well the last 4 weeks. He had his triple bypass on January 2nd. He is just about himself......sometimes seeming better than ever. He confided in me that he gets extremely week when he lifts still. Is this normal?? He says he gets so tired and that it takes a lot out of him. His other concern is that his incision in his chest seems "stretchy" The docs have looked at it and have no concerns. It seems like if he lays down or sits for any length of time that it "swells" or "stretches". In his early recovery days everyone said his incision looks beautiful. Otherwise, he does well, walking often, driving, going to rehab, etc. By the way....he is 33. He had a spontaneous dissection....something extremely rare. The docs think it was a birth defect. He is being put in the books. Anyway, looking forward to your responses! Take care all and God Bless..... Lisa Tucker from Southbridge, MA.

Hi, y'all, I had a quad bypass on February 20 and I am responding very well. I haven't had any of the problems I've seen on the threads here. I was in the hospital 3 days. I do have some questions - someone had a concern about the grafts holding, I never heard about that, is that a real concern or was that just over-reacting to a serious operation. Also someone asked about the heart lung machine. My doctor said they don't use those any more, they keep it handy in case it's needed during the operation but most operations are done without it. Which is good because I understand that the machine can cause a lot of complications. I feeling well, I walk about 45 minutes a day(not very fast). I still have pain in my chest especially when I bend down, and it's real bad when I sneeze. The pain in my arm subsided just yesterday (they used the radial artery in my arm for a graft.) I'll probably start rehab this week. Ken

Thanks for the wonderful welcome and all the URLs and advice. I am going to study them all today and see what our options are. We are seeing a neurologist at the new Children's Hospital in Hartford, CT. We had been referred by our pediatrician. I will be looking into a new physician soon if I can't get more help from this one. Again, thank you for the advice and support. It arrived right on time. It amazes me how you guys can even sit at your computers to write to the list when you are in pain. My son just wants to sleep! Don't know if that is a teenage thing or if more sleep is the answer. I have so many questions! For now I will pay attention to what you all have to say on how to get through the day in pain. I can't seem to thank you enough. 8-) Lynn Whitney

As many of you know, when I'm able to work, I'm a writer and photographer for military aviation magazines and books. The best part of the job is to be able to fly in military aircraft to do air-to-air photos of one or more other aircraft. If I have a migraine when I fly, I change the selector switch to 100% oxygen. Unlike airliners, which have a constant cabin "altitude" of about 8000 feet regardless of how high they're flying (if they're below 8000 feet then the cabin pressure is about the same as what's outside), military aircraft maintain a pressure differential. In other words, the higher the aircraft, the higher the cockpit "altitude". The differential is about 10,000 feet. For example, an F-16 flying at 30,000 feet has a cabin pressure equal to that found at 20,000 feet. The oxygen system gradually increases the anount of oxygen mixed in with ambient air until the aircraft's cabin pressure is at about 25,000 feet. The regulator can be over-ridden and set to 100% as I mentioned above. The cabin pressure also fluctuates as the throttle is opened or closed because "bleed air" from the engine supplies the cockpit pressurization system. Here's what I've found that may apply to those of you who remain firmly on the ground. The changes in cockpit "altitude" caused by changes in throttle settings and by changes in altitude are frequent and can be substantial in a short period of time. If I already have either the early stages of a migraine or the "funny feeling" warning I get before one, then the pressure changes can aggravate things. If the migraine is going full blast, the pressure changes have no noticeable effect. Breathing pure oxygen (and not even medical-grade oxygen is as pure as aviation oxygen) won't prevent a migraine for me, but it will knock it down a few notches and delay it until after I'm back on the ground and breathing ordinary air. (I've also tried having an oxygen tank at home but it only delayed migraines and didn't stop or prevent them.) Changes in barometric pressure, such as the arrival or departure of a storm, don't affect me, but the degree of the changes in the aircraft do. Those of you who are more sensitive to barometric pressure experience something similar. As mentioned, breathing oxygen didn't stop or prevent a migraine, but it did delay the onset of one. However, it does work for some people and for those of you who haven't tried it, the above may be of some interest. The third factor for me while flying can only be a possible cause for those of you who ride motorcycles or race cars. I learned very early on that a very-slightly-too-small helmet hurts like hell within half an hour. I had a terrible migraine by the time we shut down after the flight, even with breathing 100% oxygen for most of the flight. I still had a grin from ear to ear because I'd just flown in an F-4 Phantom II. <g Jeff

From: Lena Olin <lolin@... Nothing horrifying to me except that I have to receive this pro life crap from what should be a supportive mailing list about a specific disorder. In a message dated 6/30/99 8:45:26 PM Central Daylight Time, hippolyta1@... writes: << I was offended, too, especially since we were discussing the pill as it relates to migraines, not to someone's extremist personal philosophy. For those of you that were "offended" by my INFORMATION about birth control pills, you may want to go back & read it again. I went out of my way to leave my "extremist personal philosophy" out of the post, and merely gave the FACTS about a particular drug, which is what I thought this list was all about. The facts are facts, not my opinion. It is information that is conveniently left out by professionals, because the average person, would probably not like to take such a drug. I only wish someone had enlightened me a lot sooner. God bless, Sue

i think that the feeling of fear and depression never really go away after bypass i am now 29 months from byapss and massive mi and i have my days, and sometimes i feel selfish when i do have my days.... but like i tell my family whom by the way is very supportive.... that when and if they ever go thru what i went thru then and only then can they know what i feel and why i have my days ....i know how very lucky i am to be alive and i thank god every day but i have those days of why me and all the therapy or what evers will never take that away completely i just have my days and go on and look forwrad to wking up the next day. i now live with severe heart damage i have been told that i could be on a transplant list withing a couple of years like my hubby says could be now we need to focus on making it never which is what we do. i'm only 35 i had massive mi and bypass at 32 it was and still is a shocker to us but i just wanted to say that we should be allowed to feel depressed mad what ever a little bit in our life and untill they as in people who have not gone thru what we have go thru it they have no right to say get over it it happened nothing you can do about i have been told that a couple of times by people whom i have told right where to go.. well thanks for listening... good health to all. monica

I want to thank all who responded to my post. I cant tell you how much it means to me to hear others experiencing the same thing and sharing ways to get thru it. I did call cardiac rehab yesterday and am expecting a call back today to get something started with them. Thanx again and i will continue to read and learn. pb

Have just woken up from a terrible day. My little one last night awoke crting at 2;30 am. As my wife works the arrangement is, I take care of any midnight-to-morning runs. The little one and I stayed up till 8:00 am! By the time she went down again, I was toast. I'm sensitive to light, and a migraine had ventured in this morning. My coping skills are negligible, and even forgot to take meds! I wondered around all day saying baby-talk, which was a delight to my child. From out of the fog (which, by the way, was the weather this morning on this open prairie, I remembered you asking me about the meds that caused my heart condition. I am going to find out for you. As I am seeing my neuro. on the 28th of July. There so many different ones he put me on and my log book shows two different meds in the period I spoke about. So I don't want to steer you guys wrong. The other thing was what happened while I was on the table having an angio. I told the heart spec. that I was having a migraine, gave hime my symptoms. He said, just hang on there we'll have you right in a jiffy. Well you wouldn't believe it. Within seconds of him doing something I was pian free, migrain free and chest pin free! I asked him what did you give me. He said it was a narcotic. And that he was not allowed to disclose the name of it. Well I was kinda upset, yet so euphoric about being pain free that I didn't care anymore. Eventually the narc. wore off. But for approximately three whole days I was migraine free. The cycle had been altered. I was compesmentous. I walked down the street doing skips and jumps and passion was back in my life. Although short lived I was appreciative of those lucid moments. All my family was. For it was just my wife and I back then. Dian how'd the interview go? Shall tell you about the pain clinic visits another time as I don't want to push this window of opportunity I have at this moment. Have pain free, migraine free futures. Robert

In a message dated 3/5/2002 1:43:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, fellini123@... writes: Now many of you have had several bypasses and rebypasses, why weren't the risks too high for you to take?? Alice, The risk for me for my 2nd CABG was far greater than for the first. I think that is common. I went 1 year trying meds but finally got frustrated and made my decision to have it done. I was 52 and my quality of life poor. Now 13 years later RCA is blocked but with new meds I can cycle 30 miles and walk 18 holes playing golf. Life is good though have a few side affects from meds. Not sure of age of your husband but naturally that is a big factor. Harry K

In a message dated 3/5/02 9:58:53 AM Eastern Standard Time, DJC6NJ@... writes: If you have any particularly useful tips for getting started running again after CABG please let me know. Hi Dave. My personal bias is for people to get into a cardiac rehab program after bypass; such a program can usually be found at a local hospital. There are anumber of reason for this: 1) Whether or not you have had an m.i. (heart attack), the heart can be 'jumpy' after bypass. That could potentially lead to heart-rhythm realted problems. So the monitoring and supervision would pick this up, if it were such a problem 2) They would provide an 'exercise perscription' at the end of the rehab . - a known safe level of exercise based on your perception of effort, and probably upon heart rate achieved during exercise and upon other factors. That, in my opinion, would get you 'out of the gate' so to speak. At any rate, I recommend that if you are going to get back in to exercise, that you do it GRADUALLY. Good luck and do discuss with your doctor. Harold

In a message dated 3/2/02 5:08:21 PM Canada Central Standard Time, ann.mccrea@... writes: << Your mental symptoms are all signs of depression, a very common occurance after bypass surgery. I agree with the others that you have to just live life and not worry about things, however I think it is crucial in your case to seek some treatment for depression. You had such a sudden occurance of cardiac illness and instant treatment via surgery that you had not time beforehand to prepare yourself mentally, so this is quite understandable. I suggest calling your primary doctor and letting him know how you are feeling, and perhaps he can help you with some strategies to get through this hurdle in your recovery. There is also a book on the subject - someone help me out here I can NEVER remember the title of it!! Ann McCrea, RN 'Coping With Bypass (or Heart?) Surgery and Bypassing Depression' by J.Jude, et.al. previously published as 'The Heart Surgery Handbook' Best single book I've seen on Bypass Surgery and I've read at least 6. AL

::::::::putting on Nurse's Cap::::::::::: (I have never worn one, but sometimes don it here for nursey purposes :-) Brian, I am concerned about your decision to eat a NO fat diet. There are 2 reasons that I express my concern. First is that there are fat soluble vitamins that are essential for good health, and our bodies need at least a small amount of fat daily in order to absorb these nutrients properly. Second, if you completely stop eating fat, your gall bladder will go into a dormant state (its purpose is to secrete bile to break down fats). The quieter the gall bladder is over time, the more likely you are to develop gall stones. Believe me, as one who has been there, done that, you don't want to have to deal with the agony of that! I do applaud you for taking control of your diet-BRAVO! To have bypass at 37 must have been a shock, good for you for moving on. As the McDonalds Generation ages we are seeing more and more Bypassers in their 30s - and I'm sure we'll be seeing them in their 20's soon! ::::::::taking off cap:::::::::: I just wanted to give you that info for food for thought. Take care, Ann Ann McCrea, RN If I told you I was walking 60 miles to raise money for Breast Cancer Research and Prevention, Would you support me? AVON Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk August 9-11, 2002 Seattle Help me raise the required $1900 to walk, Donate online: www.BeThePeople.com Walker #2179 TEAM: Hog Heaven Hoofers Join me, Sponsor me, or hold me in Prayer!

Hi, Gang.... Does anyone have a clue as to how I can switch to the digest version of this list? If so, could you drop me a line? Thanks in advance:) Nance nanceT@... And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. <Jerry Chin

Hi Group~ They say "variety is the spice of life"... Just stumbled down stairs here after 15 hours of hell. It is so strange how we can have so many different headaches with various symptoms & pain. I have killers that seem to be brought on by heat & humidity, which we have had plenty of this last 10 days. My regular meds don't touch this kind. These were the type of HAs that started me on the bad cycle last summer so that I ended up on a Leave of Absence in Sept. My 'regular" Migraines start behind the left eye, with neck pain. But these are a nagging HA for a couple hours then from the base of my skull up to the top & both sides the pain & pressure is so great I cannot move, laying down makes it worse & it really feels like my head will explode. Actually I wish it would! The thing is it still seems to run its 12-20 hour course like the Migraines but I will feel shakey, dizzy & still have sharp brain pain for quite awhile after. The after effects are worse & stay around longer than my left eye Migraines. I guess it's just the added bonus of this Brain Disorder, get a taste of all kinds of headaches imaginable so we don't get bored with the typical Migraine. : Hope somebody is having a good day! ~Lyn~

Susan, I get the blurriness. It generally fades away after the worst of the pain is gone. Length of time it's blurry is strictly proportional to the length of time that the pain is intense. Since my migraines have been so much worse this summer, I'm scheduled for MRI and MRA of the brain and c-spine early next week (Tuesday afternoon). I'll let you know if anything odd shows up there. They are specifically checking for optic involvment because of the blurriness, and the length of time it's hanging around this year. It's only in the one side, right, where my migraines always are. Karen in Florida There are many intelligent species in the world - They are all owned by cats.

Your headache pattern is a perfect match for "cluster headaches" -- more common in men and starting later in life that migraines. Try some 'net research on cluster headaches. Also, saw some posts that straight oxygen is good for stopping them... Ron

Hey, thanks Jeff! That's a great idea - writing to the drug companies I mean. I don't think I can get much outta CPP... Haven't spent much time paying into it, and even then the amounts were pretty insignificant. But yeah, has anyone on this list been successful at getting Glaxo to subidize their imitrex? I wonder how that would work... I guess I'd mail the prescription to them and they'd fill it? Or perhaps it could go into the PharmaNet somehow that they are footing the bill? interesting... I'll let you know how it goes. Definitely worth a shot! Much thanks, L

Deb, that is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (welcome back!) Christy

Hi, I tried a few food elimination eating methods....have cut out all sugar or all dairy products or all things containing wheat a few times...for a few weeks at a time...didn't affect the migraines. Also have tried a rotation diet which eliminated things in a certain pattern, but it was too confusing to follow! I fasted for ten days and it seemed to reduce my headaches but I started eating "junk" food again. :o) And once I ate only brown rice and tried to add in a new food or spice each week, to see if something triggered a migraine, but I didn't stick with it, and had migraines anyway, food or no food. Also was tested for hypoglycemia a few times...tests always were normal. The drinking water has never seemed to affect my migraines. I did follow the diet that the Diamond Clinic put me on...for many months.....cut out any foods containing tyramine (no beans, yeast, chocolate, certain cheeses, red wine, certain food additives, etc., etc....everyone here has probably seen the "headache" diet). I followed it very carefully and still had the same pattern and number of migraines. Truthfully, I have never found a specific "food" to trigger a migraine for me. I think each person is different and has different triggers. For me, the biggest triggers are: loud noises, crowds with a lot of people talking and commotion, confusion, or chaos (dishes clattering, babies crying), loud televisions or music when I need to be quiet, loud trucks, cars, airplanes, machines, and certain odors and chemicals. Christy

Last summer, while running windsprints with my 14 year old son, I suffered a massive MI. I was helicoptered from the ER to a hospital 70 miles away in the middle of the night. The next day my surgeon did a quad bypass. My actual physical recovery has been excellent; my BP is cut in half, cholesterol down 60 points and I've even gotten used to the strict low sodium, low fat diet. All this with the loving help of my great wife. As a former distance runner who kept in decent shape, this whole ordeal has seemed somewhat surreal. The biggest problem at this point is mental, not physical. Every chest discomfort is an attack waiting to happen, every physical symptom is cardiac related. I focus on my imagined shortened life expectancy and when the bypasses will have to be redone and whether the current grafts will "hold". I've never been a "hypo" before, but this is driving me nuts. Thanks for letting me get this "off my chest". Any suggestions? Dave

Dave, I was a distance runner most of my life, ran into some problems at age 41. Finally had a bypass in 1995 (18 months after m.i. in hospital due to failed angioplasty , and cardiac arrest just before bypass) . In about 6 or 7 weeks (when surgeon said grafts would be healed), I took my family up to Montreal, where I jogged up Mt Royal (nice and easy) . I have slowed down quite a bit(age I guess), but I still run. I dream about doing speed work, which I haven't tried in a few years (except for softball), but I may try again soon. So there is athletic life after heart attack and bypass. I suggest you learn the risk factors for heart disease and make the changes you need to do in order to prevent a recurrence. The mental aspects, as you point out , can be the biggest hurdle. We are forced to face our mortality in a big way. Other deficits can arise from the surgery as well. But we all keep on pluggin' and try our best to make as full a recovery as possible. Regards, Harold

Hi Susan, My grandmother had bypass surgery at the age of 84 and lived 12 more wonderful years. Every case is different of course, but I hope this is encouraging to you and to your dad. Its likely that once the first 8 weeks of recovery are over that he will feel better than he has in years. Keep us posted! God bless, Ann (resident RN here) Ann McCrea, RN If I told you I was walking 60 miles to raise money for Breast Cancer Research and Prevention, Would you support me? AVON Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk August 9-11, 2002 Seattle Help me raise the required $1900 to walk, Donate online: www.BeThePeople.com Walker #2179 TEAM: Hog Heaven Hoofers Join me, Sponsor me, or hold me in Prayer!

Deb, Then I'll whisper the "welcome back"! Glad that you're feeling better, and happy that you made it back to us :) You had us worried there, for a while. Karen in Florida There are many intelligent species in the world - They are all owned by cats.

In a message dated 6/29/99 7:49:48 AM Central Daylight Time, susan.sommers@... writes: Maybe it should read "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause"....what a wonderful nuero you must have and be very grateful for! Jan :*)

Hi and many thanks to everyone already. My dad (age 79) will be having bypass surgery next week, at least 4 and perhaps 5 blockages to be grafted. His heart disease is his only significant health problem - he had stable angina for many years, but in the last few weeks it became unstable, hence the angiogram and plans for bypass. I was wondering if anyone had experience with bypass at his age, and what impact that factor might have on his recovery and the time it will take. My mom has dementia and is in a wheelchair, and Dad has been her primary caregiver up to now, so his surgery will be a big event for our family as we begin caring for both of them. We hope we will be able to do that for them in their home, but it is hard to predict how things will turn out. Your shared experiences are a big help. Thanks again. Susan Sharp

I'm very sorry that I've not posted in a while.. All this month I've had problems with my heart.. I've had several hospitalizations this month alone.. :( It all started the evening when I went to bed and wroke up the following morning with severe chest pain. Then was sent to the hospital via ambulance that morning they declined to admit me because they my chest pain was non-cardiac related. The following day Super bowl sunday I was transported back to the hospital with same chest pain and ratidating pain down to my left hand.. I was finally admitted to another local hospital and taken to the CCU unit on a nitro drip. The local GP was so eger to get me off the nitro drip that was hel-ping relieve the pain that i got pisst-off and talked to the nurse manger in charge of the CCU and they respected my wishes to be not taken off the nitro-drip.. Then a another local cardiologist came into my room and demaned that I be taken off the drip and that he not going to order any further tests by Wed morning I was discharged before i felt I was ready to leave. Later that night I was taken back to the same hospital that iwas earlier discharged from and transferd to a hospital in Lexington,Ky where my cardio team is.. My two-day stress test that was performed showed areas of the heart that was not getting enough blood to it. Following the weekend they performed another heart cath and it showed another area narrowed in the LAD 55-60% I inquired about what could be done to contorl my debilataing angina attacks and they said medications..

hello just made my way to group was part of other group too my name is mo and in 1999 at the age of 32 i had a massive heart attack and bypass surgery, have had ps and downs since then, take day by day and go from there, my ef has been 30% since mi i have left ventricluar dysfuntion cardiomapth valve disease yopu just about name it and i have well just wanted to say hello looking forwrd to all post.. good health to all.mo

Janice! CALL YOUR DOCTOR. Do not be concerned that it is "nothing" or that you are overly concerned. It is your health, your body, and you are the one who has to know that things are ok. If your doctor has a problem with that, then find a new doctor! If you haven't already, then please call right now. You have valid concerns that need attention. Please keep in touch to let us know how you are doing. Ann Ann McCrea, RN If I told you I was walking 60 miles to raise money for Breast Cancer Research and Prevention, Would you support me? AVON Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk August 9-11, 2002 Seattle Help me raise the required $1900 to walk, Donate online: www.BeThePeople.com Walker #2179 TEAM: Hog Heaven Hoofers Join me, Sponsor me, or hold me in Prayer!

Hi folks. So glad I found this group. I'm a 41 year old male living in West Texas. I've been feeling absolutely horrible all winter long and finally found out why on Monday morning. This past Saturday,I had a minor MI and had a heart cath on Monday. Well,guess what? They found that my carotid arteries are totally blocked & I have partial blockages in three others. So,I'm scheduled for at least a triple bypass in the next couple of weeks. I'd be very grateful for any advice or support,cuz to be honest,I'm more than a little scared. Also,I have a bit of info that might be of help to those reading this;All of my EKG's showed no problem-it was elevated cardiac enzymes that finally tipped the Docs to my problem. Thank God that the ER Attending did the necessary bloodwork. So,to those out there who have only had EKG's run,PLEASE insist that they do a complete blood workup. Anyway,I'd love to hear from anyone out there who might have any info or advice for me.... My email addy is segurre@.... Thanks and good luck to everyone out there. :)

Most attorneys that deal with Soc Security do not charge you a fee until you are awarded your disability. They get a certain percent of your award. In a message dated 2/21/2002 3:36:24 PM Central Standard Time, fellini123@... writes: << No when I got my SS disablity it went thruogh the VA with no problems. Certainly cant afford a lawyer!! LOL ALice

Hey all, Sorry I'm slow in responding today, we have a new puppy and life is a bit hectic here! (It's like having a toddler around again!). To "secondchance" I want to say that everything you are experiencing is "normal" (whatever that is), in that many people offer the same complaints in the first few weeks after surgery. My nurse concerns are this: Because you are experiencing discomfort you should be on some type of pain medication, even if it is just Extra Strength Tylenol to take the edge off. When you were sent home were you given any instructions as to over the counter pain medications? If they gave you a home instructions brochure, check there. Also, if you are having such discomfort with coughing I am concerned that perhaps you weren't instructed properly on guarding your chest as you cough. You should hug a pillow or stuffed animal snuggly to your chest as you cough. This will help immensely. Your fatigue is to be expected. I instruct patients to plan FOUR rest periods during the day - not just sitting in front of the TV, but lights off, TV off, feet up and falling asleep for 1/2-1 hour. Doing this for the first 2-3 weeks can work wonders. Your body is working so hard to heal, and giving it rest will facilitate that process. You also need to be walking FOUR times each day! Not just to the bathroom and back, but up on your feet for 5-10 minutes at least. Give both these things a try and see how you feel in a few days. Call your doctor's office and ask to speak to the nurse repsonible for educating patients post-op. Talk to him/her about your discomforts and concerns and perhaps they have other ideas. Most of all, hang in there and give yourself time to heal. Sounds like you were relatively active/healthy pre-op, and you can be that way again after a few weeks/months. Patience is essential! By the way, home in 4 days is normal...believe it or not, I've sent Bypassers home in TWO days (I totally disagree with the surgeons that this is ok, but it has been done). And to Alice regarding your husband: that is absolutely unacceptable to me that a doctor would shrug his shoulders and brush you off as though there is nothing to be done. Get a second opinion as soon as you can! Even if you have to stick with the VA system, ask to see a Pulmonologist - a lung specialist, to see if his shortness of breath is lung related. See as many other doctors as you have to see to get good answers and someone who will help your husband fight. Ann....off to keep Cooper the wonder puppy out of trouble! Ann McCrea, RN If I told you I was walking 60 miles to raise money for Breast Cancer Research and Prevention, Would you support me? AVON Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk August 9-11, 2002 Seattle Help me raise the required $1900 to walk, Donate online: www.BeThePeople.com Walker #2179 TEAM: Hog Heaven Hoofers Join me, Sponsor me, or hold me in Prayer!

Hello all, thought you might remember me. My husband had a heart attack and bypas surgery done July 13, 2001. He was never really able to do the exercises like they said he should, because every time he did he got chest pains and severe shortness of breath. We get all our hospitization from the VA. We complained many many times, but never got to see a real doctor, only the techs or Physicans Assistants. He finally got another cardiac cath done today. Seems that the main artery, the one that they bypassed in July, is now 80% blocked. THey say because of where the blockage is located they cannot do a balloon angioplasty, and that the recovery % for doing another bypass is very poor. So what do we do?? When I asked the doctor he shrugged his shoulders. Since husband can no longer work, shoot he can't even walk out tot he car without being short of breath and having to take a nitro. Can we apply for SS disability? Is there any other type of treatment? Or will he be forced to spend the rest of his life on the couch? Alice

Hi, everyone! Sorry to say, but I have one doozy of a migraine. This one started very weird. I felt kind of tired all day Saturday (apparently one of my vague warning signs), but I didn't think much of it as the weather has been hot and humid here which in itself is draining. I woke up very early on Saturday and was also doing a million and one things. So, I figured no wonder I was tired. I even woke up just fine on Sunday. We did have a small thunderstorm and a little rain on Sunday. I have to go to the laundromat as I don't have a washer and dryer in my duplex. It was pretty hot doing laundry. When I got home, I was so terribly nauseated that I started vomiting just like I would with a migraine, but didn't really have a headache. After throwing up, I got one of the worst tension headaches I think I have ever had in my life. Then, it was like bam it went right-sided and has got worse despite all my attempts to take the proper medications that are supposed to help me. The standard medicines don't even seem to phase me. The Phenergan helps a little, but I still throw up in spite of taking it. I had to go to work today as my boss is on vacation and my co-worker had the day off (I work in a small law firm). I honestly do not know how I made it through the day. The more I sat up with the migraine and the more I moved around the worse the pain. I even had to throw up during the day. I called my doctor, but all he left at the pharmacy for me was Fiorinal. I came home on the bus which was pretty hot as the air conditioning wasn't working too well. I just prayed that I would make it home. All the motion and the heat made me feel like I was just going to pass out on the bus. Thankfully, I made it home and had to head straight for the bathroom. I took one of the Phernegan suppositories and a Fiorinal with Codeine that I had left over from an ER visit. This allowed me to sleep from 6 PM up until now at midnight. The nausea is a bit better. But, the pain is making me crazy. Most people I know that have migraines usually like to rest and lay down then often wake up from a sleep and the migraine has either disappeared or calmed down. For me, I get "hyper" when I get one. It is so bad that I don't know what to do. I try not to cry when I get one like this as I know it can only make it worse, but it is hard. Even strong narcotics do not phase me other than making me sleep. I am not planning on going to work tomorrow. However, here is the real clincher, I have an interview tomorrow in which I have to take an hour long writing exam. It is a very good opportunity that I hate to lose all because of migraine. Also, today my mother said to me "How do you ever expect to find anyone who will put up with you having these things when your own family can't even put up with it?". The worst part of it is that I don't really bother anyone when I have one of these. I take my medicine, try to keep calm and lay down. I am not a baby with them either. I know I have done things and went to work when no one in their right mind would. (Maybe, that's my problem ... I am not in my right mind. LOL!) Nothing seems to work for me. Plus mine seem to be 100% hormonal. I had my period over the weekend. It stopped. This severe migraine kicked in and will probably last at this level for about three days before turning into either a bad daily headache or a mild more copeable migraine. Just having a bad day. I am going to try to get some more rest and hopefully get up without this thing being as severe. I'll keep everyone in my prayers that we find something to help us. Not even my worst enemy deserves these things. Diann

My husband had triple-bypass on Jan. 11th. I read your post and thought,That's where he was a month ago! He was released after 4 days, quit the prescription pain meds a couple of days after he got home because it was causing sleep apnea. Sleeping really propped up helped a lot. He took a couple of naps a day to help compensate for the rest he didn't get at night. Best advice- get up and walk. Not a lot, but some activity seems to help. Take some kind of pain medicine, this will help make life more bearable. It will get better. Every ache and pain the doc will blame on "the surgery". However, if you're concerned, call the office. That's what they are there for. Some fear/anxiety is normal after going through this. My husband is 54. Good luck to you! cheryl d.

Hi everyone-- I emailed Sandra the other day, and got this back from and she asked me to forward it on to the group. She is still toughing it out, but it was good to hear she's still hanging in. sue h

Had a double bypass on Feb 1st thinking I was only going to the doctor's for a routine annual checkup which I hadn't done for 5 yrs.I am confused about several things and the doctors are too mysterious or evasive. Are these post operative conditions normal? Burning in the central chest area like you have a burning bronchitis. No range of breath on the exhale or inhale-about 1300 ml on the Voldyne after peaking at about 2000 8 days ago. Extreme pain to cough even a little bit. Rib spasm brought on by even the slightest burp. No pain medication after 5 days of being released from the hospital. Being released from the hospital in 4 days. Very difficult to get comfortable lying down. I can get exhausted going back and forth to the john. Thanks for your kindness in advance I'll be including each of you in my intentions for a complete and speedy return to abundant health. P.S. I'm 55 and 1/2.

HI again.....ok so I am writing in again...but I promise this is just a quick note today...hehehe....I had a suggestion made to me some time ago that may be of some help to some people here.....I was told to take a tape recorder to each doctor visit, especially the neurologist....that way the doctor is well aware you are serious and do not want to "misunderstand" something they have said to you...it also helps to record your questions before attending appointments....it is amazing "how different" a doctor will act when they are being taped!! I found it to be quite humorous actually.....just a thought. huggles to all roxie

I honestly don't know why my neurologist started letting me self-inject Demerol/Phenergan at home...it surprised me, but he suggested it about two years ago...maybe because he knew I was going to the ER from time to time...I have seen this doctor for eight years now, so he knows me pretty well. And like I said, he gives me a limited supply each month. I haven't heard of any other doctors doing this for patients, although I had been giving myself injections of DHE and Imitrex for a while. I will say this just from my own experience...the Demerol pills did nothing for my pain...but the injections did. My doctor just recently changed my whole protocol....he has me taking 10 mg. of Methadone three times a day....I've been on it now for about 16 days....so far, the migraines and daily headaches are with me, maybe slightly decreased, but I'm having a lot of dizziness and nausea from the Methadone. He wants me to take it regularly and if it doesn't work, he's going to put me on daily MS Contin or Oxycontin. He still has me taking Inderal and Anafranil (an anti-depressant) and Zomig as needed. But as of this week, I don't have anything to take for breakthrough pain or severe pain...this is all a new regimen for me, so I'm adjusting to it all, I guess. Anyway....that's my experience with the Demerol....it was really nice to be able to inject that at home and not have to go to the ER, maybe you could ask your doctor about it...but of course, it's a drug that is very controlled. Christy

I had bypass surgery over a year ago. I have a very high stress job and I find myself feeling totally overwhelmed with it. I can actually feel my chest tighting when things get stressful. I really feel that it is going to cause me future heart problems. My benefit package includes long term disability but I don't know if I would qualify for it. I am also struggling morally about asking to be considered for it. I have never wanted something for nothing. Has anyone had this experience? I guess my question is two part: Would my health be considered a disability and am I wrong in looking for assistance?

~ Pat yourself on the back for getting through a day like that...good job! ~Lyn~ whistling & clapping

I had a stent close up on me 3 months after it was put in. I had no symptoms---- I had a heart attack

I recently had my 4th stent put in my LM artery (1/23/02). I was having severe shortness of breath (probably some of you remember me). As of the beginning of this week, the shortness of breath is starting to return. Its not that bad yet, but enough to notice. I pretty much had no S.O.B. prior to this week. No chest pains whatsoever. Has anyone had a stent close up on them?? If so, what were the symptoms and how long did it take to close after it was put in?

Thank you, Dick ;o))))) Christy

My father's battle with heart disease has opened my eyes and made me look at my lifestyle and eating habits. The question is where do I start? What is the recommended maximum amount of your daily fat, cholesterol and sodium intake? Out of all three of these which one is most important? My mom seems to be concentrating a lot on the sodium intake and I was wandering if you all knew what the effects were of sodium on the heart. Thank you so much for any help! Jennifer

Okay.....I'm officially a *survivor*, I think! I had a birthday party booked for my six year old boy at Discovery Zone for this morning. Of course, when us migraineurs make such plans, or biggest worries are whether or not we will be well for the *date*. Well, I woke up feeling perky, coral the kids off to DZ for ll:30 (to include pizza and cake). We walk in the door, and DZ has filed for bankruptcy, and has been bought out by Chuckie Cheese's. Doors are closed, locked........The sick thing is they called me on Wednesday to confirm! So, back home we go to my worst nightmare....l0 - six year olds in my house. We drove past the bank thermometer, and it read l00 degrees! Oy! So far, no headache. I think sometimes when we don't anticipate things, we can handle things more positively. I had purchased 2 dozen cupcakes for the family party so I was covered there, I called pizza hut for the kids, and made 2 pitchers of kool-aid. They were pleased as punch when I turned on a few sprinklers, we whipped up some old fashioned home-made games, and all went well! Now, if I can get my deposit back, I'll be a happy camper. You know, even with all this, the best thing about the day is NO MIGRAINE! It is so nice to have the simple things in life make a migraineur so happy! Nance Wow, Nance, what a day you had! So glad you were feeling good and could enjoy it all! Christy :o)

wow, I can certainly relate.....and what a lot of stress...to have to "juggle" and ration out our meds so they will last...to have to make it through a day with nothing, just so you will have some medication the next day when you know you'll "really" need it........ sheesh!! Roxie, I'm not sure what a doctor can determine when they look into our eyes with those lights....but I sure do hope that they know and believe we are hurting! My experience with Demerol....is that I have usually been given it, in the ER, if I have needed it....but sometimes I have been questioned a lot and I've had some doctors or nurses treat me as if I were not being truthful about my migraine. I know others who have been treated much more severely. I have been fortunate...my current neurologist will let me self-inject Demerol with Phenergan for my migraines that are so severe, when Zomig does not work. But he only gives me a very controlled amount and I usually use it all before my next doctor's appointment....so I have to save it and use it for the really severe ones. But I spent years before that, having to go to the ER, this was before any of the triptan drugs were available, and some migraines were so bad that after being in bed for two or three days and vomiting....sometimes had to be taken to the ER for a Demerol injection. Nothing worse than that terrible trip in the car to the ER...when just the movement of the car makes you throw up! And the pain is unbearable....yuk! Christy

I am looking for the information posted about a week ago on aphasia. If anyone has it, please send it to me privately. thanks, Kat

I just signed up with this site and am very glad for the new support system. My name is Jennifer and I am 27. My father (51) went through a series of mild heart attacks last Ocotober. Had an angioplasty done due to a %90 blockage of one of the arteries. That failed but didn't know it until 3 weeks ago. He had a double bypass 2 weeks ago and had not been feeling good at all. We knew that was to be expected but he had to go to ER yesterday. He coughed and tore open his wound (it was only the surface) but lost enough blood to have to have some given to him. God works in mysterious ways though. He has only been breathing off of one lung because the other one was filled with fluid...no wander he was having a hard time with his chest. I have been doing a lot of research about recovery and knew something wasn't right. My question is: Is this normal for a lung to fill up with fluid and do you know if there is a chance it can happen again? I love my Dad and can't imagine my life with out him. I have been trying to find all of the info I can to educate myself but have been unsuccesful finding anything about fluid build-up in the lungs. My mom has enough on her plate right now so I hate to bother her. Thanks in advance for any advice, help or anything else you can share with me. Jennifer P.S. My dad smoked 2 packs a day for almost 30 years and quit last October after his heart attacks! I got my cholestrol checked yesterday and am the way to a healthier lifestyle. :)

txmom, UGH! That is so unacceptable to me, for your mom (and dad) to be treated that way. Here's my recommendation: Have your mom call this Doctor's office on Monday morning, and ask to speak to his nurse directly (even if she has to wait for a call back from her). When she talks with the nurse, have her ask for a Prescription Medication Consultation with that nurse (NOT the doctor) to have the nurse go over each medication with her and your dad in detail (including the name of the med, why it is prescribed, the exact timing of it, etc). Have her ask the nurse to create for her a chart for tracking the medications daily (I did this for each of my patients as they left the hospital, it takes only minutes). If the office is not willing to do this, then in my humble opinion it is time to find a new doctor! I know this is all new to your Mom, but this is a time that she is going to have to dig her heels in until she gets the answers she and your dad need. Someone there needs to help her make sense of it all and help them with a system that will work. She can tell them they can see her now or they can see them a lot later, because if your dad isnt getting his medications appropriately, he'll be in the revolving door of going to the doctor constantly. Help your mom to be assertive (even if you need to make the calls to the office). Don't take no for an answer! I hope that helps! Take care, Ann

TO ALL MIGRAINE FRIENDS Hello from Ontario Canada again...I know I do not write in alot, but I do read the letters daily...thought it time for me to put my "two cents" worth in as well......someone mentioned last week sometime about them being happy I have found something that "works".....believe me when I say, I have gone thru hell to get to this point and the quality of life right now is not great but better.....I am on a medical disability for these migraines (I for one refuse to call them headaches)....i have also had needles in the back of my skull, several times with some very horrid side effects, and had lanocane injection up my nose---supposedly to "freeze" the nerve...which lasted all of 5 minutes.....I do take stadol right now but to be honest a bottle a week would be better for me, it seems every other week is somewhat pain free...but there again, I have approval for 2 bottles per month instead of 4 per month as the neuro suggested---he actually said "no more then a bottle a week"......at present I also take Zoloft--helps, but only a little...the zyban seemed to be excellent for me, so am now waiting for approval on this drug as well.....living on disability and raising 3 young children alone (half the income I made when working), makes it tough to survive paying bills and feeding them, let alone paying for drugs not on my coverage list....I do not rock the boat with the medical board right now, because getting 2 bottles of stadol is better then none..so I must choose when to be in pain and when it is mandatory for me to be functional.....what a quality of life huh? Hoping you each find more pain free days, and more understanding doctors...I was once told in Emergency at hospital that a migraine cannot be "faked", when they look into our eyes with those annoying lights, they can tell if we are truly in pain or not...so why the big deal about demerol??anyone else know? huggles to all roxie

Hello group yes the docs can confuse a person. so I make them take it slow enough that I can understand. they should recognize that I know nothing except what they tell me. so is best for us both that they help me even with record keeping. if the doc won't help, then I ask the nurse. just keep asking til they answer. that is what they are paid for. also, I keep a record on the calendar of my meds and dosages. write on the date when taken. have a master list attached to the calendar. I take 14 meds per day. have for the last 3 1/2 years. so accurate record keeping is as important as exercise and diet. just remember -don't let them confuse you. make them explain everything. if they do not have time. then don't take the pay. thankfully I have great heal care professionals. prayers and hugs for all, Susan/Zephyrhills, FL

Okay.....I'm officially a *survivor*, I think! I had a birthday party booked for my six year old boy at Discovery Zone for this morning. Of course, when us migraineurs make such plans, or biggest worries are whether or not we will be well for the *date*. Well, I woke up feeling perky, coral the kids off to DZ for ll:30 (to include pizza and cake). We walk in the door, and DZ has filed for bankruptcy, and has been bought out by Chuckie Cheese's. Doors are closed, locked........The sick thing is they called me on Wednesday to confirm! So, back home we go to my worst nightmare....l0 - six year olds in my house. We drove past the bank thermometer, and it read l00 degrees! Oy! So far, no headache. I think sometimes when we don't anticipate things, we can handle things more positively. I had purchased 2 dozen cupcakes for the family party so I was covered there, I called pizza hut for the kids, and made 2 pitchers of kool-aid. They were pleased as punch when I turned on a few sprinklers, we whipped up some old fashioned home-made games, and all went well! Now, if I can get my deposit back, I'll be a happy camper. You know, even with all this, the best thing about the day is NO MIGRAINE! It is so nice to have the simple things in life make a migraineur so happy! Pain free days, all:)) Nance nanceT@... And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. <Jerry Chin

A little humour to start the day....(please don't believe these items) Subject: Exercise - Questions & Answers

I just hung up the phone with my mom. She was crying because when she brought all of the meds to the doctor, he asked her where the Rx for the coumidin and Beta-something (don't recall the name) were? He had given her samples to give Dad, and in the confusion of things, she had tucked them out of sight and had forgotten them. In my head, I was screaming, "OMG!!!! She's gonna hurt Dad because she's so confused about the meds!!!!" On the phone, I comforted her, told her she was doing a great job, and to just add the meds tomorrow! I was so mad at the doctor! She said he sounded so "flighty", as he looked through the meds, saying which one to continue, when to stop the next.....then going on to the next one before she could finish writing. My dad has set out her medication for the last 45 years, and she is trying so hard to get a handle on this! He's on over 13 medications right now and my Mom is giving meds for the first time in her life!! I told her to write down each medication, the mg, and how many times a day, then when to stop it. Then take it up to the doctor's office and make them go over the list and see if any "adjustments" need to be made. My family and I have been sick with the flu, and I've not been able to see my Dad, but offered to come in and go to the doctor's office with her. The nurse was a little testy with her when she called back to ask a med question. She told me she could do this, and if it went bad, I could go in with her on Monday. Anyway, thank you for the vent. All that to say, could the lack of coumidin and beta-whatever be the source of his fatigue? At the visit, his heartbeat was a little irregular. By the way, she mentioned the things I asked her to about being anemic and did an adjustment need to be made on his beta blocker, and he just kinda laughed. Smug jerk. Silly laymen and their questions.... txmom

After reading this, some of you are going to think I'm crazy. but bear with me here. :o) After nearly 30 years of MS, and all that goes with it, I've found some things that are true for many ailments, including migraine...... the next time you are feeling fairly "normal", I'd like you to sit down with a pencil and paper, and an eraser. Give this about an hour. I want you to think very clearly about your daily intake. I'm not talking meds here. I mean food, water, and other liquids. One thing you all might find very interesting is, once I started to filter my drinking water, I mean with a dual system, to include a pur or a britta pitcher, I noticed that certain symptoms lessened dramatically. the water coming out of your tap, is disgusting, and that's putting it mildly. FILTER YOUR DRINKING AND COOKING water......... Next. keep tabs on what you eat everyday. Any food, or condiment you eat EVERY day. Eliminate one of them, for a week. whatever that may be. Salt, sugar, milk, etc. you get the idea. Do this one at a time. If you notice any change in your systems, ( bio) eliminate that "thing" from you diet, period. You will find that some of the things you are putting in your body are triggers. This may take you several weeks. Poly unsaturated fats. By all means eliminate them from your diet completely...... read the labels. If it has any saturated fats, of any kind, don't use it. Milk CAN and does trigger migraine. Certain fruits, can. I believe that if you really try and do this with a eye on eliminating certain "foods" that may be the culprits, you may find fewer episodes!!!!!!! have a nice day! Dj

Christy - I think it is great that you and your bf have each other & that you are support for one another. He is taking care of you in, maybe, a more important way than physically. My husband tries to be helpful & supportive & understanding, but when it really comes down to it, he isn't. He compains about what the meds do, he gets frustrated when I'm always "sick", as he puts it. And even though he knows I can't help it, I know he just can't understand fully & I just end up feeling worse in the end. I think you have a real jewel in your relationship!!!! God Bless, Sue

Hi My name is Doug Koch, dakoch@... What information are you looking for. I would be interested in helping you out. Check message 1242 for my medical history.

Greetings! My dad had a triple bypass on Martin Luther King Day, so we're heading into his 3rd week being post surgery. He's on Tylenol, but no other pain medications. His only complaint is that he can hardly hold his eyes open, he's so sleepy. All of his blood tests have come back normal and when I ask him if he's in pain, he says no. Any insight? He's so disappointed. And cold :o) Thankyou! I just love my dad and want him back on his feet! txmom

To the Group: I have been reading the postings these last few days. It seems to me that more and more of you are having a problem with Dr.s that can't seem to control their own emotions, as it concerns "you" as their patients. I find this to be particularly troublesome. I cannot, in ANY scenario, imagine a Dr. that would yell at a patient, chastize a patient, or otherwise humiliate a patient. Any Dr. that does so, needs to be reported to the AMA. Also to the local medical boards. Dr.'s take an oath when they become liscensed. They agree above all else, to give quality care to anyone seeking their services. While that last statement may be an oversimplificaton, it does illustrate, exactly, the opposite of what most of you in this group are receiving. One of the problems with Dr., patient relationships, is many patients view their Dr.s as if they were immaculate conceptions! Trust me here. They are just people, like you and me. And when they step past the Oath they took, and treat you, or rather DON'T treat you, in a manner that we all deserve, it's time to take action (s) against them. The next time you are mistreated by any Dr., (after you've regained your composure), inform (him-her) that you feel you've been mistreated, that you have not received the care you not only need, but deserve, that you demand a referal to a new treating physician, and that you want an apology, right there, on the spot. If the offending Dr. has been particulaly nasty with you, try this. "Who in the hell do you think you are? I came here today expecting to see a professional. I am your PATIENT, Dr., I deserve to be treated with courtesy AND respect, at the very least." Sit there and wait for a response. If you don't get an immediate apology, get up and walk out! Report the offending physician to the local medical board, AND to the AMA. that's the Amarican Medical Association. If you haven't by then even considered the prospect of looking for a new Dr., you'll need to, then! But I have to ask you. Why would you WANT to return to any Dr. that treated you so badly, anyway? The things I've mentioned here are not extreme. They are reasonable. You have as much right to expect respect, as the Dr. does getting it from you as his patient! Dj

Sorry I can't help with the pain, I don't know of anything else to suggest. It sounds like you have been through Hell & back. I hope some how you find something that works! ~Lyn~ when you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it & hang on!

Thanks, Jon I checked out the site. It's full of good information. I printed out the schedule so I won't forget. I also sent it to the HeartLove group and a number of my Mended Hearts chapter members. I am now in the process of typing up our February newsletter so I will include the Cleveland Clinic web site. Dottie

Amanda here. I have been missing for awhile. I have been very ill. Was getting 10-12 bad migraines daily.(I suffer cluster headaches). The headaches branched out from my right side to my entire face and for awhile even imitrix wouldn't work. Now I know what some of you mean by 'cheek migraine'. I have been in the hospital as well as the emergency room a few times now. I need some advice. Decadron was the only thing that helped prevent my HA's. Unfortunately, after we tapered off... the headaches were so bad for a week that we put me back on it. I was on an extremely high dose. As a result I lost all control of my joints(couldn't walk ) I just tapered back off, (THANK GOD),. The pain in my body is unbearable. I use a cane to walk now. My face is sooo swollen it hurts. I shake and can't think straight. I was also on Depakote but stopped because it wasn't working and I don't think I can handle all these drugs. Hopefully all of this medicine will be out of my system soon and then I can go back to dealing with just the HA'S. Before at least I felt ok between migraines, now I am in such pain mentally, emotionally and physically all the time!!!! I am finally getting a little sleep too. The pain in my body was soooo bad I got 10 hrs sleep in 5 days, even though I had pain med and sleeping pills! Anyway, I have stopped everything except the imitrix, stadol for pain, and ativan to help sleep. I also now take pepcid because I think I have done permanent damage to my stomach. This cycle started early April. That's almost 3 full months of utter hell. I have had no life and have even less of one now. The only good thing is that my mother flew out from Cal., to take care of me. (you should have see me when I was alone trying to slither across the floor to find my imitrix shot) I am now so afraid to try other meds as a preventative. I've tried everything, nothing seems to work. I know however that its just a matter of days before the HA's are so bad that I am begging to try something else. I just don't want to keep putting so many toxic things in my body! Any suggestions out there.? I see my Dr. on Monday. He's already mad at me because I stopped the Depakote. Maybe there is some drug that has little to no side effects that I can try. Really Desperate, Amanda

Dear Jan, Well said! I remember one trip to an ER....I had been in bed with a migraine for about three days...I went to the ER...took my father with me AND my little bucket (vomiting). After waiting a few hours, this older doctor looked at me and my father and said, "Unfortunately, we as doctors have no way of KNOWING if you are indeed in pain. Anyone can come in here and claim to have a migraine, hoping that we will give them a narcotic. I'll give you 50 mg. of Demerol." And that injection didn't touch my pain...my father drove me home and I went straight back to bed, feeling humiliated, insulted, and angry. Everyone on this list probably has had a similar experience. I have seen some petitions that were drawn up for chronic pain and the patient's right to be treated for that pain....I will try to find some more info about this and post it here. Christy

Hold On Tightly to What Is Truly Important in Life. Hold on to faith; it is the source of believeing that all things are possible. It is fiber and strength of a confident soul. Hold on to hope; it banishes doubt and enables attitudes to be positive and cheerful. Hold on to trust; it is at the core of fruitful relationships that are secure and content. Hold on to love; it is life's greatest gift of all, for it shares, cares, and gives meaning to life. Hold on to family and friends; they are the most important people in your life, and they make the world a better place. They are your roots and the beginnings that you grew from; they are the vine that has grown through time to nourish you, help you on your way, and always remain close by. Hold on to all that you are and all that you have learned, for these things are what make you unique. Don't ignore what you feel and what you believe is right and important; your heart has a way of speaking louder than your mind. Hold on to your dreams; achieve them diligently and honestly. Never take the easy way or surrender to deceit. Remember others on your way and take time to care for their needs. Enjoy the beauty around you. Have the courage to see things differently and clearly. Make the world a better place one day at a time, and don't let go of the important things that give meaning to your life.

It seems that since I've had this 4th stent put in (last week), my shortness of breath has almost disappeared! I know this may not be the solution for everyone, but it seems that my s.o.b. was caused by another blockage (left main artery was 70% blocked). I can now climb up a flight of stairs without even taking an extra breath! Before they put this 4th stent in, I couldn't hardly make it up 1 flight of stairs without huffing and puffing. So happy .... Claudia

Hi Claudia, I'm glad to hear all is well with your angio site. The doctor heard a "Bruit" (pron: Brew-ee) - this is where you can hear blood flowing through a vessel with a stethoscope. When you can feel the blood flowing it is called a "Thrill" :0)......so there's everyone's medical lesson for the day! Ann Ann McCrea, RN If I told you I was walking 60 miles to raise money for Breast Cancer Research and Prevention, Would you support me? AVON Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk August 9-11, 2002 Seattle Help me raise the required $1900 to walk, Donate online: www.BeThePeople.com Walker #2179 TEAM: Hog Heaven Hoofers Join me, Sponsor me, or hold me in Prayer!

I went to my Cardio and he ordered an immediate ultrasound to check to see if there was bleeding going on and he said he only heard a slight "brewing" (sp?) sound. The ultrasound was fine! No bleeding. Thank goodness. So now I just have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get bigger. It's still pretty sore but at least now I know its nothing to worry about. Claudia

I had 2 angiograms last week and 1 additional stent put in my LM artery. My question is: I have a large lump in my groin area where the angiogram was done. It seems to be getting larger instead of smaller. My angios were done on 1/21 and 1/23. I know that you can sometimes feel a "pea" size lump (I had 2 previous angios), but this is much larger. Has anyone experienced this?

Welcome back Deb! The only time I heard of (cervicalgia) arthritis of the brain was last year when an older woman my Mother knows told her that's what the Dr said she had. Hmmm, how different is it? Hope you have a nice peaceful painfree week end. ~Lyn~

Thanks for the replies...I guess we'll just get more warm hats,socks,and gloves! Lisa...I'm glad your hubby got taken care of..Our nurse told us we woud be surprised at how many aches and pains would show up that were normal post-op pains. Still, you can't be too careful. I'd rather bother them w/?s than miss something important (read:life-threatening"). Cheryl

Vicki, If you haven't been on Effexor very long, give it a chance to work. The antidepressants take time to build up in your system or you may need a higher dosage. Effexor seems to be working for me, (I seem to be getting fewer severe headaches) but I went through many medications that did not such as Elavil, Pamelor, Prozac, Paxil, and Serzone. If Effexor doesn't work for you, don't give up! Try other medications until you find some relief. Hippolyta

My husband is always cold since his bypass 2 weeks ago. He was never cold-natured before. His fingers and feet are even cold;I thought just the opposite would happen.Has anyone else experienced this? Does it go away,and if so, how long does it take?Thanks and good night....Cheryl

Hi all, Just a quick note from the nurse on the issue of lifting/driving/etc in the post-op period. It is essential that a bypasser avoid ANY lifting or carrying of objects for at least 8 weeks, recommended 12 weeks. This includes anything heavier than a can of vegetables! Also driving must be avoided as well. And using your arms to push yourself up from sitting or lying is a no-no as well. Even after a full, lengthy recovery it is important to take caution. Here's why: your breastbone is wired together to promote complete healing of the bones. As you lift and exert you create pressure within your chest cavity that is forceful enough to disrupt that healing and even loosen the wires (one sign of loose wires is a clicking sensation at the site). Twisting while driving will cause the same problem, as can pushing or pulling with your arms. Why is this a concern? Well, as a post open heart nurse, I cannot tell you how many times I had to assist bypassers through a re-wiring surgery and the subsequent recovery. It is no fun, and often times a worse recovery than the first time. Also, any weakening of this healing process subjects you to greater incidence of infection to the surgery site. Believe me when I tell you, I've seen the worst of the worst when a sternal incision goes bad. It is completely avoidable, so please heed the precautions! Take care, Ann Ann McCrea, RN I'm walking 60 miles to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Research and PREVENTION! AVON Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk August 9-11, 2002 Seattle Help me raise the required $1900 to walk, Donate online: www.BeThePeople.com Walker #2179 TEAM: Hog Heaven Hoofers Join me, Sponsor me, or hold me in Prayer!

I don't know if, or how, migraines are classified, but I qualified for the federal Canada Pension Plan disability pension and for the provincial Ontario Disability Support Plan, which "tops up" the federal pension. It took several appeals and the help of a lawyer to get the federal pension, but I got the provincial one on the first try. Jeff

Hi all.... My husband underwent emergent 3x bypass surgery Jan 2nd. His progress has been phenominal. One thing though, it's 1am and he is in tears, just off the phone with the doc covering for his PCP. He has an "appointment" at 7 am in Urgent Care. His L shoulder is "killing" him. He is so tight and tense its unreal. He is on Tylenol 3 COD for the pain from the bypass, which he never uses. He took it for the shoulder, along with 3 advil as advised. It still isnt touching it. He has tried both heat and cold. He usually holds up his R arm against his body to walk ( I call him Bob Dole ; ) ), so I dont understand why his L side is bothering him. The doc over the phone thinks it may be tendonitis. Has anyone else experienced this??? Thanks a bunch... Lisa Tucker, Southbridge, MA

Hello and Good Health to Everyone! It's been 1 year since my 4x CABG (1/18/02 -- hooray) and last July 3 stents. On to the subject of shortness of breath. For the past 4-5 months I had been having SOB which was getting worse and worse. I was sent to a pulmonologist, he found mild case of emphasyema, no treatment necessary turns out because my actual breathing tests were fine. Went to the cardio Dr. and he wasn't sure why I was so SOB, he sent me for a lung CT to see if I had blood clots in my lungs. On and on it went, but I wouldn't give up. I'm 40, had the surgery and should be feeling pretty damn good by now!! Last Saturday I had a major angina pain go down my left arm and had to take nitro. Scared as hell!! Called the Dr. and told me to come to ER. After all the tests, etc. it turned out that my left main artery was 70% blocked so they stented it. I just got home from the hospital yesterday. Hopefully, this should do the trick. If not, I know that it is not my heart or lungs because they've been checked inside and out!! Now my next task is to start exercising and lose some extra poundage!!! (Dr.'s Orders) Hope this helps someone -- don't give up -- if you feel your doctor isn't doing enough, keep bugging him!!! If he's a good Dr. then he'll keep trying to find the source of the problem!! Take care, Claudia

Hi everyone. I just need to vent a little about my visit to my neuro yesterday. I don't understand why migraine evokes this response in otherwise nice people. I thought she was a "good doctor", especially in contrast to the neuro before her. At our first session she spent an hour with me, and seemed to listen really well. She took me off all the preventatives the previous neuro had me on (which took a couple of months), and then tried me on depakote for the last two months. It did nothing. I have seen her a total of four times, including this one. Yesterday, she was incredibly angry toward me, cut me off without listening to me, yelled at me, and dismissed all of the ideas I had (like checking me for fibromyalgia, or trying one of the two new meds mentioned by y'all). I wound up crying in her office, both because of her treatment and because I felt like this is all so hopeless. What is it with these people? Even now, thinking about it, I start to cry again. I want my life back. So anyway, now I am back on elavil (which previously reduced my migraine frequency and intensity by about 20%, which is better than nothing, and using imitrex, vicoprofen (hydrocodone with ibuprofen instead of acetominophen), compazine, and Claritin when the migraines come. Had a doozy this morning, but a 6mg. shot of imitrex worked. (Yipee!!) Now I am going to go to the San Francisco Headache Clinic, but I am scared that this will wind up the same way. How can I approach them at the first session so that they take this seriously, and don't treat me like a pain in the ass crackpot hypochondriac drug addict? Any ideas? Thanks. Suzi Suzi Kaplan, MA Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc. Drug Detoxification, Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program Pharmacologic Research Unit 603 Clayton Street San Francisco, CA 94117

Hello all I quit smoking 8 years before my 6 way CABG. Had asthma and COPD. Chronic bronchitis. May have been having heart problems when the asthma was diagnosed. Now have to take inhalers plus the heart meds. Take Coreg to slow the heart beat and put more oxygen into the heart. Otherwise my heart would beat with no purpose. Also take Lanoxin to regulate the heart beat. Heart doc said that my ejection factor is the same as when I had the heart attack and CABG in 1998. When I was 50. Genetics is most of the reason I have heart problems. My heart problems were never diagnosed because I am female and at 50 too young for heart problems. Did have a very supportive heart team that helped me get back on my feet. Can always call them with questions. Weather affects my breathing. So we live here in FL where the cold air is not much to make me have an asthma attack. Also heart doc told me that heart and lungs are closely related. So what can affect the heart may also affect the lungs. Really know that I cannot smoke if I want to breathe. My Dad never gave up smoking also. He suffered lots due to lack of exercise, poor diet and smoking. Also never had the chance for CABG as it was in the 70's and the blockages were too far from the heart. Was not easy as now for me to quit smoking. There was only the gum to chew then. Glad I made the decision to quit. Want to enjoy life to the fullest. And not in a chair striving to breathe each breathe. While wheezing all the time. I work hard to keep balance in my life with exercise, diet and a positive outlook. Always could contact the American Heart Association for help. Prayer for all, Susan/Zephyrhills, FL

Well, I'm another one with shortness of breath after CabgX4 in 1998.....along with memory problems and we might as well add in kidney problems. I just had a echo done on my heart to determine if indeed there was something wrong with the heart..bad valves etc.....this test showed mild reguritation of two valves but the dr said not enough to cause my shortness of breath. I should say..this SOB has only been within the past 6 months and never had this either before or immediately after surgery. Cardio guy says he thinks it must be that I'm out of shape..deconditioned.....but I exercise 3-4 days a week..treadmill, weights exercise bike. So then I have to consider lung problems and now I'm reading that quite a few people are left with lung problems following by-pass and remember that I had partially collapsed lung after surgery and wondering if that has anything to do with present SOB... Kidney problems are also another problem that I'm discovering is not that uncommon among by-pass patients....my kidneys are bad because of the high dosages of many drugs I took after surgery when I developed a sternum infection. The kidney dr says that your kidneys are in slight shock after by-pass and then if you dump into your body massive doses of antibiotics that have a hard time filtering through the kidneys that can leave permanent problems. So I guess what we are all finding out is that while by-pass surgery may remove some of the problems connected with clogged arteries etc. we may also find new problems existing. Curious what drugs we are all taking...my cardio dr said that sometimes we may be on too high a dose of a drug or perhaps too many drugs and this too can lead to shortness of breath. I take.....20mg monopril (ace inhibitor)...12.5 hctz (diuretic)..50 mg tenormin (beta blocker) 5mg norvasc (calcium channel blocker) and then good old zocor for cholestrol.......have increased my activity and my sob has improved slightly but still find it hard to do so many things because of it. Sorry to be so rambling......but I too would like to know how many people have shortness of breath or other problems perhaps related to heart surgery. Grannyheart

Hey, Vicki -- Don't knock the demerol if it works. I went thru the whole circus of preventatives and now I'm doing much better on a regimen of T4 3x a day plus T3's for ad hoc relief. If you're taking the demerol frequently for migraines, see if your doc will prescribe something to take regularly as a preventative. I had to see a pain specialist before I got any relief... (he believes that chronic pain is like any other chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure -- you take the meds to prevent the problem, not wait until it gets bad) Ron

I used to smoke 2 packs a day until I had my open-heart surgery in '92 - 5 by-passes. I quit smoking immediately, and never looked back. I kick myself for not having done it sooner. If you wonder why you have shortness of breath, smoking might be one of the reasons. The OHS gave me a new lease on life - I felt that I wanted to be around for awhile, if I kept smoking it might result in my needing OHS again, and/or my lungs would be affected at some point. Smoking was a very large contributing factor to my needing OHS in the first place, as it was to most of the members of this support group. Quiting smoking is a very personal thing - it is something that you must want to do for your own good health. The nicotine patch might help you quit. The best way to quit is to say "I want to quit for myself, and my loved ones, and then just quit. You owe it to yourself !!! Jack

I have been reading in this group for about 6 months now (2X bypass in late June last year) and have noticed a common thread or concern. shortness of breath. It also appears that no one has posted any answer/solution/cause for this problem. I am one of the fortunate ones with good health coverage and have been pursuing an answer, to no avail. I have had just about every kind of test (how about blowing radioactive particles into your lungs to check your breathing. Think I'll go back to smoking for my health!) they can come up with, now I'm starting over with another stress test and a CP scan. I'm starting to wonder if the "shortness of breath" is a so- called normal by product of bypass?? Anyone have comments on this? The Winger

In a message dated 1/11/02 1:16:18 PM Hora estándar de México, ann.mccrea@... writes: I know Harry will send you a great email that will motivate you, watch for that. Harry right now is ending a great 2 weeks in Puertto Villarta, Mex. Be home this weekend and I will catch up on messages. Harry

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