Cath test
Knew I was having serious problems when on bike last week a women pushing a baby carriage passed me. Seriously I haven't been doing very well with angina (mostly during exercise) and I went for follow up catherization at Washington Hospital Center. I was due 15 month follow up since angioplasty and radiation treatment. The hope was my problems could be solved with angioplasty. News was not good. My RCA graft is blocked and it is to risky for angioplasty. I also have leaky mitral valve and ejection rate has dropped to 25%. Since I have already had to by-passes that is not an option. Right now we are trying several meds although I am not optimistic. Will now in about 10 days if meds will improve situation. There is a new clinical trial at DC hospital I am looking into. The coordinating Dr visited me. They will take bone marrow stem cells and inject by catherization into the heart. Instead of one big by pass many new branches will be formed and hopefully improve blood circulation of the coronary arteries. I am seriously considering this option if meds don't help. Will keep you posted, Harry K
Hi Harry...at least you have not lost your sense of humour - re: the lady with the baby carriage passing you while you were out biking. I do hope all goes well and the medications or this other treatment works to create new branches in the affected area of your heart. I had heard of research in that area but forget the term. Take care and keep us posted...you continue to be an inspiration to us all....jon On 6 Jun 2001, at 4:18, HKopcf@... wrote: Knew I was having serious problems when on bike last week a women pushing a baby carriage passed me. Seriously I haven't been doing very well with angina (mostly during exercise) and I went for follow up catherization at Washington Hospital Center. I was due 15 month follow up since angioplasty and radiation treatment. The hope was my problems could be solved with angioplasty. News was not good. My RCA graft is blocked and it is to risky for angioplasty. I also have leaky mitral valve and ejection rate has dropped to 25%. Since I have already had to by-passes that is not an option. Right now we are trying several meds although I am not optimistic. Will now in about 10 days if meds will improve situation. There is a new clinical trial at DC hospital I am looking into. The coordinating Dr visited me. They will take bone marrow stem cells and inject by catherization into the heart. Instead of one big by pass many new branches will be formed and hopefully improve blood circulation of the coronary arteries. I am seriously considering this option if meds don't help. Will keep you posted, Harry K
Wow Harry, I have to say I am so disappointed to hear this! I can only imagine that this is so frustrating for you. If you were a couch potato and this kept happening, that would be one thing - but gosh if you aren't the most dedicated person I know for trying to prevent disease. I know that stem cell treatments are making great strides in other diseases, so hopefully it will be the right thing for you as well. I have added you to my prayer list and will be praying for wisdom of the doctors who treat you, and for success of whatever treatment is chosen. If you get busy with all the treatment activity, will you ask your wife to keep us posted on here? As always your optimism and perserverance are an inspiration. I feel confident that you'll be back to riding many miles again soon! Take care, Ann Ann McCrea, RN I'm part of something big! AVON Breast Cancer 3Day Walk Enumclaw to Seattle WA (60 miles) August 10-12, 2001 www.breastcancer3day.org Walker ID# 5227 I need your support! Join me, sponsor me, or hold me in prayer. Thank you!
In a message dated 6/6/2001 3:20:54 AM Central Daylight Time, HKopcf@... writes: << Right now we are trying several meds although I am not optimistic. Will now in about 10 days if meds will improve situation. There is a new clinical trial at DC hospital I am looking into. The coordinating Dr visited me. They will take bone marrow stem cells and inject by catherization into the heart. Instead of one big by pass many new branches will be formed and hopefully improve blood circulation of the coronary arteries. I am seriously considering this option if meds don't help. Will keep you posted, Harry K Best wishes to you, Harry! Sounds like things are tough for you right now but keep the faith...good things will happen for you & please keep us posted! Sharon in Alabama
Sorry to hear of your downturn Harry. You have been such an inspiration to me and others. Have you heard of the new closed chest 'bypass' where they can link an artery to a vein in the heart by catheterization? Might be an option worth investigating. You didn't say why regular bypass was not an option. I'm curious. Have you talked with anyone at the Cleveland Clinic? That is the #1 rated heart center in the world. Check their website at www.ClevelandClinic.com They also have an 800 number that you can call with questions. Unfortunately, I misplaced it but perhaps it is available through 800 information. I too have recently developed mitral valve regurgitation and aortic valve stenosis with symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath. There is an EXCELLENT website with Heart info links and a very active HeartTalk Forum at www.ValveReplacement.com Harry, I hope you will be able to find some relief from this downturn. Keep your chin up and keep on fighting. Best wishes, 'AL Capshaw' (screen name)
Harry: You are in our thoughs and prayers BJ and Amy
Saw my cardi yesterday and he had reviewed films of my catherization at DC. He thinks my ejection factor may be somewhat higher than 25. Says Cath test is not that accurate and will do nuclear scan soon. Also said since RCA is completely closed I am not in danger of heart attack. He is trying me on Beta Blockers (low dose). Since rate is low to begin with I may not be able to take them. I know today is second day and they are making me tired. I am also on altace and isosorbide. I told one of my cycling friends I may need to find a club ride where instead of a snack stop I can take a nap. Would like to hear any of your experiences with these meds. Has anyone had the experience of less side affects after being on for a while? Also, if anyone comes across any info on stem cell treatment trials or research (relating to the heart) I would appreciate if you would advise me. Harry K
Harry, Regarding Beta Blockers......BLECH!! I hate them! I was on them for almost a year when I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. I was tired A LOT (of course Graves makes you tired, too, so I didnt know it was the BB's)....and when I went off of them I got my energy back (almost to normal but not quite yet). I also experienced weight gain - its hard to say if this was Graves or Meds or both - but I've heard of others who had weight gain with Beta Blockers. From the standpoint of do they help your heart, yes they are fantastic medications. Ann
Hi Anne...yes, to varying degrees with each patient, there seem to be some trade-offs with all fo these drugs. All I know is my family doc and cardioligist both told me, unless I had some strange reactions I would be on ASA Novaen, Lipitor, Metorprolol Tartrate, and Coversyl Perindopril Erbumine for life. At times I do feel tired...if it is a med...I sure don't know which one it is. Harry, Regarding Beta Blockers......BLECH!! I hate them! I was on them for almost a year when I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. I was tired A LOT (of course Graves makes you tired, too, so I didnt know it was the BB's)....and when I went off of them I got my energy back (almost to normal but not quite yet). I also experienced weight gain - its hard to say if this was Graves or Meds or both - but I've heard of others who had weight gain with Beta Blockers. medications. Ann
sorry about the meds typo...that was Novasen (ASA)...whoever decided on the spelling of these meds sure did not have my brain in mind.