Atherosclerosis

[KimC]

Hi, everyone.

Many of you have witnessed my (some times annoying) persistence to find answers to my worsening symptoms. I finally have an answer that unfortunately makes complete sense.

I met with my doctor today to go over my most recent echo and cath, and he told me that I have atherosclerosis and "very mild" ischemic cardiomyopathy. He said that the aortic valve disease was minimal, moderate at most, and prescribed an ACE inhibitor in addition to the calcium channel blocker and nitrates. He also recommended a statin and told me that I'm high risk for heart attack and stroke, which was a bit shocking. (The angina was thought to be GI-related at first).

I am strangely calm about this. I knew something wasn't right, and kept fighting for answers, sometimes at the cost of my own sanity, (if only momentarily). Many of you helped me find the courage to continue my "quest," and I appreciate your encouragement, (especially after my trip to DisneyWorld).

I'll continue visiting VR.com as it has become embedded in the fabric of my life!

Best,

 

[Harpoon]

Ahhhh... ACE inhibitors....


I'm on lisinopril (also known as zestril) and it's got a very pesky "tickle cough" side-effect. The degree to which it affects a person varies of course, but it can be annoying and from what I understand, most ACE inhibitors (I've also been on Diovan) have this side-effect.

If you have problems, get some sugar free chewing gum or cough drops (Halls has sugar free now which is just grand for someone that might be sucking on them day after day). That seemed to help me the most, as well as any spicy food or a sip of a beverage (just about anything worked, even just water.)

 

[Abbanabba]

Hi Kim,

I'm glad you're endless questioning has paid off (..and good on you!..). I hope the new treatment works and trust you'll be keeping us updated.

All the best
Anna : )

 

[bvdr]

Hi Kim,

I'm sorry this isn't turning out with a cut and dry answer for you but at least now you have some answers for your symptoms. This has been quite a protracted ordeal and I commend you for pursuing it to this point. Hopefully the medicine will help. Please do stay around though as you have become part of our family.

 

[Karlynn]

Kim,
The inner strength with which you've pursued your answers is inspiring. I'm glad you have answers, and have orwill hopefully have a course of medication to help. Keep us posted on how the new meds are working. Continue to doggedly seek "answers to the answer" if you aren't satisfied with their effect.

You have my continued prayers.

 

[Yaps]

I too

I too

have atherosclerosis , and like you I have researched, asked questions, and the drs finally have put me on disabled list.
Mine apparently is severe, was severe when I had heart attack, and the arteries used in bypass,lol.. had blockages ..my drs were caught totally off guard, and it nearly killed me.Ive had 4 stents added to the bypasses, and my subclavian artery and illeac(sp) are stented , 3 in one hip, subclavian has had to be re-opened twice since installed last august. My condition has deteroiated, this is why they insisted I retire.
But.... Ive seen my dr, just last week, its the first time he had seen me since I retired, my b/p is looking good and the swelling in my ankles and feet is better.
He is pleased. And I do not have another appt for 3 mnths.. this is the longest its been since my open heart..so perhaps with out the anxiety of working 55 hrs a week, and trying to keep up has had its benefits for me.
Just wanted to tell you how its been for me . If you have not had surgery yet and they are telling you of the arteriosclerosis, please go on statins now, fish oil, watch what you eat(though not sure of that revelance, Im not and never have been heavy, genetics play with you sometimes),and stay as active as possible.
Im going to stop now..get me on a run and I cant stop. from one 'artey to another' wishing the best to you. Love Yaps

 

[tobagotwo]

Well, not the most charming answer, but at least one that has sense to it. You can join Hennsylee in the I-have-too-many-friends-here-to-quit-this-disease executive site box seats.

We have no desire to see you leave. Your difficult and personally courageous crusade to find out the truth behind your symptoms has been a credit to us all, and we'd not give that away for anything.

Of course, now that you've got some kind of an answer, Abbanabba is still forging on, all by herself, trying to catch rides on the tilt-table and sleeping with sensors wired to all parts of her body. There must always be a valiant struggle for knowledge going on somewhere on the site.

Then again, hers is momentarily postponed due to moving to frigid Victoria. Perhaps it will be a slow quarter.

Rest well. You finally have an answer. Then post and tell us what you're going to do about it...

Very best wishes,

 

[Abbanabba]

Of course, now that you've got some kind of an answer, Abbanabba is still forging on, all by herself.....

By myself? Heck no!!! That's what I have all you guys for!......and thank you to everyone here for sharing you stories, your advice, and your compassion which has been helping me keep my sanity and strength through all of this.

A : )

 

[Guest]

Hi Kim

I'm so glad that you persisted and got an answer....even though the answer stinks
I have CAD and I'm young like you.... a young mom with young kids who is plugging along, fighting this disease in every way possible so that I will have the opportunity to see them grow up! Lord willing, I'll be here for a very long time!
Continue to listen to your body as this habit has served you well. If you need to vent, drop me a PM anytime...take care!

Julia

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I was put on Zestril after my diagnosis for Aortic Stenosis, hoping to get a 'few more years' out of my diseased valve. I got 15 months before I had to have AVR.

Along the way, I too developed the infamous 'ACE inhibitor Cough'. My cardio switched me to Cozaar which worked wonders. NO MORE COUGH after a couple of weeks. It's worth asking your doc's about.

'AL'

 

[KimC]

Thanks, everyone.

I won't leave this place, and I'll drop in whenever I can to see how everyone's doing and provide updates.

The Cardizam is working well -- I'm pain-free for the first time in weeks. And I'm angry that it took so long for a doctor to treat me, (and wonder how much damage could've been avoided). I partially blame myself for entertaining the possibility that it wasn't cardiogenic. But since I've never experienced anything like this before in my life, I had no idea what was going on.

My best,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

When your cardio said you have atherosclerosis did he mean that you have blockages in your Coronary Arteries? or some other area?

Did he give you specific locations and percentage of block?

Are your blockages localized or diffused?

Since you didn't say, I'm guessing you don't have all of that information. I'd recommend getting a copy of your cath report (or at least read it over and note the critical info if they want $$ per page to copy it

I'm guessing the blockages were not yet significant since he didn't do or recommend angioplasty or stents or bypass surgery.

Did you get the sermon about reducing heart disease through proper eating? It *can* be done but it's tough for most of us

'AL'

 

[KimC]

AL,

All good questions. Here's what I know.

To date, my coronary arteries are clear. My aorta, aortic valve and right leg artery show signs of mild sclerosis. I have aortic and tricuspid insufficiency and very mild perfusion defects which have been attributed to ischemia, possibly from microvascular spasms. My doctor is treating me as if I have early CAD because of these findings and my symptoms. He thinks the disease was escalerated during the pregnancy, possibly due to inflammation.

Day 5 on Cardizam and I'm feeling better but a little fatigued.

Have a great weekend, y'all.

 

[KimC]

Oops, "accerlerated" not excerlerated ... (and I have an MA in English?)