I got a problem and it's very disappointing. Diagnosed with heart disease January 25, I had a stent procedure. Sixty grand and it didn't work. (Or I've plugged up another artery.) Here's what a stent looks like.



I'm plugging up again. Went to ER two weeks ago. Now on a more aggressive therapy. Added blood pressure med now, I'm on a more strict diet and I am taking several supplements. (Think alternative medicine.) I hope I can reverse this.

They want to do another catheterization and it is scheduled for December 27. Heck, I'll be dead or fixed by then. Plus, I don't want to do it if at all possible. I will if I have to. But I want to try to reverse it. (Some research shows you can.)

If I have to have coronary bypass surgery, that could cost a quarter of a million dollars! And I have no insurance. I guess the state hospital would do it.

But maybe I can reverse it.

My questions:

1. Do you know anyone who has had a stent put in? Have they had no problems again and if so, how long ago was the stent procedure? If they have had problems again, what did they do? Another stent? Coronary bypass surgery? Alternative medicine treatment? (Hey, call your friend if you don't know! S/he probably would like to hear from you anyway!)

2. Do you know anyone who has had coronary bypass surgery? (Same questions as above.)

Thanks for responding. This will give me an informal feel for how many people have further problems. I read one place where it said that 10% of people with stents plug up again. Another book I read said it's 30-40%. My informal asking around is running higher than that. The docs don't tell you that!

And now there is a controversy over whether drug-coated stents (like mine), which were supposed to be BETTER than uncoated stents are actually WORSE.

I realize that a stent is a patch and does not cure heart disease. I have done pretty well this year with lifestyle changes but now, they must be radical if I am to beat this.

:::

Please think of people in your life who have had stents or bypass and let me know if they have had to have another stent or bypass surgery.

P.S. Also, if you know of anyone who decided against stent / bypass surgery and chose something else, what was it and how did they do?

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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

[This message has been edited by SemiLiveMusic (edited 10-19-2006).]