The Smoking Heart !!

[Stewbum]

To fill in the crew.

I have a problem with my heart called CAS or "Coronary Artery Spasms". This is a very rare condition. This started in 2020, 4 stents later and the crazy roller coaster ride of medication adjustments was finally under control for about the last a year and a half. 

Jill followed me through the whole process and was instrumental on helping me find the right diagnosis.

 

I am letting the group know this because for the last month and a half the Angina is back in force which sets off the Spasms. The Spasms are like Charlie Horses in your arteries and shuts off flow of blood to the heart. The only way to stop the attacks is to immediately take quick acting Nitro. It still takes about 4-5 minutes of grueling screaming pain before they subside.

 

So, I am going to set up another stress test this morning which is the first test before being admitted to the CATH lab. The last time they added a stent there was another area that was close to the percentage of flow restriction the insurance requires for them to pay for the procedure. And they were in the same artery where they could have simply added that stent!!

 

I do believe that area is now suspect of causing severe flow restriction? The only final test is a Coronary Angiography where they go in with a little tube through your groin and route it to your heart then squirt dye into the different arteries to map the tight areas and decide on stenting. 

 

This procedure is fairly dangerous; I may choose to travel to a different hospital this time?

 

And with the above information how is it possible just because I felt it was under control I could start smoking again?

This addiction is so incredibly powerful even when life itself is on the line!!!

 

I don't know how the schedule will be, almost called the ambulance last night, they are getting way more powerful. 

 

If I am out of contact for a bit it has to do with this.

I will not smoke....

 

KTQ

Stewbum.

[Stewbum]

Probably should have posted this in discussions not introductions. Sorry

 

[QuittingGirl]

I hope all will be ok Stew!!  It's very good that you don't smoke now!  Keep us posted.

[Stewbum]

Stress test is scheduled for Thursday at 3:15 pm.  Will know more after that?

Hopefully the next few nights won't be as bad, or I will just have to check in.

[Christian99]

It's true that there are risks associated with an angiogram; however, bad outcomes are quite rare (I think it's around 1%), so take some solace in that.  

 

Keep the quit, friend--

 

Christian99

24 1/2 Years Quit

(17 1/2 Years Since Widowmaker MI and Cardiac Arrest)

[Reciprocity]

Sorry to hear Stew I hope everything works out well for you and you don't have another night of worry & excruciating pain to deal will before you can get the test(s) done. Please do keep us updated as you can. Best Wishes & prayers for you my friend 

Edited June 1 by Reciprocity

[Stewbum]

27 minutes ago, Reciprocity said:

Sorry to hear Stew I hope everything works out well for you and you don't have another night of worry & excruciating pain to deal will before you can get the test(s) done. Please do keep us updated as you can. Best Wishes & prayers for you my friend 

Thanks Reci.

Prayers are appreciated.  Doing good at the moment even finished the water heater install and mowed the lawn. The Emdur will wear off in a couple hours then it will be a flip of a coin as to how the night goes.

But back to as I call it, Chicks WITH Sticks.

[Cbdave]

Gday Stew

 No details but I’ve had a few medical issues since giving up the smokes. I firmly believe that not smoking contributed in a big part of a good outcome. 
Another thing that is not so obvious is the effect on your treatment team. They are a lot more positive when they know you’re a firm non smoker. 
Hang in there 

 

Ps get over to chicks a sticks …. I’m holding the back but I could do with some help mate

 

 

Edited June 1 by Cbdave

[Stewbum]

1 hour ago, Christian99 said:

It's true that there are risks associated with an angiogram; however, bad outcomes are quite rare (I think it's around 1%), so take some solace in that.  

 

Keep the quit, friend--

 

Christian99

24 1/2 Years Quit

(17 1/2 Years Since Widowmaker MI and Cardiac Arrest)

Surviving a Widowmaker and the cardiac arrest is definitely dodging the bullet.

 

     To date I have had 7 angiograms and 4 stents or angioplasty. The spasms are called Variant Angina or Prinzmetal's Angina. Because the spasms work on the tight areas then stop with Nitro the troponins levels show there has been a heart episode, but the flow could be there when they are in. 

There is a provocative test they can do when they are in that will cause the spasms to happen so they can see which ones are the issue ( I also have an additional coronary artery) but it's fairly rare in the US because they may not be able to stop the spasms and it's an immediate cardiac arrest. This test is very prevalent in Europe but the % of good outcomes are scary. There is a local cardiac nurse that had it done, she did have a cardiac arrest but did survive.

 

I am all ready for and pushing the angiogram in hopes that it will require angioplasty, but we won't know until the procedure. With the spasms there are underlying issues that could cause problems during the procedure with the balloon and a stent as you could imagine.

What is the most worrisome is that there is no stent needed and my body has gotten used to the Emdur and support medications.

 

Sorry for the long-winded reply.

Yes.

KTQ

[SD2026]

That's a lot to deal with and I'm sorry you're going through this @Stewbum  I hope Thursday goes well for you. 

[Christian99]

13 hours ago, Stewbum said:

Surviving a Widowmaker and the cardiac arrest is definitely dodging the bullet.

 

     To date I have had 7 angiograms and 4 stents or angioplasty. The spasms are called Variant Angina or Prinzmetal's Angina. Because the spasms work on the tight areas then stop with Nitro the troponins levels show there has been a heart episode, but the flow could be there when they are in. 

There is a provocative test they can do when they are in that will cause the spasms to happen so they can see which ones are the issue ( I also have an additional coronary artery) but it's fairly rare in the US because they may not be able to stop the spasms and it's an immediate cardiac arrest. This test is very prevalent in Europe but the % of good outcomes are scary. There is a local cardiac nurse that had it done, she did have a cardiac arrest but did survive.

 

I am all ready for and pushing the angiogram in hopes that it will require angioplasty, but we won't know until the procedure. With the spasms there are underlying issues that could cause problems during the procedure with the balloon and a stent as you could imagine.

What is the most worrisome is that there is no stent needed and my body has gotten used to the Emdur and support medications.

 

Sorry for the long-winded reply.

Yes.

KTQ

Hang in there, man!  

 

C99

[Doreensfree]

Sorry your having to deal with the Stewpot .

iim wishing you a good result .

What an insidious addiction this is ….

please make this quit count buddy

 

[Stewbum]

Thanks Doreen. Stews back and in a slappin mood.

[Stewbum]

Failed the stress test as I had no doubt was going to happen.

Went into spasms and the monitor went crazy, so they shut down and I grabbed my nitro, then the er unit got there but nitro was calming things down. They tried to pump me full of morphine, but I denied and took another nitro.

The angiogram is next I pray that another stent is needed, since the flip side of the coin could be open me up!

 

KTQ

Stew

 

Edited June 5 by Stewbum

[DenaliBlues]

That’s a lot to deal with, Stew! And you’re right about this irrational addiction… how many times did I smoke through bronchitis and pneumonia? Crazy. 

 

But it’s great that you can address this current cardiac challenge as a nonsmoker! KTQ

 

Hang in there, buddy. Crossing my fingers for a good outcome. 

[SD2026]

4 hours ago, Stewbum said:

Failed the stress test as I had no doubt was going to happen.

Went into spasms and the monitor went crazy, so they shut down and I grabbed my nitro, then the er unit got there but nitro was calming things down. They tried to pump me full of morphine, but I denied and took another nitro.

The angiogram is next I pray that another stent is needed, since the flip side of the coin could be open me up!

 

KTQ

Stew

 

I'm sorry to hear this @Stewbum It does sound very scary!  hoping for a stent instead of the alternative.   

[Stewbum]

Thank you both for your caring wishes.

 

KTQ 

And save your life.

 

[Cbdave]

Gday

Shit bum poo bottom farts….   Mmmmm.

Hang in there. 
PS don’t be afraid of the Morphine. It calms things down. Your breathing your pain.

Calms things down. Been there done that. Definitly not a long term thing. Never had it out of hospital myself. 
Still here. 
 

[Stewbum]

Yes Dave I have had lots of surgeries in my life and actually like the Morphine and maybe too much!

Just didn't need it if the nitro does the job.

[Pilgrim]

Hey Stew, that sounds like some awful stuff you're enduring. Good for you for riding your life of the burden of smoking as you go through this. Sounds like your body has it's hands full as it is! Hang in there bud!

 

[Stewbum]

The results from the stress test were studied in depth through Friday.

My cardiologist said during the event my heart totally lost rhythm and was all over the scope and then started missing beats and acting more radical. If it wasn't for the nitro this could have easily went into cardiac arrest! 

This was the first time these spasms have been caught in real time.

I spent the evening at home with more drugs and am being admitted to the hospital for further testing. The first is what they call "Nuclear" it's an injection that puts the heart again under stress but this time they will have an IV installed and the defibrillator crew ready, little scary knowing I will have no control of stopping the test. Then multiple other scans and prep for the angiogram and or ???.

 

I am bringing my laptop so I can keep up with my NOPE's and continue working with my quit research. Along with maybe posting on CHICKS with STICKS, lookout there you chicks.

KTQ.

[Reciprocity]

Just saw this post and wanted to chime in with my best wishes for a positive outcome for all this stuff you're going through. All I can say is you are putting up a heroic effort given you're still in the midst of the ugly part of quitting. Rough timing for you but keep up the good fight and we'll be anxiously looking for positive updates!

[DenaliBlues]

Hang in there, Stew! Hoping that the diagnostics won’t be too tough. 

[Stewbum]

Thanks for the replies.

I am through with being poked and prodded for the day. I am in my "shared" room the only one available. This guy won't shut up,,, sorry.

There are tests scheduled for tomorrow which are just an echocardiogram and a few scans. 

The angiogram is scheduled for Monday morning.

 

Reci.

With all that is going on its a little hard for the craving's of nicotine to find a place to work too hard on me. Plus the added benefit that the hospital no longer has a cigarette machine.   My guard is up and my resolve strong.

 

KTQ

Stew.

 

[Doreensfree]

Hey Stewpot 

Hope all goes well 

Thinking  of you