United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi All

Wednesday I had three new stents placed in my heart.

Many years ago when there were only a few adult/obpi on the message boards we wondered how we would know about heart symptoms since we all seemed to have neurological pains.

I can truly say that my heart symptoms were typical but due to other pains... I thought they were mild pressure and my unaffected arm always hurt and my neck and shoulder...


On Wednesday I went into surgery assuming I would be getting a stent... I had two stents for 90% blockage in my LAD.
The checked out the first stent they placed in my RCA on 4/1/09 and discovered it was blocked with scar tissue. It is considered rare for a stent to develop that type of scar tissue in 4 months but they had to clean it out and place a new different type of stent inside it.

I feel good and on my way to mending. I just want all of you to pay attention to "mild chest discomfort" don't be shy about reporting them to a cardiologist. Pay attention to some of the pains in the unaffected arm and be aware that they could be cardiac caused... I went to a neurologist who missed all of these symptoms as Cardiac and was annoyed I could not pinpoint my pain...
Luckily, for me, my family genes are for Cardiac issues and I've been tracked all these years due to high incidence of heart disease in my immediate family. I had great Cardiac Care with only a mere mention of some discomfort in my chest and my doctor knew I had neuro pain and high pain threshold. YOU must have these things checked out and not dismiss your pain, as we are use to doing...

ONLY stepping off my soap box today! due to the need for rest since I am only 48 hours out of surgery...

Kath Robpi/adult

You almost Scared Me! We who have soap boxs need to hang around. Your point is VERY real but I like the pressure on my heart at a hundred feet and petting white tip sharks. This is very good advice for all of us but please dont
make it another WORRY OK! Stress KILLS TO.

HUGS!

Tom

Tom
While you like to pet sharks... You still need to be aware that our bodies and our injury causes us to ignore most pains. I don't worry and that is how I let this pain go for way too long. I WAS NOT ASKING PEOPLE TO WORRY... Just pay attention to symptoms and have regular check ups. Especially for women since that is a serious condition that many women tend to brush off!

My point was that people should not dismiss all pain as nothing... That is exactly what I did because it did not seem important to me that I was uncomfortable. Due to a life time of pain many OBPI tend to ignore somethings that require sound medical care.

Glad you enjoy diving but I hope you pay attention to many of the life changing illness that can come your way.

It is better safe than sorry when it comes to women and heart disease. We have very different symptoms than men.

Kath robpi/69 years of age

AMEN, Kath!

Carolyn J
LOBPI/71

Ok, I guess, I did not understand you.

Tom

I am so glad things went well this time. Sounds like you're feeling better. It's he-- to get old, isn't it?

I love getting old Pat, 'cause I can say anything I want now and don't give a hoot who still likes me....But I call it being "bossy"..LOL
Hugs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/71

Me To! My mom died at 54 from heart problems , I was 21. My brother had triple bypass and I saw my doctor! He dives, I had the eco cardograme twice and I still dive. I could of had a heart attack PETTING SHARKS or from depth. When I stated dont worry about something eslse. I tryed to be possitive, what is to much pain????? I know what you said was important! But not Fear or pain should be a downer or be little me. I have alot of injurys driving a semi over the years and so what?other driver , srug it off and me to. We have A LOT of problems with ERBS for sure! There Fear and Pain are real and what ever. But if someone one wants to bring up another thing FOR ME , A worry wart, I will take notice. You have read the post! Why Try?

Tom

Kath

I would love to hear more about your chest pain. I have had this pain in my chest since I was released from the hospital in 2005. I returned to the emergency room because I thought I was having a heart attack at 33 years of age.Plus I had artery damage. Since then I have been told that it's part of the healing process or it would go away eventually. In the heat it gets really bad and limits me which is difficult because I've always been active plus I'm a wife and a mom. The doctors don't understand this pain so I need some insight please.

Thank you