chest pain and hard to breathe, I need some help here

[TSandM]

retnav, I am SO happy that you are going to get a cath. The more you tell us, the more worried I am.

As far as the stent goes, there are guidelines for exercise tolerance without pain or shortness of breath, to clear someone to dive after heart surgery or stenting. Search on recent posts by debersole -- he wrote something fairly recently about changes in those standards.

BTW, a normal EKG only tells us that the electrical pathways through the heart are normal. It is quite possible to have significant coronary artery disease and have a normal EKG, when pain isn't present (or sometimes when it is). An abnormal EKG can be very useful, but a normal one doesn't tell us much. I wish it did -- it would make my life a whole lot easier!

 

[retnav7696]

Thanks

 

[retnav7696]

Hey trust me the longer it goes on the more worried I am getting! The thought of them finding something and splitting me wide open scares the SH_T out of me! And I will be really pissed if my diving days are over especially after all of my kids have finally gotten certified. Because I want to take them to the Blue Hole!

 

[TSandM]

Well, the good news is that, at least from the normal EKG information, it seems very unlikely that you have had any permanent damage to the heart muscle. Catching things BEFORE that happens is why we cath a lot of people! If your heart is undamaged, and any significant narrowing of the arteries is relieved by stenting, you ought to be able to go back to diving safely.

 

[retnav7696]

I sure hope so. I will be very glad when Wednesday gets here so I can get this over with!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi Retnav,
Thanks for the update. We were just discussing return-to-diving after stent placement last week. It's not possible to give specific advice over the internet, and a lot of what we would tell you will depend on the results of your procedure.
In general, we recommend waiting one year after an uncomplicated PTCA/ stent placement. After a year, provided you have no recovery complications, you'll need to be re-evaluated by your cardiologist and complete an exercise tolerance test. Doug Ebersole's excellent explanation of exercise tolerance that TS&M was talking about is linked here.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/172145-heart-stints-3.html

Third page, about halfway down.

If your exercise tolerance test results show that you can tolerate the exertion of diving AND you have no documented arrhythmias or heart failure, then you are ok to return to diving at a level consistent with your exercise tolerance.

Keep in mind that this is a very general recommendation. Again, a lot will depend on the results of your procedure, and you'll have to work very closely with your cardiologist throughout your recovery and eventual return to full activity. Hopefully that activity will include diving. I've already spoken to my attending physician about you, and we are more than happy to have your cardiologist consult us for the diving part of your case. Our number is on our website, and we can provide more specific contact info to your cardiologist if need be. I hope everything goes well for you Wednesday, and please get back to us here when you can.

 

[retnav7696]

Thanks alot, I sure will pass the info on this way I will feel alot better because thes knuckleheads down here are making me really nervous.

 

[DocVikingo]

And do not take this the wrong way, but generalized anxiety disorder is a potential as well with what info I've been given so far. These could very possibly be panic attacks you are having as well.

- Generalized Anxiety Disorder --> http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/gad.htm

- Panic Disorder --> http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/pncdiswoaphob.htm

Based on the OP's description thus far, I'm not sure I'd posit an anxiety-mediated disorder as the primary cause of the complaints, or panic attacks (http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/panicattk.htm) as "very possibly" involved. However, by now a certain degree of state anxiety well may surround the core condition.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

 

[Cruisin Home]

RetNav,

Hope you remember me from your original posts. If you remember I have been totally suspicious of every diag you have recieved thus far. As a Citadel graduate and expert at the ins/outs of the VA system I said you were getting the runaround. Exertional chest pain/ shortness of breath are serious symptoms. there are still a whole host of things to check for, not just the heart. I am glad you finally have a cardiologist that is proactive, and wants to cath. But have you had the CT scan? You once told me you did but I just checked the POSTS and you were confused with the Nuclear SPECT scan. It should be in your thoughts to have one done. If you have obstructive coronary diasease, the will likely find and treat during cath. But if they dont see anything you have to continue to pursue a diagnosis.

FWIW i dont think their is any relation to your symptoms from your lipitor, just as it wasnt likely that your cause was esophogeal.

I have been away from this POST because my Father in law just passed away. He had a tumor that was misdiagnosed 10 months ago at a major medical institution. When I finally got him to New England at a hospital where I am on the Board, we diaged him in 2 days, but things were too far gone for any effective treatment.

You were once very silent and seemed to be taking their (VA) word for things. Take my word for it and be the strongest advocate for yourself as you can be, continue to run your experiences past other experts such as this board. do not be content until symptoms are resolved.


If you get the CT scan, send me a copy of images, be glad to get you a second opinion.

Good luck on your Cath, and dont think that life is over after stent. I know of many bypass patients that live very fulfillinf lives loaded with exercise. In fact, exercise is ultimately the best thing a human can do to remain healthy. Just got to give appropriate time following procedure as many on this site have cautioned.

 

[retnav7696]

Yep Cruisin I remember! I will ask for the CT scan. The doctor that ordered the Cath contracts with the military two days a week. I was in his office for a total of 10 minutes and that includes the EKG. He said I am sending you for a Cath and am going to treat this as a heart issue until we know for sure it's not. Sorry to hear about your Father in law. I have to go tomorrow for the pre-procedure work up and blood work. I will ask about the CT scan and a dimmer test (I think thats what its called). My email is Retnav7696@hotmail.com. Send me an address to send a copy of the images and what else you need. Duke Dive and TSandM do the same and I will send you stuff also. DocVikingo, this has been going on since October and I can honestly say I am starting to get anxious. Panic has not set in yet but it may when I wake up Wednesday after this procedure if I am upstairs in a room instead of recovery! Nerves are starting to get a little raw! I plan on taking my laptop to the hospital with me just in case I don't get to come home the same day. And as soon as I know something I will post it. I will also send you guys whatever you would like to see. Until Wednesday then!