End of Line?

I am a 72yr. male. Had heart attack at age 38, 4-bypass surgery in 1976 and 3-bypass surgery in 1989. Got worse in 99-2000. Another heart cath indicated 2 arteries blocked, they tried to open them without any luck. Had (one only) seizure a week later. Started having head pressure when I lay down as if I were hanging upside down. No one can find cause even 2 Neurologist. Sleep most of time in lounge chair. More chest pain now. Tried EECP. Have had an AICD for about a year . Wearing patches now. Taken all kinds of tests. No more seizures. I take Dilantin,Coreg,Simvastatin,Lisinopril,
Plavis,Digitek, & Ecotrin. I walk slowly a block or two and angina starts.I am treated by Nebr. Heart Institute. Have been to Cleveland Heart Clinic 4-5 years ago. No help there. Last stress test EF 35% about a year ago. Stress test about kill me esp. if they (inject) the stress. A lot of chest pain and head seems like it will explode. All blood tests are good but I seem to be growing weaker as time passes on. It is becoming a lot of work just to walk a few blocks now. I go to bed tired and wake up tired.---In your opinion is there anything more that can be done other than just let the remaining arteries plug up? Thankyou.

[Cleveland Clinic]

I'm very sorry to hear of your event.

Your question is difficult to answer, as there is clearly a large amount of information that I do not have access to.

From your post the questions I would ask are:

1) Is your coronary disease associated with significant ischemia.  The answers to this would generally come from stress testing. It might also be good to know if there are areas asleep because they do not recieve adequate flow.  The specific stress testing that could answer these questions are PET scanning and dobutamine echocardiography.  If there are areas, then high risk revascularization may be beneficial. Also, if pain is from ischemia, I would be encouraged that EECP might help over the long run.

2) I'm not sure why you are having the head symptoms.  These do not generally correlate with heart problems.

3) I would want to optimize your blood pressure control and heart failure medical regimen. You are on a good selection of medicines and would want to optimize doses.

The other question is wheather your symptoms are not caused by your heart.  If your stress test are negative for ischemia, I would make sure you see a good internist to look for other common causes of fatigue. These include things as diverse as thyroid disease and depression.  

I know this is frustrating. I hope this is a start.

good luck

[line]

Hello there. I can be of no help, but wanted you to know that I will be thinking of you  and praying for you.

There are a lot of people on this board who have a lot of first hand knowledge and great Drs. someone will come along to help you and answer your questions.

Linda

[netrox]

"I am a 72yr. male. Had heart attack at age 38, 4-bypass surgery in 1976 and 3-bypass surgery in 1989."

Wow... you certainly outlived many patients in similiar situation! Keep up and hope doctors will find what's causing your symptoms.

-jeff

[yellowrose]

hi, i want you to know your in my prayers and God can change things theres always hope. they are coming up with new drugs and things to do to help people like you , hang in there never give up. God Bless You. Lean on our Lord he will help you through. Barbara

[Bad Heart]

I am being considered for transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). I wish I could communicate with someone who has had this done and what the results were. This is about the only option I have left.