two DES, 2 more in 72 days

[relena]

I am a 66 year old female with high cholesterol highblood pressure and am obese.
I am taking Plavix 75 mg,
                 aspirin 81mg,
                 cozaar 100mg
                 atenolol 50mg
                 pravostatin 20 mg
                 zetia 10 mg
                 omega3 1000mg
                 protonix 40mg
                 requip 1mg
First PCI was Sept 19,2007 and the second Dec.31,2007
2 Taxus stents were placed the first occasion and  2 Cypher stents on the second.
The symptoms were the same; pressure pain in center of chest/back, arm pain in the right arm, shortness of breath dizziness or light headed. apprehension jaw pain. There was no MI.

The stents were placed in RCA and D1, 9/19/07.
A trip to the ER sent me in for the second Heart Cath and the RCA was stented again as it was narrowing. The other stent was placed just ahead of the D1 stent sort of overlapping.

I continue to have intermittant arm pain and chest/back discomfort.
How much pain should I tolerate ? When should I calll 911?
Should I be prepared for another heart catherization?
What would you advise me to ask my Cardiologist?
What do you advise me to do that will aleviate my worries?  
I have been told that this narrowing is rare, so should I  

[klemetsenrk]

the e-mail address is this screen name and provider is yahoo

[klemetsenrk]

kenkeith's comments were very good and it sounds like he knows what he is tallking about. I'll give you my history so you can hopefully make informed andlifesaving decisions in the future. I am currently 44 years old have hypertension, type 2 diabetes and I too am a little overweight and used to have high total cholesterol and low HDL.
Since Jan 15th 2006 I have had 4 heart attacks(shipped out by ambulance to nearest heart hospital 160 miles away once and lifeflighted out once)
I have 4 medicated and 1 unmedicated stents and all of them have recurring blockages(as much as 60%).
I had a triple bypass in DEC, 2006 and my Right Coronary graft plugged up 100% within 6 months and the artery it bypassed has a 60% blockage in it.
I didn't tell you all this for sympathy I just wanted to let you know that when you experience heart disease you may continue to have problems in the future and it is very important for you to keep a positive attitude and to continue with your medical care. I have experienced my share of bad medical advice and care.
I don't know where you live and what kind of access you have to quality heart hospitals but I do know from experience that if you feel anything that is not right it is extremely important to get medical care. Don't ever be embarrassed by going for medical care even if it turns out that there isn't anything wrong at the time and if the doctors make you feel like you are wasting their time find a different doctor. If they have a negative attitude towards your medical problem find a different doctor. There are plenty of good doctors out there and you don't need to waste your time on the crappy doctors.
I hope this helped you and if you ever would like to talk or need a little moral support feel free to contact me at ***@****

[kenkeith]

You should not tolerate any angina pertoris at all  as studies have shown ischemia angina (pain) over a period of time time can damage heart muscle cells (sometimes cause cell hybernation).

I don't see a nitrate on your list.  If your condition is due to ischemia (lack of blood/oxygen) a nitrate should provide relief by widening coronary arteries and better blood flow to the deficit area.

If meds don't provide relief, intervention with a stent or bypass would be appropriate.  Take care.