surgery

[tracey63]

My mother has had MS we figure since her 20s with symptoms beginning after her first pregnancy in 1963 but not formally diagnosed untill 1996. Recently she has had 2 heart attacks and after tests the results showed that 2.5 of her arteries are blocked but they say they can't do surgury because of the MS. This is the only answer I get and if I push for clarity all I get is angery because of the MS answer. She now is having gallblatter problems and they say they can't operate because of her heart. So what? we just sit back and let her die a slow painfull death? Maybe you would be kind enough to give me a answer. Thank-you, Tracey

[tracey63]

I was talking to my mum yesterday.  I was telling her about this forum, how great everyone is here, and all of the replies to my question about her heart and gallbladder. As soon as she is realeased from the hospital, Im gonna set her up on this website so she can talk with everyone and ask whatever questions she may have. unfortunatly through Nov and Dec last year she had been hospitalized with her 1st heart attack and she also completly lost all and any of the use she had left of her legs. Also she started having psycotic episodes, being extreamly parinoid that we were all trying to poison her. I believe this was somekind of side-effect from all the meds shes on but this would happen in the evening and she would also be very aggressive and compative with the nurses and one night it took 3 of them to restrain her so they could get her meds into her. Anyhow last night she told me that they could't do the heart surgery because there was no room to but the stints in cause it was too crowded in there? Im sorry but that still doesn't sound like a reason. What do you people think? Does that make any sense to you? Thanks again, Tracey

[Siddy1]

I meant to add this:

The doctor states in his reply:

"The fact that you have MS just further complicates the picture, but does not make the decision impossible".

[Siddy1]

I agree with all of the above. If that were the case I would never have been under anaesthetic for a 3.5 hour serious surgery on my foot last year at  age 67. I also have DVT history which is an added risk.    This surgery was much worse than my hip replacement and way more traumatic but I came through it.  I am now bionic. I have a titanium hip and titanium pieces in my foot. All I need now is a titanium brain:)

Seriously, though, the implications of this do not look good for anyone with MS requiring surgery in the future at an older age, and most people do.   Is there any precedent, other than MS, that they are taking into consideration?  

I agree you should seek out another surgeon for a second opinion.  I know I would.

There is a Q & A from a  patient with MS to a doctor on this Forum (in the heart section)  that you might like to read which touches on this subject.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/archive/1095.html

I wish you all the best in your search for someone to help you and bless you for your obvious concern for your mum.

Marcie

[tracey63]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes, It makes no sense to me either. They tried to do a angiogram right after her first attack when they found the bloked arteries and they couldn't clear them and thats when they told us also that they couldn't do surgery on her heart because of the MS and like I told you before thats the only reason I get and when I push for clarification I get a angry roadblock put up in front of me. I will push again for some answers and update everyone as soon as I can. Thanks again to everyone for your concern. Tracey

[slightlybroken]

Your mother needs to have these surgeries. I agree with everyone else. A second opinion is in order. If your mother does not have her gallbladder removed because of gall stones it can set her up for infection. That in turn won't do much for her health or her MS. They can do gall bladder surgery laparoscopic and it is an outpatient procedure.

She also needs to have the blockage fix in her heart. Have they done a heart cath?Sometimes they can fix problems in the arteries while doing a heart cath.

I can't think of any reason why they wouldn't operate due to having MS, especially when the outcome of not fixing the problem can be worse than having MS or make her MS worse.

Take Care

[kitten o]

HELLO,
I HAVE 6 STENTS IN MY BODY, DUE
TO BLOCKED ARTIES AND I AM SURE,
I HAD MS BACK THEN, BECAUSE RITE AFTER
MY STENTS I WAS DX WITH MS.
IT WAS 1 YR AGO.
GET A 2ND OPINION. I WOULD.
WELCOME AND GOD BLESS
KITT

[Rena705]

I have had a gall bladder removed, a partial hysterectomy and have had an MS diagnosis since  1993.  It doesn't make sense to deny your mother the surgery she requires due to the MS...seems like this doctor has an underlying reason for this denial of care and I agree with MCBCON that a 2nd opinion is in order a.s.a.p!  

Seems to me that having MS for 44 years and raising children on top of it would be more of a challenge than removing a couple of blockages to save her life...It doesn't make sense to me!

Rena

[MCBCON]

If you mother will let you, seek a 2nd opinion.   This does not sound logical.

[Heather3418]

I don't quite understand the doctor's reasoning on this.  I had gall bladder surgery after my diagnosis of MS and had no difficulties.  This certainly doesn't compare with heart surgery, but I wonder on what basis they say that because of the "MS" they cannot operate.

Sure the operation itself could put her into a flair-up, but when her very life is at stake, I would vote on life.....over an MS flair-up anyday.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,
Heather