Chest pain 14 months after stent

[jjriggs]

14 months ago, I had a heart attack.  100% blockage of the right coronary artery.  A drug eluding stent was placed.  I had two other blockages which were left alone.  80 and 85% in my left leg.  Over the past month I have had severe recurring chest pain.  Over the past few days, I have been expteriencing nausea with the pain.   I also had serious lower abdominal cramping, sometimes along with the chest pain, sometimes by itself.  I went to the hospital because both pains became unbearable.  EKG indicated I was not having a heart attack.  Gall bladder was fine.  I did have a urinary tract infection.  Was given an antibiotic, and pain relievers and sent home.  The lower abdominal pain has responded to medication beautifully, but the chest paiin is getting worse and worse.  I don't want to go back for fear of being labelled a hypochondriac, but the pain is very real and it occurred to me this morning that I could possibly have a collapsed stent.  I stopped taking plavix 7 months ago because the cost is prohibitive.  The doctor didn't seem concerned about that, and not knowing that I needed to take the aspirin forever, I stopped taking that too, about 4 months ago.  What should I be doing.  I have started taking the aspirin again, three days ago.

[jjriggs]

Thank you for responding.  I stopped Plavix because I did not have the money to pay for it.  Having been laid off from work, and other reasons, my income just was/is not  enough to cover the cost.  When I told the cardiologist, he said nothing about it.  I assumed it was okay to stop the aspirin because I really wasn't given much info otherwise.  I have changed my diet, stopped smoking, lost weight and walk daily.  I have done all within my capabilities to remain healthy.  I have no insurance and to be honest with you, I get the strong feeling that as little as possible is done for those of us who do not have coverage.  I will go back and make the requests you have suggested.  I am grateful that you answered and gave me something specific to ask for.  Not taking my medication is not me trying to be obstinate.  I sincerely want to do what is best, and it helps when someone is willing to give information I can use in that direction.  Again thank you for your response.

[ed34]

What scares me the most is that you stopped plavix after just 7 months. This medication is meant to be taken for at least a year after a drug eluting stent is fitted, and for very good reasons, it stops clots and scaring from occurring. You have put yourself at very serious risk by stopping the Aspirin, so you have had no anti clotting agents for months. I assume the discomfort gets worse on exertion? which would be typical of angina. I wouldn't worry about what others may think, this is your body and I'm sure you dont want to give up on life. If I was in your position, I would go to the hospital and tell them you haven't been taking Aspirin or Plavix for several months and you feel restenosis may have occurred. If they do an ECG which shows normal, remind them that this test doesn't always show up heart problems and that doesn't correspond to your symptoms. If they suggest an echoscan, remind them that this will not show the coronary arteries and may not reveal a problem. I would request that they do an angiogram because your chest just doesn't feel right. If the symptoms feel like those you felt prior to your MI, tell them you believe they are the warning signs. They can't simply ignore the way you feel. If they argue and say that you are not having heart trouble, ask them to write a letter to your GP stating this fact.