Mother's Failed Bypass Surgery What Should I Recommend She Does Now?? Help Please

[shserimadd]

My mother has undergone triple bypass less than one year ago and recently had a routine stress test that the Dr. told her he was concerned about and had her go back in for testing that determined that she now has 2 vessels occluded again and one remaining open vessel.  My question is going forward she is extremely tired and the Dr. has recommended she be managed with medication and given an appointment for 3 months to see the Dr. again!! I would like for my mother to have a second opinion and to live the remainder of her life to it's fullest and presently she is so exhausted that she can't get through a day.  Looking back on the aweful pain and recovery of the bypass surgery I don't know that it was worth it to have her be 75% occluded less than a year later!!  Where would you recommend she go for a second opinion and for the best help in Oklahoma or out side Oklahoma even?? Are there some natural medications I could have her take or recommendations for her that we could try to help her feel better right now??  
The medical community needs to slow down and start being more in the business of  taking care of their patients instead of seeing how many patients they can get and $$$.  The Heart Hospital here in Oklahoma City is a very busy operation but reminds me more of a cattle call and is so busy that many of these Dr. have lost their ability to really care because the demands are too high.  Please help me locate someone in the medical profession who can exhibit some good old fashion time and caring for others........ is there anyone still out there in the business of really caring for patients and LISTENING TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT??  Thank you

[Encephalomalcia]

Medication is always best if the patient is not in a life threatening situation.  Cholesterol medications have shown in studies to help reduce cholesterol levels and help reduce some blockage in the arteries.  Make sure that she is taking her medications as prescribed by her doctor.  If she can eliminate red meat from her diet that would be best.  She should eat organic fresh vegetables and fruits mostly.  Stay away from any canned vegetables as they contain a lot of salt.  Stay away from fast food and processed foods.  Brown rice is good to eat and filling.  Adding honey helps if she does not like the taste.  Her current heart medication may have the side effect of making her feel tired, but she still needs to take them.  If she has inflammation in her arteries this could cause the cholesterol to stick and buildup. If she has arthritis, then she most likely has inflammation.  Aspirin at 81mg helps with the inflammation and she may already be taking the aspirin daily.  If not, ask her doctor if she should.  Procedures and surgeries have risk, especially if the person is older.  

[kenkeith]

Medication, stent implants and CABG treat symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, muscle fatigue, etc) and does not cure the disease.

The COURAGE study has concluded that the mode of treatment (medication, implants, CABG) has no effect on longivity.  AAC/AHA guidelines for treatment of CAD for an occlusion less than 70 not to be treated unless symptoms prevail.  Occlusions greater than 70% should be medically treated...stent if meds are ineffective.  CABG for occlusions to large to stent, location is not appropriate for stent implant, emergency, etc.

For more than 5 years I have known I have a completely blocked LAD.  RCA 98% occluded stented, and circumflex 72% occluded.  If have no symptoms with regular activities, but before going to the gym I take a nitrate pill and that prevents any chest pain, etc.

Hope that gives you some insight.  Your mother's doctor is following the appropriate protocol...no comment on the efficacy of the CABG, but statistics show there are unnecessary implants and CABG operations where medication could have been the appropriate treatment.