Tired of worring about my sister

[BilliGirl]

My 38 year old sister had two stints put in her heart less than a month ago and now having severe gallbladder attacks and is in pain and not able to eat. The doctors have told her they can not operate on her gallbladder until the stints have had time to mature. She has been to the er 4 times in pain since the stints where put in. She is right this minute in the hospital with a partial ileum bowel obstruction. They put in an NG tube on low suction. This is all assuming that the obstruction is being caused by the gallstones because her gallbladder is not functioning correctly. My question is: Is giving my sister pain killers and sending her home really the answer to a continuous problem that is just going to cost her pain, money and quality of life is there really nothing else that can be done without killing my sister??????

[kenkeith]

It is difficult to assess want your doctor's have in mind with all the medical problems and what has priority, etc. Regarding a eluded stent implant there is a risk for clots for up to a year or so and aspirin and plavix is prescribed to help prevent clots.  If there is going to be an operation, there would need to be a halt to anti-clotting medication with stent implant and a riks of a heart attack or other emergency intervention to prevent excessive bledding.

If there is chest pain (angina pectoris) from the implanted stents, then there would be a restenting procedure or something else such as a bypass.  The risk for clotting with a drug eluded stent is very low and if the pain can't be controlled, then there could be a decision for intervention of the medical problems that exist!?.  A treating doctor should know what are the priorities, what is the risk vs. benefit for intervention, etc. There should be a discussion with the doctor regarding medical treatment priorities, what is the treatment proposed going forward, etc.

Bowel obstruction may require an emergency operation, and even doing a colonoscopy is a risk when there is anti-platelet medication in the system.  Sorry to hear of your sister's medical problems and the medication may be intended to delay any intervention until a less risky time becomes available.

Thanks for your questions, and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Take care,

Ken