chest pain after stent

[lollynanda]

Had a stent placed in L main coronary artery (95% blockage) 2 months ago.  Prior to the stent I had been extremely athletic.  Even after coronary ischemic attacks which began just before the angioplasty, I passed stress test with flying colors. After the blockage was discovered thanks to a persistent PCP, and the stent inserted, I had chest pain afterwards.  Was re-catheterized, all the major arteries were given a clean bill of health, but was placed on a beta blocker.  Terrible reaction to the first one, put on a second one, and finally my cardiologist took me off that one as well.  Although I see some improvement, I still have chest "aches" on exertion.  All on the left side, below the heart,, in the side, sometimes in the back of the shoulder, and above the breast.  Can not walk at a normal pace.  Walk very slowly to control the pain.  Cardiologist suggested cardio rehab which will begin in a few weeks.  But have not heard of anyone else with such symptoms.  Don't know if I should risk walkin through the pain, or if it is a symptom that should be further pursued, and or tested.  All of my blood work, tests have come back normal so far.  Should I be concerned?  

[ed34]

Hi, yes I've heard of them. The first stents were what are called bare metal because there are no chemicals coating them. However, in many cases, the artery was forming lots of scar tissue and then blocking again. This led to the development of the Drug eluting stent which has a chemical coating to help inhibit the formation of scar tissue. However, a stent is a mesh and if you could shrink yourself down and stand inside a fitted stent, you will see that only around 3-5% of the artery wall is touched by a stent, the rest are spaces between the struts. Scar tissue was still forming but in fewer patients now. The stent you mention is something of a theory which will need to be proven with research. They are hoping it is the stent which promotes the scar tissue, and not the damaged caused by crushing it into the artery wall. This stent will gradually dissolve so if the scar tissue is caused by a stent, then the problem may be eliminated. However, I do have to question the reasoning behind this. With Drug eluting stents, the scar tissue forms quite quick, within the first 2-3 weeks, if it's going to. If the dissolving stent takes this long to break down, then it won't achieve anything. The only benefits I can see is that if scar tissue does form, then there are no metal stents in the way to prevent another attempt or bypass or other options.

[Historian]

Has anyone heard of this type of stent. I saw it mentioned here at http://www.sharecare.com/health/implantable-medical-devices-heart/what-is-a-bioabsorbable-stent

Just got two stents inserted. Ache in the sternum continues and could not sleep last night.

[ed34]

I have friends who had stents over 10 years ago and are still very active indeed. You don't hear about the millions of successes because they are out there really enjoying life and not having to ask any questions :)

[green_been]

Well this is really depressing. It appears there is nobody who ever had a stent placed who is doing fine with no issues years after the proceedure.

[green_been]

I had a stent placed on Feb 5th. Before the stent I felt very good just a little pain while warming up during my work-out. Turned out to be 95% blockage to LAD. I am now working out again just as hard as before. No pain. Feel great. My concern is I never hear of anyone who had a stent placed who feels good years later and is living life with no problems. Is there anybody out there who is doing fine and has no issues at all?

[lex4343]

greenbeen, I have never heard anyone who is doing fine with stents, and they felt any pain they would not tell you. for anyone who is reading this, stents don't really relieve chest pain nor prevent heart attacks, that is fact,

[JackofJacks]

I was born with Addisons Disese  and have been on steroids since age 5 and I'm 62 now. I've had 9 stents total and have been on Plavix for 5 years. I've been restented twice, first at 2 years and the last at 11 months. I still take Plavix and Dexalent along with hydrocortisone and fluorocortisone every day, and I struggle with pain constantly. After 57 years of steroids, my spine has 11 fused vertebrae and my heart is also paying the price for staying alive on steroids. Sometimes you just have to find the best combination of medication that your body will cope with. Everybody is different and everybody reacts to medications in a distinctive manner. Just keep trying to find the right combination for your body. Please refrain from steroids, the side effects are disastereous and have horrible side effects.
Jackbejack