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Hi, Walt
Today has been one stressful day for a number of reasons. There is talk of possbility of performing an Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization)for diagnostic purposes. However, I do not feel there is Any Need for such an invasive procedure and had a bit of a temper tantrum earlier today. I'd like your opinion on this as this seems soooo unnecessary to learn of the exact reasons of my chest pains. I'm confident in what they are, however, the doctor wants to completely rule out cardiac problems.
Feeling like an adolescent and suddenly have this urge for flight. (Feet don't fail me attitude)This fight or flight syndrome was starting to become a thing of that past until today!
Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
In Reply to: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) posted by Paulette on December 15, 2000 at 18:07:26:
Paulette,
I can't advise you what to do, but if it were me I'd say "no way" to such a procedure. Seems to me you have had enough diagnostic tests to rule things out. I'll be curious to see what Walt says, didn't he say he felt certain it is costochondritis?
As long as you keep going to the doctor, the doctor will keep coming up with more and more medical tests for you to undergo. Remember, it is YOUR choice what happens to your body, the doctor cannot make you do anything. Perhaps your chiro can do some kinesiology regarding this matter?
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) posted by kmd on December 15, 2000 at 18:48:04:
Hi, kmd
I'm going to on e doctor for weight loss and the other mainly for follow-up after being hospital confinement. Walt and I feel it's costochondritis and I mentioned this to one of the doctors. He agrees it sounds like it, but believes it's GI in origin.
Yes, I am the one who has control of what happens and that's why I had a bit of a temper tantrum yesterday. (sigh) The caridologist agrees that it's too invasive and would only want to consider it in the event these pains keep on. The last two episodes have happened while I've been driving for long distances with the windows up. So, believe I'm taking my car to my mechanic to check for problems of carbon monoxide. It's a long shot, but it's well worth the effort.
Thanks for the input and Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) --kmd posted by Paulette on December 16, 2000 at 06:00:08:
Hi Paulette,
I wish you luck in locating the source of your pains. I got chest pains just THINKING about going through such a procedure as your doc suggested! I e-mailed you just now...
In Reply to: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) posted by Paulette on December 15, 2000 at 18:07:26:
Hi Paulette - I would second kmd's reservations. A friend of mine had one a year or so after a heart attack. In her case she did need it and it resulted in an angioplasty (little wotsit to prop an artery open) but the procedure is very unpleasant and carries considerable risks in itself. Not to be undertaken lightly!
Good luck!
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) posted by Sue on December 16, 2000 at 14:14:45:
Sue,
Thanks for the input and believe me, I will not be having this done whatsoever. I wanted to have Walt's input on this subject. In my case, I know it's not necessary to go through this procedure and risk all the complications attributed to it. However, if it were necessary for diagnostic purposes, I might risk going through. Very surprised to learn of the consequences.
Here's a website which I reviewed earlier today as well as one of the paragraphs; which really got to me:
"What Are the Risks Involved?
With today's technology, cardiac catheterization is a relatively safe procedure. Although extremely rare, complications can occur since this is an invasive procedure. It is important to realize that the benefit of finding out the exact state of your heart far outweighs the risks of having the procedure done. The more information your doctor can obtain about your heart, the greater chance that the treatment recommended can be successful"
Really?
Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) --kmd posted by Paulette on December 16, 2000 at 06:00:08:
Paulette, I have been reading your posts and your chest pains sound just like the ones I had for years. I went thru the cardiac procedure (because I knew no better) and lucked out with no problems from it. I would not recomend it if not needed. There are just so many other thing to do less dangerous. I had the same problem with driving for just small distance would hurt so bad in chest a little left of center. I firmly believe mind was due to bracing. Do you have hot spots on your chest.? I never did get relief from medical group finally got my wife to place the tip of her elbow on the muscle on both sides of backbone about the level of shoulder blades and find the deep knots in the muscles. Also do this on the chest just below collar bone on each side . This gave me great relief. It took me one year for the inflamation to go away in the sternum area. Just thought I would mention this . Hope you the best. ( It is great to have a site like this where you can at least discuss your problems and have a real doc to help.) Dave
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) -- In Agreement posted by Paulette on December 16, 2000 at 15:21:18:
Too right. I wonder what the profit per angiogram is?
In Reply to: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) posted by Paulette on December 15, 2000 at 18:07:26:
Hi, Paulette.
Ask your doc to show you the exact % risk of death or damage from a cardiac cath. THEN, you have to decide.
Remember that a cath is only used to prepare you for bypass surgery. If you would never decide to DO that, the cath is superflous.
Since in 90% of people with coronry artery pain all symptoms like this are gone within a month of practicing either the Pritikin Program OR the Ornish Plan (IF it IS your heart.), it seems to me a much better way to make the diagnosis than a cath since it is totally safe and is actually reversing the pathology whereas the cath tends to aggravate it.
Let us know what you learn and what you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) --kmd posted by kmd on December 16, 2000 at 10:17:59:
Right on, kmd, right on!
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) Archive in heart. posted by Walt Stoll on December 17, 2000 at 09:26:06:
Walt,
I've been through a heck of a lot of medical tests this past year and know more of my health conditions from participating on this BB, than through the results of those silly tests. As far as I'm concerned the results of those tests were for my doctors knowledge and not mine. I seemed to know the results after a while, prior to them confirming my own decisions.
There's no way in ------ that I will consent to the cardiac catherization, even if I were definitely having heart problems. If I ever went through it, it would be by my family giving consent after ruling me mentally incompetent.
It's my belief that there are soooo many people who used to be like me, and obiedentaly follow their doctors recommendation, as they felt the doctor know what they are doing, and know what is best for them.My cardiologist (the one I almost dismissed) laughed when I described myself as a car with intermittent problems, causing a hard time to diagnose what was wrong. However, I felt there were no problem with my heart. He agreed and advised the only other test to completely rule out cardiac problems, would be a cardiac catherization, however, that was too invasive.
I've got a long drive to make December 25th and will see what happens during that drive as missed going to my mechanic yesterday. Long drives are now the only times these chest pains occur. I'll ask my doctor for those percentages, however, I've already made up my mind
Thanks and Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram (Cardiac Catheterization) Archive in heart. posted by Walt Stoll on December 17, 2000 at 09:26:06:
Please could you point me in the direction of more info on
Pritikin Program and the Ornish Plan? My closest friend had a heart attack 2 years ago and could use the information, and since my father died at a young age of a coronary I think I also should know about this!
Many thanks, Sue
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll posted by Sue on December 17, 2000 at 12:24:46:
Hi, Sue
I hope you don't mind me hopping in here prior to Dr Stoll's reply. This is the first I've heard of the Pritikin Program and the Omish Plan. Even though I believe I do not have any heart problems at this time, plan on looking into these two programs. My Grandfather, Uncle, Aunt died due to massive heart attacks. Recently, my mother suffered a stroke, and thankfully is recovery quickly. She's upset because it's not quick enough for her.
These are websites I obtained after surfing over to google.com for information on these programs.
Hope this helps you obtain information helps you and your friend, while waiting for Dr Stolls reply. Wish I was better on the computer.
Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
http://www.google.com/search?q=Ornish+Plan&btnG=Google+Search
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll posted by Sue on December 17, 2000 at 12:24:46:
Hi, Sue.
Listen to Paulette (Thanks, Paulette!)
Both your local library and bookstores would have sections dedicated to these programs. Pritikin is best and Ornish is second best.
Let us know what you learn.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll posted by Walt Stoll on December 19, 2000 at 08:27:09:
I've been reading on some of those websites and have obtained a lot fo information on how to resolve my intermitant chest pains. Believe, I'm fortunate Not to have heart disease at this time, however, if I don't do something fast might not be able to say that in near future IMHO.
Went searching throough Dr Stoll's archvies and came up with the following information. I'm going to go to my library and/or local bookstore for book to refer to as well.
Hope this helps and let us know how your friend is doing.
Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=8942677&pageid=r&mode=ALL&query=pritikin+program&mode=Match+ANY
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll posted by Walt Stoll on December 19, 2000 at 08:27:09:
Do you know a book called 'Beyond Pritikin : A Total Nutrition Program for Rapid Weight Loss, Longevity, and Good Health' Ann Louise Gittleman? Is it worth having? Thanks.
In Reply to: Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll posted by Sue on December 20, 2000 at 14:06:09:
Hi, Sue.
I see nothing wrong with that book which has just lifted Pritikin's diet out of his program for weight loss because more people have weight problems than coronary artery disease and so the market for the book is larger.
However, if one wants to BOTH lose weight AND treat coronary artery disease, they had better go to the original Pritikin Program.
Walt
Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll
Posted by Walt Stoll on December 19, 2000 at 08:27:09:
Follow Ups:
Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll--Sue Check Archives This BB As Well
Posted by Paulette on December 19, 2000 at 09:56:55:
Sue,
Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll
Posted by Sue on December 20, 2000 at 14:06:09:
Follow Ups:
Re: Angiogram - more info please Dr Stoll
Posted by Walt Stoll on December 22, 2000 at 08:27:08:
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