Vein Stenosis and Occlusion

I have been having pain and swelling in my left arm. It is swollen and reddish purple. The pain goes from my chest, neck, shoulder, arm, all the way to my fingers. I had a veinogram and balloon angioplasty done. The carotid vein has collapsed around the pacemaker lead. The doctors are going back and forth on how to treat it. I have been told my pacemaker needs to be moved to the other side. But now the surgeon says he won't move it because the same thing may happen on the other side. Today the surgeon told me that I need to learn to live with it the way it is. I am in constant pain and short of breath. I can't live with it as it is.
Anyone with experience with vein stenosis and treatment of it?

6 Comments

second opinion

by Tracey_E - 2012-12-26 10:12:27

You are way too young to simply give in and live with it the rest of your life! I'd get another opinion. Have they discussed epicardial leads? They don't last as long as the regular ones, but they don't go in the vein so it seems to me like that might get around a vein problem. Is the surgeon a general surgeon or an electrophysiologist? If he's not an EP, that would be my next step. I wonder if a vascular surgeon would have a suggestion?

I think leads usually go in axillary or subclavian vein, not carotid.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this! Prayers they find an answer. Good luck.

Carotid Vein???

by RetCop - 2012-12-26 11:12:51

Isn't the Carotid an artery, not a vein?? I can't imagine a wire running through an artery. Please see an EP. Good luck.

What they didn't tell you

by ElectricFrank - 2012-12-27 01:12:39

With the situation you describe "the rest of your life" may only be weeks. Find another cardio.

By the way I have heard of several situations recently where needed surgery is not being done because the docs business office doesn't like the patients insurance. The doc is advised to tell some story to scare the patient out of it.

frank

Shocking!

by shirley d - 2012-12-27 05:12:34

I wouldn't be surprised Frank - no UBUNU left in this world!
I'd definately see an EP Becky

Good luck
Shirley

stent

by RetCop - 2012-12-27 12:12:05

An Interventional Cardiologists are the ones who go up inside a vein or artery and place a stent to open it up.

YOU ARE YOUR OWN HEALER ~ ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2012-12-28 02:12:49

YOU need another doctor who can talk/treat you! It sounds like you have one from the ol' World who does not want to take the time to deal w/problems ~ maybe just biding their time 'til retirement. YOU owe it to your own health and life to find a heart Dr. and an EP who does know what they are doing and wants to earn their monies worth! Some doctors still do have compassion.

You live only once. Do not settle for pain the rest of your life. Life is tooooo short to deal w/that advice.

Keep us posted,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS

You know you're wired when...

You can finally prove that you have a heart.

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