Carotid Endarterectomy - Any Advice? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Carotid Endarterectomy - Any Advice?

deb

Veteran

I have been MIA lately due to some medical issues and the resulting psychological issues. Last month I was sent to the emergency room of my nearest hospital because my doctor thought I was having a stroke. Luckily it was only a migraine. After seeing all of my 'ists', PCP, Vascular surgeon, neurologist, and cardiologist, It was determined that the ocular migraines I believed I was having were actually TIA's. The last one was about 2 months ago. My right carotid artery is 65% blocked. I have never had high cholesterol but have had uncontrolled hypertension caused by the pre-eclampsia I had when I was pregnant with both of my children 34 years ago. I am on 5 blood pressure meds and still have blood pressure that goes haywire every now and then. Anyway, the vascular surgeon says I am in a damned if I do and damned if I don't situation right now. If my carotid artery was 80% blocked, if I had a stroke last month, or if I had a TIA last month he wood want me in surgery right away for a Carotid Endarterectomy. But because those issues are not currently present it is my choice for the surgery right now. I do not know anyone that has had this procedure so I am asking for feedback. I am a fact gatherer and make my decisions based on all information I can gather so please do not hesitate to give my your details. I truly appreciate it.

Off Topic

25 replies

Latest reply was from

Gigi

Veteran

I have no experience with this, Deb, but I wanted to let you know how sorry I am to hear you are dealing with all of this. I hope that you get the information you need to make a decision.

Anonymous

Sometimes the carotid artery can get completely blocked and hard so that a stent cannot be put in. It can happen very quickly if a piece of the artery lining flops down, causing a block. When DH was 47 he had a cardiac arrest because of this. I am not sure what a Carotid Endarterectomy is, but would not want to mess around. You do not want a stroke! DH had to relearn, not only how to walk, but how to swallow and more. Even many years later he still cannot walk on uneven ground or feel temperature on one side of his body. He also cannot sweat so heat is a problem. He never had high cholesterol but was too low for good cholesterol and still works to get those levels up. While you are at it, get tested for sleep apnia, another contributor to coronary problems.

If you have plaque buildup in your arteries, get on a very low fat diet. If we can keep his daily fat intake to below 10 grams, it can actually reverse the buildup, but it is not easy. Wishing you the best. Finding this problem now may be a blessing.

ETA: the headaches. DH's stroke was misdiagnosed as a migraine although he had no history of that. The stroke was in his brain stem and not found with the usual methods like an MRI.

Joyce B

Veteran

I would suggest that you get a second opinion from a respected vascular surgeon at a major institution in your area. Your Dr may be all the above but I would still suggest a second opinion at a different institution.
Wishing you all the best.

rachylou

Veteran

Eh... that's a drag. Ahem. All I know is be careful about blood thinners and surgery. If you get stomach bleeding, they have to stop/switch the thinners. And I believe in going for old, tried and true procedures.

My uncle was a cardiologist. He'd personally go for surgery while you're in relative good health, I think. I mean, that's what he did for himself...

RobinF

Veteran

Wow, sorry to hear this. What a tough decision.

carter

My FIL had it done on one side 4 years ago after 2 mini strokes. It totally improved his life. His energy came back in a big way and he felt great. A couple weeks ago he blacked out and fell twice, so they've been running tests to see what happened. So far no answers. He's hoping they find a blockage somewhere because the "fix" worked so well for him last time.

I have also had high bp since preeclampsia 25 years ago. After all these years, I am now off meds for the past 5 months, and my pressure is holding around 125/75. Two things are responsible for this. 1. hibiscus tea. I know that sounds crazy, but it works. Google it. 2. I gave up all sources of carbs other than non-starchy veggies. That was the drop that got me back into normal range and keeps me here.

Finally, research or ask your doc about adding the combo of D3 and K2 to your supplements list. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fats and calcium. Cholesterol and fats belong in you bloodstream. Calcium does not. The D3/K2 combo helps shuttle calcium to the bones where it's supposed to be. I haven't seen any evidence yet that it works on existing plaque, but it will help prevent future build up.

If I were faced with this, I would:
1. focus immediately on bp. Eliminate non-veggie carbs. Drink hibiscus tea daily. Monitor your bp very closely, because the meds could take it too low once you've corrected it metabolically.
2. Add D3/K2 to help prevent further build up.
3. Seek a 2nd medical opinion. If the answer is surgery, have the surgery. You can't live in fear of stroke.

SW Ann

Veteran

I am so sorry to hear you are having health issues....so scary. My first thought in all this is to get a second and perhaps a 3rd opinion at respected institutions in your area.... My DH had some very very complex health issues a year plus ago and only due to a very diligent cardiologist and his associates was the problem diagnosed correctly. Most doctors wanted to treat completely the wrong thing.....many conclusions were "jumped to" and all were incorrect. He is in excellent health now BTW after an 8 day stay in hospital and many meds...... PS Clementine--has FIL been screened for Atrial Fibillation? My dad and DH both had this as well as my best friend....it can be treated successfully.

Anonymous

Deb, I won't take up valuable space here because I have no specific to this issue experience to share. I do have some experience with serious medical problems and also elective surgery and I empathize with how utterly traumatic just the thinking part is. Thank you so much for posting this, it's a mysterious issue and your account, with the clarity of your descriptions, is so enlightening.

Best best best wishes for you.

Elle

Veteran

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I have no direct experience but have dealt with serious health problems with both my parents. Since it isn't an immediate emergency, I also recommend a second opinion by a doctor at a different institution, preferably at a teaching hospital. I've been surprised by the differences in approaches.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Please let us know how things go.

JAileen

Veteran

Deb, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I agree with a second opinion. All the best to you.

Inge

(website)

I too have no experience with this, Deb, but wanted to chime in to say that I am thinking of you. This kind of medical decisions are so tough!-((

Staysfit

Veteran

Get a second opinion, preferably by a doctor at a University Center or Tertiary Care Medical Center. I know both my father and paternal grandfather were told they should have carotid endarterectomy. My grandfather chose not to, and he lived to age 93. He died from colon cancer. My dad is still going strong at 81, He also decided against the surgery because of my grandfathers success. They both had diabetes (type II) and obesity. I think their blockages were about 70%.

Surgery has its own set of risks, so you are doing to correct thing to ask for peoples experience. In my family both my dad and grandfather were obese and had type two diabetes, but no problems with high blood pressure. Neither one had TIA's or Occular symptoms.

deb

Veteran

Thanks all! I saw an eye specialist today and she told me my "carotid is throwing clots". Her words. I see the vascular surgeon Monday morning to find out where I go from here. The surgeon I am seeing now is the second one I have seen. All of my doctors are part of the University of California Davis medical system. I will keep you updated.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

What Staysfit said about being affiliated with a med school

Aquamarine

Veteran

It sounds like you are in good hands. Keep us posted.

kerry

Veteran

No experience but I hope you get the clear answers you need to help you make a decision about further treatment. Wishing you good health.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Deb, certainly consider carefully. My father had one done at age 80 after a stroke. He recovered well from the operation but in his case it didn't seem to really help his slow deterioration which continued, I think because of the stroke anyway. My understanding as a doctor but a non-surgeon is that essentially they are "reaming out" the inside of the artery which is partially blocked by cholesterol "plaque" ( not unlike the plaque you can get on your teeth but not as accessible sadly). The usual other way is to use drugs to stabilise the plaque to make it less likely to rupture and block the artery, so that is statins and possibly some other cholesterol- lowering meds like ezetimide. If they think they can clear much of the plaque with surgery then you need the drugs anyway to stop any further build-up. I think you need to ask them stats on the risks of each option. It does sound superficially attractive to have the blockage "reamed out" giving a clearer artery? But any surgery does have risks which they should be able to give you stats on and you sound like you are in a good academic hospital system? I am not sure what I would do if it were me. Wish I could advise better

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh Deb, I'm sorry to hear you've been through this!

Gosh, I have a lot of weird tangential experiences relating to your story, but none are very helpful.

My mom had a TIA and later a stroke. She was also prone to ocular migraines. But eventually she had a heart attack. The procedure you reference was never recommended for her though. My husband has ocular migraines and they have been increasing lately. Your story is making me wonder if we should get him checked out more thoroughly. And as chance would have it, I've actually photographed the actual surgery that has been recommended to you. I was doing a photo essay on the life of a surgical resident when I was in grad school, and I watched my best friend remove a blockage from that carotid artery. It made quite an impression, especially as someone who has now lost both parents to heart/arterial disease.

If you like, I'll share your story with my friend (now a general surgeon with 20 years experience) and see what her advice is. My gut says get another professional opinion after another consult, just for balance. I respect all of the anecdotal experience in this thread, but ultimately, you and the doctors who examine you will have the most information to make the best decision.

Most of all, I'm sending hugs and support. You've been through a lot, and I hope whatever treatment you end up getting helps you have a speedy and full recovery to health! ❤️

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I would suggest watching the following documentaries: "What the Health" and "Forks over Knives" (in that order). Both are available on Netflix. You might come across the rare cardiologist (interventional or not) who will talk about meaningful diet changes, but the vast majority don't. Every invasive procedure carries risks, and while you consider them and weigh them against potential benefits, you could try the relatively easy (noninvasive and often far more effective) diet changes.

Anonymous

I personally would do everything possible to avoid a stroke, and I second what Alexandria says about "Forks Over Knives" documentary. "The China Study" is a great book to read.

Laura G

Veteran

My sister had two TIAs followed by endarterectomy. After the surgery she noticed clearer thinking and better memory--the blockage had been reducing oxygen to her brain.

Debbie

Veteran

Deb-I have no experience but just wanted to say I am thinking of you.

Anonymous

My MIL had this procedure done when she was in her late 70's and she seemed to feel a great difference. Don't remember the amount of blockage she had, but I believe it was done as outpatient surgery. Scarring was minimal and recovery was quick.

Gail

Veteran

Deb I'm so sorry that you are going through such a time of uncertainty. I agree with all the advice for other opinion,s you will feel more empowered in whatever decision you ultimately make.
I have watched both What the Health, Forks over Knives and Food Inc over the summer. I have to honestly say it has totally changed the way my husband and I eat!
Thinking of you and keep us posted.

Anonymous

I am a Registered Nurse with 14 years of experience and also have a Master of Science in Nursing so I felt it was appropriate to chime in. I provided care to cardiac and vascular patients for seven years which included TIA and stroke patients. You have some time but this is a situation that will need to be addressed to prevent further issues. Please seek a second opinion regarding treatment options and do what you can with lifestyle modifiers such as taking blood pressure and cholesterol meds in addition to aspirin if recommended. There are different levels of treatment including surgery and a second opinion can determine what is the best course. I wish you all the best in the days ahead. It is a difficult situation but you are taking initiative which means a great deal to your health.