World News Tonight Article.. - High Cholesterol Message Board

JJ · 05-18-2005, 04:56 PM

If anyone watched WNT about the roto rooter job they did on the guys leg to remove plaque, that is what I was trying to explain that they did to hubby in 94. I know it is a new technique, but his dr. tried it on him back then, and so far, so good. It is so hard for me to explain to people why we called it a roto rooter job, now hopefully alot of folks saw it and know what I am talking about......

ARIZONA73 · 05-18-2005, 08:38 PM

JJ,

My father also has poor circulation in his legs. I did read an article on this procedure in our local newspaper, and it sounded promising. I mentioned it to my father, but I don't know if he has ever asked his doctor about it. I know that it is a relatively new procedure, or so I thought. But, as far as I know, no doctor has ever recommended this to him, and his ankles are beginning to swell lately. Maybe if he had this procedure done, then circulation would be improved, and maybe he would even be able to walk better again. I don't know. My father has been diabetic for 40 years, and lately it seems like he has been going all downhill. He seems depressed because he is no longer able to do the yard work that he liked and to take simple walks as he used to do. I wish that I can help him more than I have, but lately I just don't know what to do anymore.

JJ · 05-18-2005, 09:10 PM

Arizona, I would definitely ask his dr. about the procedure. As U know, my husband is type 2 diabetic, and his circulation is horrid, that is why he is on so many meds., plus like your dad, he has that nueropathy. For the last year it is now going into his hands, and although I think he takes it well, I know there are days he gets very frustrated. At times I see hubby getting a lil depressed also, as like U said, when they have been so active all their lives, this is a horrid setback.

Hubby, and all my family have been into ham radio for over 30 yrs., and he loved to work on those radios, but now he has a very hard time, as he can't feel those parts that need to go into them for repairs. Many times I have to be extremely careful asking him to do many things, as he is losing so much feeling in his hands now. I'm sure this aggravates him, but I just try to do things and tell him I just felt like doing them as to not hurt his feelings. I doubt he will have that procedure for his neuropathy, as when he is checked, his circulation is good, the pain and numbness is what is being treated now.

When his heart arteries were clogged, his cardio man decided to do this roto rooter thing. He explained it was a new thing, but thought it would be best and would make for a faster recovery. Naturally they had an OR ready just in case they had to do angioplasty or anything unforeseeable, but luckily it all went fine. He went in on a monday morning and was released wed. morning. We expected him out tuesday, but dr. wanted one more day to make doubly sure all tests came back fine. He walked out of that hospital fit as a fiddle, in fact we actually visited with friends before coming home, as they took me to the hospital to pick him up, so he decided to stop for coffee.

Don't know if U go with your dad to his dr. visits, but maybe U could and have a good heart to heart talk with him. I feel for you, as I have been thru it and it is very hard to see someone U love be sick, and even harder to see them depressed. Think it over and possibly talk with your dad and see if he just might want both of U to speak with the dr. I truly wish U and your dad the best, it isn't easy to not know what to do next.

Best wishes, and a BIG prayer for your dad....

Lenin · 05-19-2005, 06:07 AM

JJ,

It's called ROTATIONAL ATHERECTOMY. I think it's fascinating and I first saw mention of it in a chapter from a big booklet they handed me at St. Vincent's (NYC) where I had my stent done. I had a hunch that's what you meant when you were talking about your husband having his arteries "cleaned out."

I mentioned it to my cardiologist last year and he changed the subject...I guess he likes to STENT!

(well, better than someone who thinks everything needs to be bypassed.)
Seems they sometimes use atherectomy to break through hardened calcium deposits and then stent against incursion by the softer stuff underneath.
My main concern is what in blue blazes happens to all the ground away detritus. Since our arteries branch smaller and smaller, I would be petrified of MANY blockages downstream.

Two other methods mentioned in my booklet are DIRECTIONAL ATHERECTOMY, where the goop is sliced and collected and pulled out, best for soft one-sided plaque and LASER ANGIOPLASTY which works for the very hardest plaques that neither of the aforementioned can break down.

My worry on the first or second method is what happens to the roughened interior surface of the artery that MUST be inflamed by all that abrasion and carving.

Anyhoo, I have hopes that any work I have to have done in the future is done this way...to me it seems like the inevitable future of treatment for atherosclerosis. I guess the first order of business is to line up a cardiologist who LIKES to do these procedures.
(Terrible that WE get to pick our own procedures by playing on doctor's prejudices

)

JJ · 05-19-2005, 08:58 AM

Lenin, I couldn't for the life of me remember what the technical name for this was, so we always call it the "roto rooter" job. From what I saw last night, it has even gotten better. Hubby's cardio guy is a total peach, both as being a dr. and his bedside manner. Wish all drs. were as good and nice as he is, as U can talk to him about anything, he will give U all answers in laymens terms so U know what he is talking about. This guy has gotten more awards from our local hospitals, and he surely deserves them.

Even after hubby was home from the hospital and back to work, he would call here to see how things were going. Some times he will call here at night and talk cars, etc. etc, like a friend would. How many drs. give their patients their cell number? We love him, and feel very blessed to have him.

As far as the roughness of the artery walls after, I have no answer for that, all I know is things went great in 94 and seems to be doing just fine now, so we are happy campers.....

Like U said, if anything needs to be done in the future on any of us, this looks like the way to go.

Have a great day, and chat with you later......