For Sqad, An Update On My Leg . . .

[kia cat]

Hi Sqad, didn't know if you'd subscribed to my last posting [ http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Health-and-Fitness/Question1174129.html ] but here's where we are:

Hi Sqad. I've just been to see the Cardio Vasc Consultant. He's confirmed I have PVD [Peripheral Vascular Disease] in my right leg. They ultrasounded all around my leg and it's the artery behind my knee.

His outlook was on the grim side - or he was saying the worst scenario. They could insert a stent to widen the troublesome bit [an angioplasty?], or re-route to use a different artery. Either way he felt the blockage could dislodge which would require emergency surgery to catch it before it caused trouble. Which may involve me losing my leg!

He wants a treadmill test to see what I can cope with, me to lose some weight and to see if by "burning through the pain barrier" i.e. keep walking even when it's agony to see if my body will force itself to re-route the blood flow itself.

I guess there's no short term fix for this; he's booked me in for this time next year for a follow up appt. [at least he thinks I'll still be here!]

Out of interest the blood donors have now taken me off the register when I was two donations short of my 50, I'd set a goal over the next few years to give more pints than my age; [just turned 58 in January]. Is PVD something that could "go away" i.e. would the blockage get absorbed back into the bloodstream? Thanks for reading this
05:23 Tue 26th Feb 2013

[Sqad]

Thanks for the update.......could have been worse, much worse but I don,t understand the danger of clot formation following angioplasty or stenting, as your problem is on the arterial side and not the venous side which is the big danger with clots.

No PVD does not go away but can be controlled if you lose weight, exercise ( if possible) stop smoking, take aspirin and have any concomitant disorders dealt with e.g hypertension and diabetes.

Again will be interested in further updates.

[kia cat]

Thanks, Sqad. I gave up smoking a couple of years ago, I walk about 7 miles [in total] per day.
Will let you know how the treadmill and diet go.