Renal Artery Stenosis

[grammytamme]

I had to go to the Emergency Room two days ago. With a high BP of 180/115 pulse of 100.
I have been increasingly been given more and more BP medications since August with no change for the better. Only the worse. I am being seen tomarrow at our hospital to be told what is the next step , testing etc.
I have been searching about this problem and the information is me to a T.
I would love to talk to someone that is going through this too or has some comforting news for me.
I am 48 yo. With Diabetes, Hypertension Sjogrens Syndrome, Bilat. Optic Neuropathy GERD, etc.
I would appreciate anything that could put me into light what I am up against.
thank you
Tamme Kehres

[Griffin723]

I was diagnosed with RAS and had a renal stent placed in my right renal artery... my blood pressure instantly returned to normal, but gradually the artery stopped up again and I had to get another stent placed.... again my blood pressure returned to normal... gradually it stopped up again-- this time they simply blooned out the artery with no stent placement. This time my blood pressure didn't return to normal, so they started my on Tekturna (a blood pressure medicine that counteracts the renin secreted by the affected kidney)... my blood pressure is now back to normal taking the Tekturna, but I wonder if there is going to be damage to the kidney from restricted blood flow.
The procedure for placing the stents is not bad at all... they don't even put you to sleep... just give you something to kill all of the pain as they insert a catheter through your groin to the affected artery.
I am considering a surgical procedure to bypass the diseased artery.

[grammytamme]

Back to Griffin723...
So your bloodpressure didn't go down until you had the procedure done with the stent?
They have me on Plendil, Topral XL , and Lasix.
It is somewhat better today. I go on Monday the 26th for the Duplex ultrasound of the Kidney in the
Vascular Lab. You said you had the procedure awake. I wonder if it is like being awake for a cardiac catherization I had to have that twice.
How are you feeling today ? I never heard of that medication you are taking Tekturna.
What was your bloodpressure running ? Did you have pain in the area of your back where the kidneys are ? Or inbetween your shoulder blades ? Or in your calfs of your legs. I have all of the above. thank you for you talking to me I appreciate it very much.

Tamme

[Griffin723]

I had no pain associated with my renal stenosis.... the only symptom was the high blood pressure... the drug Tekturna is specific for high blood pressure caused by excess Renin secreted by the affected kidney. The stent placement in question is very much like the cardiac stent you had done... they run a catheter up from your groin area through the aorta into the renal artery.... I was able to watch the procedure. It sounds to me like you have other problelms causing your back and leg pain... I don't think it is related to your kedney.. I am also taking Plavix.... it is to keep platelets from sticking together and causing blood vessel blockage.

[Rowland]

I'm very scared too!! I'm 80 years old and had a stroke 11 years ago which was the result of bypass heart surgery. Like you, my bp medications aren't controlling my bp which is 200+/95 down to 170/80 depending when it's taken. I'm scheduled to see the nephrogist Dec 4th - I hope I last 'till then. Took a couple of trips to the ER for high bp and urinary problems, but didn't stay overnight. My web site is at www.hemiplegiarecovery.com