Bronchial Artery Embolization

LouLou · Jan 24, 2008

I've been bleeding on and off since I was 13. Evidently I am a unique case that I have never had a major, life threatening bleed. Well over the last 2 years (except while pregnant) I have been bleeding almost daily. It has become a way of life for me which is not cool to say the least. I want to be free of bleeding. It interferes with my life, my therapy and I believe worst of all the nutritious blood feeds the bacteria which I think could bring my lung function down over time.

Yesterday I had a clinic appt. We discussed embolization and my doctor finally agrees it is time. He explained that in my case it is an elective procedure so I will be bumped for urgent cases which I completely understand. What sucked was that he told me since I have staph I'll be scheduled for the end of the day. My first thought was so that they don't have to worry about using dirty equipment on me but I guess it's so I don't expose other patients. I hate being one of them. I wish I still only had PA.

Anyway I got to looking some stuff up on the web and read this article. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.jvir.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/6/953
">http://www.jvir.org/cgi/conten...stract/17/6/953
</a>
Could someone explain to me their findings? It sounds like they are saying it's a bad idea to have embolizations. Is what I'm having a BAE (hairgirl you can probably answer this)? Is this just an example of bad research with too many variables?

Now I wonder if I shouldn't have it done. I want to be proactive with my health but not if it means I'm risking my health. My doc explained all the possible things that can go wrong which I'm not going to list and he did mention that they've never had an complications but now I just don't know.

Thoughts?

Hey just read this one...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/3/796
">http://www.chestjournal.org/cg...nt/abstract/121/3/796
</a>Sounds much more optimistic.

LouLou · Jan 24, 2008

I've been bleeding on and off since I was 13. Evidently I am a unique case that I have never had a major, life threatening bleed. Well over the last 2 years (except while pregnant) I have been bleeding almost daily. It has become a way of life for me which is not cool to say the least. I want to be free of bleeding. It interferes with my life, my therapy and I believe worst of all the nutritious blood feeds the bacteria which I think could bring my lung function down over time.

Yesterday I had a clinic appt. We discussed embolization and my doctor finally agrees it is time. He explained that in my case it is an elective procedure so I will be bumped for urgent cases which I completely understand. What sucked was that he told me since I have staph I'll be scheduled for the end of the day. My first thought was so that they don't have to worry about using dirty equipment on me but I guess it's so I don't expose other patients. I hate being one of them. I wish I still only had PA.

Anyway I got to looking some stuff up on the web and read this article. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.jvir.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/6/953
">http://www.jvir.org/cgi/conten...stract/17/6/953
</a>
Could someone explain to me their findings? It sounds like they are saying it's a bad idea to have embolizations. Is what I'm having a BAE (hairgirl you can probably answer this)? Is this just an example of bad research with too many variables?

Now I wonder if I shouldn't have it done. I want to be proactive with my health but not if it means I'm risking my health. My doc explained all the possible things that can go wrong which I'm not going to list and he did mention that they've never had an complications but now I just don't know.

Thoughts?

Hey just read this one...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/3/796
">http://www.chestjournal.org/cg...nt/abstract/121/3/796
</a>Sounds much more optimistic.

LouLou · Jan 24, 2008

I've been bleeding on and off since I was 13. Evidently I am a unique case that I have never had a major, life threatening bleed. Well over the last 2 years (except while pregnant) I have been bleeding almost daily. It has become a way of life for me which is not cool to say the least. I want to be free of bleeding. It interferes with my life, my therapy and I believe worst of all the nutritious blood feeds the bacteria which I think could bring my lung function down over time.

Yesterday I had a clinic appt. We discussed embolization and my doctor finally agrees it is time. He explained that in my case it is an elective procedure so I will be bumped for urgent cases which I completely understand. What sucked was that he told me since I have staph I'll be scheduled for the end of the day. My first thought was so that they don't have to worry about using dirty equipment on me but I guess it's so I don't expose other patients. I hate being one of them. I wish I still only had PA.

Anyway I got to looking some stuff up on the web and read this article. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.jvir.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/6/953
">http://www.jvir.org/cgi/conten...stract/17/6/953
</a>
Could someone explain to me their findings? It sounds like they are saying it's a bad idea to have embolizations. Is what I'm having a BAE (hairgirl you can probably answer this)? Is this just an example of bad research with too many variables?

Now I wonder if I shouldn't have it done. I want to be proactive with my health but not if it means I'm risking my health. My doc explained all the possible things that can go wrong which I'm not going to list and he did mention that they've never had an complications but now I just don't know.

Thoughts?

Hey just read this one...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/3/796
">http://www.chestjournal.org/cg...nt/abstract/121/3/796
</a>Sounds much more optimistic.

LouLou · Jan 24, 2008

I've been bleeding on and off since I was 13. Evidently I am a unique case that I have never had a major, life threatening bleed. Well over the last 2 years (except while pregnant) I have been bleeding almost daily. It has become a way of life for me which is not cool to say the least. I want to be free of bleeding. It interferes with my life, my therapy and I believe worst of all the nutritious blood feeds the bacteria which I think could bring my lung function down over time.

Yesterday I had a clinic appt. We discussed embolization and my doctor finally agrees it is time. He explained that in my case it is an elective procedure so I will be bumped for urgent cases which I completely understand. What sucked was that he told me since I have staph I'll be scheduled for the end of the day. My first thought was so that they don't have to worry about using dirty equipment on me but I guess it's so I don't expose other patients. I hate being one of them. I wish I still only had PA.

Anyway I got to looking some stuff up on the web and read this article. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.jvir.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/6/953
">http://www.jvir.org/cgi/conten...stract/17/6/953
</a>
Could someone explain to me their findings? It sounds like they are saying it's a bad idea to have embolizations. Is what I'm having a BAE (hairgirl you can probably answer this)? Is this just an example of bad research with too many variables?

Now I wonder if I shouldn't have it done. I want to be proactive with my health but not if it means I'm risking my health. My doc explained all the possible things that can go wrong which I'm not going to list and he did mention that they've never had an complications but now I just don't know.

Thoughts?

Hey just read this one...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/3/796
">http://www.chestjournal.org/cg...nt/abstract/121/3/796
</a>Sounds much more optimistic.

LouLou · Jan 24, 2008

I've been bleeding on and off since I was 13. Evidently I am a unique case that I have never had a major, life threatening bleed. Well over the last 2 years (except while pregnant) I have been bleeding almost daily. It has become a way of life for me which is not cool to say the least. I want to be free of bleeding. It interferes with my life, my therapy and I believe worst of all the nutritious blood feeds the bacteria which I think could bring my lung function down over time.

Yesterday I had a clinic appt. We discussed embolization and my doctor finally agrees it is time. He explained that in my case it is an elective procedure so I will be bumped for urgent cases which I completely understand. What sucked was that he told me since I have staph I'll be scheduled for the end of the day. My first thought was so that they don't have to worry about using dirty equipment on me but I guess it's so I don't expose other patients. I hate being one of them. I wish I still only had PA.

Anyway I got to looking some stuff up on the web and read this article. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.jvir.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/6/953
">http://www.jvir.org/cgi/conten...stract/17/6/953
</a>
Could someone explain to me their findings? It sounds like they are saying it's a bad idea to have embolizations. Is what I'm having a BAE (hairgirl you can probably answer this)? Is this just an example of bad research with too many variables?

Now I wonder if I shouldn't have it done. I want to be proactive with my health but not if it means I'm risking my health. My doc explained all the possible things that can go wrong which I'm not going to list and he did mention that they've never had an complications but now I just don't know.

Thoughts?

Hey just read this one...
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/121/3/796
">http://www.chestjournal.org/cg...nt/abstract/121/3/796
</a>Sounds much more optimistic.

Diane · Jan 24, 2008

Hi Lauren,
I've had 3 embolizations. One for a life threatening bleed ( my first) and the other two for lesser amounts. There is a risk with everything you do, but if you are bleeding almost daily it sounds like you need to have this done. The last thing you want to risk is a life threatening bleed. In very skilled hands it is quite safe. They usually will put you on an iv antibiotic before they start as a precaution. Everything they will use on you will be new and sealed. It seems so scary, but once you are there it isnt too bad. I asked my intervention radiologist how many of these he has done before he even gowned up. He made a joke and said "oh this is my first time" i was like WHAT??????? He laughed and said " Diane i have done thoudsands of these in my career". That instantly put me at ease and trust me, being even a little at ease was a blessing. I requested to not have sedation, and stayed awake for all three of them. The first two were not bad but the third one was painful since he inserted 21 coils. If you need more info pm me and i can tell you the whole experience. Good Luck and try not to worry too much

Diane · Jan 24, 2008

Hi Lauren,
I've had 3 embolizations. One for a life threatening bleed ( my first) and the other two for lesser amounts. There is a risk with everything you do, but if you are bleeding almost daily it sounds like you need to have this done. The last thing you want to risk is a life threatening bleed. In very skilled hands it is quite safe. They usually will put you on an iv antibiotic before they start as a precaution. Everything they will use on you will be new and sealed. It seems so scary, but once you are there it isnt too bad. I asked my intervention radiologist how many of these he has done before he even gowned up. He made a joke and said "oh this is my first time" i was like WHAT??????? He laughed and said " Diane i have done thoudsands of these in my career". That instantly put me at ease and trust me, being even a little at ease was a blessing. I requested to not have sedation, and stayed awake for all three of them. The first two were not bad but the third one was painful since he inserted 21 coils. If you need more info pm me and i can tell you the whole experience. Good Luck and try not to worry too much

Diane · Jan 24, 2008

Hi Lauren,
I've had 3 embolizations. One for a life threatening bleed ( my first) and the other two for lesser amounts. There is a risk with everything you do, but if you are bleeding almost daily it sounds like you need to have this done. The last thing you want to risk is a life threatening bleed. In very skilled hands it is quite safe. They usually will put you on an iv antibiotic before they start as a precaution. Everything they will use on you will be new and sealed. It seems so scary, but once you are there it isnt too bad. I asked my intervention radiologist how many of these he has done before he even gowned up. He made a joke and said "oh this is my first time" i was like WHAT??????? He laughed and said " Diane i have done thoudsands of these in my career". That instantly put me at ease and trust me, being even a little at ease was a blessing. I requested to not have sedation, and stayed awake for all three of them. The first two were not bad but the third one was painful since he inserted 21 coils. If you need more info pm me and i can tell you the whole experience. Good Luck and try not to worry too much

Diane · Jan 24, 2008

Hi Lauren,
I've had 3 embolizations. One for a life threatening bleed ( my first) and the other two for lesser amounts. There is a risk with everything you do, but if you are bleeding almost daily it sounds like you need to have this done. The last thing you want to risk is a life threatening bleed. In very skilled hands it is quite safe. They usually will put you on an iv antibiotic before they start as a precaution. Everything they will use on you will be new and sealed. It seems so scary, but once you are there it isnt too bad. I asked my intervention radiologist how many of these he has done before he even gowned up. He made a joke and said "oh this is my first time" i was like WHAT??????? He laughed and said " Diane i have done thoudsands of these in my career". That instantly put me at ease and trust me, being even a little at ease was a blessing. I requested to not have sedation, and stayed awake for all three of them. The first two were not bad but the third one was painful since he inserted 21 coils. If you need more info pm me and i can tell you the whole experience. Good Luck and try not to worry too much

Diane · Jan 24, 2008

Hi Lauren,
I've had 3 embolizations. One for a life threatening bleed ( my first) and the other two for lesser amounts. There is a risk with everything you do, but if you are bleeding almost daily it sounds like you need to have this done. The last thing you want to risk is a life threatening bleed. In very skilled hands it is quite safe. They usually will put you on an iv antibiotic before they start as a precaution. Everything they will use on you will be new and sealed. It seems so scary, but once you are there it isnt too bad. I asked my intervention radiologist how many of these he has done before he even gowned up. He made a joke and said "oh this is my first time" i was like WHAT??????? He laughed and said " Diane i have done thoudsands of these in my career". That instantly put me at ease and trust me, being even a little at ease was a blessing. I requested to not have sedation, and stayed awake for all three of them. The first two were not bad but the third one was painful since he inserted 21 coils. If you need more info pm me and i can tell you the whole experience. Good Luck and try not to worry too much

CowTown · Jan 24, 2008