PV and peripheral artery disease PAD

Googled PV and PAD: What is the difference between pad and PVD?

The two diseases differ in several key ways. PAD means you have narrowed or blocked arteries -- the vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood as it moves away from your heart to other parts of your body. PVD, on the other hand, refers to problems with veins -- the vessels that bring your blood back to your heart. What Causes PAD and PVD? Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral venous disease (PVD) have a lot in common. Both are conditions that involve the vascular (or circulatory) system and affect the blood vessels in areas outside your heart. That means they are both types of peripheral vascular disease.
I didn't have PAD (PV and MF) but doctors keep sending me to heart specialist; nothing to do with heart (3- different blood pressure medication = still have problems HBP - 109/70 - 250 /159 highest (over 200/110 is common swings) keep blaming blood pressure issue on heart but hospital didn't think of blood disease until 2 years later . Hope you find answers y seamus1010 @seamus1010, prayers PS Never smoked or drank, over weight

Hello,

I am hoping to receive some feedback regarding PAD. I have had a Doppler Study and a CT scan which revealed 100% blockage from my hip to my knee in my left leg and 90-99% blockage from my hip to my knee in the right leg. I had no symptoms at all until April of 2023. It took forever to get the testing completed in Virginia and I have met with 2 surgeons. One told me I am not at risk of dying from the blockages as long as I continue exercising. The 2nd surgeon wants to remove the blockages but I am terrified because he told me he has to go into the left artery at least 3 times to remove the blockage. I worry I will have a stroke or heart attack during these procedures or shortly thereafter. I cannot imagine how strong my arteries would have to be to be able to manage this type of hammering away at the plaque. Has anyone on this blog had their plaque removed at Mayo? I have sent my studies to them and hope to hear back from them next week to schedule a consultation. Thanks/Deanna

Hi Deanna, what were your symptoms in April? I have a brown patch on my lower leg and was told it is from veins in my leg. As far as a Dopler were you given that when you had the symptoms. I had a total knee replacement in 2016 then in 2019 it became infected and had to be taken out. Was without a knee for 6 months. Thats when I started to get the brown patch on my leg. I think maybe I need a doppler study, what do you think? Thank You Angie

I am beginning to think my mom had this and no one told us. She lived with myelofibrosis for over 30 years and finally passed away after surgery to insert stents in both legs. She always complained her legs hurt and ached but the doctor kept dismissing her because of her age. She had 90 percent blockage in both legs! Unfortunately she did not survive the surgery because they tore her artery/vein and she slowly bled to death 21 days later.

Hello Angie,

I had cramps in my calves. If you go online and review symptom for PAD - that is one of the main symptoms. The Internet advised to walk despite the pain - walk/rest - walk/rest until you build up a tolerance and eventually you can walk further distances - the Internet site I reviewed said it tales 6 months to improve. The walking worked and I eventually purchased a treadmill. Now, I walk 15 minutes at a walking speed of 3 miles per hour - rest/repest - rest repeat until I walk 50 minutes. I also stopped eating sweets and lost 31 pounds. The more weight we carry the harder it is on our veins and arteries. The walking creates pathways for our blood to flow so oxygen will get to my lower extremities. I also had the CT scan of my aorta - the CT is wonderful because it showed everything that is going on from waist down. I have sent everything to the Vascular Dept at Mayo and hopeful they will get back to me next week. Hope this helps - Deanna

Thanks Deanna, so happy for you! It's pretty hard for me walking because of bad knees and back pain. I have to use a cane and if I go to the store I have to use a scooter, I will be seeing my new PCP in 2 weeks and will ask her about it. I also get cramps in my legs sometimes always at night. I walked a lot my career was a Phlebotomist, if I could only walk like I used too. I know that the chemo pills I'm on does develop cramps in legs. I'm so glad you are doing better and good luck with Mayo Vascular Dept!

I am so sorry to hear this - I am understandably afraid of the same thing. In what state was your mother treated?

It is basically the same. I am also a non smoker. I drive a lot for my job. I do business development in several states and sit a lot so the sitting contributes and I do try to eat right but many times I ate junk because of the travel. When we are young we do not think this will catch up with us but it does. I also have had a hip replacement and need both knees replaced. I wish that was all I had to deal with now 😉

How long ago was your blockage removed? Did you get to return to normal life afterwards? Who did your surgery? My blockage 1s 100% in both arteries from him to knee. I am really concerned about who to get to help me. Was your blockage removed at Mayo? Thanks/Deanna

She had been living in Baton Rouge and treated at Our Lady of the Lake hospital. But she had just moved to live with me in Houston when she got so bad that she wanted me to bring her home to her doctor. Instead I made the mistake of calling him. He insisted instead that I bring her to St Luke's Hospital at the Med Center in Houston. That is where they did the stents after finding the 90 % blockage. They had no history with her and I truly believe that when they tore her veins, they didn't realize until too late that she would bleed to death. She used over 150 units of blood in 21 days to try to stop the bleeding, but at 81 she was so weak. And she missed my dad who had died 4 years earlier and I think she just gave up.
I hope and wish you have better luck and better doctors than she had at the very end.
Blessings to you.