Bronchial Embolization

[OldTex]

After a number of months of recurring hemoptysis my physcian has scheduled me in 2 weeks for a bronchial embolizaiton. This is the first time I've had this done (I'm 59) and my wife and family are a little "freaked" by the procedure. They did not spend alot of time explaining the procedure in detail other than putting some type of line through a vein in my leg and that it should not be a big deal and was successful most of the time.

Is there anyone that's been through this that has any "war" stories that might provide a little more insight in what to expect or have a good link to a site that might explain a little more detail in layman's language? Any information would be helpful and welcomed!

Stay healthy,
Jim 59 w/CF

 

[OldTex]

After a number of months of recurring hemoptysis my physcian has scheduled me in 2 weeks for a bronchial embolizaiton. This is the first time I've had this done (I'm 59) and my wife and family are a little "freaked" by the procedure. They did not spend alot of time explaining the procedure in detail other than putting some type of line through a vein in my leg and that it should not be a big deal and was successful most of the time.

Is there anyone that's been through this that has any "war" stories that might provide a little more insight in what to expect or have a good link to a site that might explain a little more detail in layman's language? Any information would be helpful and welcomed!

Stay healthy,
Jim 59 w/CF

 

[OldTex]

After a number of months of recurring hemoptysis my physcian has scheduled me in 2 weeks for a bronchial embolizaiton. This is the first time I've had this done (I'm 59) and my wife and family are a little "freaked" by the procedure. They did not spend alot of time explaining the procedure in detail other than putting some type of line through a vein in my leg and that it should not be a big deal and was successful most of the time.

Is there anyone that's been through this that has any "war" stories that might provide a little more insight in what to expect or have a good link to a site that might explain a little more detail in layman's language? Any information would be helpful and welcomed!

Stay healthy,
Jim 59 w/CF

 

[OldTex]

After a number of months of recurring hemoptysis my physcian has scheduled me in 2 weeks for a bronchial embolizaiton. This is the first time I've had this done (I'm 59) and my wife and family are a little "freaked" by the procedure. They did not spend alot of time explaining the procedure in detail other than putting some type of line through a vein in my leg and that it should not be a big deal and was successful most of the time.

Is there anyone that's been through this that has any "war" stories that might provide a little more insight in what to expect or have a good link to a site that might explain a little more detail in layman's language? Any information would be helpful and welcomed!

Stay healthy,
Jim 59 w/CF

 

[OldTex]

After a number of months of recurring hemoptysis my physcian has scheduled me in 2 weeks for a bronchial embolizaiton. This is the first time I've had this done (I'm 59) and my wife and family are a little "freaked" by the procedure. They did not spend alot of time explaining the procedure in detail other than putting some type of line through a vein in my leg and that it should not be a big deal and was successful most of the time.

Is there anyone that's been through this that has any "war" stories that might provide a little more insight in what to expect or have a good link to a site that might explain a little more detail in layman's language? Any information would be helpful and welcomed!

Stay healthy,
Jim 59 w/CF

 

[OldTex]

After a number of months of recurring hemoptysis my physcian has scheduled me in 2 weeks for a bronchial embolizaiton. This is the first time I've had this done (I'm 59) and my wife and family are a little "freaked" by the procedure. They did not spend alot of time explaining the procedure in detail other than putting some type of line through a vein in my leg and that it should not be a big deal and was successful most of the time.

Is there anyone that's been through this that has any "war" stories that might provide a little more insight in what to expect or have a good link to a site that might explain a little more detail in layman's language? Any information would be helpful and welcomed!

Stay healthy,
Jim 59 w/CF

 

[Diane]

Hi Jim,
I've had 3 embolizations done so i can tell you a bit about them.The intervention radilolgist will first numb the area where your femoral artery is in your groin (either the left side or the right). Then they will place a catheter in and thread it up into your lung they will inject dye so they can see the offending bleeder on the screen and will try to find it. ( You will have an x-ray machine ( not exactly an x ray machine but i dont what else to call it) over you while they do the procedure so they can see inside your lungs on the screen in front of them) They may find other problem areas as well and fix them while they are there. How they fix them is they either shoot them full of particles that harden and cut off the blood supply to that blood vessel, or they can insert a coil that they wind up in the bloodvessel that will cut off blood flow to that particular area. They normally give you some sedation to relax you , and of coarse make it very comfortable and painless (but not to go to sleep.) I am an idiot and refused the sedation all 3 times. The first two times werent too bad, but the third was very painful since he inserted 21 coils and i felt almost everyone of them. I would suggest going with the sedation....lol . After they are fnished ( it can take anywhere from 2 - 3 hours ) they will remove the catheter and hold pressure down on the area for 15 minutes straight. Then you will be transported back to your room where you will have to remain laying down for 6 hours. No walking or standing up or even sitting up ( to give the artery a chance to close off completely) I know it sounds so scary but it isnt as bad as it seems and once its over you will be glad its done and hopefully not have hemoptysis probs for a while. PLease update us and let us know how you are doing If you need any more info or support feel free to ask, i'm always here. We have a few people on here who have had embolizations . I know Roshells has, and Liz, and i know theres more but i cant recall right now who they are but im sure theyl'l come forward........

 

[Diane]

Hi Jim,
I've had 3 embolizations done so i can tell you a bit about them.The intervention radilolgist will first numb the area where your femoral artery is in your groin (either the left side or the right). Then they will place a catheter in and thread it up into your lung they will inject dye so they can see the offending bleeder on the screen and will try to find it. ( You will have an x-ray machine ( not exactly an x ray machine but i dont what else to call it) over you while they do the procedure so they can see inside your lungs on the screen in front of them) They may find other problem areas as well and fix them while they are there. How they fix them is they either shoot them full of particles that harden and cut off the blood supply to that blood vessel, or they can insert a coil that they wind up in the bloodvessel that will cut off blood flow to that particular area. They normally give you some sedation to relax you , and of coarse make it very comfortable and painless (but not to go to sleep.) I am an idiot and refused the sedation all 3 times. The first two times werent too bad, but the third was very painful since he inserted 21 coils and i felt almost everyone of them. I would suggest going with the sedation....lol . After they are fnished ( it can take anywhere from 2 - 3 hours ) they will remove the catheter and hold pressure down on the area for 15 minutes straight. Then you will be transported back to your room where you will have to remain laying down for 6 hours. No walking or standing up or even sitting up ( to give the artery a chance to close off completely) I know it sounds so scary but it isnt as bad as it seems and once its over you will be glad its done and hopefully not have hemoptysis probs for a while. PLease update us and let us know how you are doing If you need any more info or support feel free to ask, i'm always here. We have a few people on here who have had embolizations . I know Roshells has, and Liz, and i know theres more but i cant recall right now who they are but im sure theyl'l come forward........

 

[Diane]

Hi Jim,
I've had 3 embolizations done so i can tell you a bit about them.The intervention radilolgist will first numb the area where your femoral artery is in your groin (either the left side or the right). Then they will place a catheter in and thread it up into your lung they will inject dye so they can see the offending bleeder on the screen and will try to find it. ( You will have an x-ray machine ( not exactly an x ray machine but i dont what else to call it) over you while they do the procedure so they can see inside your lungs on the screen in front of them) They may find other problem areas as well and fix them while they are there. How they fix them is they either shoot them full of particles that harden and cut off the blood supply to that blood vessel, or they can insert a coil that they wind up in the bloodvessel that will cut off blood flow to that particular area. They normally give you some sedation to relax you , and of coarse make it very comfortable and painless (but not to go to sleep.) I am an idiot and refused the sedation all 3 times. The first two times werent too bad, but the third was very painful since he inserted 21 coils and i felt almost everyone of them. I would suggest going with the sedation....lol . After they are fnished ( it can take anywhere from 2 - 3 hours ) they will remove the catheter and hold pressure down on the area for 15 minutes straight. Then you will be transported back to your room where you will have to remain laying down for 6 hours. No walking or standing up or even sitting up ( to give the artery a chance to close off completely) I know it sounds so scary but it isnt as bad as it seems and once its over you will be glad its done and hopefully not have hemoptysis probs for a while. PLease update us and let us know how you are doing If you need any more info or support feel free to ask, i'm always here. We have a few people on here who have had embolizations . I know Roshells has, and Liz, and i know theres more but i cant recall right now who they are but im sure theyl'l come forward........

 

[Diane]

Hi Jim,
I've had 3 embolizations done so i can tell you a bit about them.The intervention radilolgist will first numb the area where your femoral artery is in your groin (either the left side or the right). Then they will place a catheter in and thread it up into your lung they will inject dye so they can see the offending bleeder on the screen and will try to find it. ( You will have an x-ray machine ( not exactly an x ray machine but i dont what else to call it) over you while they do the procedure so they can see inside your lungs on the screen in front of them) They may find other problem areas as well and fix them while they are there. How they fix them is they either shoot them full of particles that harden and cut off the blood supply to that blood vessel, or they can insert a coil that they wind up in the bloodvessel that will cut off blood flow to that particular area. They normally give you some sedation to relax you , and of coarse make it very comfortable and painless (but not to go to sleep.) I am an idiot and refused the sedation all 3 times. The first two times werent too bad, but the third was very painful since he inserted 21 coils and i felt almost everyone of them. I would suggest going with the sedation....lol . After they are fnished ( it can take anywhere from 2 - 3 hours ) they will remove the catheter and hold pressure down on the area for 15 minutes straight. Then you will be transported back to your room where you will have to remain laying down for 6 hours. No walking or standing up or even sitting up ( to give the artery a chance to close off completely) I know it sounds so scary but it isnt as bad as it seems and once its over you will be glad its done and hopefully not have hemoptysis probs for a while. PLease update us and let us know how you are doing If you need any more info or support feel free to ask, i'm always here. We have a few people on here who have had embolizations . I know Roshells has, and Liz, and i know theres more but i cant recall right now who they are but im sure theyl'l come forward........

 

[Diane]

Hi Jim,
I've had 3 embolizations done so i can tell you a bit about them.The intervention radilolgist will first numb the area where your femoral artery is in your groin (either the left side or the right). Then they will place a catheter in and thread it up into your lung they will inject dye so they can see the offending bleeder on the screen and will try to find it. ( You will have an x-ray machine ( not exactly an x ray machine but i dont what else to call it) over you while they do the procedure so they can see inside your lungs on the screen in front of them) They may find other problem areas as well and fix them while they are there. How they fix them is they either shoot them full of particles that harden and cut off the blood supply to that blood vessel, or they can insert a coil that they wind up in the bloodvessel that will cut off blood flow to that particular area. They normally give you some sedation to relax you , and of coarse make it very comfortable and painless (but not to go to sleep.) I am an idiot and refused the sedation all 3 times. The first two times werent too bad, but the third was very painful since he inserted 21 coils and i felt almost everyone of them. I would suggest going with the sedation....lol . After they are fnished ( it can take anywhere from 2 - 3 hours ) they will remove the catheter and hold pressure down on the area for 15 minutes straight. Then you will be transported back to your room where you will have to remain laying down for 6 hours. No walking or standing up or even sitting up ( to give the artery a chance to close off completely) I know it sounds so scary but it isnt as bad as it seems and once its over you will be glad its done and hopefully not have hemoptysis probs for a while. PLease update us and let us know how you are doing If you need any more info or support feel free to ask, i'm always here. We have a few people on here who have had embolizations . I know Roshells has, and Liz, and i know theres more but i cant recall right now who they are but im sure theyl'l come forward........

 

[Diane]

Hi Jim,
I've had 3 embolizations done so i can tell you a bit about them.The intervention radilolgist will first numb the area where your femoral artery is in your groin (either the left side or the right). Then they will place a catheter in and thread it up into your lung they will inject dye so they can see the offending bleeder on the screen and will try to find it. ( You will have an x-ray machine ( not exactly an x ray machine but i dont what else to call it) over you while they do the procedure so they can see inside your lungs on the screen in front of them) They may find other problem areas as well and fix them while they are there. How they fix them is they either shoot them full of particles that harden and cut off the blood supply to that blood vessel, or they can insert a coil that they wind up in the bloodvessel that will cut off blood flow to that particular area. They normally give you some sedation to relax you , and of coarse make it very comfortable and painless (but not to go to sleep.) I am an idiot and refused the sedation all 3 times. The first two times werent too bad, but the third was very painful since he inserted 21 coils and i felt almost everyone of them. I would suggest going with the sedation....lol . After they are fnished ( it can take anywhere from 2 - 3 hours ) they will remove the catheter and hold pressure down on the area for 15 minutes straight. Then you will be transported back to your room where you will have to remain laying down for 6 hours. No walking or standing up or even sitting up ( to give the artery a chance to close off completely) I know it sounds so scary but it isnt as bad as it seems and once its over you will be glad its done and hopefully not have hemoptysis probs for a while. PLease update us and let us know how you are doing If you need any more info or support feel free to ask, i'm always here. We have a few people on here who have had embolizations . I know Roshells has, and Liz, and i know theres more but i cant recall right now who they are but im sure theyl'l come forward........

 

[LouLou]

good topic. this is also probably in my "not too distant future." question for you diane, what position are you when they are working on you for 2-3 hours. i worry that it is flat on your back which is one of the positions that trigger my bleeds. second question, do you have to go in with an "active" bleed or can they just tell where it had bled previously from scar tissue or something?

I have been bleeding of and on since age 13 and have never been embolized.

 

[LouLou]

good topic. this is also probably in my "not too distant future." question for you diane, what position are you when they are working on you for 2-3 hours. i worry that it is flat on your back which is one of the positions that trigger my bleeds. second question, do you have to go in with an "active" bleed or can they just tell where it had bled previously from scar tissue or something?

I have been bleeding of and on since age 13 and have never been embolized.

 

[LouLou]

good topic. this is also probably in my "not too distant future." question for you diane, what position are you when they are working on you for 2-3 hours. i worry that it is flat on your back which is one of the positions that trigger my bleeds. second question, do you have to go in with an "active" bleed or can they just tell where it had bled previously from scar tissue or something?

I have been bleeding of and on since age 13 and have never been embolized.

 

[LouLou]

good topic. this is also probably in my "not too distant future." question for you diane, what position are you when they are working on you for 2-3 hours. i worry that it is flat on your back which is one of the positions that trigger my bleeds. second question, do you have to go in with an "active" bleed or can they just tell where it had bled previously from scar tissue or something?

I have been bleeding of and on since age 13 and have never been embolized.

 

[LouLou]

good topic. this is also probably in my "not too distant future." question for you diane, what position are you when they are working on you for 2-3 hours. i worry that it is flat on your back which is one of the positions that trigger my bleeds. second question, do you have to go in with an "active" bleed or can they just tell where it had bled previously from scar tissue or something?

I have been bleeding of and on since age 13 and have never been embolized.

 

[LouLou]

good topic. this is also probably in my "not too distant future." question for you diane, what position are you when they are working on you for 2-3 hours. i worry that it is flat on your back which is one of the positions that trigger my bleeds. second question, do you have to go in with an "active" bleed or can they just tell where it had bled previously from scar tissue or something?

I have been bleeding of and on since age 13 and have never been embolized.

 

[Diane]

Hi Lauren,
You will be flat and that scared the crap out of me also. I asked the Intervention Radiologist what will happen if i start to bleed and he assured me they would lay me on the side that is bleeding and fix it since it will most likely show up on screen. Well i can speak from experience....... That is exactly what they will do. It happened during my second embolization, i felt the gurgle and said im bleeding again, they rolled me onto my left side ( because thats where my bleeding was to begin with and thats where the gurgle was from)and the nurse brought a pan to spit it in and stayed at my side and the Intervention Radiologist watched on the screen and sure enough a white dot showed up where it was . It was a very tiny blood vessel so he inserted my first coil and then a second. There doesnt have to be an active bleed since once they are in there they can see on the screen which blood vessels are the most likely culprits or the ones most likely ( enlarged and dilated ones)

 

[Diane]

Hi Lauren,
You will be flat and that scared the crap out of me also. I asked the Intervention Radiologist what will happen if i start to bleed and he assured me they would lay me on the side that is bleeding and fix it since it will most likely show up on screen. Well i can speak from experience....... That is exactly what they will do. It happened during my second embolization, i felt the gurgle and said im bleeding again, they rolled me onto my left side ( because thats where my bleeding was to begin with and thats where the gurgle was from)and the nurse brought a pan to spit it in and stayed at my side and the Intervention Radiologist watched on the screen and sure enough a white dot showed up where it was . It was a very tiny blood vessel so he inserted my first coil and then a second. There doesnt have to be an active bleed since once they are in there they can see on the screen which blood vessels are the most likely culprits or the ones most likely ( enlarged and dilated ones)