By Ronnie W.

My PAD journey started as we were planning a trip to Disney World with my grandchildren.

I couldn’t walk more than 200 steps without horrible leg cramps.

My husband said, “Get it fixed or we won’t go to WDW.”

I presumed the leg pains were stemming from issues in my back because I had pains from my lower back down my legs.

I went to an orthopedic doctor.

They said it’s not stemming from structural issues with my hips or my knees.

I went to a doctor who specializes in back pain.

Due to insurance requirements, I needed to see a chiropractor for 4 weeks before I could have advanced tests done.

Four weeks later when chiropractic techniques didn’t work, I had an x-ray and an MRI.

Those tests showed I have spinal stenosis , a herniated disc and an aneurysm in my lower abdomen.

The aneurysm got me a referral to a vascular doctor for additional assessment.

He was curious about my journey to discovering the aneurysm and seemed more concerned about my legs after I shared the saga.

He sent me for an ABI test (Editor’s note: Ankle Brachial Index, where they place blood pressure cuffs on your legs and arms to measure the differential between the two).

Results of the ABI suggested severe artery blockages in both legs.

He was blunt with me.

He said that if I didn’t stop smoking, anything he could do for me would be undone.

That shook me up.

So, I gave it up!

He also suggested we try other conservative approaches to improving my symptoms for a couple of months.

That includes medicine called cilostazol, which he said would help the blood cells get through narrowed areas, and walking.

He said walking would help to wake up my small collateral vessels to help reroute bloodflow around blockages.

I went home after that appointment, committed to researching peripheral artery disease.

In researching it, I realized it’s exactly what my Mother had.

She had a bypass procedure, which failed.

Gangrene set in and she lost her leg.

I didn’t want to go down that same road!

I read about newer, minimally invasive methods to opening up arteries.

But when I went back to the vascular doctor and symptoms not improved.

I shared with him my newfound knowledge on angioplasty, atherectomy, and stents, to see if that was an option for me.

All he talked about was a bypass procedure.

Knowing what happened to my Mom who had no options after the failed bypass, but amputation, I said to myself, “This doctor is not for me. No way did I want a bypass.”

I thought, “Let’s see if Facebook has a PAD support group.”

How lucky am I that I found this group run by The Way To My Heart with Michelle Villarreal and Kym McNicholas.

Kym gave me the names of highly regarded PAD specialists, Dr. John Rundback and Dr. Kevin Herman.

Dr. John Rundback and Dr. Kevin Herman @ American Endovascular

I had my ABI test results sent to American Endovascular’s office and they saw me immediately.

Within 2 weeks of my initial appointment, I had the atherectomy, angioplasty, and stents.

I needed four minimally invasive procedures in my left leg because of multiple blockages appearing again.

I only needed one procedures on my right leg.

I see the doctor now every six months for follow-up ultrasounds to see how I am doing.

I must say this past November, I did go to Walt Disney World with my children and grandchildren.

I walked the parks with no pain.

I realize I am so much luckier than many people with PAD because not all can get diagnosed soon enough or get to an advanced skilled doctor who has many options available to fix blocked arteries.

I guess my Mom was looking down at me and guided me away from a bypass and guided me to Kym McNicholas, our guardian angel.

I don’t think my story is necessarily inspiring, but maybe if someone reads this, I hope they will realize a bypass is not their first option in so many cases, and to always get a second opinion before any procedure so they can make an informed decision that’s best for them.

Disclaimer:

The patient testimonials shared on this platform are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Each patient’s story is unique to their individual experience and should not be construed as representative of all patients. It is important for individuals to consult their healthcare providers, who have a comprehensive understanding of their medical history, to obtain personalized advice regarding the most suitable treatment options for their specific condition.

For individuals seeking further information about neuropathy, leg pain, leg cramps, or non-healing wounds, we encourage them to contact the Global PAD Association’s Leg Saver Hotline at 415-320-7138. Additionally, they can visit the www.padhelp.org website to access additional support and resources.

We urge individuals to exercise caution and seek professional medical guidance before making any healthcare decisions based on the testimonials shared.