My reaction to this has been to leave well enough alone unless it is further clogged for all the reasons you suggest. I tried aspirin and it gives me major gas, just like vitamins and other supplements. Seems I developed a reaction to them. I'd be willing to give Plavix a try. Is there a way to test my blood to see if has these clogging platelets?

This operation scares the s... out of me, especially with my trach. What happens if I have to cough up a blob of mucous in the middle of it? I just had a nurse when I had my colonscopy pick up the regular oxygen mask, rather than the trach collar sitting along side it, and try to attach to my mouth. Three times I told this idiot, I am a neck breather, and she still didn't get it. Had I needed that oxygen, I would be dead. Also, sometimes my TEP clogs and I can't talk until I can clear with a brush. How do I then tell these folk what I need if something goes wrong. Do they ever allow a spouse to scrub in so they can be your voice?

You've met me. I'm not overweight, 5'5 and 108. My BP is normal on meds. Been on them since I was 25, inherited BP, not stress or otherwise induced. Cholesteral good. Abdominal CT's do show some calcification but nobody seems concerned. I'll just wait and see what the CT angiogram turns up and make my decision then. Thanks for all the info.

Take care,
Eileen