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I had posted yesterday on your other thread and will repeat some. I certainly wish you well in all of this, HopefulHeart. I'm 5'4", 57 y.o., have a stenotic BAV, and will have my surgery late this month. My aneurysm has grown from when it was first dx'ed at 4.4 cm in 2008. I have remained at...

Hi Marie and welcome. I'm sorry for the new diagnosis and how much hearing about the stenosis frightened you. I'm a high-anxiety person as well, and I know how hard it makes things. I trust your physicians will follow your case closely and advise you as time goes on. I hope writing here will...

HopefulHeart, yes, aortic aneurysms can come with the territory of BAV. Yes, for those of us who are petite in stature and whose valves are bicuspid, the current threshold many surgeons use is lower. I'm 5'4" and my aneurysm was first picked up at 4.4 cm in 2008. It slowly grew 4.7 and now...

Caroline, I very much appreciate your kind words and taking the time to post to me. It was very encouraging to come here and find your message and hugs. :) -Catie

Cleveland is requiring pre-surgical dental clearance, including new Xrays (my last films were taken in January). My dental appt is this afternoon. My cardiologist is a stickler about antibiotic before dental cleanings, even in my case before the valve is replaced and definitely afterward. His...

One of the surgeons I consulted had suggested the atrial appendage clip. Though some insurers won't pay for it. I understand it's pretty new and not yet highly researched.

Thanks. I'd been wondering how soon a person could start. Sounds like it starts out very gentle--I'm sure there are reasons for that. But it sounds like your real workout was with the tree!

Great report, Fred! When did you start your cardiac rehab?

Raining here today also. Honeybunny, I forgot you're in TX, too. I am trying to remain true to my exercise goals, but I've fallen short many times the last few weeks. It's like pulling teeth sometimes. I did my three miles after 9 p.m. last night, but they got done.

You also, Trina. :) Not sure which one the surgeon will use. Either pig or cow.

Oh my. What an ordeal you had, Trina. I'm so glad you made it through. Tell Your Heart to Beat Again is a lovely and encouraging song, and I did not know the background and that he is singing about the physical heart! Very cool. I will only be able to get a tissue valve, so I can't help about...

Hope all goes super smoothly!

I am having a terrible time with Cleveland Clinic. TERRIBLE. Issue after issue, roadblocks, poor communication, conflicting information. This has gone on for weeks. I'm still trying to resolve things with a scheduled catheterization. A nurse yesterday said I have to have someone with me for...

They may well approach things differently in Europe than America. I wonder whether the threshold they are using is 5.5 cm. Are you a tall guy? There is a body size ratio that many surgeons, at least in the US, take into account. I'm 5'4" and at the advice of three surgeons will have surgery for...

I'm 5'4" and have a 4.7-4.9 aneurysm and three surgeons have agreed it's time. I believe this article is from reputable source, discussing risks with sizes of aneurysm. http://valleyheartandvascular.com/Thoracic-Aneurysm-Program/Risk-Stratification.aspx One of the surgeons I consulted used...

Thank you, Paleogirl! I will definitely try some ahead of my surgery. Good, good tips and I appreciate you!

The surgery is way stressful enough without something so basic as medicating you properly going off the rails. That's a crime.

Just saw your posts, Paleogirl. I am soooo sorry you had such a debacle with your meds at the hospital. How super-frustrating, not to mention dangerous for you! Trusting does not come easily for me, not at all. Good to know that Gaviscon Advance can be prescribed. I had no idea and I should...

Thanks so much, guys. Votes of confidence like yours are most encouraging. Scott, not a thing in the world wrong with being favorably biased about great doctors! Rob, looking at your bio--my word, you've been through such a series of crises and procedures. That must have been one massive...

Since 2010 nearly every medication burns my stomach, including most PPIs. I took Prevacid for years, but I almost never figured out that it was causing extreme burning in 2010/2011. H2 Blockers and Nexium give me headaches; I've tried all. I can take Aciphex for a few days till neurological...