Advice on aortic stenosis

[Georgia]

Hey, Walter

Hey, Walter

You might as well get yourself to a cardio because you'll be nagged until you do! And yes, when folks here say asap, they don't mean within the next few months.

For example: last Christmas I had a cold I couldn't shake. Short of breath, etc. Went to the doc on Martin Luther King day, was admitted that day, had surgery 2/3. I was in congestive heart failure, with two bad valves. I went from just feeling kindof punk (but still able to get around and go to Bears games and "do" Xmas) to having to sit up all night because I couldn't breathe - in two weeks. When your heart can't compensate any longer you get real sick real fast.

I propose that you get help before you get as bad as I was. And yes, my doc had missed symptoms for at least 2 - 3 years and he's no longer my doc.

I had cancer 13 years ago (breast); had surgeries, chemo and radiation. Obviously I had a good result.

I would go through the valve surgery again in a heartbeat (pun intended) before I'd do the cancer thing again. Certainly the heart surgery and recovery was "harder" in that it involved more work as I was badly deconditioned; but psychologically the cancer was infinitely more difficult to deal with.

And frankly, you know if you're healed a whole lot faster with the heart stuff than with the cancer. I hated that year after year issue.

So find yourself a good cardiologist and hang in here. Whining is allowed; and everyone was afraid.

Welcome.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi walter!
welcome to this site. everyone here is warm, kind, supportive and helpful.
i really don't have much to add to what those before me have said..... absolutely see a doctor NOW!

you might want to take some time and read the personal stories of some of our members (on the homepage, up top).
in the meantime, please keep coming back and let us know how you are doing.
be well, sylvia

 

[wmgodwin]

advice on aortic stenosis

advice on aortic stenosis

I am so touched. I can't begin to find words to thank everybody for the outpouring of support and advice y'all have provided. I had colon cancer and, as Georgia said, the psychological impact of cancer is horrendous for the whole family. Not wanting to put my wife and friends through the process again has been one reason (handy excuse?) for putting off seeing a cardiologist. I have absolutely no fear of dropping dead suddenly. But the debilitating symptoms Georgia described does scare me. Also, on the cancer networks I have witnessed so many cases of misdiagnoses, incompetence and monumental screwups by the medical community I have become jaded about doctors in general. Nonetheless I get the message: I need to see a cardiologist and not fool around doing it. God bless you all.

Walter

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Walter,

Welcome to our VR.Com family! I want to ditto what everyone else has said. Get yourself to a cardiologist and get all the tests done, ASAP! Stop lifting the weights. You think it's moderate exercise, but from what you have relayed to us about your symptoms, your body is screaming out for help! Explore the website, read the personal stories and look at our vr.com reunion pictures. Post surgery members have survived and recovered well, as Steve pointed out to you. Pre surgery members have found out a lot of information through us, which knowledge does make the surgery and recovery easier to endure, when you know what your facing. Please see a cardiologist and let us know what they say. I think you will be very glad you listened to all of us on theis. God Bless and take care!

 

[Susan Allen]

Hi Walter,
I know I'm being repetitive but go to the cardiologist. You may not be that bad. I was told for over 20 years I had a heart murmur - had 2 big surgeries and 3 kids and never was told I had a problem (hmmm did you know you have a heart murmur?? quite common) - so I got by several doctors. When I was first symptomatic ( wild heart beat) the echo showed I was pretty bad - however I then had a heart cath. and it was a lot more precise - got the heart beat under control by getting my blood pressure under control and symptoms were under control. It took a little over 2 years for me to get to the point of surgery (some take shorter some longer some never have to be fixed).
Remember the longer you wait the more limits your putting on the choices you can make and life style you want.
Keep calm and make the doctor explain everything to you - get your numbers and have him explain yours verses a normal person and you will better understand where your at.
I was very unaccepting 2 years ago and thought surgery would never happen to me so I never asked questions or got that concerned.
You don't want any surprises - I'm sure you are well aware being a cancer survivor. You especially don't want to be an emergency heart surgery as I sure many here can tell you from experience.
Facing surgery next week I have never been more aware of my mortality. As angry I was at first when I found out I had to have it - I'm sure glad I can have it.
Just think Walter - it would surely be the ultimate pits to survive cancer ( a lot of times a coin toss) only to let something like valve replacement ( a now routine surgery) get the best of you.

Chin up - don't get too stressed til you get the facts.

Take care of yourself
Susan

 

[Nancy]

Hi Walter-

Here's a link that will be helpful for you, I just posted it for Harrybaby also. It has all the heart valves, problems you can have, and the symptoms of those problems.

http://www.tmc.edu/thi/valvetype.html

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Walter wrote:

"Also, on the cancer networks I have witnessed so many cases of misdiagnoses, incompetence and monumental screwups by the medical community I have become jaded about doctors in general. "

I can understand where you are coming from Walter.

Regarding Heart Valve Disease, remember that it is pretty basic PLUMBING and when the numbers say it is time for surgery, IT IS TIME FOR SURGERY.

The diagnostic tests are veryy good and reliable. The place to start is a basic (non-invasive) Echocardiogram, very similar to what pregnant women have to look at their babies. It is SAFE and PAINLESS.

For greater detail, they can do a TransEsophageal Echocardiogram where they place an ultrasonic transducer down your throat (under conscious sedation) and most people don't feel or remember the procedure.

A cardiac catheterization is another good test which allows the Cardiologist to measure the pressures in all chambers of the heart, across each valve, and to examine you Coronary Arteries for blockages so they know the condition of your heart before opening you up. If something else needs fixing, they can do it all at the same time. This is a HIGHLY REFINED Science with VERY HIGH SAFETY records when performed at a hospital that does these procedures on a daily basis.

I well remember how scared I was before my first (of MANY) cardiac catheterizations. Afterwards, I had one of those " Is that all there is" kind of reactions. Piece of Cake.

OK Walter, no more excuses or worries. Pick up the phone and make that appointment. Let us know how things are going. We'll be here to give you all kinds of free advice and it's worth every penny There is No extra charge for the humor.

'AL'

 

[FredH]

It Can Go Fast

It Can Go Fast

Hi Walter,

Within one year my valve went from fair to really bad. Belive me it can happen very fast.

Fred