any info on tricupsid repair/replace only ?

[tiggerangelgirl]

I was hoping to find someone out there who might have had only thier tricupsid repaired or replaced. I have been struggling since august with severe tricupsid leak and have been getting the run around with my Drs. My symptoms are getting worse, they are extreme sob and swelling that is not being controlled by diruetics. The cardiologists will not just do the tricupsid repairs and the lung Drs keep butting heads because they believe this will improve my breathing and swelling. If anyone out there has had this repair only or know somebody ,could you please contact me ,and also if anybody can recomend a Dr or hospitial that you think have dealt with this I would appreciate it. I live in north carolina but am willing to travel.
thank you nicole

 

[Harpoon]

OOH! OOH! OOH! OOH! OOH!

PICK ME PICK ME!!!


**meniacle grinz**


See like, that's my "speciality" really, well that and transposition of the great vessels.


My tricuspid bit the big one almost two years ago. I had surgery last year to replace it and have been fine ever since I got home from the hospital.

It's rough, really rough, but I know where you're at right now.

My condition was related to a congenital heart defect, something I was born with. I don't know if that's the same case for you. If it is, the best place to go really is Cleveland Clinic. A bit of a trip for you, but they really are the best of the bunch.

I don't know how much of my condition was "complicated" by just the tricuspid valve failure or by my heart defect, it may have been a bit of both, however I had edema all over the place. Swelling in my feet, hands, face, and fluids in my lungs and abdomen. Plus my kidneys shut down (lasix wasn't working) and all kinds of other problems. It wasn't pretty and it took a LOT out of me and a lot to get back on my feet.


My surgeon was Dr. Roger Mee at Cleveland Clinic, he's a pediatric heart surgeon but will work on adults with congenital heart defects.

If your condition is NOT congenital related, there are still a lot of great surgeons at Cleveland that can do the job and I believe Mee might still take an active role in your case if you went there.

It's worth checking in to. Look them up on the internet, I think it's www.clevelandclinicfoundation.org but I can't recall off-hand.

Even before my heart got into trouble I would have recommended Cleveland for serious stuff just because I know their reputation for heart surgery.


By the way, take a close look at your diet and try to cut out as much salt/sodium as you can, if you haven't already. That might help the water retention. Try to cut back on how much you drink too, as much as you can tolerate. Avoid soups and other foods that have a lot of fluids in them as well.

Best of luck, feel free to ask me anything you want here or privately.

I don't know that there are too many folks here who've had the tricuspid valve replaced.

 

[tiggerangelgirl]

thank you

thank you

thanks alot for replying so quickly,I do feel that the drs here just dont cut it in my case,its very complicated and they rather throw to someone else. Do you know if the cleaveland clinc has housing for patients who come out of state, my money situation is very tight and i could not afford to stay in a hotel more than a night or two ,is there anybody out there who will be willing to open thier home or a camper/rv while Im there, I can of course pay for some things, I would be very excited.
I have had to drasticly change my diet I use no canned foods at all and only frozen veggies ,although i do drink about 2 cups of soda daily , I was told not to take in alot of fluids. I will contact the mayo clinic tonight thank you so much for your reply.