Call from Cardio

[LoriSue]

Hi guys. I got a call early this morning from the cardio's office. The cardio nurse wanted to tell me that the echo from last Friday showed Mitral regurge. That is something that hasn't been seen in my previous echos. Before the nurse had a chance to tell me anything else about the rest of the results she had an emergency to attend to so I didn't learn anything more than that. A dysfunction at the mitral valve is something new...it wasn't there before, I know that for a fact. What could bring about a change such as this? I go in to the Cardio next Tuesday and I want to know what questions I should be asking and what else I need to know. I have concentrated my research on the bicuspid aortic but really neglected to learn anything new about the mitral. I do know where it is located and its function (obviously) but what types of symptoms, ect., ect., can I attribute to this and what could be attributed to the bicuspid aortic?
What should I be prepared to ask the cardio on Tuesday when I see him? I have no clue as to what is done to fix this....is there a repair option?
I got my 30 day event monitor today also. They gave me plenty of electrodes so that I can bathe. The only thing I wasn't prepared for was that I am not supposed to use a cordless home phone to transmit the recording. I will have to go buy a regular phone, all we have is cordless phones in the house.
I would welcome any suggestions you guys may have....I find your posts to be incredibly valuable to me, not only for information but the posts also put my mind in place where I am able to focus on what I need to do and eliminates the tendency that I have to "over-think" things. Thanks a million to one and all!
Lori

 

[Nancy]

Hi Lori-

There are all degrees of mitral regurgitation. So don't panic. You don't know if it is trivial, moderate or severe. But it would explain some of the symptoms you have been having, and thank goodness that it was found.

What has to be done with it will be based on the degree of regurge you have.

It's very good that your cardiologist let you know of the problem.
I'm sure you will have a very thorough appointment on Tuesday when you go. It's not too far away.

Just take it easy until you see the doc. I'm very glad that everything is finally being checked out the way it should have many moons ago.

Take care,

 

[Karlynn]

Lori,
Sorry to hear you got a shock. But look at the up side - you finally got an echo and a doctor that takes you seriously. I'm not sure which is worse, being told you are fine - when you know you aren't, or getting news you weren't expecting. I think I prefer doctors that don't prescribe to the head in the sand approach.

You need to ask how bad the mitral is regurging. It's possible that it could be stressed because of your aortic valve, and once that is fixed, if your mitral regurg is mild enough, it could improve and not need to be dealt with along with the aortic. Prior to my mitral replacement, my aortic valve was also leaking a bit. It went back to normal after the surgery until now, 12 years later, it is showing a mild leak again.

You might want to ask what kind of strain the staph puts on your valves. Maybe it's possible that the mitral is stressed do to both the bicuspid aortic and the staph.

And then there's the VR mantra - ask for copies of ALL your tests and reports.

Hang in there girl! You are getting somewhere now.

 

[LoriSue]

Lol.......boy You Guys Are Fast!!!!!

 

[Harpoon]

What Karlynn said...

It's possible that the stress from the other problems is causing the regurgitation in your mitral valve and that once the other stuff is treated, the mitrial valve will correct itself.


My first warning of a problem was a leak in part of my original transposition repair, it had nothing to do with any valves. it wasn't for another 8 months almost that the tricuspid valve started showing problems. In my case, the other leak probably lead to the failure of the tricuspid valve. I guess it's possible that if the leak was fixed sooner, the tricuspid wouldn't have developed problems, or at least would have had a chance to heal back up...


You're goign to see the doctor right away so that's good.

I'd be curious to know if the mitral valve problem is just a side effect of the other thing or if it's a new problem.

Your doctor should also be able to tell you how bad it is, and if it's worth being concerned over.


As I undedrstand it, some pefectly normal and healthy mitral valves leak a little. Technically it's mitral regurgitation, but it's "benign" and never treated, never a threat to health....

Ask him what his thoughts are.

 

[Heather Fisher]

Lori,

I know how you must be feeling right now. What a shock when you were not expecting this. More will be known on Tuesday and just be glad that you seem to have a doctor that takes you more seriously. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Heather

 

[Glenda]

Lori, you have already been through so much just trying to find out what was wrong. Remember you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[SJJ]

Lori,
Sorry you're going through such a trying time. Just keep focused on the fact that you're finally moving forward toward some kind of resolution. This is far preferable to running around in circles because you weren't taken seriously before.
Sue

 

[bethanne]

Hi Lori,
Hopefully the nurse will call you back to complete the explanation she started. I am glad that you will be getting some answers soon.

 

[Abbanabba]

Hi Lori,

Sorry to hear about this new complication, but to echo everyone else, you will have a much better idea about the situation once you see your cardio. There could be a number of possibilities and trying to guess them all is probably not helpful until then.

It's probably not what you needed or wanted to hear, but at least it may be an explanation for what has been going on - and once you know what the problems are, you can do something about them.

Hang in there!!
Anna : )

 

[Dee]

Hi Lori,

I probably sound like a broken record, but just like everyone else has said, forward progress is good!!! Just think if you were still with that other Dr., you would have never known that you had mitral regurg and things would have progressively gotten worse without you knowing it. My theory is, no matter what the problem is, if there's something wrong with my health, I would rather know about it and treat it. I was scared to death when they told me that I had to have my mitral valve replaced as soon as possible, I said okay, let's do it tomorrow. They weren't able to do it the next day because they had to do some more testing but they did it 2 days later. I'm so thankful they found it and were able to care of it so soon.

It's scary and there are a lot of unkowns right now for you, but be glad that they found it and they'll be able to do whatever needs to be done. I don't know much about mitral regurg and how everything might be related, but it sounds like several people on here do. I would say if you can't sleep at night thinking about what the nurse told you, to call her back and ask some questions, it might make you feel better.

Is your infection getting better yet?? I sure hope so, you don't need anymore going on than you already have! Hang in there and know that you have someone on your side now, working for you to come up with a solution. Take care and keep your face towards the sun!

~DeeDee~

 

[Dee]

Did you see the Cardio today?

Did you see the Cardio today?

Hi Lori,

Just checking to see if you saw your cardio today....I think it was today that you were supposed to see him. Let us know what you found out, K? Have been thinking about you and hoping that you're doing well!!

~DeeDee~