Can my symptoms be related to MVR

[Pokey]

I have mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation. My regurg can be from mild at rest to
3+ after being 12 minutes on the treadmill. So far all my numbers, pressures, EF, wall motion is OK. I do have systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet and mild LVOT gradient, but they say no HCM. My cardiologist sent me to Cleveland Clinic a year ago May thinking Iwas ready for surgery, but the CC doc said not yet. I don't have many cardiac symptoms, no SOB laying down or at night, no edema, no arrhtymias other than occasional flutters once in a while. I get some SOB occasionally going up a flight of stairs. However, I can ride my bike 12 hilly miles and feel fine, but, I often wake up exhausted after 8 hours sleep, am tired alot during the day and often just plain dont feel well. Previous tests revealed no sleep apnea. My GP sent me an internist who did about $3000 worth of blood tests and found nothing. No body can explain my fatigue and not feeling well. Its enough to keep me off work some days I feel so louzy. I do take verapamil, which may be the culprit??? I was wondering if anyone here can relate to my symptoms. Can MVR cause general fatigue, malaise and generally not feeling well? I have my regular 6 month stress echo today, maybe that will tell me something, but I doubt it show much change. Thoughts?

Perplexed and Tired :confused2:

Paul

 

[ejc61]

My mvp was 4+ generally. No symptoms. I felt good other than a growing left atrium. I never really felt fatigued and was always cognizant of any changes. I'm not familiar with the med. The stress echo should reveal alot. You have a stress test/echo every 6 months or just the echo every 6 months? I did not experience what you are feeling. Good that you can put of surgery though.

 

[Mentu]

Paul, I asked a similar question about a year before my AVR. I realized that as time past I was feeling less energetic and experiencing some SOB when I was active. At first, my Cardiologist didn't think it was related to my stenotic aortic valve so he and my family doctor sent me through around of tests. In my case, my Cardio just didn't think my valve should be causing the symptoms because at the time its area was just below 1.25 cm2. It was only as the symptoms became much more pronounced a few months later that he realized that unlike many people, my symptoms were showing up earlier than might normally be expected. So, about 10 months after I asked him about by my fatigue and occasional SOB I was preparing for surgery.

Paul, there is no definitive guide that specifies when symptoms begin effecting ones daily life. This is one of those instances where medicine is more art than science. However, to twist Sherlock Holmes a little, "when you have eliminated everything else, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?" I would sit down with the Cardiologist and review once again your experience. It is also possible that you should discuss the possibility of a heart cath to better characterize the state of your heart. We are creatures not machines and medical "guidelines" shouldn't be applied without considering that some people will fall outside their limits. I've shared your frustration and I would urge you to continue talking your doctors. You might also consider a second opinion.

Larry

 

[Pokey]

Larry- Thanks for the input. I did not get to talk to my cardiologist yesterday. I thought I was scheduled for a stress echo, then when I got there & found out they had changed it to a regular echo, so only saw the echo tech. It irked me a bit as a stress test tells you so much more. I scheduled an office visit with my cardiologist July 5th to discuss the situation.

In regards to a couple of your comments I had a heart cath a few years ago and was clean as a whistle, no blockage. Mowed the yard today, I have a big yard and a small push power mower and did yard work. I poop out quicker than I use to, but then I am not a kid any more either. just came in from a 13 mile bike ride and did fine which makes me think my fatigue is not due to my heart. Also have had 2nd opinions. In 2006 my cardiologist thought it was time for surgery, but the 2nd opinion from a cardiologist and surgeon at U Chicago said it wasn't time yet, leave it alone. Then a year ago May my cardiologist again was pretty sure it was time for surgery and sent me to Cleveland Clinic, The CC doc said, nope, not time yet. He said I could stay at my present level for some time or I could need surgery in a year or two as well, no way to know for sure........So I am kind of in a state of limbo. I am in no hurry to get my chest cut in to, that's for sure, but I know whatever is making me so tired, well, I am tired of it.

Paul