So I have had this cold for the past 4 weeks now. I have had really bad congestion in my head but mainly in my chest. And I have been to my primary care and on different antibotics, she doesn't know what else to do. She has called my cardiologist to find out if and when he can see me, as I have been having some slight tightness in my chest, short of breath, and just exhausted all the time. She is trying to make sure that my valve is not going bad again. I just had pulmonary valve replacement last November, and I don't know what to do or if anyone has heard of this. My cardiologist thinks that last time I needed surgery that my body attacked my valve to make it go bad and reject. Could this be happening again so soon? I am just really worried and this could not happen at a worse time. Thanks for any help.
Cold and Valve Problems
- Thread starter jntasm
- Start date
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kfay
Well-known member
Have you had a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia? I'd find it hard to believe that your valve would be at fault here. I hope you can get in with your cardio soon to at least rule that possibility out.
Kim
Kim
I agree with what Kim says. It is unlikely that your valve is involved -- though it is natural to have that on your mind. Definitely check it out with your cardio. Hope you feel better soon.
I agree with the others, it doesn't sound like it is valve related. Justin has had alot of problems with his pulm valve/conduit but it never caused his sinuses in his head to be stuffy.
Unless the pulmonary valve is a homograft (human donor) valve, it could not be enlarged. The other valves are all incapable of growing in size.
If it is a homograft, and if you do need it replaced again, I would very seriously avoid another homograft, and go with a xenograft (porcine or bovine tissue) valve instead. They do not engage the body's rejection mechanisms as a human donor valve may in some cases.
Also be aware that Ross Procedure patients who receive homograft pulmonary valves often have a rejection crisis that's followed by a relaxing of the problem and long-term acceptance of the valve, wg . You would want to know that you're not in that type of cycle before you had it replaced.
I am assuming that if the pulmonary valve problem is the only heart issue that you are aware of, it's your right ventricle that's enlarged, and maybe your right atrium as well.
Best wishes,
If it is a homograft, and if you do need it replaced again, I would very seriously avoid another homograft, and go with a xenograft (porcine or bovine tissue) valve instead. They do not engage the body's rejection mechanisms as a human donor valve may in some cases.
Also be aware that Ross Procedure patients who receive homograft pulmonary valves often have a rejection crisis that's followed by a relaxing of the problem and long-term acceptance of the valve, wg . You would want to know that you're not in that type of cycle before you had it replaced.
I am assuming that if the pulmonary valve problem is the only heart issue that you are aware of, it's your right ventricle that's enlarged, and maybe your right atrium as well.
Best wishes,
This may sound like a bit of a wild idea, but maybe you can also talk with your pharmacist to see if there are any meds you might be taking that could be contributing to any of these symptoms. Sometimes, perhaps often, pharmacists are more alert to these issues than prescribing physicians may be.
For example, some hypertensive medications can contribute to sinus and respiratory infections, as well as other odd things that you wouldn't think a simple bp med could fiddle with, which can cumulatively contribute to more complicated situations arising.
For example, some hypertensive medications can contribute to sinus and respiratory infections, as well as other odd things that you wouldn't think a simple bp med could fiddle with, which can cumulatively contribute to more complicated situations arising.
