Diagnosis Conundrum

[Dodgy Ticker]

Hi fellow sufferers. Anyone have an insight into how to best diagnose this Endo ****?

I first had this 6 years ago. It went on for 6 months until such time as it was too late, and I had to have TWO valves replaced. My medics couldn’t find out what was wrong with me until it was too late.

This week, however, I have been experiencing the exact same symptoms as the previous time, so I thought I would get ahead of the curve and get it sorted. Spent yesterday in ER. They did blood tests - all of which came back negative.

But I am deeply unconvinced that there isn't nothing. My symptoms (extreme and sudden fatigue, swollen foot, new sound from my valves, shivering uncontrollably, loss of appetite) are exactly the same.

So I am wondering - what else can I do to try and get this diagnosed? I am so convinced that’s is one and the same.

Any insights would be most welcome

Thanks all - and good luck to you..

 

[3mm]

Spent yesterday in ER. They did blood tests - all of which came back negative.

I believe the only sure check for bacterial infection inside your bloodstream is to grow cultures, which takes 5 days. This has been my experience when I was being tested for endocarditis. Are they growing cultures of your blood? If so, they should tell you the results of those cultures in a week.

Here is a very good article from the USA National Library of Medicine that supports my position.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5648697/

This article says "... Standard blood culture incubation times of 5 days are adequate for recovery of almost all cultivable causes of endocarditis ..."

Like you, I am scared of endocarditis since I have had it before. If I ever am in your situation, I will insist on the 5 day blood culture tests, unless someone shows me a better test.

I am very sorry to hear about your problem. I will pray for you!

 

[dick0236]

........ Spent yesterday in ER. They did blood tests - all of which came back negative.

But I am deeply unconvinced that there isn't nothing. My symptoms (extreme and sudden fatigue, swollen foot, new sound from my valves, shivering uncontrollably, loss of appetite) are exactly the same.

So I am wondering - what else can I do to try and get this diagnosed? I am so convinced that’s is one and the same.

I'd see my Cardiologist and not rely on an ER.

 

[Chuck C]

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing this.

My symptoms (extreme and sudden fatigue, swollen foot, new sound from my valves, shivering uncontrollably, loss of appetite) are exactly the same.

In addition to getting blood work done, I'd strongly urge you to push for an echo. If there is something going on with your valves, the bloodwork might not pick up anything, and an echo will give them a look to see if the valves are still functioning as they should.

 

[Dodgy Ticker]

I believe the only sure check for bacterial infection inside your bloodstream is to grow cultures, which takes 5 days. This has been my experience when I was being tested for endocarditis. Are they growing cultures of your blood? If so, they should tell you the results of those cultures in a week.

Here is a very good article from the USA National Library of Medicine that supports my position.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5648697/

This article says "... Standard blood culture incubation times of 5 days are adequate for recovery of almost all cultivable causes of endocarditis ..."

Like you, I am scared of endocarditis since I have had it before. If I ever am in your situation, I will insist on the 5 day blood culture tests, unless someone shows me a better test.

I am very sorry to hear about your problem. I will pray for you!

Thank you so much 3mm. As it happens I went to see a new doctor this afternoon. Someone with a brain and some empathy!! So i am starting a 5 day blood process now. he says there are new tests that take 48 hours to check for growth. So one each day, and the next Friday we see how the issue has progressed - or not.. here's hoping!!! Cheers again..

 

[Dodgy Ticker]

Sorry to hear that you are

In addition to getting blood work done, I'd strongly urge you to push for an echo. If there is something going on with your valves, the bloodwork might not pick up anything, and an echo will give them a look to see if the valves are still functioning as they should.

Hi Chuck. Had an EKG yesterday at the ER and all was fine. Cheers

 

[Chuck C]

Hi Chuck. Had an EKG yesterday at the ER and all was fine. Cheers

It is good that you received an EKG, but I would still recommend getting an echo so that they can look at the structural elements of your valves and heart. They are not the same. See link below:

"While an echocardiogram looks at the structure of your heart, an electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of your heart, or the impulses that cause your heart to beat, contract, and push blood out to your body."

https://www.cardiologytampa.com/blo...-does-it-differ-from-an-electrocardiogram-ekg

 

[Buck83]

Sorry to hear that you are

In addition to getting blood work done, I'd strongly urge you to push for an echo. If there is something going on with your valves, the bloodwork might not pick up anything, and an echo will give them a look to see if the valves are still functioning as they should.

Gotta do the culture and an echo. Culture will show any infection in the bloodstream and the echo will show the valve and if there is any vegetation and if it is functioning properly.