Disappointing news

[Jane]

I went to my cardiology outpatient apppointment yesterday, and to cut a very long story short it has been discovered that my tricuspid valve is now severely incompetent. I asked the consultant if I will need another op and he said "I hope not" (which is not the same as saying "no", is it??) He is going to do another echocardiogram himself to look at the heart in detail and if necessary get the surgeon to see what he thinks. I am so disappointed as I had been doing so well after the avr. I just feel like the bottom has fallen out of my world. I can't think straight and I don't know what to do. Everyone seems so baffled as to why this should have happened.

The consultant has put me on Frusemide and Spironolactone to get rid of some of the fluid. I am not sure that another op wouldn't be preferable to spending the rest of my life on the loo!!

Any help, advice or words of comfort would be welcome.

 

[hensylee]

Oh, no, Jane. I am so sorry about this. You have been through it and came along so well. I hope you don't have to do it again - but modern medicine can fix so many things, as we all know and appreciate. There are several in VR who have had multiple surgeries and are doing very well. I know they will be along to help. My prayers are with you during this devastating time. God bless. Ann

 

[Nancy]

Hi Jane-

I so sorry that you are having this problem. But sometimes tricuspid regurgitation does not require another surgery. Sometimes they can change the pressures and dynamics of the heart to put off surgery. My husband has a severely regurgitating tricuspid. His is because he has pulmonary hypertension, and that is being treated with medication. He is feeling better now. The doctors did not reccomend surgery for the leak, and he was tested in many, many ways while in the hospital and as a matter of fact, his leak was known about when he had his mitral surgery. This is probably not what your problem is, so your doctors will try other methods first, would be my guess.

Let us know how things progress.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[Bill Hall]

Jane - Sorry to hear that you have this new difficulty. I did notice, however, that you did not say you need surgery. So many of us worry about things that never happen. I will wish you luck and will say a prayer. Maybe this will not be as bad as you seem to think in your posting.

 

[Scottie]

hi Jane !

hi Jane !

Sorry to hear about this set back ....I can only imagine how you must be feeling ...I'd be mad ....and disappointed ....and even madder !......I hope you get some better news soon ....keep in touch and let us know what is going on ....Take care
Scottie

 

[Peachy]

Hi Jane

So sorry to hear your bad news. You must be devastated. Let's hope you don't have to go through another op and that the medication will help. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Jane

Take it one day at a time, girlfriend!!! He didn't say another surgery was definite----I will put you in my prayers that it's not.

Evelyn

 

[Jean]

Dear Jane,

How disappointing for you . I know you must just feel like the floor collapsed under you. But like our other friends have said, Get up and dust yourself off...don't panic if you can help it...we will all pray for the med helping and your not needing another surgery. Take care, dear, and know that we are here for you. Hugs.

 

[Jane]

Thank you all

Thank you all

Thank you all so much for your support. You have become very dear friends to me over the past year or so and I take great comfort from your kind words. I will let you know what happens after the next echo, which the consultant will do himself. He wants to look at the heart in detail and may confer with the surgeon. (can't remember if I said that before!!)

Yes Scottie, I do feel angry, and I confess to more than a few choice swear words coming from my mouth as I was walking away from the hospital on Thursday!! I know that in time I will come to terms with this turn of events, but at the moment it has "wrong footed" me!!

Love to you all.

 

[Ross]

Jane I've not posted only because I don't know what to say. I'll keep you in my prayers though and hope that another surgery isn't on the horizon. I know I'd flip totally out if it were me and to be honest, I know things still aren't right inside myself.

 

[R0Y]

Jane,

My thoughts and prayers go out to you for a favorable outcome as you face this difficult situation. Some on the list have been thorugh similar experiences and can offer special support from knowing first-hand an experience like yours. While I have not, I am reminded of how vulnerable we all are and am again thankful for the medical advances that offer hope where years ago there would have been only dispair.

Wishing the best for you.

-- roy --

 

[terry40]

Jane

Jane

my thoughts and prayers are with you, I can't imagin how you feel right now,

Terry40

 

[Ms. Ramsey]

Disappointing news

I sort of know how you feel. At my last appointment my cardiologist and the PA both told me they heard a murmur (I thought I paid a lot of money to have that fixed!!!). When I questioned them they said it's probably my tricuspid and it sounds like a 1 - 2 leak. While it's certainly no where near as bad as yours sounds, it's so disheartening (no pun intended - well, maybe a little one)to hear news like that.

I'll be thinking about you and hope for the best for you.

Mary

 

[Mb]

Dear Jane:

This is the third time I've tried to post a reply, but I am having problems with this computer.....so I will have to make this short. My husband had two valves replaced in October of 2001. He did not recover as well as the folks on this board generally do, and in March or April of last year, they finally did another echo. He has a severely leaking tricuspid valve, and moderate leaking of the brand new mitral valve. I have done a lot of research regarding tricuspid valve leakage on the net, and I would be happy to share that with you. E-mail me!!

In general though,the tricuspid valve is located on the right side of the heart........and that side is not the "hard working" side, so leakage from this valve can be well tolerated for many years. It is only if this causes other problems (liver/kidney/pulmonary hypertension.....etc. etc.) do they either repair or replace the valve. You musts become really decompensated before they do anything...generally it isn't necessary.

My husband continues to have congestive heart failure....although the left side of his heart is working AOK, it is the right side that causes his symptoms. Although certainly not able to work, and he is on a lot of medications, he does have a decent quality of life.

Just for info...we have made 4 trips to the ER in the last year....not to mention numerous Dr.'s appointments,. NONE of them caused by problems with the tricuspid valve issue...really in general caused by meds, or his general condition.

Take heart. The Dr.'s will not doubt figure out a good medication regimen for you, and you will not need the surgery for many many years, if at all.

I am confident your Dr. will tell you what to be alert for.....that things are either worsening, or the symptoms of the tricuspid valve leaking.

Best wishes. - Marybeth

 

[ccrawford]

Wait a bit

Wait a bit

Jane - Waiting is no fun, but I think you need to see how the next exam comes out. There might not be that much to get worried about-at least thats what we are all hoping for. Hope the sun shines on you tomorrow ! Chris

 

[mike anthony]

Jane-I know how you feel. I'm going back in 3/06/03 to have my aortic valve replaced.Its been just 9 months since they repaired my AA. I couldn't believe it at first, but I quit trying to figure out why and realized I had no control over the situation. As others have said, I think they will be able to control TR with medications. The only other thought I can pass on, with the second operation I know what to expect. It doesn't make it any easier, but at least I know. My God be with you.

 

[joy]

There are a couple of things that could actually make things a little better, first of all, your cardiologist is going over this with you instead of just blowing you off. I guess I really don't know what to say, other than I am sorry, and to lighten the thread a little, My peice ofadvise about the furosemide is...NEVER take it at bedtime, and be sure to drink a ton of water with it! You'll be up ALL night...every 15 minutes.

I'm sorry,I just never know what to say when things go bad. I hope you don't have to have surgery again. Good luck and be well.

 

[Jane]

what on earth?????

what on earth?????

What was that last one about?? I haven't gone into it as there was a warning about its content when I tried to. Right now I can do without that sort of rubbish.

Thanks for all your kind messages, apart from that. I am feeling really blue this morning. On top of the worry over the TR valve, my husband's father died last week, I have got bad sciatica, mouth ulcers, and I lost a tooth crown last night. Things can only get better, surely!!!

 

[hensylee]

go to user cp, click ignore list, add the name and you won't get anymore of this

 

[joy]

I was just trying to tell you that if you take the furosemide at night you will be going to the bathroom every 15 minutes, and will not get a very good night's sleep. Sorry for the confusion.