Does multiple pregnancies cause valve damage?

[momshoaf]

I had a normal echo during preg with baby # 3(battery of tests was done due to certain symptoms developing...wound up being hypothyroid which has been carefully monitored since, present levels are normal). I had baby # 4 with no problem in 95, I had a miscarriage in 96, but I was physically in excellent shape up till first month of pregnancy with #5 in June 97.... when I developed severe symptoms which included tightness in chest that felt like someone was reaching into my chest and trying to crush my heart. My arms and legs would become extremely weak, all over I felt like I was about to keel over. These "attacks" left me completely disabled throughout the preg., too weak to do anything substantial. Delivery was a nightmare. Since then I still have same symptoms though not quite as dramatic as while pregnant. While preg with #5, I had an echo in Oct. 97. This echo showed mild valve regurg. in mitral and aortic. I still have valve damage and have a very limited life that is so much so that it barely resembles who I once was.

Does my history of pregnancy indicate that "multiple" pregs caused this valve damage, and if so, could I be given links to study this phenomena?

Could JUST mild mrt/mild aor cause such intense symptoms continuously for 7 yrs now?

Is there possibly something else going on that Dr's could be missing?

Thank you so much for the time you take considering this.

 

[Karlynn]

Have you had an echo since '97? I'm hoping you've had one every year.

I had a miscarriage and my #1 child with my Mitral Valve Prolaps with no problems. My pregnancy with my #2 child was the culprit for my valve taking a turn for the worse. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when pregnancy affects a valve. Some people have issues with the first pregnancy, and then there are people such as yourself.

If you are not feeling well, continue to press for answers. For some reason it is hard to get many doctors to listen to young, otherwise healthy, women.

 

[Creed3]

Hi!

Hi!

Everyone's situation is different but to answer your question, yes, pregnancy can cause valve problems as well as other problems. My valve problem along with an aortic dissection/anuerysm occurred after my second pregnancy. Pregnancy makes the heart work a lot harder. With my situation they think I just had a congenital weakness that would have caused me problems later in life if I wouldn't have had children. My pregnancies just caused the problems to surface much sooner in life. Now I look back and realize that my pregnancies actually ended up saving my life in a way. It was better for me to have these things occur at a much younger age than if I were older.
I agree that you should be having echos done on a yearly basis. Things can change very quickly sometimes. I think it is very important to have a regular cardio checkup, especially since you are having symptoms. It may end up just being something that they will keep an eye on for awhile. Good luck with everything and please let us know how you are doing.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Birky]

Multiple pregnancies

Multiple pregnancies

I had 4 babies in 7 years and I thought being tired all the time was from having them so close together. I was diagnosed 6 years after my 4th was born so I don't know if affected my pregnancies or not. The heart murmer was not detected when I was pregnant with my last one. I understand that being pregnant makes your heart work harder and that may be some of the problem. Please go get another echo and find out what is wrong.

 

[momshoaf]

My time line to developing mild mt/mild-mod ao.

My time line to developing mild mt/mild-mod ao.

I realize that when I posted my original question, I didnt do a very good job explaining myself. Here goes and if any of you have anymore observations or suggestions after that would be great.



*1992-have unusual symptoms-blood test reveals hypothyroid(well monitored to present too), echo shows normal heart valves, age 31 1/2.

*June 1992-give birth to third child. VERY VERY quick and easy labor and delivery, maybe a couple hours total and 3 little pushes!

*March 1995-give birth to 4th child, also very quick and easy labor and delivery.

*1996-May 97-10 months during this time frame I take fen-phen. Health is great, weightloss successful, continue regular aerobic/weightlifting workout at club as I had done for years and years.

*May 97-preg with #5

*June 97-at health club, as usual but start having severe symptoms when I
start the weightlifting portion of workout. Soon take leave from membership
and will pretty much be bedridden for rest of pregnancy and on O2 the last
trimester.


*Oct 97-Finally enough complaining to my OB and I am sent for an echo
which shows NEW damage to valves. regurg of mild and aortic.





YES I HAVE BEEN MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY AND AM SCHEDULED FOR MY NEXT ONE NEXT WED!



So what are the possibilities?

1. Obviously 92 echo shows it wasnt congenital.

2. No rheumatic fever.

3. Could it REALLY be fen-phen? used total of 10 mos. begin. in 96--MAY 97.

4. Does my preg. history warrant enough hardship and stress after the easy
preg and birth of #3 and 4 to have symptoms SUDDENLY SHOW UP when
# 4 is now over 2 yrs old, and at the very start of preg #5? Remember I
was physically fine until beginning of June 97 at age 36(would turn 37 in
July).

5. Brought on by unknown source.



Now of the three possibilities, which is the MOST likely to be at fault? Given a more accurate history, does pregnancy still seem most likely the culprit?

 

[Karlynn]

I'm sorry, I don't know much about fen-phen usage and it's effects on the heart. We do have a few members here who are familiar with it.

I'm just taking a wild guess, but possibly the fen-phen started the heart issue and the 5th pregnancy helped worsen it.

Are you on any medication for your symptoms?

My symptoms were always constant arrhythmia, even when my prolapse was considered moderate. It was very frustrating because we could never find a med that took care of the symptoms very well. Because the arrhytmia made me feel so horrible, the other symptoms snuck up on me. Shortness of breath, cronic cough, dizziness.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

One pregnancy finished off my valve. It was difficult towards the end. My actual delivery was complicated as well. Nobody knows where my MVP was at that stage as they told me I was fine And......you would think you could trust your doctor. Anyway, 2 years from the time I delivered...had surgery to replace my valve. Opportuinty for additional chidren is out of the question for me. Was offered a few alternatives...but decided the risks were too great.

 

[Creed3]

fen-phen

fen-phen

I wasn't aware that you had taken fen-phen. I am not that familiar with the damages that fen-phen can cause to the valves other than they can cause damage. I know there are others on this site that have valve problems due to using fen-phen, maybe they will be able to answer your questions a little better. It is very possible that the fen-phen usage caused some of the problems you are having. I'm glad to hear that you are being monitored. That is very important. Good luck with everything.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[KimC]

momshoaf --

It took almost two years for me to be diagnosed with atherosclerosis and microvascular angina following a very, very difficult third pregnancy. Multiple echos revealed aortic and tricuspid regurg and very mild LV enlargement, but a recent cath provided more info that helped my doc make a plausible diagnosis for my symptoms.

Stick with your quest for answers and run from any idiots who suggest that it's all in your head, (unless you haven't done the necessary soul-searching to consider that).

I'm taking a calcium channel blocker for my symptoms and feel fine, albeit a little fatigued. My doc has me on the same regime as anyone else with CAD, even though my coronary arteries are currently clear.

I read that in a small percentage of people, Phen-Phen taken over six months could cause pulmonary hypertension but this would show up on your echo unless it's mild. Only a right-heart cath can diagnosis it at such a minor degree.

Have you had a thyroid scan? Do you check your thyroid on a regular basis?

Best,