Finally Made Doctor's Appt

[Peg]

Hi Everyone,
I have finally got up enough nerve to contact Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood in Greeneville, NC. It is for June 30th, I sent copies of the tape, disc, reports, etc. I am interested if anyone on the VR.com forum has had him do their surgery. I am also am wondering in any and all questions I should ask when I see him. I have mitral valve regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension.
Lots of Blessings
Peg

 

[ccrawford]

Peg - can't help with evaluation of Dr Chitwood, nor a specific list of questions since you did not list any of your diagnostics. As a general rule, if you write down your questions before you meet with the doc, you will have a better chance of getting them all in. Ask if he has email and could you communicate with him that way. My cardio and I are regular email exchangers and this has been a real bonus for me. Chris

 

[Peg]

Finally Made Doctor's Appt

Hi Chris,
Thanks for responding, I had a Transthoracic Echocardiography, Right and Left Cardiac catheterization, and Holtor Monitor. My results:
Mitral Valve: 1) Moderate regurgitation with posteriorly directed jet, 2+
2) Prolapse of anterior mitral leaflet
Tricuspid Valve: Mild regurgitation
PAH: 45 (via echo) 47 ( via cardiac cath)
By Cath: RA 16, 13, 10; RV 47/15, PA 47/20 with mean of 31, Wedge 25,
21 mean of 18, LV 134/11 mean of 85, cardiac output 3.3, index 1.8,
PVR 315, EF 60% Impression: moderate MVR, moderate PAH. My heart medicines are Tenormin, Norvasc, Maxzide, Lasix, Diovan, NTG.
The Holtor monitor shows PVC'S AND PAC'S mostly at night alot of SOB, fatigue, use 4 pillows, 3 episodes of Raynaud's last winter, ht 5' 6", wt 145.
Anything else I should tell you. Peg

 

[ccrawford]

Hi Peg - I see that a number of people are responding to your post on the other thread, and that you'll get some good information. I"m not a physician or even an RN so my responses would be like the altar boy advising the Pope. Keep browsing on this site and you should learn a lot, especially if you keep asking questions. If your experience is anything like mine you will find you have a lot of very good friends here that you have never met.