mitral regurg

[nicolep]

I have been diagnosed with +3 mirtal valve regurgitation and bradycardia 2 years ago and have had episodes of dizziness, short of breath, palipatations, black outs, etc on an off but now I haven't been able to shake it. I cant be put on medications because of my low HR/BP. In the past I would have an episode and it would pass and now it just wont go away my husband took me to the hospital last two weeks ago for the the dizziness, shorness of breath, chest pain (like someone is pulling my chest through my back), my pulse rate was in the low 40's, they said I was fine all blood tests back normal and ekg fine, wasnt having a heart attack and sent me home. My cardiologist had me come in for a new echo last week and I am still waiting for the results. My concern is that the sysmptoms wont pass and I had my BP taken last week at my family practice office and I was 111/53 and I am concerned thats low for me. My doctor wont release me to go back to work and I am growing frustrated. I guess I just need to vent because my husband thinks I'm a hypocondriac but he cant feel what I am feeling. Is there any advice I can get, I have the best cardiologist in my area and my husband is military so I cant just go to anyone anywhere so I am limited on what I can do. I see my cardiologist the Wednesday and I would like some advice on the kinds of questions to ask. thanks...Nicole

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Nicole,

Welcome to the site! This is the right place to vent and share experiences - thanks for sharing yours! Forget the notion of beign a hypochondriac. I bet everyone on this site has felt the subtle (and not so sublte) signs of valve disease you have described, so you are in good company!

You might want to check out this thread: http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4112 to read about friends and family that don't quite "get" your situation.

Ask your cardiologist what he can do for you to ease your symptoms. If indeed, there is no medication to help because of your low BP, then start asking about a surgical solution. Although many cardiologists would wait until your regurgitation is 4+, they are also looking for a combination of regurgitation and symptoms. Explain that you are becomingly increasingly symptomatic and it is not only affecting your quality of life, but your ability to work. Push for a solution (if that is what you want) - either medically or surgically. Your cardiologist should be more than willing to help you problems solve,when you explain the severity of your situation to him or her.

As for waiting a week for echo results - I feel your pain! They have the results as soon as they are finished with the test, but need someone to interpret them. One technique to avoid waiting is to try and schedule an echo and a follow up with your cardiologist back-to-back. I HATE waiting.


Keep us posted, and know that you have reached a great place!

Melissa

 

[Nancy]

Hi Nicole-

Welcome to this fantastic site.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such uncomfortable conditions. My husband has been there and done that. He has two mechanical valves, aortic and mitral. He also had a small leak with the mitral, which was fixed surgically, so he's had 3 valve surgeries. He has had the symptoms you are experiencing prior to both of his mitral surgeries. In addition, he was passing out from bradycardia, and had a pacemaker implanted. He no longer has those symptoms, and his valves and pacemaker are working very well.

I'm guessing that your cardiologist has you monitored very carefully with your 3+ regurgitation. The decision to operate is a combination of the test results and your symptoms. get yourself a notebook, and start writing down each and every symptom you experience, the time of day, what you were doing at the time, and exactly how you felt, keep a journal each day, and date them. Bring this with you when you see your cardiologist. That way you won't forget to tell him the necessary things. Along with this, write down any questions you might have for the doctor.

The symptoms you are feeling are part of your conditions, and are nothing you can help, or wish away. They are not optional things. They are caused by your heart condition and nothing you can do will make them any different. Your cardiologist might be able to help some of them with medications. It would be good if your husband could go to the cardiologist's appointments with you. It helps for the spouse to understand what the patient is going through.

I wish you all the best. If and when you are facing surgery, it will be something which will help to give you a better quality of life.

You are among friends here, and we all understand.

Take care,

 

[Georgia]

Hi, Nicole

Hi, Nicole

I have particularly little tolerance for family members/friends/employers who think those of us with valve problems are hypochondriacs. I guess if it doesn't hurt it's not worthy of consideration, respect and empathy. Well, kiddo, the day will come when you're sitting up at night not being able to breathe (unless you're able to time your surgery better than I was able to); I strongly suggest that you stay in the bedroom with the old boy and let him see what's happening. I'm sure that most of us go to another room so they're not bothered or disturbed. Those people who don't think we're really sick need to "share" the experience with us.

You can whine and vent all you want; we've been there (or ARE there) and know just how frightening this all is. Stay with us and join the family.

 

[nicolep]

thank you

thank you

I just want to say thank you to the replies I recieved. I feel better knowing that there are people who understand how I feel and have gone through, or are going through the same things I am. It is a nice place to be and feel like I have gained a place where I can gain information and vent and that is a great thing to have. I am so glad I found this site!

Thank you,
Nicole

 

[Ross]

It makes all the difference in the world doesn't it?

Were glad your here too.

 

[RCB]

Attitude Adjustment

Attitude Adjustment

Dear Nicole,
I'm so sorry that your husband feels the way he does towards
you. I know how important it is for support during these scary times when you feel so lost and alone. Since, I have very little
tolerance of this from a healthy young person (as no doubt your husband being in the military is) I made a call to a friend who is
Lt. Gen. on staff in D.C. He assures me that you need to have
a discussion about this matter with either the base chaplin or if you prefer, someone in family relations at the base. Then ask
that person to make a recommendation that the base com.
talked to your husband's CO about having a "sit-down" with
your husband about the importance and contributions military
wivies' make to the services and how he WILL have empathy
for what you are feeling.
I hope some of the veterans of military services here, will
chime in and offer their advice on how to deal with your husbands
feeling about your situation.
I want you to know that, I( and I would guess every member of this forum) do not think you are a hypochondriac, but a person
with serious health problems who needs a little- no a lot of TLC.
Your going to be fine now- the people here will take care of
you.

 

[Nancy]

I like that!

I like that!

No text

 

[ericaj]

..

..

Nicole, I like you tend to worry alot about what others think of what I have to say but we really just need to focus on how we feel and forget what others think.. Only we know our bodies right?? Good luck, my thoughts are with you, Erica

 

[Marty]

Mitral regurg, my disease!

Mitral regurg, my disease!

Nicole, You have my disease. We are badly outnumbered here by aortic valvers so we sort of need to stick together. Your symptoms are familiar. When I first began to get them I thought it might just be old age creeping up. ( Hell, I was sort of old, like 70!) But after a severe "spell" climbing a hill on the golf course I saw my GP and he found a roaring machinery murmur indicating severe mitral regurg.I was told prompt surgery was necessary and that I wasn't too old. The best indications for surgery are found with the echocardiogram which measure the diameter of your left atrium and also the ejection fraction. When those reach certain numbers its time to go. I finally was operated at age 72 and now five years later I feel like a kid again. So I found out a mitral regurg can take you down slow with a lot of the same symptoms hypochondriacs have but there is life saving surgery available. So find out where you stand and what your echo readings are. Don't delay. Late, neglected mitral regurg often does not get as good a result as early timely surgery. Please feel free to E-mail me with any personal questions.

 

[Vicki448]

Nicole,
I agree with Marty - the number of us on this website that just have mitral valve problems are few. Most of the threads I read are filled with things that I don't even know about. But, I can identify with mitral valve problems. I was 48 when my GP heard my heart murmur. I was in seeing her for a sinus infection. She suggested that I get the murmur checked out - which I did - 9 months later. Last summer I was in a complete daze. Knowing I had a murmur, getting an echo, having a heart cath, and then being told I need surgery - all this and I didn't have any symptoms other than what Marty said - a little out of breath at times believing it to be "old age" and being out of shape. I was shocked about having to have surgery! I hadn't been in the hospital since giving birth 18 years ago!
It was explained to me like this: if I didn't have the surgery, my heart would become enlarged over the years and I could almost be guaranteed of having congestive heart failure eventually. Well, after hearing that, I was ready for surgery - although I didn't prepare for it mentally.
Now here it is almost one year later - my 1st yr. echo showed a "fixed" mitral valve and a heart "strong as a horse." My cardio dr. told me that I should be so thankful to my GP for hearing the murmur and that my story was one of "catching it in time" before damage was done. He says that every time I see him.
I do feel great - no more shortness of breath when I'm two-stepping around the living room with my daughter! Get yourself checked out;I've read your other posts and I wouldn't waste my time with a nurse practitioner - see a cardio dr. and make demands! Medication or surgery is probably in your future. Don't wait until it goes too far............
Good luck. Keep us posted.