My son's echo results

[Karlynn]

I got a call from my son today. He got his echo results. The doctor said all his valves look good. BUT....the right side of his heart is slightly enlarged. She didn't think that this was causing his SOB, but felt he should get it checked out. So I'm going to try and get him into my card during the 2 weeks he is home for the holidays. I told him to get copies of all his test results and bring them home with him.

I must admit I'm stumped. He swam for 12 years and had school physicals every year. This is his first echo, so we don't have a base-line to compare with.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hey Karlynn......

Hey Karlynn......

I am wondering....did your son ever have or does he now have any lung problems such as asthma, or anything like that? The reason I say this is because 1. I was told that because I have had lung disease all my life that it eventually starts to effect the heart, and where they found that I have sleep apnea, I found out that Pulmonary Hypertension goes hand in hand with sleep apnea, and thus, in my case, my right side of my heart is enlarged as well as the left side...I know this is complicated, but I thought it might offer some avenues to check out (I pray that he has none of this)...I hope this helps in some small way...Harrybaby666

 

[Mary]

Karlynn,
My college student is going for an exam and echo on the 20th while he's home. It's a similar situation to what you've experienced, so we'll compare notes afterwards.
I am glad that you got good news on the valve issue.
Mary

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Karlynn,

See if you can get them to repeat the echo. If may have been the technique.

 

[Marguerite53]

Hm.

Hm.

Yes, Gina. Actually that's what I was thinking, too. The techs and the machinery seem to vary so much. Or at least, they may chalk it up to something like that. Of course that would be somewhat more frustrating! And again,what is "slightly enlarged"? Maybe not a significant variant at all.

All in all, I'd say it's really good news that his valves look good. REALLY good news. Clean and working right!! That's excellent! Thanks goodness, yes??

Maybe a quick call to your cardio's nurse with the quandry. She may say something like Harry did, that it's somewhat normal for someone with lung issues (do I remember correctly that your son has mild asthma?). I always go to the nurses (and secretaries, in insurance cases!) because they hear so much and are such excellent multi-taskers! Their brains work well in the "solving a problem/getting an answer" mode. They can be very helpful.

Good luck and let us know!

Marguerite

 

[MichyB]

Ditto on the repeat and/or 2nd opinion.

 

[Rain]

Sure glad to hear the valves are fine.

Sure glad to hear the valves are fine.

Karlynn,

My Ry was in sports all his life. Every sport you can think of until he started Jr. High then it was Football, Wrestling and Swimming. He also had a sports physical every year. Never once did they suggest an echo... I am the one who brought it up.

I?d still wonder what?s causing your son?s heart to be enlarged? My cardio says mine will never go back to the correct size because it was enlarged so long.... sure makes you think you need to fix what ever is causing it soon.

I?m having Ry get an CT while he?s home. The cardio wanted that instead of an echo this time. I?m not sure why. Ryan is basing his whole decision about going to grad school on what the cardio says about when he?ll need surgery. I feel your pain girlfriend.... if there?s anything harder than heart surgery yourself... it?s your children needing it.

I agree with the others about a second opinion..... so much relies on where the tech decides to measure from.

Best wishes

 

[Karlynn]

I was also wondering, as some of you were, about the accuracy of the echo. I called my cardio today and made an appointment for Derek for the 23rd. He's going to be so thrilled - it's his 21st birthday and the appointment is at 3 pm. I called and begged the receptionist to schedule him in, since he's only going to be home for 2 weeks. My guess is that my cardio will order another echo and possibly a stress echo.

He has never been diagnosed with asthma, but did have a period of time his sr. year in high school where he had SOB. The doctor never truly diagnosed it conclusively, but felt it was stress related. His doctor at school didn't seem to think that the slightly enlarged right heart was connected to the SOB issue. So what's it connected to, and if the heart is slightly enlarged, what the heck is causing that?

I feel better about getting him in to my dr. She is not a person to just dismiss things and will make a big attempt to find causes. I'm keeping my fingers cross that a re-do on the echo will show something of better news.

Thanks for your thoughts!!!

 

[Bryan B]

Karlynn,

Is Derek very athletic? Just throwing something out there...but some athletes (especially running, basketball, endurance athletics, etc.) may present with a slightly enlarged heart due to how much they exercise (their heart). Hope everything goes well on the 23rd.

I'm finally having my 6 month checkup on the 14th...3 months late due to my sternum issues taking priority. I think it will be worth the wait as I have connected with an adult congenital cardio from Duke who specializes in valvular disease.

Hope Derek and the rest of your family get an early Christmas present on the 23rd!

 

[gijanet]

I'm so glad that you are .......

I'm so glad that you are .......

getting Derek into your card; it's probably nothing, but better safe than sorry, and y'all just might receive an extra nice Christmas present - that there is absolutely nothing wrong! You're right, though! His twenty-first birthday? - as in legal drinking age twenty-first? Yes, he is not going to be thrilled with your birthday gift!!! Heehee! Derek will be in our prayers for a good report. Take care and please keep us posted.

 

[Ryan]

(CENSORED BY RAIN)
BUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

 

[Ryan]

(CENSORED BY RAIN)

 

[Rain]

Maybe I should apologize.

Maybe I should apologize.

Not ?censored?, Ry.... just being your Mama. And you know what? I probably shouldn?t have said anything. My apologies, son. You have a lot of knowledge to share. And for the most part, people would probably enjoy your witty sarcasm.

I love you. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

 

[Karlynn]

Not ?censored?, Ry.... just being your Mama. And you know what? I probably shouldn?t have said anything. My apologies, son. You have a lot of knowledge to share. And for the most part, people would probably enjoy your witty sarcasm.

I love you. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

Now you have all our curiosities piqued!

I've decided to throw Derek a surprise b-day party for his 21st, to soften the blow that he has to drive into Chicago for a late afternoon doctor's appointment. I figure the time we are gone will give my daughter and a few of her friends time to set up a nice fete. Knowing my wonderful son the way I do, I'm sure he'll chew my ear off the whole way into the city about how it stinks that he has to do it.

(Rain, not to start any trouble again, but Shelby is still single - and gorgeous. )

 

[MomOfThree]

Karlynn,
I'm not sure if this helps or not. Obviously, I don't know the specifics about your son's situation. Did he go for an echo because of SOB? Sorry I wasn't following the thread. Taking him to your card seems like definitely the way to go.
Anyway, my first cardio said that my heart was enlarged about 4 years ago. However when I went to my current cardio (4 years ago) and he repeated the echo, he said it wasn't. Different machine, different tech? I don't really know.

Wishing you and your son the very best!
-Martha

 

[Guest]

(Rain, not to start any trouble again, but Shelby is still single - and gorgeous. )

*grumbles*

You "mother hens" are supposed to be setting ME up...remember?

*shakes head and grins*

Ah, but someday will be my lucky break .

*pauses*

Sorry to hijack the thread with that....back to regularly scheduled programming:

Karlynn, that's great that you got Derek an appointment...sorry to hear that it is on his birthday, tho...he he he. Hopefully, the news will be good . And, ya know, that surprise party will be a nice gift .


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72/'6/'9/'81/'7, train/models = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html

 

[Karlynn]

Cort, don't despair! We are always on the lookout for you!

 

[Guest]

Cort, don't despair! We are always on the lookout for you!

*grins*

Ah, why thank you .

*puts hands on hips*

Then c'mon...give me some results....

*whistles patiently and innocently*

 

[skimomck]

Karylynn,
I haven't been on the site in a long time but have been wondering the results of Derek's echo. From all the years Teddy's had echos we have been told there is quite a variablity depending on the machines as well as the operator. I'm glad his valves checked out okay and that you were able to get him into your cardio. The birthday party is a good idea because if he is like my kids they hate appointments especially if they interfere with their social life. Teddy is having his echo on the 29th. He's not too thrilled about it either. He's afraid the results will interfer with his ski season.

Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY, a little belated. I need to be a little more consistant with the site, it's a great place.
Cindy