New Cardio for a second opinion

[Pachoulii23]

Hi everyone,

I'm on my way to meet my hubby. I have an appt. with a new Cardiologist to get a second opinion on my MVR. I've already accepted the fact that this new Cardio will suggest surgery as did the last one, but it still doesn't diminish the absolutely terror and fear I've been experiencing since I was told 3 weeks ago! I know it is very common to feel this way...and I'm sure you all have experienced these fears. I have another health thing going on as well so I'm trying to juggle both. Trying to be positive & strong...this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do! Thanks to everyone for listening...what an inspiration you all are to a newbie like myself.

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome, Kristii. If you've been reading the forum you know that your fears are normal and you also know that there are lots of smiles on the other side of the mountain. Be sure to let us know how your appt. goes and don't hesitate to ask us any and all questions.

 

[Bina]

Oh boy....you are right in the terrifying part of the journey.
Hopefully your hubby can help absorb all the information you are about to be bombarded with and at the same time be calm and reassuring with you. I found that the more I read on the internet, the more I got scared, so I saved the reading for when it was over.
Don't be shy to ask anything here!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our World, Kirstii!

Did you get a copy of your Echocardiogram report?
If not, that would be a good thing to do.

Once you are convinced that you need surgery,
then the next step would be to interview Surgeons,
with an eye to ones that have Lots of Experience
doing the procedure YOU will need.

You may also want to read the "Sticky" post at the top of the Valve Selection Forum so that you are familiar with your Options BEFORE talking with the surgeon(s).
For starters, there is the option of REPAIR vs. Replacement, especially for the MV. Only the BEST MV Surgeons do repairs.

Then there are the considerations of Tissue Valve (wears out eventually and will need replacement at a later time) vs. Mechanical (usually lasts forever but requires "Anti-Coagulation" Medication for Life - see www.warfarinfo.com to learn all about living with / on anticoagulation medication).

Then there are the different types of Tissue Valves (Porcine vs. Bovine vs. Cadaver) and different types of Mechanical Valves (ATS, Carbomedics, On-X, St. Jude).
Google each name to find their websites for more info.

FWIW, I expect to need MVR sometime in the future and am highly impressed with the technological advancements offered by the relatively new (1996) On-X Valves. See www.onxvalves.com and www.heartvalvechoice.com for details. St. Jude holds the record for longevity at 30 years. See www.sjm.com for their info. ATS and Carbomedics are spinnoffs of the St. Jude Valve.

That should keep you busy for awhile!
Feel Free to ask ANY questions that come to mind as you learn more about dealing with your heart issues.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Adrienne]

For starters, there is the option of REPAIR vs. Replacement, especially for the MV. Only the BEST MV Surgeons do repairs.
'AL Capshaw'

Welcome Kirstii. What you should do now is to try to find an excellent surgeon who are very experienced in mitral valve repair. Even if it means having to travel to have the surgery, it is worth it.

I was terrified too, as almost everyone is. I swear to you, though, that it is not as terrible as you imagine.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR community, Kirstii. Sorry for the circumstances but glad you found us. There's strength in numbers as they say. Terror is normal, but I can honestly say, having been through it, that it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. To be honest, when I woke up post-op, I was "pleasantly" surprised it was over and I was resting quite comfortably. The pain meds work wonders. For me, the worst part was recovery...mentally I felt great but it was hard for my body to keep up with how "well" I was feeling. I had a tendency to physically over do it until I finally learned my lesson and then let my body dictate how much I should do. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[ctyguy]

Welcome to the forum Kristii, you will be very glad you found this site, it made a huge difference for me and my journey. Its natural to be afraid, I had an AVR and it was my first surgery of any type ever. I'm 42 and thought I was in pretty good health (non-smoker, lift weights, run), then I get the kick in the face about OHS. I freaked out here and there but as you get more information and study the statistics you will come to understand that all is not lost and that not only can you get through this, once your done with it you will thrive. Im 7 weeks post op tomorrow and today I ran on the treadmill for 15 minutes out of a 30 minute workout. No chest pain, no shortness of breath, it was the best day I've had so far and I KNOW I'm still in recovery !

The best advice I can give is the same that you have read already. Find a surgeon your confident in, make the arrangements and get it over with. What your dealing with now mentally I think is much tougher than the post surgery recovery. You won't have alot of pain if that is a concern, its managed very well by the hospital. You won't be doing cartwheels but you will get a little stronger every day and be back on your game in short order. I promise !

Good luck and keep in touch...

 

[fionathiel]

Hi Kristii

Hi Kristii

HI
Welcome to the site
I too am in the waiting room. I am being monitored now with moderate MVP and recently sought a 2nd opinion also. Not to "hear what i wanted to hear" ie no surgery - but just to do that - get a 2nd opinion! . The first Cardio was mentally gearing me for surgery, although not now, but in the future which of course scared the daylights out of me. The second was more optimistic with his view , and although surgery will still no doubt be necessary, his bedside manner was so much better and was talking about robotic surgery as a possible option. I feel more comfortable with the new Cardio, even though basically the outcome was the same. There are different slants on when to have surgery by both Cardios and surgeons and sooner or later you have to put your faith in the professionals and be guided by them.
In the meantime good luck with your 2nd Cardio and we will stand by to hear your news.

 

[Cooker]

Welcome to the Zoo ...You are in the right place

 

[billiejo]

Hey Kristi!

Hey Kristi!

As a new kid here too, I know exactly what your going through. I am scheduled to have my AVR the first week of June, and I go back and forth with moments of being brave to terrified and scared all over again. It seems worse at night, when its quiet, and theres no children or husband to focus my attention on. But I have finally come to the point where I know that I have to get it done, and the waiting and stressing is getting to be far worse that I am even imagining the surgery to be. Just reading what all the great people here have to say has been a huge comfort. I cant wait until I am at the other side and can tell others that its going to be just fine! And Ill see you there!!! Billie Jo

 

[ALCapshaw2]

HI
Welcome to the site
I too am in the waiting room. I am being monitored now with moderate MVP and recently sought a 2nd opinion also. Not to "hear what i wanted to hear" ie no surgery - but just to do that - get a 2nd opinion! . The first Cardio was mentally gearing me for surgery, although not now, but in the future which of course scared the daylights out of me. The second was more optimistic with his view , and although surgery will still no doubt be necessary, his bedside manner was so much better and was talking about robotic surgery as a possible option. I feel more comfortable with the new Cardio, even though basically the outcome was the same. There are different slants on when to have surgery by both Cardios and surgeons and sooner or later you have to put your faith in the professionals and be guided by them.
In the meantime good luck with your 2nd Cardio and we will stand by to hear your news.

Old School Cardiologists like to wait until Symptoms appear or are considered *severe*, i.e. until AFTER Damage has been done to your heart!

Most Surgeons prefer to operate and FIX the problem BEFORE Permanend Damage is done to the heart. With the extremely High Success Rates of this highly refined art (only 1% risk of morbidity and 1% risk of mortality for first time surgeries), modern thinking (and many cardiologists) are coming to the conclusion that SOONER is BETTER.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Donnchadh]

Second Opinion!

Second Opinion!

I also am new here. I am 36 and although I am scared sh*tless I'm so glad I sort out a third opinion. I would hate to think of my termination date had I not been diagnosed. Am looking forward to being healthy again.
Get a second and third and fourth opinion if you need it.
I was diagnosed with a leaking bicuspid aortic valve 15 months ago. First I'd heard of the problem even though its said to be congenital. I am otherwise fit and healthy and very active.
I was told to lose 15kg and come back in 12 months. I was told I would need the valve replace eventually in 10-15years time.
I went for a second opinion in January this year( I should have gone earlier) and was told the leaky valve wasn't the issue and that I had an aneurym of 4.8cm. Come back in 6 months for check up.
After some investigation I found I actually had the aneurysm when I saw the first Cardiologist but wasn't told.
I went straight to see a surgeon , bypassing all cardiologists after losing faith, after reading that I should have OHS to replace the valve and fix the aneurysm to be told YES I should have been in 12 months ago and my valve was going straight in the bin along with the aorta.
The risks of rupture or disection being higher than I am comfortable with I am currently waiting on a bed in hospital to have a AVR and ascending aorta replaced.
The scariest thing is the thought of lifelong medication affecting my active lifestyle.