Newbie here...got some questions please...

[arcee]

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie here and I am so glad to have found this forum. Anyway, here's my situation, I found out about my MVP, TR and MR about a month ago. Still going through various tests to date. Got some questions here and any responses would be greatly appreciated.

My preliminary Transthoracic echo report read as:

MILD MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE
MILD TRICUSPID VALVE REGURGITATION
MODERATE to SEVERE MITRAL VALVE REGURGITATION
Left Ventricular EJECTION FRACTION was calculated at 66%

I was put on Prinivil for my episodes of shortness of breath. I am also feeling weakness, palpitations, dizziness and leg cramps.

After this preliminary echo, I was then scheduled for a Stress Echo. I do not have the result for that one yet. Cardio doc said that I might eventually need a Cardiac Catherization or MV Repair.

Given my preliminary echo result, what are the chances of me having to go through a surgery? I weigh only 98 pounds, weak and never had any surgery before. I worry about this mainly because I think of my family....coz I love them so much!

Is it better if I go through the surgery now with less damage or should I just wait and see how it will progress?

Thank you.

 

[Marguerite53]

Welcome!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to our growing community! I'm still in waiting mode, was told 2 years ago by one cardio that my Aortic Stenosis would require surgery in 1-3 years. Still holding steady after 2 and new cardio thinks it will be an even longer wait. I'm 51.

As I am not familiar with Mitral valve issues, I won't comment, but I know there will be others coming along soon.

Be sure to request and keep copies of all of your test results. Be your own best advocate and ask your doctors any and all questions. Build a good relationship. If you cannot for some reason, try a second opinion or get a new doctor.

For leg cramps, which I have fairly regularly, my general practitioner gives me Quinine. You can also try drinking some Tonic water (as in Gin and Tonic) which has quinine in it. Some people experience ringing in the ears from the quinine. I do not. At this point, though, I'd probably prefer the ringing to the leg cramps anyway!

Please feel free to keep asking questions. And again, welcome!!

Marguerite

 

[RonP]

Welcome

Welcome

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie here and I am so glad to have found this forum. Anyway, here's my situation, I found out about my MVP, TR and MR about a month ago. Still going through various tests to date. Got some questions here and any responses would be greatly appreciated.

My preliminary Transthoracic echo report read as:

MILD MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE
MILD TRICUSPID VALVE REGURGITATION
MODERATE to SEVERE MITRAL VALVE REGURGITATION
Left Ventricular EJECTION FRACTION was calculated at 66%

I was put on Prinivil for my episodes of shortness of breath. I am also feeling weakness, palpitations, dizziness and leg cramps.

After this preliminary echo, I was then scheduled for a Stress Echo. I do not have the result for that one yet. Cardio doc said that I might eventually need a Cardiac Catherization or MV Repair.

Given my preliminary echo result, what are the chances of me having to go through a surgery? I weigh only 98 pounds, weak and never had any surgery before. I worry about this mainly because I think of my family....coz I love them so much!

Is it better if I go through the surgery now with less damage or should I just wait and see how it will progress?

Thank you.

First off, welcome to a great group. Secondly, having surgery now or waiting is a good question and a question that should be left to the doctor. If you have a good one, he can best answer that question. If you don't have confidence in the one you have, get a second opinion and then decide with both opinions in hand. Don't rush in the decision making process.

Best of luck and again, welcome to a great group. You will see that Hank has done a surperb job in setting up a site with all the answers to your questions.

Ron

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our world Arcee!

One of the things that becomes evident in reading many posts is that (many) Cardiologists like to take the "wait and see" approach. This can result in further and possible Permanent Damage to your heart muscles and walls.

SURGEONS like to operate before permanent damage sets in. As one of our (Nurse and Patient) members commented, "When you have a condition that can ONLY be repaired by surgery, get a SURGICAL opinion".

I side with the surgeons. It is not unheard of for valves to be in MUCH worse condition than indicated by tests. The best tests are the TransEsophageal Echo and a Heart Catheterization (I know this sounds scary at first, but is No Big Deal in reality - I've had two TEE's and over a dozen heart cath's).

While Open Heart Surgery is Major Surgery, it is a highly refined art. Survival rates for first time patients under age 60 is 98-99% (MUCH better than the survival rates of doing NOTHING!). Ask for a referal to a surgeon who has extensive experience with Mitral Valve REPAIR and Replacement. You just might be one of the lucky ones who can get a REPAIR of your own valve. That would be a GOOD thing.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[jeffp]

I'd have to agree with Al on at least getting the opinion of a surgeon. The valve is not functioning correctly and no amount of medicine is going to change that. It can lessen the symptoms for a while but the problem is going to progress (maybe slow - maybe fast - no crystal ball to use for these things). I had mild regurgitation on echo and was told to have it redone every few years to keep an eye on it. The cordae tore and the mitral valve flailed about 8 months later and I made it to surgery with barely a day to spare. Was on numerous meds before this trying to mask the symptoms but with little success. Get the surgical opinion, hopefully you'll be one of the lucky one's who'll go forever without needing surgery. "Do what you gotta do."

 

[arcee]

Hello and thank you everyone! I am still waiting for the result of my SE and feeling nervous as to what my doc would say. I am so glad I found this forum with all of you wonderful folks.

Thanks again for welcoming me and for all the great responses.

 

[lyneebee]

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie here and I am so glad to have found this forum. Anyway, here's my situation, I found out about my MVP, TR and MR about a month ago. Still going through various tests to date. Got some questions here and any responses would be greatly appreciated.

My preliminary Transthoracic echo report read as:

MILD MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE
MILD TRICUSPID VALVE REGURGITATION
MODERATE to SEVERE MITRAL VALVE REGURGITATION
Left Ventricular EJECTION FRACTION was calculated at 66%

I was put on Prinivil for my episodes of shortness of breath. I am also feeling weakness, palpitations, dizziness and leg cramps.

After this preliminary echo, I was then scheduled for a Stress Echo. I do not have the result for that one yet. Cardio doc said that I might eventually need a Cardiac Catherization or MV Repair.

Given my preliminary echo result, what are the chances of me having to go through a surgery? I weigh only 98 pounds, weak and never had any surgery before. I worry about this mainly because I think of my family....coz I love them so much!

Is it better if I go through the surgery now with less damage or should I just wait and see how it will progress?

Thank you.[%/QUOTE]

10 yrs. ago I have the same problem, years before that my doctor warned me that eventually I will have MVR, my symptoms progressed over the years. I did not wait any longer so I made the decision to go under the knife avoiding future damage of other organs. My life has been normal until 2 yrs. ago when I started having shortness of breath again as a result of my tricuspid valve leaks. I have also chronic A-fib which they will fix. Since this is my redo surgery, it's going to be more difficult but I want to be strong and positive so I will again lead a normal life. Your surgeon should be the best person to tell you if you need the surgery now. Good luck.....
Lyneebee