Pregnant & Waiting

[KimC]

Hi, everyone.

This is my first post. I'm in the Waiting Room, and how.

I'm 36 and 37 weeks pregnant. Last year, I was diagnosed w/ a significant murmur which led to an echo and diagnosis of mild mitral, aortic and tricuspid insufficiency.

My cardio thinks the condition has been exacerbated by the pregnancy, and has recommended further tests postpartum, including an angiogram and stress test. The biggest mystery is what could be causing the aortic leak.

I'm experiencing a riveting pulse in my neck and the top of my sternum, extreme fatigue with breathlessness, occasional PVC's and a rising, constricting pressure that can be suffocating when I lay down after eating. Does that sound familiar to anyone? How does one know the difference between anxiety versus cardiovascular symptoms?

Also, could anyone share what an angiogram is like? (The cath will be in my arm). What are some reasons that warrant the test?

I'm doing a lot of soul-searching and have grown a LOT from this experience, specifically, "Trust and assert thyself." I'm also grateful for this forum to ask questions, help or research about other people's experiences and well, whine ... ;-)

Peace,

KimC

 

[Ross]

Whine all you want, we have an excellent assortment of cheese here.

Pregnancy and valve problems can wreck havoc on you. I don't know that you can tell a difference between anxiety and heart related breathlessness. I've had both and still don't know.

The Catheter-Never had one done from the arm that I know of, but I imagine it isn't too much different from the groin. They numb you up good and insert the cath and thread it to where it needs to be then shoot pictures. It's really not painful at all and being their using your arm instead of the other, you should be able to leave much sooner as it's easier to control the bleeding from the arm.

The reason for the test is to get a good look from inside and measure the pressures exerted from within the heart. This is the second best way with the first being a TEE or TransEsophageal Echo.

Your valve could be leaking for an infinite number of reasons. You really can't speculate until the testing is done. Hope this helps some and welcome to the forums!

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Kim,
Good Luck with your tests. The angiogram in the arm is done in the arm pit now I believe. I had 5 catheterizations when I was a kid and they did cut downs in the arm. Like Ross said I don't think it is much different from the groin. Again Best of Luck.
Dave

Keep your fires small!
______________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Kevin M]

I've had both my angiograms in the femoral artery in the groin.
The wound is a little tender for a few days, but nothing too scary.

The procedure itself is a little uncomfortable, but not painful.

When they release the dye into your bloodstream, you will have a huge hot flash and then you'll feel kind of like you just peed the bed.

You may notice some funny palipitations or irregular rhythms off and on when the cath is in. This is all normal.

They will freeze the site well and probably give you a light sedative to relax you unless the pregnancy disallows this.

There is far less risk of a major bleeding when they do it in the arm, so you won't have to lay around all day while they make sure the wound has clotted properly.

Don't sweat the angiogram. It's a breeze.

It is absolutely normal for you to feel stressed and anxiety is something many of us dealt with. Prior to both of my operations, I had to go to emergency. Diagnosis: Anxiety attack.

The odd part is that the second anxiety attack happened when I already knew what to expect from surgery. I found myself a little freaked out that I couldn't control it... it just hit me.

Anxiety, fear and even a little depression is normal.

It's good to vent and talk about these feelings. The main thing you should know is that you are not alone. There are a ton of people here pulling for you.

Keep well.
Kev

 

[Beverly]

Cath done through the arm

Cath done through the arm

I had my first and third cath done this way. They make the incision on the inner aspect of your arm at the elbow to insert the catheters. I much prefer this route to going through the groin as you don't have all that pressure placed there after the procedure and you can move around a bit more in bed after the procedure. Not that you get up but you just have a bandaged arm. I was able to feel that something was being done but there was no great discomfort. I was a thin person at the time of my first cath and I was warned in advance about a sensation that feels somewhat like a bit of an electrical shock in your arm can occur. This did happen to me and all they had to do was pull back on the catheter slightly and it went away. The reason that this happened was that they need to use a certain size catheter to get good visualization and my vessels were sort of small & the sensation is dues to the vessels going into spasm. As I said it was no big deal. In fact I asked to have all of my caths done this way and was disappointed when one of the doctors I had didn't do them that way. I hope this information helps.

 

[nadi]

angio

angio

When I had mine my April my cardio did give me some versed (sp?) to relax me and I was able to watch part of it on the screen.
I also had the "sensation" of urination. The cardio also used a new type of closure that allows the patient to be up and moving in 1-1/2 hrs after procedure. I didn't even have to lay flat on my back as long as the leg was still my head could be raised some.
I wish I could remember what it was he used, it was some kind of collagen(brain fog????????? )

I can called the office and get the name if someone wants, just let me know. I feel dumb not being able to remember!!!! he he

Take care

 

[Nancy]

Hi Kim-

Welcome to this terrific site. You're among friends here who really understand about these kinds of problems.

We have at least one person here who found out about her heart problems while pregnant. Maybe she'll see your post and have some answers for you.

Preganancy is so stressful on the body, even under the best of conditions. So I am sure you are very anxious to have that little baby soon.

The angiograms are done all the time. Like everyone here has said, they are not painful, just uncomfortable. My husband has had several, in the arm, groin and neck.

You will do just fine.

Please hang around with us and keep us up to date with what is happening with you.

Best wishes,

 

[KimC]

I am overwhelmed with your kindness, thank you. It really helps to know that others understand what I'm going through and that I'm normal. I have a great spouse and good support system but still ...

Know that you're in my thoughts, too. I'll drop in with updates, and certainly help the community in any way that I can.

Kim

 

[ccrawford]

Kim - The closure method that Nadine is talking about is called a perclose. I don't know if that is spelled right or not. It works nicely and I went to a Christmas concert immediately after my first cath with no problems except a little soreness and brusing. The cath will allow a variety of tests to be done that will give the docs a lot of insight as to the severity of your condition. Its not a big deal. Chris

 

[Creed3]

Hi Kim!

Hi Kim!

I just wanted to let you know that I sent you a pm. I can relate to what you are going through. Please pm me or send me an email. I would be glad to talk with you.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Georgia]

Hi, Kim

Hi, Kim

Just wanted to welcome you. Bet you're just about ready to have that baby! I had my second grandbaby on May 1 - it's so wonderful to have a new baby in the family.

I'm sure that lugging around the worry of heart trouble has sucked the joy out of the pregnancy to a certain extent. I suggest you try to compartmentalize as much as possible so you can relax until you have your baby.

My 2 cents - they put me out completely for my catheterization; I was terrified and I'm sure they didn't want to deal with my terror. So if you're really scared, etc., they can knock you out. And once you have your baby, if you're not nursing, relaxers and mood elevators are available if you're unable to deal with the fear (the docs don't want you so afraid and tense that you exacerbate your symptoms.

Much luck, all our prayers. And stay in touch. And be prepared to post a pic of that baby ASAP or Ross will nag you!