B
bethanne
Several weeks ago I was experiencing CHF symptoms with SOB, water retetion including feet swelling after what I believed at the time was a bout with bronchitis/cold with cough (yet not the usually phlegmy cough) . My pcp gave me an antibiotic, diuretic and chest x-ray. The chest x-ray came back within normal range (although it did not say anything about change from previous x-ray in '91) I had also requested my cardio step-up my echo (feb.19) since I was not feeling well. I have not head from him so I am assuming he is waiting until appt on March 3rd to give my report.
I have to say that I am feeling better. In fact, Yesterday, I had forgotten to take my diuretic. By the late afternoon I was beginning to feel it and wasn't sure about taking it so late in the day. (Maybe I was a little curious as to how much my feeling better was a result from the diuretic) The swelling was significant this morning which confirms my suspicions about this being more than the cold/bronchitis I had a few weeks ago.
I say all of this because I want to be more assertive with the dr at my appt on wednesday and am looking for specific question that I should be asking him. Can y'all give me some suggestions?
I looked up my echo results from august 2003 and from what I have researched I understand why my cardio was not too concerned:
2-d measurements: left ventricle end-diastolic dim 5.2cm and end-systolic 3.6 cm. left atrium dimension 3.6 cm
SUMMARY:
Normal LV size and function
Bicuspid aortic valve with moderate aortic regurgitation as assessed by color flow, pressure half time; Severe per regurgitant fraction (but doubt it is severe)
Other paramater: similar to before
During my echo last week it looked like (from what I could tell) the progression was increased but slightyly (end-diastolic and end-sytolic). But with my symptoms I am wondering if something esle is going on and maybe they (cardio and echo tech) have been tunnel visioned on the bi-cuspid aortic valve and missed somthing else that is adding to the picture. Actually I don't want to put too much energy in speculating on what my recent echo until I get the results on Wednesday. My thought is that by better understanding the above terminology/results better I will be more prepared to interpret the results in his office and be able to ask the right questions I need to get the answers that I want.
Can anyone offer insight to the comments in the SUMMARY section above?
I have to say that I am feeling better. In fact, Yesterday, I had forgotten to take my diuretic. By the late afternoon I was beginning to feel it and wasn't sure about taking it so late in the day. (Maybe I was a little curious as to how much my feeling better was a result from the diuretic) The swelling was significant this morning which confirms my suspicions about this being more than the cold/bronchitis I had a few weeks ago.
I say all of this because I want to be more assertive with the dr at my appt on wednesday and am looking for specific question that I should be asking him. Can y'all give me some suggestions?
I looked up my echo results from august 2003 and from what I have researched I understand why my cardio was not too concerned:
2-d measurements: left ventricle end-diastolic dim 5.2cm and end-systolic 3.6 cm. left atrium dimension 3.6 cm
SUMMARY:
Normal LV size and function
Bicuspid aortic valve with moderate aortic regurgitation as assessed by color flow, pressure half time; Severe per regurgitant fraction (but doubt it is severe)
Other paramater: similar to before
During my echo last week it looked like (from what I could tell) the progression was increased but slightyly (end-diastolic and end-sytolic). But with my symptoms I am wondering if something esle is going on and maybe they (cardio and echo tech) have been tunnel visioned on the bi-cuspid aortic valve and missed somthing else that is adding to the picture. Actually I don't want to put too much energy in speculating on what my recent echo until I get the results on Wednesday. My thought is that by better understanding the above terminology/results better I will be more prepared to interpret the results in his office and be able to ask the right questions I need to get the answers that I want.
Can anyone offer insight to the comments in the SUMMARY section above?
