Relocation Help

[RUTHO]

Hello~
You guys are AWESOME and I have mulled around and relied on your opinions and advice for months. When I have had those "middle of the night" questions, I have searched for the answer through your forum and always found comfort.

A year ago I was diagnosed with an insufficient aortic valve with moderate regurgitation. I've been on meds for a year and am taking Bisoprolol and Xanax. My doctor checks me every few months and says that I will need valve replacement, but he can't tell me when.

Here of late I've really been using the Xanax, as we have moved with two small children from Sugar Land, Texas, to Pleasanton, California. Lots of change and stress, especially since we are living in a hotel for five weeks.

My questions are:

1. Does anyone know of a good cardiologist in the San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose area?

2. Has anyone else used Xanax as a means of controlling chest pain?

Thank you for your help!!

Ruth

 

[starkone]

XANAX

XANAX

When I was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis (pretty severe), I too had chest pain. After all the tests indicated that I was ok for now, the chest pain was still there.(only xanax relieved it). My PCPwould not give me continual xanax so sent me to a counselor, who helped me learn how to deal with stess of all of this. He emphasized deep breathing and other relaxation techniques. I cannot emphsize enough that you do not want to rely on xanax. It can be very addictive.

I know that if you have read these posts most all the people who have been through this have tremendous anxiety before they have the surgery. I am still there and have anxiety but now I have a means to deal with it.

I hope this helps.
Karen

 

[Nancy]

Hi Ruth-

I would like to welcome you to the site. It's a little slow on the weekends, unfortunately.

I can't help you with your specific questions, but others will come along soon to offer some answers for you.


I'm glad to see from your post that you've been getting support even in "lurk" mode, and it's nice to see you out of "lurk" and into the sunshine.

Hope to see you posting lots and lots.

 

[RUTHO]

Karen & Nancy,

Thanks for your replies! It's such a great feeling to know there are others out there who know how I feel!

Nancy, I am going to check into the xanax and your suggestion for some other means of handling anxiety. There has to be a better way!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome aboard Ruth !

Are you seeing a Cardiologist or only your PCP?

Have you hac a Echocardiogram (recently)?

If not, I highly recommend you have one done to determine your status. Valves can deteriorate QUICKLY before failing. You DO NOT want to wait for that to happen. Best to get an accurate diagnosis and go from there.

'AL'

 

[RUTHO]

Al,

Thanks for your post. I've been seeing a Cardiologist. I have had three echos in the last year, with my last echo in December. My Cardiologist, Dr. Robert Hust, who is in Houston, told me I should find a Cardiolgist in California. So, if anyone knows of a good Cardiologist, I'd really appreciate the referral.

Thanks!

Ruth

 

[The Bionic Duo]

Hi there, welcome to the bay area.

My husbands Cardio is in Pleasanton (he also has an office in Livermore and San Ramon). Go to this web page for more information: http://www.bayhart.salu.net/welcome.html His cardio is Dr Rohra.

He also had a very excellant surgeon, and the care at San Ramon Regional was excellant. (I recently had surgery at the Pleasanton facility and I'm not as impressed as I was with San Ramon Regional.)

Hope this helps

Joan

 

[RUTHO]

Joan,

THANK YOU so much! I've called and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Rohra. I really appreciate your help!

Ruth

 

[The Bionic Duo]

Great--glad to be of help.

I know how hard it is to find good medical care. I've lived all my life in the bay area, but when we decided to drop the HMO Bob had for a PPO, we were faced with finding a new PCP--I had no idea of where to begin. Bob's trip to the emergency room and subsequent surgery solved the problem for us (I don't reccommend this route ) we had Dr. Rhora recommend a PCP and she has turned out to be wonderful.

Hope you get settled in real soon.

Joan

 

[hensylee]

see how good this site is! Ain't it wonderful.

 

[RUTHO]

It sure has saved a tons of crazy calls to my cardiologist! I can usually find the information I need from the forum. You guys are awesome!