Right Heart Cath

[KimC]

Hi,

I met with my primary care doctor this evening; he confirmed that RV systolic dysfunction and dilation are "new" findings, and doesn't want to wait three months to take action in trying to determine the cause.

He's recommending a right heart cath to rule out pulmonary hypertension, or a problem with the right coronary artery. (My recent echo was not clear enough to determine pressures, he said).

I meet with my local cardio again on Tues. to discuss next steps. He'll help me determine what to do.

In the meantime, I may receive a phone call from Dr. Pepine whom I'm hoping will tell me it was all a mistake, and sorry, they mixed up my echo with someone else's.

I a-m f-e-e-l-i-n-g n-u-m-b.

I thought I had a fairly benign or at least reversible diagnosis, and now I'm not so sure. I just can't believe I have to go through more tests. When do you say when?

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello Kim.

Hello Kim.

Hi Kim. Sorry you are feeling low and frustrated. I have so little experience in the "place" where you are, but I do hope you can back away somewhat and take on a positive perspective through all this. It is a long chapter in your life, but a chapter nonetheless. And certainly nowhere near the last chapter , so just pull out that resigned facade, brush a smile on with your make-up, take a deep breath and exhale.

I think you won't say when until you have all the answers you are seeking. I guess it means more looking around inside you!

Hang in there cutie!! Hang in there......

Best wishes, truly.

Marguerite

 

[Karlynn]

Kim, just know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Continue to take it one step at a time. As Nancy says "Never give in and never give up."

 

[Nancy]

Kim-

I'm thinking of you. I hope things turn out better than you think. (((Hugs)))

 

[KimC]

Weighing What To Do Next

Weighing What To Do Next

Thank you ... I love you guys.

My local cardio moved up my appointment to discuss next steps, i.e., whether to have a cardiac MRI or right heart cath.

I spoke to Dr. Pepine's office; the echo was not in error. I should get a call from Pepine next week. (He has been on vaca). As a side note, I am sincerely disappointed that I was told about such a serious finding without having had the opportunity to discuss it with my primary cardio. I know the dysfunction is mild, but I am at high risk now, and blowing in the wind.

I would've felt less anxiety had Pepine or one of his fellows called me to discuss what might be causing the isolated right-sided heart failure. These kind of snafus would get someone fired in business!

Anyway, I would appreciate a survey of next steps. Do I go for another invasive procedure to get a definitive of my pressures, i.e, right heart cath, or do I have a cardiac MRI to confirm the echo's findings?

Either way, I'm not sure how much I'll have to pay out-of-pocket.

Thanks for listening. And Nancy, you're right ... I need to keep positive.

Best,

 

[Nancy]

Kim-

The right heart cath is the gold standard for PH, and it measures pressures very well, so why not just go and have that done. I know it's invasive, but at least then you'll know one way or the other. If you have a PH specialist there during the cath, and it turns out that there is PH present they can do a drug challenge right then and there and see what you respond to.

Joe just had his right heart cath, left one too. He had the last one two and a half years ago. He tolerated them well. His pulmonary pressures have dropped from 75 at his highest, when he was first treated for PH, to the forties now, two and a half years later. That hardly qualitifes as PH at all, just very mild PH. The drug Tracleer has worked beautifully for him. And keeping him almost sodium free.

 

[Marguerite53]

Hi Kim.

Hi Kim.

Hadn't seen you post in a few days and was wondering about you. It's the holdiay weekend, so I hope you are able to relax, have a picnic or something and get your mind off all this for awhile.

Please be sure to give us an update as your situation continues to unfold.

Wish I had some advice for you.....just lots of positive thoughts headed your way!!

Marguerite

 

[KimC]

Marguerite,

Oh, thank you. You are such an angel! I appreciate your concern.

I'm in a holding pattern for now. I see Dr. Pepine on July 20, and will go from there. Meanwhile, I've gotten a couple of different opinions. From my father's camp, I've been advised to have a cardic MRI to confirm the echo and look for abnormalities. My local doctors are advising a right heart cath but will not authorize it until they see the actual images from SHANDS. (I requested copies sent).

I think I mentioned in a previous post that two cardios from SHANDS looked at the images again, confirming the results.

The only "news" to share is that I remembered I had stopped taking my meds 72 hours prior to the echo on June 13. This makes it even more critical to further investigate the cause. I was "decompensated" I guess is the term.

Again, thanks for checking in. I'll be offline for awhile.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone.

"Worrying never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its joy."

 

[Marguerite53]

Yes, happy Fourth!!

Thanks for the update. Seems that you are getting thorough attention and I hope it leads to a proper assessment and a good plan.

I'll be out of town July 23rd thru 28th so I may miss your first reports. Doesn't mean I won't be thinking of you...

Good luck, as always! Marguerite