Test Results

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Everybody,

Well, I got my test results back from the hospital today after spending a glorious (yeah, right.... ) 3 days in the hospital.

It seems as if I have Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension with pressures of 43.
They found that I have Left Bundle Branch Block, My Left Atruim is enlarged at 4.1 cm (2.5-4.0cm normal range), My Aortic Root is 3.9cm (2.2-3.7 cm is normal) and my Aortic, and Tricuspid valves have caught up to my mitral valve by going from trace leakage to mild leakage, and my pulmonary valve stayed the same at Trace insufficiency. Is there any part of me that is still completely intact?? LOL

I think everything above is pretty straight forward, but I thought I would post it in case anyone had any ideas or comments... Thanks in advance, Harrybaby666

 

[Yaps]

Harry

Harry

Find a good pulmonologist, asap.. cardiologist can not treat as well, ok?
Be sure they know of pressures, and begin medications, ph is progressive but with meds to control pressures you can live a decent life, my hubby has had it sine 1998, and he still going strong, well fairly strong..lol..wish you tons of luck, love Yaps

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Yaps...

Hi Yaps...

Thanks For Replying Yaps....Can you tell me though, just how serious is Pulmonary Hypertension? Is it something that could suddenly kill me? I have heard in the past that it's a serious problem, I just guess that I don't know how serious....Thanks Again...Harrybaby666

 

[Yaps]

Well..

Well..

As I stated it is progressive, and yes it can kill, but most die from the ajoining chf.Many do live long productive lives, but must be medicated to lower the pulmonary pressures, my husband has had sucsess with verapramil, and accupril, clonidine and diuretic, combos.
Most pher's have a swollen abdomen due to fluids I believe, not sure.
Anyway, no sudden death isnt normal with ph, its more insidious, sneaks up on you, and then bites..
But once dx, it will be better,did they say if any meds during cath worked on pressures? Thats how Johns were done, he had very high pm pressures, they tried different meds until one worked. The verapramil, he was on cardizem, which didnt help , in fact it raised his pressures. I hope this helps you Harry, though Im some what convaluted. Love Yaps

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Yaps...

Hi Yaps...

When I was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago, they did tell me that they were going to give me a blood thinner...called Lovonox to keep me from developing Blood Clots...I will be getting into see my Pulmonologist ASAP to see how he is going to treat it, but they did warn me about possibly having to go on Coumadin at some point....Thanks for your help yaps...I Am Grateful for your help as with all the others....Harrybaby666

 

[Nan]

Harry, Per Nancy, I think you need a person who specializes in PH to treat you and who can prescribe a certain kind of med. She gave me the name in a post a while ago. The Doc is in Albany, which you should be able to get to,no? IF not, maybe she would know of someone nearer to you. I will try and find the post and get it to you. Or maybe Nancy will see this message and jump in. I have the name and number in my PDA which I left at the office, bummer.

 

[Bunny_Rabbit]

Hey Harry,

I have Pulmonary Hypertension, and I've been told that if they keep my heart working sufficiently, than the PH should stay in check.

I have 3 bad valves with a mixture of stenosis, sclerosis, and insufficiency, so the doctors seem to be more concerned with my heart situation at this point. At my last Cardiologist appointment he told me not to worry about the PH.

I'm not telling you to not worry, but I'm just informing you that when you start reading about PH on the net, you'll freak yourself out. Remember there is Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension AND Primary Pulmonary Hypertension...the latter being, (in my opinion) more serious.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Good Evening Bunny Wabbat...LOL

Good Evening Bunny Wabbat...LOL

Hi There Bunny,

I have read some on the PH on the internet, and yes, I agree it can be very daunting and scary..I too have multiple valve trouble and I got the impression already from the docs that it's not the PH to worry about...just the heart. All 4 of my valves are leaking but the worst is the Mitral Valve and it will be interesting to see how this all fold's out...The only concern I have is if they put me on Coumadin for the PH (which I dread, as I know how that process goes), but we shall see...Thanks for your encouraging words and hopefully, we will both be feeling better soon. Take Care, Harrybaby666

 

[Abbanabba]

The good news... and the bad news...

The good news... and the bad news...

Hey Harry,

Well, I'm so glad you've finally been given an answer as to why you've been feeling so bad.... not so glad you have problems.... but I'm sure you know what I mean!!

The "good" thing about SECONDARY PH is that it can sometimes be "cured" or the effects at least reduced once the CAUSE of the PH is treated. In your case, I would highly suspect this is your leaky valves and enlarged left atrium (..which may be a direct result of the PH..). There are also a number of medications available to help treat PH (..which I'm sure were discussed with you..) and it may take some trial and error to find one that works best for you. Nevertheless, once you find a med that works, you'll probably find yourself feeling a whole lot better again. Fingers XXXX'd!!!! I just hope they can work out a treatment plan for you before any permanent damage is done to your heart.

Nancy gave me an excellent link when I was looking into PH: www.phassociation.org
They have some great information, including specialists in your area and a chat room.

Good on you for keeping up the fight Harry!!

All the best
Anna : )

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Anna

Hi Anna

Thank You So Much for your help!!! I am seeing my pulmonologist at the end of this month, and hopefully, things will be taken care of. I would have loved to go to the doctor that Nan and Nancy had recommended in Albany, NY, but because of my Medicaid they won't allow me to get medical treatment outside of NH (2 States over from NY). I will check out this link.. Thanks... Harrybaby666

P.S. As you can see by my attatchment....I am still trying to have some fun....LOL

 

[Marguerite53]

Wow,

Wow,

Harry, that's a lot to digest about one's own body!! I cannot offer you anything but amazement at your incredibly grounded and positive attitude!! I know that you're outlook will serve you well as you continue this journey of yours. Answers are always a good thing, even if they sound scary. Knowledge is power and you're getting it all together.

Keep smiling, keep laughing, keep enjoying the small things. I bet you'll do fine through all this. Hang in there!!

Marguerite

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Marguriete...

Hi Marguriete...

I honestly have to tell you, that I feel as though I have to keep a positive attitude because It truely helps me deal with the fear of all that's happening and because it truely helps me feel better to know that if I can lift someone else's spirit, then I can really feel better and actually feel like I still contribute something given my own personal situation. I love to laugh, and to see other people laugh makes my exsistance very much worthwhile...I do have my days though that I do feel down....BUT THAAATSSSS WHAT PILLS ARE FOORRRRRRR!!!!( To the tune of : "That's Whhaaaaat Friends Arrrreeee Forrrrr" LOL) Oh Darn, I did it again....just when I thought I had my smart alek remarks under control.....LOL Take Care, Harrybaby666 (AND I STRESS !!!!!) LOL