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J

jade45

Hey guys hope everyone had a good Easter,finally got a call from my doc,I luv the way that they have someone else call ya,still really haven't talk to my cardio just everyone around him,
Well as they put it ,a canadiate for the ballon ,rather than doing a more avasive op,whata do you think,I know I have read that ballon valv. isn't one that one would pick for stenonic valve,isn't the risk of tearing alot more,and they want my dental work done before I have it done also,he's sending my files down to a cardio doc named Girley,he had me see a specialist just after I had my baby
this was in 96 and then he said it would only be good for about 3 to 5 yrs ,and that I should hold off ,I'am so confused,what the hell do they mean by hold off for something not as evasive,is there not something they are telling me,my cardio was going to do the ballon when I was pregnent,he didn't,was going to have it done after the baby ,the specialist advised against it, he stood right there and told me and my husband do what am medical suppose to as in activity wish and hope that down the road in time they would come up with something not as evasive ,should I be getting a second opionion ,he's suppose to be one of the best around here.I go Wed. for a ekg and rythem check.10:30

---------------
jade
scared and need answers

PS they did test for that esoph.thing it was ok
 
Jade,
Sometimes it's helpful to write down your questions for the cardiologist ahead of time. I sometimes do write down my questions, but then I usually forget to get them out when the cardiologist finally gets around to me.
My cardiologist did tell me last week that I can call any time with my questions, as long as they are of the kind where he can get back to me within twenty-four hours, which probably means that his physician's assistant will call me.
It is definitely difficult when they tell you to wait. I waited a week and a half from the diagnosis of congestive heart failure until they scheduled surgery; a week and a half is not long, unless you can't breathe. I felt so peaceful when they finally had my surgery scheduled.
Yet this is such a serious surgery that you want to have all your questions answered ahead of time. I'm still trying to get some of my questions answered after the fact.
Keep us informed.
 
I agree with Jim and always tried to have a list of ? for my cardiologist before and after my surgery. I also had a good list for the one time I saw my surgeon after my surgery also.
This helps alot. But, remember you can always call and leave a message with the docs nurse and the good ones will always call back to answer your ?
Gail
 
Jade,

You have received good advice about organizing your questions. Don't be afraid to be persistent. These folks are professionals and should respond to your questions. They are also in the business of healing or mending and should realize that their reassurance through informative answers contributes toward the healing and mending process.

Dave M
 
should I or shouldn't I

should I or shouldn't I

Ok I took inventory and I'am going to have my questions ready for my cardio,they call today and I ask if this ballon thing was going to help my chest pains,and they said it would, I don't know
I still think it is more in my muscles than anything,anyway, comes down to the family ,my 19 yr old son don't want me to have it,my husband says they told you 5 yrs ago it would only be good for 3 to 5 yrs,then he said do what I want , I don't know ,I guess when I go see the cardio this and believe me I got a lot of questions I might not feel so in the dark.cause I really do even after all these test.

Sorry for crying so much ,I just don't have no where else to go.

-----------------
jade
sooner or later
 
Cry away. That's why we are here!

If your not comfortable with the decision, by all means, get a second or even a third opinion.

If a temporary solution will give you more time before major surgery, I think I'd take that route, but only you can decide what is right for you. ;)
 
Jade, no need to apologize! I think you are doing exactly the right thing by formulating your questions in advance. You need to get the information to help you answer your question "what do I want."

In my own situation I found I had a lot of swing to drive the decision to what I wanted to achieve for my lifestyle. My cardio would have been content to let me put off my surgery for perhaps a year, but I was afraid that if I waited too long I would be so sick that complications would be more likely.

If he hadn't heeded my concerns and answered my questions, I might have had to go elsewhere.
 
Hi Jade-

I wasn't really sure which procedure your doctor was talking about doing for your heart, was it balloon angioplasty?

Here's a description of that procedure which came from MedTerms.com

"Balloon angioplasty: Coronary angioplasty is accomplished using a balloon-tipped catheter inserted through an artery in the groin or arm to enlarge a narrowing in a coronary artery. Coronary artery disease occurs when cholesterol plaque builds up (atherosclerosis) in the walls of the arteries to the heart. Angioplasty is successful in opening coronary arteries in 90% of patients. 40% of patients with successful coronary angioplasty will develop recurrent narrowing at the site of balloon inflation."

Here's another from WebMd.com

"Balloon angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or PTCA)
A specially designed catheter with a small balloon tip is guided to the point of narrowing in the artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to compress the fatty matter into the artery wall and stretch the artery open to increase blood flow to the heart.

For most people, coronary angioplasty increases blood flow to the heart, diminishes chest pain and reduces the risk of heart attack. For some patients, however, the expanded artery may begin to reclose after time (a process called restenosis). To prevent restenosis, medications may be prescribed, a repeat angioplasty may be performed or a stent may be inserted into the affected artery."

It sounds as if your doctor thinks that it will help you and give you some relief from your pains. He must have taken a good look at the results of your tests and thought this was the best thing for you.

I hope you get the very best medical help for your problems.

Wishing you all good things.
 
Balloon???

Balloon???

Hi Jade,

I'm confused...Balloon is about arteries.not valves..as far as I know. Please ask your cardio exactly what you are dealing with. The more informed you are, the better you will make your decisions...Best of good wishes..

Zipper/(Lady Bug..lol) Joan *~*
 
Hi Joan,

There is a procedure for fixing leaky valves using a baloon, cool huh?!? Not for stenosis as far as I understand but for prolapse etc.

Hope all is well!

/Jessica
 
The Ballon valvulotomy

The Ballon valvulotomy

Thanks Nancy for your research ,but the cardio saids my arteries are good so saids the angio, but the ballon I'am referring to is one that like the angio is presented thru the groin placed in the mitral valve and filled to stretch it a little,now there is risk involved caused they can stretch it too far and cause more reguriation,at which I already have,which is causing all my fluid build up,there suppose to be an option for people that can't have replacement or repair due to other health problems.
but ,it might be my decision,till you meet my husband,if i make the wrong decision on this, and it causes more problems ,then you know what hits the fan,i'am sorry but that is just the way he is and sometimes when it comes to health matters i really don't know what to do because of his way of thinking,he just don't trust doc's.And thanks to all you guys ,I could you a magic genie right now,anybody got one I can rub LOL.


----------------
jade
 
2nd opinion?

2nd opinion?

Hi Jade,

Sorry to hear about your difficult situation. Have you given any consideration to getting a second opinion and discussing alternative courses of treatment vs. the balloon approach? I never heard of this procedure, but if it only postpones more serious surgery 3 to 5 years, you may want to consider if it's worth it to you, especially with the risks involved that you mentioned.

The bottom line is that you have to do something to help your current condition and to prevent it from getting any worse. The more information you have, the better. However, there are no guarantees with any decision, so you have to make the one that feels best to you, based on the knowledge you have and the recommendations of professions that you trust.

If your husband doesn't like your decision, he'll just have to learn to live with it. And if there are problems afterward, he'll have to learn to live with that too. Sticking yor head in the sand and doing nothing seems even riskier to me, from what you've told us so far, and won't stop your husband from complaining anyway when you have to deal with the poor health that will result from ignoring the problem.

Look, it's your life you're talking about. It would be nice if your spouse was supportive and helped you in making the decision, but that's not the case. So do what you have to do to take care of yourself and deal with the rest down the road.

Ron K
 
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