Well Hi Gang...It's Me again....

[Harrybaby666]

Hi There all you nice people out in valvereplacement land!! LOL

I thought that it would be a good night to vent considering how cold it is here in NH. Well, it seems as if things are starting to get worse as far as my valves go, as I am really tired all the time now, and I had a scare on Saturday when I woke up, I thought that I was having a stroke. My eyes went very blurry, and my left leg was so numb that I couldn't stand on it much less move my toes or foot at the ankle bone. I am also noticing that my stamina for doing anything is really hitting the skids. I walked about 1/2 mile over to the supermarket, bought some stuff, and by the time I started out to come back from the store, Holy Cow! I couldn't believe the chest pain I was having, the pressure in my chest (very heavy feeling) and my tolerence for doing that walk went down to zero. I got home, but I swore that I wouldn't try that again. I can't believe this is all happening at 37. I feel guilty because I cannot do much anymore, especially since I still haven't gotten through to my cardiologist about how bad I am really feeling-thank god I am going for a second opinion in a couple of weeks! Yeah! It's getting to the point where I can't trust my own body... I hope that something will be done soon after I see the new cardiologist so I can hopefully feel better at least a little, and hopefully I can keep the Congestive Heart Failure in check. Well, I am sorry to have blabbed on, I guess I just needed to let things out. Take Care, Harrybaby666

 

[Ross]

Trying to kill yourself are ya? Whats up with that?

 

[Harrybaby666]

No, Just Have One Heck Of Alot Of Medical Issues

No, Just Have One Heck Of Alot Of Medical Issues

Hi Ross,

No, I am just having an overwhelming day trying to deal with everything thats been happening. it seems like there is always something new and different to contend with. Not to mention the fact that in addition to being sick, I am still having a BAD time with Social Security. I didn't mean to vent as much as I did. I am sorry. Harrybaby666

 

[ALCapshaw2]

With all of those symptoms, I think I would be heading for the ER, maybe even calling 911 for an ambulance ride. The blurry vision and numbness could be a sign of clots and / or stroke. Best to get it checked out and treated.

I've forgotten all of your history, but I wouldn't drag my feet getting scheduled for surgery.

'AL'

 

[Nancy]

Hi Harry-

I'm sorry to hear of your latest symptoms. Do yourself a BIG favor and get a small notebook and start documenting everything that is happening, what you were doing when it happened, how you felt and how long it took to resolve--just everything. This will help your new second opinion cardiologist get a fast handle on your situation. As always, don't let anything get too far afield without getting some help, in the ER if need be. Too many things can happen.

Take care,

 

[KimC]

Harry,

Your condition sounds very, very difficult, and you need all the help you can get. Why not ask your doctor for medication to help you cope? You're not alone. Remember that.

Don't suffer and be quiet about it! Never give in, never give up ... I love Nancy's words of wisdom. They work.

I'll keep you in my prayers, knowing God will wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you.

Peace,

 

[fisher6476]

with symptons like yours I think I have to agree with AlCapshaw.
I think I would be finding someone to look at me NOW, i.e. ER or find some Cardio who will listen and get moving!

 

[hensylee]

Harry - if you go to the ER, they can't turn you away if you are in an emergency condition (or if the hospital received gov't funds and most of them do) but they'll send you a big bill. it sounds ominous, the problems you are having. I would be scared and discouraged, too. Sounds like you really need a new doctor. Nancy has some good advice, always, and documenting your episodes and daily discomfort is always a help to a dr. Just keep words few as they don't read if you write too many words. It is good to hear from you. Wondered where you got off to. Keep in touch.

 

[dwfreck]

Harry,

Double, triple, quadruple ditto. I know it's cold in NH, and that things move slower when it's cold, but A COUPLE OF WEEKS until a cardiologist sees you?!?! I'd call your new cardiologist TODAY, describe your symptoms to them over the phone, and refuse to hang up until you've spoken to someone trained to give you a medical opinion (a nurse, or the cardiologist). I would expect, with your symptoms, that the cardiologist would clear a spot in the schedule to see you tomorrow, tell you to go to the ER, or tell you to dial 911.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi All...

Hi All...

Hi Gang,

Thanks for all the encouragement and support. I see the new Cardiologist on February 3rd, and I have promised my brother that if this new doc isn't any better, that I would get set up with a crdiologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in Lebanon, NH. I have been going there for my kidney problems, and I have found that the Doctors have really been all over me like flies on honey, whereas the docs in my immediate area don't seem to take me or my illnesses very seriously, and they certainly haven't backed me up on any of my medical issues. I could really tell this today when I was at my appointment and they discovered my blood pressure was down to 88/40!!! They about freaked. My guess is this is the kind of reaction I need to be having instead of "ohhh...we'll get you in sometime....NEXT MONTH!!! And the next time something like I experienced on Saturday happens, I will be getting my but to the E.R. whether I get frustrated or not. I got to thinking about it, and I just have to keep telling myself and these lackadaisical people that It's My Body....EXAMINE IT...THOUROUGHLY....Well, anyway, on the bright side, at least I got a straight answer from my Diabetic Doctor. I told him what my symptoms were and he confirmed what I had suspected all along....1. I definitely have Cardiomyopathy (Hypertrophic) 2. Because my ventricals are not relaxing the way they should be, I am going in and out of active Congestive Heart Failure, and 3. My leaky valves are really contributing to the overall damage to my heart. Isn't it amazing how someone practically has to beat a straight answer out of the doctors today? At least I feel somewhat better emotionally. Once Again, Thanks for listening and your support. I will keep all of you guys in my prayers also. Take Care, Harrybaby666

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Perhaps the Doctor who oversees your Diabetes could intervene on your behalf and get you into see a cardiologist SOONER than Feb 3. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

Good Luck,

'AL'

 

[MarciaB]

What you are describing sounds really alarming! Remember that you have been dealing with this a long time, and you get used to it! I agree with Nancy about the log - I did that for a couple of weeks before seeing a new cardiologist and it really helped. If I hadn't and just waited to talk to him, I would have forgotten 9/10's of it. (I typed it up and faxed it to the office before the appointment, and took another copy with me). Be sure to include what you had at the beginning of the post. Get copies of all your medical records and take them with you. Even if they promised to send them, they won't have them, or the doc won't be able to put his hands on them in a timely manner.

I agree that you should push for an earlier appointment. They reschedule people ALL the time to make room for more critical patients.

Marcia