Smiley2000
Well-known member
I read on the pre-op side there is a lot of people who do not know when it is really time for surgery... well, this is my story and hopefully it will mean something to someone out there, sharing the symptoms, fears, etc. that I had.
I have always been very healthy. Just, one day in Dec. 2006 started getting Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Was referred to Cardio who did Echo/sonar and found that I had Mitral valve prolapse, Grade 2. Ever since that day I can remember that I always felt tired, had frequent irregular heartbeats, even developed PSVT and had Ablation done to fix that. Had regular 6-month visits to Cardia and September 2007 check-up still said Grade 2 leak.
Then, January 2008, I started with my regular Aerobic classes and immediately noticed a difference in my exercise tolerance: my muscles got very weak very easily (arms and legs) I would get Palpitations and HR of 180. Not so much out of breath but completely tired after a short workout. I even had palpitations when I urinated or just walked short distances at work/home. Started getting chest-tightness and sometimes chest burns/pains.
I went to EP Specialist who did Ablation, thought he might have burned something that he was not suppose to. He then sent me for "Tilt table" test and his diagnoses: stress, low BP and low salt intake. Benign PAC's and PVC's and I should just learn to live with it.
Then I went for my regular 6-month Cardio checkup and that's where it got interesting: I told Cardio about current symptoms (chest pain, tiredness, muscle weakness, palpitations, Tilt results. He did Echo/sonar and revealed Grade 4 leak and Cardio called Surgeon for his opinion. The next thing I knew they were talking to me about Surgery! I was so shocked I thought someone made a big mistake and took 1 week off and went back to see Surgeon.
Cardio's opinion: let us wait 6 months and see if anything changes, cause according to Sonar there was no heart enlargement yet. Surgeon's opinion: let's wait for heart enlargement or do it now before there is any heart damage.
Sjoe, not nice to have such a decision to make - feels elective, but I decided to go ahead with Surgery, while I am still young (32) and healthy and no heart damage.
Long story short: had OHS and Surgeon was able to save my own valve. Had 3 bad segments on post-sail and he was able to repair my own Valve. Timing, timing, timing! pre-op TEE done on 31 March 2008 sesults: Atrium enlarged, Congestive heart failure, Pulmonary hypertention. This patient did not have more than 6 months to live!
Turned out this defect was Congenital and I only started to become symptomatic at age 31 and then it just went down hill very fast.
Oh goody, so I am now 12 days post-op and soooooooo glad that I had this surgery done. I don't feel that added energy, etc. yet, but no more PAC's irregular beats! no more palpitations! no more muscle weakness! Moral of the story: listen to your body! if you can, get a TEE done just to confirm need for surgery, but DO NOT wait to long.
Really, I suspected it to be much worse than it was. Spent total of 10 days in Hospital, of which 5 days was ICU and the rest normal Ward. I had terrible pains, but they removed the stitches on day 10 and now I feel (almost) new again.
Please, anyone, feel free to talk to me about your fears, reasons for "chickening out" on surgery and I really hope I can help you make your decision.
I have always been very healthy. Just, one day in Dec. 2006 started getting Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). Was referred to Cardio who did Echo/sonar and found that I had Mitral valve prolapse, Grade 2. Ever since that day I can remember that I always felt tired, had frequent irregular heartbeats, even developed PSVT and had Ablation done to fix that. Had regular 6-month visits to Cardia and September 2007 check-up still said Grade 2 leak.
Then, January 2008, I started with my regular Aerobic classes and immediately noticed a difference in my exercise tolerance: my muscles got very weak very easily (arms and legs) I would get Palpitations and HR of 180. Not so much out of breath but completely tired after a short workout. I even had palpitations when I urinated or just walked short distances at work/home. Started getting chest-tightness and sometimes chest burns/pains.
I went to EP Specialist who did Ablation, thought he might have burned something that he was not suppose to. He then sent me for "Tilt table" test and his diagnoses: stress, low BP and low salt intake. Benign PAC's and PVC's and I should just learn to live with it.
Then I went for my regular 6-month Cardio checkup and that's where it got interesting: I told Cardio about current symptoms (chest pain, tiredness, muscle weakness, palpitations, Tilt results. He did Echo/sonar and revealed Grade 4 leak and Cardio called Surgeon for his opinion. The next thing I knew they were talking to me about Surgery! I was so shocked I thought someone made a big mistake and took 1 week off and went back to see Surgeon.
Cardio's opinion: let us wait 6 months and see if anything changes, cause according to Sonar there was no heart enlargement yet. Surgeon's opinion: let's wait for heart enlargement or do it now before there is any heart damage.
Sjoe, not nice to have such a decision to make - feels elective, but I decided to go ahead with Surgery, while I am still young (32) and healthy and no heart damage.
Long story short: had OHS and Surgeon was able to save my own valve. Had 3 bad segments on post-sail and he was able to repair my own Valve. Timing, timing, timing! pre-op TEE done on 31 March 2008 sesults: Atrium enlarged, Congestive heart failure, Pulmonary hypertention. This patient did not have more than 6 months to live!
Turned out this defect was Congenital and I only started to become symptomatic at age 31 and then it just went down hill very fast.
Oh goody, so I am now 12 days post-op and soooooooo glad that I had this surgery done. I don't feel that added energy, etc. yet, but no more PAC's irregular beats! no more palpitations! no more muscle weakness! Moral of the story: listen to your body! if you can, get a TEE done just to confirm need for surgery, but DO NOT wait to long.
Really, I suspected it to be much worse than it was. Spent total of 10 days in Hospital, of which 5 days was ICU and the rest normal Ward. I had terrible pains, but they removed the stitches on day 10 and now I feel (almost) new again.
Please, anyone, feel free to talk to me about your fears, reasons for "chickening out" on surgery and I really hope I can help you make your decision.
