[Rhapsody]

Thought I would start a thread where I can come and talk about my health problems concerning my heart - and to see what other heart patients have had to deal with while waiting to get a diagnosis.

I hate the chest pains with difficulty in breathing - and the headaches that always follow are killing me and what little social life I do have.

Hoping the doctors find some thing out from the heart monitor I had to wear for 24 hours on Tuesday.

Physical Life SUCKS Right Now.....

[bebop]

it sure sounds like angina hon. I hope it is nothing at all though!

I have mitral valve regurgitation. it is different than prolaspe but not really sure the big differences. I also am skipping alot of beats lately and I will be finding me a good cardio here real soon! again hon good luck.
when do you get your results?

[wanttoheal]

((((((((((((((Rhapsody)))))))))))))))))
(((((((((((((bebop)))))))))))))))))))
I'm so sorry you both are having problems. I hope things get resolved soon.

[BlueFaith]

(((( Rhap )))) I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope you get good results. I'll be thinking of you.

(((( Bee )))) My husband has mitral valve regurge, too. He says it makes him get out of breath easily. I don't know the difference between that and the prolapse either. He goes to see a cardiologist soon.

[cantstopcrying]

MVP is a thickening of the mitral valve, regurg is a backflow of blood into the left atria. (short and not very technical answer. Obviously there's more to them than that, but that's a short summary.) MVP symptoms are palpitations (feeling your heartbeat) and occassional skipped beats. Regurg is shortness of breath and arryhthmias.

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by bebop

when do you get your results?

I was told I should hear back with results with in a weeks time.... just hope they call before I leave for my trip next Wednesday.

I too have a valve problem.... one of my valves does not close when it is supposed to (and) I've had weak heart muscles since I was in my teens.

Not to mention GERDS. *sigh*

[cantstopcrying]

I too have heart issues. I have Irrational Sinus Tachycardia. I can just be sitting here and my hr will go up in to the 140's-180's. But it's from the sinus node not ventricular tachy or fibrillation nor atrial tachy or fib, so it's not lifethreatening....except I get dizzy and lightheaded and have passed out before. No treatment for me because beta blockers drop my blood pressure to around 80/50 and surprisingly I can't function then! I wish you luck. Get a good cardiologist and ask questions. Always ask questions. I work for my cardiologist and he hates it because I know the questions to ask and I'm a pain in the neck patient.

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by bebop

I have mitral valve regurgitation.

I just looked that up on the internet and it could be possible that is what I might have too.... as I have all the symptoms.

Indicators of Mitral Valve Regurgitation:

• Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or when you lie down
• Fatigue, especially during times of increased activity
• Lightheadedness
• Cough, especially at night or when lying down
• Heart palpitations — sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Heart murmur
• Excessive urination

* * * *

What have your doctors told you about this condition?
Do you have to take medicine for it? (or) Have you been told that you will need surgery one to correct the issue?

- I was told that I would need surgery some time later down the road.

[Rhapsody]

I am heading back to the doctor this Wednesday to be fitted with a "King of Hearts Monitor" for 2-4 weeks due to the fact that the the "Holter Monitor" I wore back in December was not able to properly diagnose my problem, but it did show enough abnormalities to concern the cardiologist... so back to the old drawing board.

[bebop]

from my understanding anyone with regurg should be on some type of medication but I had a quack cardio just tell me I had it and walked out the door. see you in a year. didn't explain a thing to me. I do need to find a new one. good luck hon. keep us posted.

[ECHOES]

(((( Rhapsody ))))

I hope you get some much-needed relief soon.

[Rhapsody]

I had my apt today and I am wired with my new Kings of Hearts monitor - I have to wear it for 2 weeks (24/7) and I found out that the Cardiologist is having me wear this device to see if I might require the use of a pacemaker.... GREAT (not), but hey if it helps I guess its for the best, Right?

[Rhapsody]

Still waiting on the results from the last heart monitor...... and I am not happy that I have had three episodes with my heart after having sexual relations with my husband this month.

- I don't want to lose the sex the pleasure it gives.

[ECHOES]

Waiting is so hard, and stressful too. I hope they have your results to you very soon.

I had a different condition that took months and months to be thoroughly diagnosed and the waiting and not know was very hard. It was very nerve-wracking waiting.

Thinking of you.

[Eagle3]

I have tachycardia (fast heart rate). My resting pulse is very rarely under 100 bpm. Had this problem for several years. About 4 years ago I had some tests done like a heart ultra sound and also wore a monitor for 24 hours to track it. Saw a cardiologist. No one could explain why it was fast. Good news was it was always a regular heart beat. When I've seen other doctors for other things over the years I have gotten comments about it. It bothers me quite a bit actually. I get exhausted so easily.

I'm taking an amphetamine for my ADD and thought maybe that was causing this. I talked to my pdoc about it and we did an experiment for a few days where I went without my medication (was terribly grumpy). No change in my heart rate. That would have been too easy I suppose.

[Rhapsody]

I give up..... it has been a month since I turned the "King of Hearts" monitor in and I have yet to hear back with the results - despite three calls and two left messages (no wonder an older friend of mine died a month after turning his in - he died waiting for them to find some thing).

Guess I will just go back to my every six month check up and forget the in between visit that are needed from time to time as it gets old and tiring after ten to twelve years of it... Why do doctors always seem to let you down?


Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr -

[free2beme]

(((( Rhapsody ))))

don't give up!!!!!!!!!!! you have paid an answer and deserve one!!!!!!!!!

drs...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

[bebop]

that stinks hon. I would call them this morning and demand an answer. when is your followup appt? maybe they can get you in asap so you can find out something at least. . I saw my dr on friday but still have another few days on the monitor. I should know more in a couple of weeks.

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by bebop

when is your followup appt? maybe they can get you in asap so you can find out something at least.

My f/u apt is not until April - but I sure would like something before then... I am thinking it is my doctors nurse, she takes forever getting back to you if you do not get a hold of her directly and you have to leave a message.... shoot it took her two weeks to get me a new RX when I left a message for her to please mail one to me - but My Docotor is AWESOME so I stay and put up with the nurse.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr -

[bebop]

sounds like he needs a new nurse. I would call and see if I could get an earlier appt maybe! worth a shot hon.

[beutifulxdreamr]

I'm sorry this has been such a difficult and frustrating endeavor for you. In my experience, leaving messages at doctors offices never gets anything done. We can assume its one persons fault or another's fault, but that's not really what is important. When I want Rx refilled I usually go to the docs office and talk to the lady at the front desk. Or I call in until I actually get a person (just some general advice... I'm not saying that it's right that you have to do that, but that's how it is).

I wouldn't try to diagnose yourself - that will just aggravate you more. There are more tests that your doctor can perform (cardiac catheterization, xray, etc.).

Sadly, while doctors know a lot, they only know as much as what we have researched and discovered about the human body (which is surprisingly very little with everything that we know). If you are really concerned, you may want to see another cardiologist to see if they can get you a quicker diagnosis or a second opinion. Some types of heart disease are benign and require only monitoring as an intervention and others require things like pace makers and medications. You can't know until you get that diagnosis.

It's difficult because the heart is such a vital piece to our health and well being. Heart problems, however minor or suspect, can cause a lot of stress and the amount of work needed to pinpoint the problem only adds to it. It would be perfectly reasonable for you to ask your doctor for some local resources for people in similar situations.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep advocating for yourself.

[Rhapsody]

Got my possible Dx today via phone message since I slept the day away.... my doctor wants me to come in to test for:

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease / Athersclerosis
(hardening of the arteries)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/art...erosis/DS00525

Oh Lucky Me - NOT!!!!

[Rhapsody]

Does anyone have personal experience with this heart condition? - with either your self or a family member.

[bebop]

basically it is plaque build up in the arteries I believe hon. I would imagine the next step would be a heart cath.

[Rhapsody]

Yeah it is harding of the arteries and people often die suddenly from it when the plaque breaks away and becomes stuck causing a blockage like a blood clot will do.

I am just wanting to know if anyone on here has had it or had a family member that had it so I can have a little fyi for my self.