nervous breakdown

[annie10]

I think I am going to have a nervous breakdown before I hear anything from CCF. I feel like my symptoms (chest pain, arm pain) are getting worse daily, and I am thinking of funeral planning! How does one cope with a time-bomb in their chest? I know many of you have gone through this, and lived to talk about it...how do you survive the wait?

 

[RandyL]

I think I am going to have a nervous breakdown before I hear anything from CCF. I feel like my symptoms (chest pain, arm pain) are getting worse daily, and I am thinking of funeral planning! How does one cope with a time-bomb in their chest? I know many of you have gone through this, and lived to talk about it...how do you survive the wait?

If you feel that bad I would go to the emergency room, it may be a severe problem you have, better safe than sorry

 

[annie10]

The most recent measurement was July31 at CCF-it was 4.5. They needed to see what the surgeon who did my AVR in 2000 did to the aortic aneurysm I had at that time (4.9 cm). He didn't remove it, he did a reduction aortoplasty. I don't know whether this aneurysm is in the same place as the last one or if it is further up the aorta. I think my biggest fear is it being in the same, already weakened area of the aorta. Surely the surgeon at CCF will consider this when evaluating my case?? As far as the ER, The pain is not severe- more a constant ache. And my cardio here is positive the pain in my arm is not related to the aneurysm. I guess it all boils down to fear and helplessness, neither being my strong suit.

 

[catwoman]

Annie:

Pre-op, my PCP & cardiologist cautioned me about certain symptoms, that if I began having whatever symptom(s), to go immediately to an ER. Do you have a local cardiologist or PCP you can call?
But, when in doubt, check it out.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a quick response from CCF.

 

[annie10]

I just moved back to this area recently, so all my new doctors are strangers to me...I wasn't very impressed with my cardiologist or surgeon, hence the trip to CCF. I guess its time to get to know my PCP. I've only seen her once for about 3 minutes, one of her techs does my INR then calls me with any changes.

 

[Ross]

Get it looked into so that perhaps the ball will get moving a bit faster. Without question, it's better to be safe and have a false alarm then to wait for the real deal with these things.

 

[Nancy]

Oh, Annie-

Please get it checked out in the ER if necessary, don't wait around.

You are not just some ordinary person with a little pain. You have some heavy duty issues. You need an expert looking at your symptoms.

I think we've all said that, so you know how we feel about it.

 

[annie10]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and support. I will call CCF as soon as I get home from work and make sure the reports have gotten there. I called the hospital where the surgery took place and she assured me they had been sent, but I will make sure they arrived safely.
Thanks again for caring, it really helps.
Annie

 

[Nan]

Oh my goodness Annie,

I am glad that you are calling the CCF.....I truly hope they respond quickly...given your situation they really should. If you don't get a good response, any chance of your previous surgeon, cardio intervening a bit to help by calling out there?

Will look forward to your next post!

 

[Christine]

i'm glad you're calling... luckily I have found great doctors since moving to the area.. but I did have to do some switching around until I did.. all my doctors and nurses know that I will call them within 24 hours of any bloodwork (especially since I know my lab sends it over so it's in their office bright and early the following morning, I do give a little time for the docs to review, but not much) as well as any tests they may have taken.. I do not wait around for them to call or for my next appointment to find out test results.. they call or I call them until I get the results. I used to do my INR at the lab, and same expectations - now I self test and dose.. they know that I know I can be a slight pain in the ass, that I bird dog, but they respect the fact that i'm taking control of my life.. if you're not getting the answers you need, when you need them.. then continue calling, call them everyday until you get an answer.... or look for another doctor.

and I also agree, if you feel something isn't right, go to the ER.. it may be nothing, but then it very well could be.. you just never know.. better safe then sorry.

hang in there.. you're in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Chris

 

[PegB]

I'm not sure if this is the same waiting period that you are referring to, but after I had my records sent to CCF, it was 2 1/2 weeks before they called me back and said that Dr. Cosgrove had reviewed them and agreed to the surgery. Supposed to be third or fourth week of Sept. and I'm now waiting to get the actual date. I got the impression that each of the surgeons have their own method of review and scheduling, so there is no norm.

Hope you hear something soon. Sounds like you have a lot of anxiety going on which can also be giving you those symptoms - always good to find out for sure though!

 

[annie10]

Well, I was all prepared to call CCF when I got home from work...and there was a message on my machine from them! They must have felt my distress all the way to Cleveland. Anyway, they still haven't received the operative notes from my first surgery! When I spoke to the hospital on the 9th, she assured me the records were being sent THAT VERY DAY. It is impossible to get any privacy where I work, so my sister is going to phone them on my behalf and give them h***. Beverly at CCF said they will pay to have the records overnight-ed, and that Dr. Pettersson was waiting for them. It has helped my stress level tremendously just knowing they haven't forgotten about me--but the chest pain is still there. It is very much like the pain I had before my first OHS...perhaps the pain I attributed to the valve in 2000 was actually from the aneurysm I didn't know I had??

 

[Arlyss]

Yes, pain can come from the aorta and is a very likely explanation of what you experienced before and also now. I know a great many people with pain that went away after their aortic aneurysm was removed.

Is your blood pressure being kept low? Lowering blood pressure may ease aortic pain. You need to get as much stress off the walls of the aorta and the suture lines of your old procedure as possible..... An aorta with symptoms is an extremely unpredictable situation.

Please call Dr. Pettersson's office now and tell them you are having chest pain - and don't be satisfied just speaking to the administrative staff there. You need help asap - your records are not the only thing that need to get to him immediately - you do!

It is extremely upsetting that this should happen to someone with BAV who so recently had surgery. For all who read this experience, it is a danger that you run when dealing with anyone, regardless of the size of the medical center involved, who does not understand BAV disease.

Arlyss

 

[catwoman]

Well, I was all prepared to call CCF when I got home from work...and there was a message on my machine from them! They must have felt my distress all the way to Cleveland. Anyway, they still haven't received the operative notes from my first surgery! When I spoke to the hospital on the 9th, she assured me the records were being sent THAT VERY DAY. It is impossible to get any privacy where I work, so my sister is going to phone them on my behalf and give them h***.

Annie:

FYI: In case you haven't already done so, give your sister's name to all your doctors per HIPPA rules so she can easily get info.
I ran into a problem when my PCP's office refused to let my own husband pick up a record for me. And, yes, they know him -- he's also a patient there!
I have given all my doctors names of my immediate relatives -- husband, parents, sisters, bro-in-law, nieces, nephew, 2 nephews-in-law -- and three very close friends ( one is a paralegal, another is our CPA).