I am out of Hospital... again...

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Smiley2000

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 14, 2008
Messages
186
Location
South Africa - Pretoria.
I have missed you guys and girls! Went to Cardio on Monday because I was worried after speaking to you guys about sudden fluid retention and the symptoms that I had. I was only discharged from hospital yesterday. Fortunately I am on a good Medical Aid again.

I went to a new Cardio on Monday (didn?t want to go to my previous Cardiologist because of the fact that my Medical Aid went insolvent and I now owe him a lot of money) and I had to spent 5 days in hospital again - very lonely there. Hubby working in another town, family not supportive at all ? never have been in the past either and only had visitors at night. But I made friends with staff and patients in same room and they kept me busy. Wanted to take all of you with me, but it is just to risky (theft around here is ridiculous) to have Laptop at Hospital.

But now I am back home and it is the best place ever! Missed my kiddies so much.

Cardio noticed that I had a lot of fluid retention and Pulmonary hypertension and started treating me with Diuretics (LASIX in IV and later Adco-retic) and I've lost almost 4 litres of fluid in 5 days! The cause for the pulmonary hypertention is still not clear to me? I am 5 months post-op, but he did a sonar and all my valves are functioning great.

He also noticed this pimple looking thing on my left leg that I?ve had since July 2007. I was treated for Infective Endocarditis in July 2007, but after 2 weeks of IV treatment and a TEE, they could not find any vegetations and ruled that it was not SBE. Just some kind of virus. The ?pimple? thing just never went away.

Long story short: Cardio called Dermatologist in and the next day they surgically removed it. Turned out to be a ?streptococcus septic vasculitis?. He basically explained to me that in July 2007 an infected bloodclot came loose from my heart, travelled all the way to my leg and stayed there, all this time. No wonder I have had these low grade fevers, infection type of symptoms all this time and my doctors have been treating me with all kinds of antibiotics for the past few months, but no improvement! Hopefully now the infection-type symptoms will disappear now that they have found and removed it!

I was suppose to do a treatmill-ECG test, but they aborted that, cause my resting heart rate was 140 and Atrial fibrillations ? took ATIVAN that morning, so fast HR could not have been stress-related or I am damn good for stressing through an Ativan! And then that night I had the op on my leg, so he couldn?t attempt doing the treatmill test again.

So, now I am home. I still have no idea WHY I had/have pulmonary hypertention and the reason for the fluid retention, but I am on a Diuretic now and a beta blocker (CARDICOR) and hopefully that will solve the problem.

Do you know what causes pulmonary hypertention when you are young, does not smoke, is not over weight and had your valve fixed???
 
so glad to see you back again and also so glad you got some relief.

what a boondoggle you have been in. Strep is nothing to fool around with. Maybe that is FINALLY taken care of for you and infection will stay gone.

Others can tell you about fluid retention - I have not had that.

Stay cool, rest and get better.

We were kinda lookin over your shoulder when you were in the hospital. Didn't you see us - or feel us around you?

Sorry about your family. Vent when you want to.

Blessins............
 
PH has many reasons. Joe had it. Did they tell you how high your pressures are?

Here is a site for PH which has a very nice discussion board, like here. They will be helpful if you ask your questions.

http://www.phassociation.org/Message_Boards/main.asp?board=1

You should keep your diet low sodium. I am sure they already told you that.

Smoking has NOTHING to do with PH. Joe never smoked ever.
 
What a lot you've had to put up with. It sounds like the new cardiologist was a good move for reasons other than financial. Getting an undiagnosed strep infection under control will surely help you.

It's good to hear from you again, and to hear some more hopeful things, for your sake.

This forum seems to get bigger all the time--if you don't get some answers for your pt question, it might be a good idea to post it again with Pulmonary Hypertension in the title.
 
You have been through it. Good thing your doc happen to notice the lesion on your leg. Hope you feel much better and stay that way. Good luck.
 
Surgery Or Not

Surgery Or Not

Hi
I saw where one person said not to put off surgery. Since my dr said it could be from now up to 15 years before my leaking valve needed repaired wouldn't it be wise to have it done now before it gets worse and before I am older and maybe not in good health. Right now they say it is mild, I am 54 now. Please give me your thoughts on this
Thanks
Bobbie
 
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