paulschumann
Member
first off I am so relieved to have found this forum, just a couple hours of reading has helped with alot of my worries.
I'm 32 years old and was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. I had angioplasty (baloon) surgery when I was 10 years old (1989), and was back outside playing football and soccer days later. My parents had a nasty divorce a few months after my surgery and of course gave up their good paying jobs and medical coverage and began to focus on their own new personal lives. needless to say my regular checkups went to the back of all our minds and by the time I was 18 and on my own I had also all but forgot about it, especially since the only times I've ever been outta breath was after a mile run through deep snow.
I'm 32 now and havn't seen a doctor for even a broken finger since. I'm healthier than just about anyone I know. I can run, jump, snowboard, wakeboard, paintball, and stay ahead of whoever im with. I eat fairly healthy, or should I say I eat extremely healthy foods (greens, fruits, fish) but also can't resist the mcdonalds a couple times a week. I smoked through my 20's (gave it up) but not habitualy (couple packs a week). still have a few drinks here and there (every week or two). pretty much enjoyed everything life has had to offer in moderation for the last 15 years. Although since I've turned 30 I have become much more health conscious. I should also add that I was a major migraine headache sufferer untill I was approx 20 years old, I still get the lights and blurry vision, just without the pain and vomiting.
A couple months ago I noticed my heartbeat more and more, especially at night while I'm trying to sleep. I can't sleep on my belly because I hear my heart beat throuh the pillow. Every now and then it feels like my heart forgets what it was doing and trips over itself, loses its rythem, and flops around for a second or two. and lately, in the last week or two I'm noticeing an almost tight or uncomfortable feeling in my chest, like how a new pair of shoes feels on your feet. Not painful, but just not right. I don't know if it can be related but I have also have some pain in a couple of joints that wont go away and isn't there for a particular reason, like a bump or a twist.
After several phone calls to hospitals and doctors that seemed like they wanted nothing to do with me because I have no history or records with them. it's funny how health care is like credit, the less you have the harder it is to get it. I finally got into a regular physician with Saint Alexis in Bismarck, ND. so they can refer me to one of their cardiologists. my appointment is for tomorrow.
I know I'm probably going to tell the Dr. more than she can tell me and I'm basically just showing up tomorrow so she can refer me to an actual cardiologist. but either way I'm scared of what may turn up.
Just kind of wondering what kind of advice any of you can offer and what expectations I can have through this over the next few months. whats worst and best case scenarios? and is St. alexis a good place to go for BAV in my area?
I'm 32 years old and was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. I had angioplasty (baloon) surgery when I was 10 years old (1989), and was back outside playing football and soccer days later. My parents had a nasty divorce a few months after my surgery and of course gave up their good paying jobs and medical coverage and began to focus on their own new personal lives. needless to say my regular checkups went to the back of all our minds and by the time I was 18 and on my own I had also all but forgot about it, especially since the only times I've ever been outta breath was after a mile run through deep snow.
I'm 32 now and havn't seen a doctor for even a broken finger since. I'm healthier than just about anyone I know. I can run, jump, snowboard, wakeboard, paintball, and stay ahead of whoever im with. I eat fairly healthy, or should I say I eat extremely healthy foods (greens, fruits, fish) but also can't resist the mcdonalds a couple times a week. I smoked through my 20's (gave it up) but not habitualy (couple packs a week). still have a few drinks here and there (every week or two). pretty much enjoyed everything life has had to offer in moderation for the last 15 years. Although since I've turned 30 I have become much more health conscious. I should also add that I was a major migraine headache sufferer untill I was approx 20 years old, I still get the lights and blurry vision, just without the pain and vomiting.
A couple months ago I noticed my heartbeat more and more, especially at night while I'm trying to sleep. I can't sleep on my belly because I hear my heart beat throuh the pillow. Every now and then it feels like my heart forgets what it was doing and trips over itself, loses its rythem, and flops around for a second or two. and lately, in the last week or two I'm noticeing an almost tight or uncomfortable feeling in my chest, like how a new pair of shoes feels on your feet. Not painful, but just not right. I don't know if it can be related but I have also have some pain in a couple of joints that wont go away and isn't there for a particular reason, like a bump or a twist.
After several phone calls to hospitals and doctors that seemed like they wanted nothing to do with me because I have no history or records with them. it's funny how health care is like credit, the less you have the harder it is to get it. I finally got into a regular physician with Saint Alexis in Bismarck, ND. so they can refer me to one of their cardiologists. my appointment is for tomorrow.
I know I'm probably going to tell the Dr. more than she can tell me and I'm basically just showing up tomorrow so she can refer me to an actual cardiologist. but either way I'm scared of what may turn up.
Just kind of wondering what kind of advice any of you can offer and what expectations I can have through this over the next few months. whats worst and best case scenarios? and is St. alexis a good place to go for BAV in my area?
