stilldreamin
Well-known member
I?m an active, healthy 43 yr old woman, and I was diagnosed this week with a bicuspid aortic valve. A month ago I was in the emergency department for a completely unrelated issue when the doctor there told me he?d found a very loud murmur and was referring me over to a cardiologist.
Within this month I?ve had the initial consult with this doctor who showed concern over the diastolic murmur he heard, as well as others he said. I was sent for a ?semi-urgent? echo, and on Tuesday saw this doctor again for the results. I think the last thing I recall hearing is he wants me to have valve replacement surgery done by January.
I see another cardiologist at the hospital on the 9th of December, and before years end I?ll also be seeing my surgeon. I?ll apparently also be having a cardiac catheterization (or something like that) done.
Thanks to this forum I know why the catheterization is being done, although I?m still a bit nervous and curious about that procedure. Not to mention scared witless about the valve replacement surgery and the recovery from that. Reading the posts in here and looking at the pictures in TOOTS?. I feel I?m much more informed and although I haven?t as yet connected with anyone, I?m not feeling as alone.
I have so many more questions, and don?t even know where to begin. My cardiologist and I can?t understand why this has never been detected before now? I?ve had many minor procedures done and am in regular contact with doctors. I?m not sure what to expect with the catheterization, or even the surgery? although I?m learning more from others experiences here.
I think my biggest fear at the moment is what is happening now. Since the beginning of the summer my energy level has dropped dramatically. I had started running again and had to quit. I can barely walk a couple blocks now without getting winded, and stairs are almost out of the question. Heat is out? my family doctor said I?m not to go in the hot tub anymore, and last weekend I almost passed out and was very woozy from a hot shower? my pulse rate had doubled also. I get palpitations, tightness in my chest, and the occasional sharp pain. I?m exhausted all the time and have trouble concentrating. I?m not sure what is happening and if I should be afraid. My family doctor said if my symptoms get enough that I question what to do I should go to the ER.
Any thoughts and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. And thank you for getting through this very long post? I didn?t mean for it to be this bad?.
Jen
Within this month I?ve had the initial consult with this doctor who showed concern over the diastolic murmur he heard, as well as others he said. I was sent for a ?semi-urgent? echo, and on Tuesday saw this doctor again for the results. I think the last thing I recall hearing is he wants me to have valve replacement surgery done by January.
I see another cardiologist at the hospital on the 9th of December, and before years end I?ll also be seeing my surgeon. I?ll apparently also be having a cardiac catheterization (or something like that) done.
Thanks to this forum I know why the catheterization is being done, although I?m still a bit nervous and curious about that procedure. Not to mention scared witless about the valve replacement surgery and the recovery from that. Reading the posts in here and looking at the pictures in TOOTS?. I feel I?m much more informed and although I haven?t as yet connected with anyone, I?m not feeling as alone.
I have so many more questions, and don?t even know where to begin. My cardiologist and I can?t understand why this has never been detected before now? I?ve had many minor procedures done and am in regular contact with doctors. I?m not sure what to expect with the catheterization, or even the surgery? although I?m learning more from others experiences here.
I think my biggest fear at the moment is what is happening now. Since the beginning of the summer my energy level has dropped dramatically. I had started running again and had to quit. I can barely walk a couple blocks now without getting winded, and stairs are almost out of the question. Heat is out? my family doctor said I?m not to go in the hot tub anymore, and last weekend I almost passed out and was very woozy from a hot shower? my pulse rate had doubled also. I get palpitations, tightness in my chest, and the occasional sharp pain. I?m exhausted all the time and have trouble concentrating. I?m not sure what is happening and if I should be afraid. My family doctor said if my symptoms get enough that I question what to do I should go to the ER.
Any thoughts and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. And thank you for getting through this very long post? I didn?t mean for it to be this bad?.
Jen