Ashley's Guestbook

Hey Lisa! That's great that you picked Cleveland - you'll be in great hands there. I think you made the right decision (at least based on my limited knowledge). My case is a bit complicated so as of now I don't have a surgery date. My cardiologist is saying that my heart is too enlarged to just be a valve issue since neither of my valves are severe (according to him). As a result, they're trying to find another reason my heart is enlarged and they think it may be PVC induced cardiomyopathy. As a result, he wants to try to get rid of the PVCs with the hope that my heart will shrink and I'll no longer need surgery on my mitral valve (due to the valve ring shrinking). However, I still have a bicuspid valve that is pretty narrowed so I'll need surgery at some point in the near future. I've decided to wait to send my package to Cleveland Clinic until I get the results back from the MRI and maybe until I try out an ablation to see if that helps. Since there is a chance that I could change this from a 2 valve surgery to a 1 valve surgery, I'm going to trust my cardiologist and pray that he's right. If it doesn't work or if I'm in doubt, I'll still send my package to Cleveland. I believe it takes about 3 weeks to hear back and the dates are usually 3 months out. Hope this helps!

Hey Lisa! That's great that you picked Cleveland - you'll be in great hands there. I think you made the right decision (at least based on my limited knowledge). My case is a bit complicated so as of now I don't have a surgery date. My cardiologist is saying that my heart is too enlarged to just be a valve issue since neither of my valves are severe (according to him). As a result, they're trying to find another reason my heart is enlarged and they think it may be PVC induced cardiomyopathy. As a result, he wants to try to get rid of the PVCs with the hope that my heart will shrink and I'll no longer need surgery on my mitral valve (due to the valve ring shrinking). However, I still have a bicuspid valve that is pretty narrowed so I'll need surgery at some point in the near future. I've decided to wait to send my package to Cleveland Clinic until I get the results back from the MRI and maybe until I try out an ablation to see if that helps. Since there is a chance that I could change this from a 2 valve surgery to a 1 valve surgery, I'm going to trust my cardiologist and pray that he's right. If it doesn't work or if I'm in doubt, I'll still send my package to Cleveland. I believe it takes about 3 weeks to hear back and the dates are usually 3 months out. Hope this helps!

Supplements, Hmmm Ok I am very cynical when it comes to these things. Without going into detail we have a television series here in Australia that deals with and exposes false claims made by companies. As many of us know, we do not need supplements, just a well balanced diet. For Example, I see what Ribose is but what about D-Ribose? Granted many chemicals drugs do wonders for our health however these are medically prescribed by trained qualified "genuine" medical professionals, those that have been to and spent years at medical schools. There are also many that claim they are doctors or scientists after 12 months of an on line course. Doctors of what, professionals of what? Usually of herbal or holistic medicine? Qualifications given by the company they work for? Be aware that many of these so called supplements do contain the/an active ingredient however in such a low dose or amount that they are useless. This was proven with one particular brand of supplement where the main ingredient was a prescription only drug however, it could be sold without prescription if its strength was less than 1% or something which was no more than is consumed in a normal diet. Now I am not saying that this Dr Sinatra is one of them, I do not know him. All I am saying is I do not put any faith or trust in these so called vitamin/supplement medications. Only those that are actually prescribed by my qualified medical practitioner who knows the combination of medication I am taking. If these alternate medications were of any use I am sure my doctor would prescribe them not advertising companies. Copied from the "WebMD" site in the description overview. "There is some evidence that supplemental ribose might prevent muscle fatigue in people with genetic disorders that prevent sufficient energy production by the body. It might provide extra energy to the heart during exercise in people with heart disease." Notice the two words SOME and MIGHT. Just my thoughts !!

You are entitled but again you state medical professionals. Those same medical professionals you put all that faith in also prescribe things like Statins and a host of other toxic poisons that are sometimes far worse than the ailment they propose to cure. I take both traditional and holistic . Doctors that do not know anything about holistic supplementation are the doctors who get the kickbacks and are in the pockets of the pharmacies. Doctors prescribe a lot of stuff now days because they go through a protocol from a computer. Have this symptom prescribe this medicine. Doctors are wrong a lot because they are human. My 1st cardiologist said I needed surgery in 4 weeks or I would be in big trouble. Said the only surgery that would work for me would be the full blown zipper. The experts at Mayo said have surgery in 1 to 5 years and we will use minimally invasive. My surgeon was also very surprised how strong my EF was based on the rate of regurgitation. I told him I took D-ribose and a few other things plus exercise. He said he read about D-ribose and if I felt it was working keep taking it. I am still having the surgery in July. I am sticking with Mayo. I'd suggest you educate yourself a little better because a lot of holistic meds working. We did not always have pharmacies we used plants for millions of years as our medicine.

Bill, thank you so much for this post! I really appreciate you taking the time to inform me. I was taking many of these supplements at one time as recommended by a cardiologist (I know that coQ10, Magnesium, D-Ribose, and L-Caratine have studies proving their potential benefit to the heart). I still take high doses of coQ10. I stopped the others when I didn't see much in the way of results, but maybe it's time to try again just so I can make sure my heart is as healthy as possible. Thank you so much! All the best with your surgery - you will do great!

Debbie, Do you live anywhere near St. Joseph's in Atlanta? It's actually Emory St. Joseph's. I am in Florida and even though I am scheduled with Dr. Murphy on the 10 of June I have never met him. He has fabulous qualifications, did the folks you spoke to have heart surgery?

Hey Debbie and Lisa - Emory St. Josephs have merged indeed. Dr. Murphy is the best robotic surgeon in Atlanta and is extremely well known nationally. He comes highly recommended. I'm not familiar with the hospital itself, but Emory is ranked #13 for heart hospitals. I wouldn't worry. The surgeon is who matters the most right? I've had nothing but good experiences with Emory St. Josephs doctors and nurses I've met, but I have not had surgery there. I will say I've heard many great things and would not hesitate to go there if I were a candidate for robotic mitral surgery. Hope this helps!