About Me (In My Own Words)
Last year, my youngest brother fainted and subsequently found out that he has bicuspid aortic valve. Our family was urged to get tested. I'm 34 years old. I have 5 brothers and 1 sister. Everyone seems to have palpitations and we all accepted that as genetic considering our father, uncles and grandfather have them and a-fib. I was not worried at all about my results prior to my echo. And reassured my younger sister that worrying about it wouldn't change the outcome. I was the only other sibling with a structural defect, Mitral Valve Prolapse with moderate to severe MR. A holter monitor, echo and Muga Scan later... I was a wreck. I was put on bb - metoprolol. It was the singlemost awful medication experience of my life and stopped taking it after a month due to personality changes/etc. I was on an emotional rollercoaster for about 6 months or more. Then I started to deal with reality. I am fine but I'm going to need a surgery at some point. I wouldn't even have known about this had my little brother not have fainted. And I am actually grateful to know about it now. Over a year after my initial diagnosis, I went to a more reputable Dr/Hospital for an Echo/Consult, Upenn in Philly. I met with Dr. Partington and her staff. They were amazing and provided me with some uplifting news. My EF had improved and is normal now. My leak has improved and is now considered mild to moderate. They said at this point its a 'wait and see' approach, annual echo and holter monitor. After my holter monitor, they did try and put me on Beta Blockers again. This was pretty upsetting for me because I really feel like a victim of body snatchers while on it. I tried a different BB for a week and declined using it as it was starting to make me feel different. Dr. P said that is wasn't completely necessary and to call if I faint or feel really dizzy. My recommendation to anyone finding out they have this condition or other valve conditions, is to take it one day at a time, talk to the best healthcare professionals in your area, and be your own best advocate. There are many Cardiologists out there and they're not all created equally. I work for a specialist and see patients everyday that take the Doctor's advice as absolute truth when it is in reality just medical advice. I consider myself a good patient but in the end I make decisions about my health based on the Doctor's input, my own intuition and knowledge of my body and my own research and experience. I'm definitely in a better place emotionally, 1.5 years post diagnosis. If nothing else, I feel knowledgeable about my condition and I have a much greater appreciation for life!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Downingtown
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My hospital is:
University of Penn
