nancy's Journal

Kimberly Eisenhut  Hello Nancy, I have moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation and am also frustrated with this very thing. Doctors say it could be from not being as active, but I have been doing the same things for years. I also would like a better explanation for at what point does my SOB mean it is time to do something. I will be going for cardiac stress test in November, and hope to find out exactly where things are at and exactly what they can do. It is difficult because I have depression and anxiety, and once you are labeled as these things, seems you are not taken as seriously when you speak about your symptoms. Well, the symptoms are one of the reasons I get more anxiety, sooo... My doctors also will not give me specifics as to when I would be at the point of fixing the valve and also my anuerytic aorta. I go to Northwestern in Chicago, so I am in good hands.
Just keep good communication with your Drs, and maybe ask for more tests if you are concerned with changes in your SOB.
Much love and prayers sent

Richard Munson  Now that i looked up SOB in the medical dictionary and know its meaning besides what i call rude drivers i can say that before my mitral valve surgery i was always asked if i had symptoms and shortness of breath was one of them. Flash: i never had the symptoms but had the surgery anyway and glad i did. I was afraid if i waited till i had symptoms it would be a more difficult operation. 

Rose Madura  I was told that the symptoms are signs of heart failure and you dont want to wait for any symptoms.  You should go off echo tests results.  They are not as subjective.  If you have SOb, I'd consider surgery or at least another opinion.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  I felt great, no symptoms…
..thought the fatigue was due to aging.

Got the surgery (repair)as soon as possible.
Unfortunately needed to have a second  surgery 14 months later for a replacement valve.
All good now✅

Rita Savelis  Alas, there is no precise metric as to exactly when surgery should be done. Some don't feel short of breath, but look bad on exams. Others are short of breath but exams look good. It's not an exact science. Now that you have both shortness of breath and severe stenosis you will be watched and examined more closely and more often. Take care.

Richard Munson  Shortness of breath, swollen ankles i was told are the 2 symptoms to look for and be concerned about. When they occur, your body is sending you a message. Over simplification i know but your heart is also a muscle that does a heck of a lot to keep you going. When another muscle sends you signs, you get it repaired , the heart should be no different. When you have a toothache, do you wait until it gets infected? Or do you get it fixed at the dentist. I had to force the issue with my surgeon and cardiologist before i showed symptoms. I finally won out but it took some arm twisting. As a result, they were able to repair which is preferred if feasible. No one wants to undergo heart surgery and i was no exception. As it approached days before i wondered why i was asking to get this done but now i am glad i did it. Who knows where i would be today if i had continued along the put it off until you have to have to route. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Thank you for the responses. I have told my cardiac specialist all of these things, mentioned Dr. McArthys(Best surgeon at Northwestern) statements about tricuspid and when to go in, and always get same response. It is not time yet. All other hospitals say my regurgitation is severe, but when I take them to Northwestern, to my cariac specialist downtown Chicago (Bluhm cardiovascular institute), she says she measures everything  herself and calls it moderate. I have mentioned shortness of breath getting worse past 2 years, but she keeps saying it's deconditioning and to walk more. That is why I am having the cardiac stress test. I am so tired of being put off. I did speak to Dr. Malasrie (surgeon at Northwestern) last fall, and he said they go by symptoms more when deciding on tricuspid surgery. That contradicts what Dr. McArthy has said in several videos about how important it is to go in early with tricuspid before it becomes serious and can lead to pulmonary hypertension also. I may be more forceful next time I speak with them in November, as I still have a teenager at home and am a sigle mother also. I cannot afford to have this become something that cannot be fixed.
Also, thanks for the chuckle Richard, I always appreciate your humor, it helps a lot!
With Covid getting bad out here again, not to mention a lot of rain this weekend, I will be staying home for my 57th bday tomorrow, but my son and I will be together and I will video call with my daughter and granddaghter :)

Richard Munson  Good luck kim. You have a great family. Just don’t wait too long. You are your #1 health advocate. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. 

Rita Savelis  Take care Kim. I wouldn't be in a hurry to have surgery as long as you are being followed by doctors. I had OHS at age 53. Was followed for 6 years before that. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Thank you Richard and Rita! I have been folllowed since 2016, sometimes I think the waiting and wondering is the hardest part. That is why I love seeing all of you here that have come out the other side and are doing well and support others, gives me hope

Richard Munson  Kim if you’ve been followed since 2016 you need to call the police. Could be a stalker. Sorry, i just can’t stay serious very long. My achilles heel i guess.