Valarie 's Journal

So, Dr. M did echo last year and said my stenosis level was 37. 

Dr. J said surgery not necessary at this time.

Dr. D earlier this year said stenosis level is 19….ok…..

Today, went back to Dr. M (insurance is a wild beast) and she is going to do another echo to check but is sure I need replacement. She kept mentioning TAVR but when I researched it last year, TAVR was only for those who were at risk for surgery. I am otherwise healthy. Have the rules changed since I last looked?
So confusing! Lol!

Is it ok to have a little meltdown here?  I need to vent. 
Called an ambulance last month because my heart rate was between 168-190 for over 20 minutes. It spontaneously cardioverted itself. Made the paramedics day. 

I had a mini stroke last month. Have had to change drs twice due to insurance issues. I am now on blood thinners, tripped and fell three weeks ago and still have the hematoma on my leg. Showed the Dr, cannot get a Doppler on it for another month.

My previous sonogram/cardiogram/what do you call those things? Showed my stenosis level at 37. The most recent showed 19.  They said that sometimes happens when you get your blood pressure under control. It’s been under control until I get stressed or upset.

my stepdad was diagnosed with cancer and died about a week later. My mother had a stroke just last week. I’m trying to move out of my house and in with my mother to help her out.

Been having double vision and some kind of weird blotch in my vision that goes away after while. Ct scans on my carotids are clear, but they saw a tiny node on one of my thyroids. Not a big deal, going to follow up that with my primary.
But it’s all a bit much. I’m about to have a melt down but I can’t right now. I need to be strong for mom and my kids and grands. 

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Update: still waiting on the report for the carotid ultrasound. I did ask my dr office to get a report and was assured I would receive it. Still waiting. 
I suppose no news is good news, huh? If there was something there they would have let me know. Right?

I

Tomorrow I am having a Doppler (? Maybe the correct term? I will have the name tomorrow) on my neck. 
My coronary blood vessels are “smooth as silk”, a Dr told me last year. 
Is it possible to have constrictions further away, like in the carotids?
It’s probably not a heart issue and thus irrelevant to this community. Just thinking out loud. Just wonder….

Went to the valve Dr. Got mixed feelings. He is young enough to be my son! 🤪

Very nice, took the time to explain the anatomy and function of the heart. (I already knew about it, but was curious what he would say). Didn’t talk down at all.

At first he was saying it looks like we can wait awhile, check back in 6 months. But after further convo determined we needed more tests, going to have the interdermal monitor restarted. 

And, going to have scans done on my carotid arteries to see if that is causing my double vision and dizzy spells. 

What bothers me, is that all the articles I have read online and statements from other drs is that growing fatigue was a symptom of valve stenosis. But this Dr says it is not. That it’s a symptom of something else going on. I don’t have shortness of breath that he talked about, because I don’t push myself to that limit. (Hmm, should I?) 

So more tests, more hide and wait. Don’t mind the waiting, it’s the ambiguity of it all. 🥴

I got an appointment with a heart surgeon next week! Woohoo! He has had good reviews online. Can’t wait to meet him and ask all my questions! Thank You, Adam Pick, for all your hard work in getting info for all of us! Including what questions to ask!

Went to the store today. Didn’t get a whole lot, but had to make two trips from the parking lot of the complex, to my place. Heart rate got up to 137 and I was so freaking tired! It was just a few bags, two jugs of water and a couple of other things. 

I didn’t get much sleep last night, so it’s probably contributing, but, man! Come on!

I have a wagon to haul groceries in but it’s a pain. Gonna have to suck it up! 

Poking around on this site and seeing the love and support everybody has for each other is wonderful, yet intimidating. 

I want to join in, but how to do so without seeming to be “barging in” like I own the place? lol! 

There is so much going on in here, I don’t know where to start. Jump in with my myriad of questions? Poke my head in and say Howdy! to people that don’t know me?

Im scared, a bit anxious because I don’t know how long it’s going to be before I even see a surgeon. 

Will he put it off because I am only edging onto the “severe” spectrum? 

How much exercise is too much? How do I keep myself fit (I won’t say in shape, lol! Round is a shape! Ha!) How long will I be down and unable to take care of my parents? Can I still live alone? When will all this happen?!