Just got outta the hospital. Had another mini-stroke at work 'bout 3 am Sunday morning. Had a TEE this morning and they found a hole between the two atria in my heart. Not really dangerous right now, I see the cardiologist in a coupla weeks to decide where were goin' with it. Afraid they may hafta open my chest back up and cut on my heart again. That explains some of the way I've been feeling the past few months. Tryin' to keep a positive attitude.

WYite

Man that sucks, My prayers go out to you and your family, keep your head up. The best thing you can do is be positive.

Mostlycichlids wrote:

Man that sucks, My prayers go out to you and your family, keep your head up. The best thing you can do is be positive.

I agree!

Sorry to hear. Sending prayers your way.

Dude, I have some silicon tape, we'll can just patch you up with that.

Sorry to hear that Ivan. Hope all goes well. If you don't get it fixed you will keep passing clots (which I'm guessing is what's happening). I had to have a similar operation on my mitral valve. I never had a clot but that was a major concern of the doctors. I will keep you in my prayers as well.

Thanks evrybody.

Derek, my mitral and aortic valves are mechanical, a clot off the mechanical mitral valve is what caused the last TIA. Found out today they may be able to repair this with a catheter. Hope so, I don't wanna go through havin' my chest cracked open again!

WYite

Wyomingite wrote:

I don't wanna go through havin' my chest cracked open again!

WYite

Can't blame you for that...I remember it well. I'm hoping they can fix it with a catheter too.

I know exactly how you feel! I had a triple bypass 5 years ago and could tell the difference in how I was feeling before it all went down. If you need anything just let me know. I know from experience how crazy open heart surgery can be.

Sorry to hear that I was hopeing to come to Wyoming and go antilope hunting with you some day. Hang in there some time I think you and I are the only one that kepp Dwarf cichlids

Any updates, Wyite? Hope you are feeling better!

Update? LOL. Well the hole in my heart (atrial septal defect) is only 3 mm, and instead of telling me this here, they sent me to a cardiologist in Denver who said they usually don't even address the issue until the hole is 10 mm or larger. He didn't think it was any issue, and without him saying it in so many words I got the impression he was annoyed that the doctors here sent me down there for him to tell me. He was way cool and helpful to me, but I could tell he thought it was a waste of my time and his, he was annoyed with the cardiologists here for not just telling me. Hell, they didn't even tell me how big the hole was, they just said I needed to have it fixed. Anyways, the Denver doctor said that a high number of people have a small defect like that, it won't get any worse and it wasn't anything to worry about. His thought was I needed to see a neurologist, which I already had.

The neurologist doesn't think any of the three major episodes I've had was a mini-stroke, nor that any of the other symptoms, are indicative of heart problems or have been mini-strokes or in any other way heart or blood clot related. Though the cardiologist did/does. He thinks it's seizures since the episodes I keep having are nearly the same. It all makes sense once he started explaining himself, everybody has been focusing on the problem being heart related due to my artificial valves and ignored the obvious. Mini-strokes usually have different symptoms because the clot would take a different artery to the brain, so the symptoms vary from stroke to stroke. So I haven't been able to drive since Sept. 26 (by state law until they can prove it's not seizures or until I'm on medication and stay free of any symptoms for three months). I've had multiple variations of MRIs and various arterial tests, another cat scan, a tilt table test, numerous blood panels and go in for an EEG next Tuesday. Anyways, I see the neurologist again on the 22nd and will probably end up in Denver for more in-depth testing.

When he was going over my medical history, he asked about my valve replacement, he asked why I needed a deviated septum fixed, and he asked if I used any other drugs besides alcohol before I sobered up. When the exam was all done and he told me his thoughts (these problems have been going on for three years), I asked what would cause someone with no history to start having seizures in their 40s. His guess is that I enjoyed my brawling and mind-altering substances a tad bit too much in my younger days.

So, there is an update.

Thanks for the well wishes, Paul. Actually, I feel physically fine 95% of the time. The other 5% of the time is flat kickin' my behind though. I'm to the point that I'm too exhausted to tough it out anymore when it happens. My spirits have been real bad. Since I can't drive, I got put on a special assignment that requires I involve myself in the "politics" of the place, and I tend to be too blunt for the political games, and I'm hating it. Tired of not knowin' when I'm going to fall apart next and nobody able to tell me what's going on. My right arm actually is developing tracks like a heroine addict from all the IVs and blood samples that I've been poked with, and as silly as it sounds I've gotten self conscious about that. Gained 15 pounds from all the junk food I've been eating to make myself feel better, and that spare tire hasn't done any wonders for my self-image either. Actually reached a point where I was thinking I was crazy and imagining all this and that all this was just a mental break down. Been burying myself in the fishroom 5-6 hours a night after work and 8-10 hours a day on days off just to cope, which has helped me maintain my sanity . Don't ever let anyone tell you that MTS doesn't have it's good points.

Oh, wait, it's only MTS if you admit it...

WYite

Wow after reading that it reminded me of all the test I went through years ago.
I had a seizures, but at the time they where unsure and put me through a lot of the same tests. I've been on meds for years and have not had a problem since.

Anyway good to hear you are well.

Damn wyite....you know IMO Denver or Colorado to be more specific has some of the best Doctors. At least now you have some more opinions and can go to sleep a lot easier at night. You ever need anything dude don't hesitate to call or email me or whatever. We are one big family here and our core of good folks care. I speak for everyone here and I am pretty sure everyone would agree! We love you man!!!