An Update

Hello, I hope all are well,

I just wanted to come on here and provide an update for my situation. I have just had my anual check up, where I had an ECG, ECHO and consultation as usual. Everything came back absolutely fine, my echo looked really good and my heart looks and was functioning completely well and as it should in a normal heart, and my consultant seemed very pleased. 

This however, leaves the question of the cause of my symptoms still a mystery, but points it very closely to mental health. My consultant suggested that I switch my Nadolol 80mg OD to nebivolol 2.5mg OD. He said that the decision for the beta-blockers was not really neccesary, as he and his team beleive the episodes of VT i have experienced to be "normal rhythm variation" and in my structurally and, thanks to the pacemaker, functionally normal heart, it is of no real concern. He even noted that if he had been my Dr at the time of identifying these arrythmias, he may not of even looked into them in my case, and the use of a beta blocker may not even by neccesary in future, and isnt completely needed now. 

I will be changing medictions soon and will hopefully feel better by doing so. One thing I still cannot understand is that previsouly noted on echo reports from 2020 was " severe aortic dilation and a mildly dilated left ventricle", but my echos from 2022 and now are showing no structural or functional issues at all, how could these issues of solvede/ reversed themselves?

I am feeling extremely reassured by this appointment and hope the change of beta blockers should help with the symptoms I have been feeling. 

All in all the consultant said that he sees absolutely no issues with me at all, and told me i can go and live a completely normal and full life, 

Any response to my message would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much for reading,

 

Hayden :) x

5 Comments

your update

by new to pace.... - 2023-09-06 13:10:24

Glad to hear you are doing well.  As to why your question about your previous Echo.  I had something similiar one time.  While the gal was doing the Echo was taking longer.  I asked why , she said that the previous year their was liquid around my heart and this time none.  So my guess that this is what happened to yours.  Since it is in the past no need to wonder now.

new to pace

It sounds reassuring news

by Gemita - 2023-09-06 14:16:57

Jayden, first of all welcome back and I hope your exams went well.  

May I ask whether you feel better and whether your nutritional deficiencies have been corrected?  If you feel better than when you last posted, then this would be a sign that things have improved?

I agree that your "severe aortic dilation and a mildly dilated left ventricle” appears to have resolved and is a complete mystery to me too Jayden.  I wonder whether it was ever really present or perhaps was due to technician/technical error because errors do occur.  All I would say is that you could ask your team to keep an eye on this in case it should develop again in the future.  Do you have a date to return to your clinic, otherwise you could ask your GP to keep an eye on things for you.

Perhaps your medication has had a beneficial effect too on reducing the size of your aorta?  I would be inclined to stay with the new medication: nebivolol 2.5mg OD for a little while rather than stopping your meds completely, although of course your doctors suggesting that you may not even need them in the future is so reassuring.

Like new to pace says, I would put this behind you for now, but keep an eye on things just to be sure.  I send my best wishes Jayden, as always, that you will soon be feelng 100%

Next time

by Penguin - 2023-09-06 14:48:28

I would feel confused too. However, it does all sound very positive.  

 As I remember you latterly found out about these cardiac issues via a letter which reported on last year's echo. The consultant and your GP hadn't explained the findings to you directly.   The advice from this forum was to find out more.  Did you follow up? 

You could speak to your GP and ask them to explain the chances of resolution.  It depends whether this is going to play on your mind or not. If you are a worrier it may be best to ask the question sooner rather than later so that you do not dwell on it. 

You might like to consider asking someone to accompany you to your medical appointments in the future. An extra pair of ears often helps and helps you to ask any important questions that don't come to you whilst you're sat in front of the consultant.  We all know how it feels to leave and feel like you haven't got all the answers you need.    

I hope that you arrive at a decision that sits comfortably with you and allows you to get on with life. 

 

good news

by Tracey_E - 2023-09-06 18:37:29

Sounds like good news to me! I hope it brings you comfort. 

Hi Hayden!

by Lavender - 2023-09-07 11:38:30

Hayden,

This is such a good report! Thank you! Let us know how life's adventures unfold! 

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