Mechanical Aortic Valve Job - Reviews / Feedback?

Cardiovascular :: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm And Faulty Heart Valve

I have recently been diagnosed with an thoracic aortic aneurysm and a badly damaged left ventricular valve. The aneurysm is 5.9cm and on the arch at the top of my heart. It was found by accident when I had a ct scan for difficulty swallowing then further tests followed which found that the 'murmur' I was diagnosed with 7 years ago had deteriorated so badly the left ventricular valve would have to be replaced with a mechanical one. At the moment I am waiting for a final visit with the surgeon before being given a date for the op. The thing is I feel perfectly fine, I have no pain, no shortness of breath, have as much energy as always and in fact feel fit as a fiddle. I am 58 and have kept as upbeat as possible about all this, but my family are distraught with worry about the 10 - 15% chance that I won't make it through the surgery (national statistics) and the possibility of stroke or paralysis. My dad had an aortic aneurysm (unknown to him) and it ruptured, he survived the surgery but died 3 months later having never left the hospital. This was only 4 years ago and my mum is now sick with worry, literally, about me. I am worried that I will never get back to how I am now, that I will become reliant on family and friends. Its usually me who helps the family with the children and my mum. I live alone but have family close by and my ex husband (who is my best friend) has been a great support. My family, bless them, are fussing around and not letting me do anything and I know I would be the same if I were in their shoes but I feel like an invalid although I should be grateful for their concern. I am feeling so confused, I refuse to cry about this and I am holding myself so tightly together but seeing my families tears is breaking me up. I am putting my 'healthy self' up for a life threatening, painful operation. Has anyone else been in a similar position and could give a few words of encouragement?

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Hip Replacement :: Experiences / Feedback / Reviews - Anyone?

I am on the waiting list for a new hip and I am a bit worried that I won't be able to do normal young person activities with my new hip. I am 37 years old and have been doing Zumba for years now and I really want to go back to it at some point. I also live in a flat so have stairs to deal with everyday.Will this be a problem?

I would really like to talk to some people of a similar age who have had the op and hear about their experiences of having a hip replacement.

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Uterine Fibroids :: Myomectomy - Any Reviews / Feedback?

I have (5-6) small multi cervical fibroids and one approx 7cm pedunculated, in consultation with a very supportive medical practitioner I have decided to have, well it is my only option now because of the size of one the pedunculated one, a myomectomy. I feel ok about the decision as my periods are getting increasingly heavier and I know have constant lower back pain, which may be related to the fibroids. I need to have 4 injections every 4 weeks to try and shrink the fibroids to a more manageable size, however, this will bring on menopausal type symptoms. I have been given a prescription for Livial, which I am loathe to take. Has anyone had this procedure recently or within the past few years? I am concerned and a bit worried, to say the least, about having the procedure as most of the testimonials I have read appear to be generally dissatisfied, as the side effects were severe.

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Hepatitis C :: Unsuccessful Treatment? Feedback Reviews?

I am currently on Harvoni for my Hep C and I wanted to ask has anyone had the virus return or a unsuccessful treatment?

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Hepatitis C :: Harvoni Results Feedback - Reviews?

I havn't been on here for awhile and I wanted to know how the folks who have finished Harvoni are doing.I have 1 more week of my 6 month treatment of Harvoni and being a former relapser with sovaldi-olysio I wanted to hear from the hard to heal non responders who are 1A like myself.Are you folks staying negative?I feel like I am going to be losing my best friend next week cause another relapse is always in the back of my mind.

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Laminectomy And Synovial Cyst - Reviews Or Feedback?

In January 2013 I started having left leg pains and started taking ibuprofens or store brand pain killers. Over the last 3 months the pain has become chronic, numbness in my big toe and foot, tingling, and pain in my buttock. This is only happening in my left leg. To make a LONG story short. The MRI showed a cyst pressing against my spine causing the pain. Initially my chiropractor thought is was a disc issue causing my sciatic nerve issues. My neurologist suggested a laminectomy Surgery however his concern was if I need fusion. I had an x-ray done that indicated there is some slipping. The neurologist gave me his best guestimation of how long that area of my back would last without the fusion. If he could have given me a high % that the fusion is necessary I would be at peace with it. Decisions, decisions. I was told the recovery is about 4 -6 weeks and longer with the fusion Do you have any knowledge on either procedure?

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Hiatus Hernia Surgery Feedback / Reviews ?

I'm due to go in for surgery on Wednesday and a bit terrified as I always feel like I am choking when I eat food and the only way I can cope is by getting sick....not being able to do this after surgery has me freaked out bit time. Just hoping that the positives of having this done will take away the feeling of having food lodged in my throat and I can have a normal life. I've had this condition since I was 16 and I'm 39 now. Hopefully I will get better after this. Anyone going through this too or have gone through this and come out the other side? Could use some positive vibes right now.

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Uterine Fibroids Embolization - Reviews, Experiences, Feedback?

I'm a 30-year old woman with three medium-large uterine fibroids. At the time of my last ultrasound (July 2013), my uterus was at the size of about 14 weeks. I have another ultrasound coming up at the end of this month but, given how much I can now see/feel my fibroids when lying on my back, I suspect that they've grown.

I'm weighing my different treatment options, and I'm currently leaning toward uterine artery embolization. Has anyone out there undergone this treatment? What was your experience with it?

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Pregnancy :: Breastfeeding Pros And Cons / Reviews / Feedback ?

Being a first time mom, I'm trying to get all of the input I can. Every post I see on here about breastfeeding is positive. With everything, there are always 2 sides. My question is, who planned on breastfeeding but didn't continue and why? Is there anyone who is unsure or doesn't plan on breastfeeding? Please don't give abrasive responses about how breastfeeding is the only way. I just want to see this aspect from all, unbiased points of view.

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Hepatitis C :: Harvoni Feedback / Reviews? 12 Week Treatment Plan

I just received my first shipment of harvoni in the mail. My dr is starting me on a 12 week treatment plan. I was excited to hear about this new medicine that has little side effects and a high cure rate. But now that I actually have the medicine in my hands, I'm extremely nervous. If there is anyone out there that has tried harvoni can you please share your experience?

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Bowel Disorder :: Laser Hemorrhoid Surgery? Feedback, Reviews?

A few weeks ago, I saw a specialist who does laser surgery and infrared coagulation for hemorrhoids. He took a look at my backside, and recommended that I get laser surgery. So I scheduled it, and got 4 days off from work approved by my boss for the surgery and recovery.

But now that the surgery date is drawing near, (this coming Tuesday) my hemorrhoids don't feel as swollen or painful as they did when I first scheduled the appointment with the doctor. A month earlier, my hemorrhoids were KILLING me. But now my bowel movements are pretty much pain-free. I looked at my backside using a mirror, and it doesn't look as bad back there as it had a month ago.

So now I'm thinking: Should I still go through with this scheduled surgery? I'll be paying a lot out of pocket for it because I have a pretty high deductible on my insurance. Is it worth it to go ahead and get the procedure done anyway to prevent them from flaring up again? The doctor told me in our initial appointment that once you get the laser procedure done, your hemorrhoids won't come back. Anyone else who's had it done find that to be true?

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Large Prostate - TURP Surgery? Feedback / Reviews - Penile Implant

I'm 48 and would like feedback on the TURP surgery...

I've had issues with my prostate over the past 2 years. Last October it was 3.9 cm x 4.9 cm. An now its measured at 5.9 cm x 5.7 cm during the past year I've noticed I was getting 5-8 times a night and during the having to rush to the restroom with no time spare, in the past 4 months I've had to force my urine out. Called doc he ordered urodynamics test, it showed that my bladder has no reaction when I'm full of urine. Doc said MY prostate is so large it's shutting off my urethra tube. So he said I need the TURP surgery. .

I'm so unsure about this because I've had penile implant surgery this past Jan. and if I have the TURP I'll lose my ejaculation...

I also would like to know how to do all with not being able to cum?

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Aortic Aneurysm :: Death Due To Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm - Undiagnosed

My mom had been complaining of back pain for the past few months and was taking Robaxacet to fix the pain and it seemed to work ,she called it the miracle pill. Unfortunately and of me telling her to go get it checked out ,she did not and now has passed away and will be missed dearly and she was such a beautiful lady . She just turned 72 in Oct. Within 40 mins, she passed away and we found out today from the coroner that she passed away from a ruptured aortic aneurysm and he said that she went very fast and did not feel any pain and even if she was at hospital there was nothing that could have been done. I will miss her dearly and it is so painful because it is so unexpected and so sudden. I regret not pushing her more to go get her back checked out because they might have found the aneurysm and been able to fix it. I have just looked for the first time since I found out earlier exactly what it meant that she passed away from and the coroner said she would not have felt anything ,it would have just been like falling asleep and that has made me feel abit better because she was alone and I hate the thought that she died alone. I just wish she would have gotten her back checked out and then they would have found this and maybe saved her life and fixed it. She seemed to also ,for the past months have a hard time going shopping and being on her feet for to long , she would sort of burn out faster than normal and she was seeing her doctor because she was diagnosed with borderline diabetes and had 2 months to lose abit of weight and change her eating habits, she did everything she was suppose to and the doctor never picked up on this and this is something I do not understand because she had so many different bloodwork done for this and other things and is it possible that this was overlooked because I was also told that she had a lot of plaque and her cholesterol and was on medication for that. I don't understand why this was not found at all. With the high cholesterol why wouldn't a chest xray been done to make sure her heart was ok and also her aorta? If anyone has any kind of answer to my questions it would be much appreciated and comforting to know , anything about this and why it was not found. I loved her dearly ,she was my best friend ,my confidant and I will miss her so much, my life has changed drastically over this and I will never be the same person I was 3 days ago.

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Ulceration Of The Ileo-caecal Valve

GI Consultant has sent to my GP copied to me:

This patient had had a SeHCAT test as well as colonoscopy. The SeHCAT test is reassuringly normal showing no evidence of bile salt malabsorption. At colonoscopy there was ulceration of the ileo-caecal valve. I understand the terminal ileum and colonic mucosa appeared normal. Ileo-caecal valve biopsies shoe benign ulcer with focal cryptitis. There is no granulomata or other features diagnostic of inflammatory bowel disease. Other colonic biopsy show mild nonspecific chronic inflammation.

This taken together with his symptoms and the raised faecal calprotectin is highly suggestive of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.