David’s Endocarditis Surprise & Weight Loss Journey
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: November 13, 2024
I just received a great patient story from David Monasterski who is a new member of our community. After connecting with David at our YouTube Channel, he shared a very insightful story with me about bacterial endocarditis, aortic valve leaflet holes, the importance of second opinions, his weight loss journey and more.
David Says…
Here is what David wrote to me:
Hi Adam, I’m 64 years old now. Two years post aortic valve replacement via open heart surgery. I also had an AtriClip installed for atrial fibrillation. For years I suffered from extra atrial beats. It was not a big deal, just made me anxious when it would occur. Here is the other side of my story:
Back in the summer of 2018, at 57 years of age, I was 321 pounds, had night sweats and leg cramps every night. I knew something was wrong. I went to doctors and found out I have Hemochromatosis – a genetic blood disease that stores excess iron in your organs. My Ferritin level was 4580. Normal Ferritin levels are 0-50. I had a liver biopsy and I had a severe fatty liver along with iron being stored in my liver, and damaging it. I’m a non-drinker and non-smoker. So, I found it strange that my liver was in such bad shape. I was then placed on weekly phlebotomy treatments in which they take out a pint per week. Within 2 years I was down to 170 pounds.
Fast forward 2 years and I was experiencing blurry vision in one eye, only late at night. On a hunch, I took my blood pressure which was 90/40. I went to my general practitioner to verify on their blood pressure machine. Same measurement. I then went to a cardiologist who dismissed my low blood pressure because I lost 150 pounds. I knew I had to get a second opinion.
A Life-Saving Second Opinion!
When I went to my second cardiologist… Guess what she found? Yep! A heart murmur. After an echocardiogram and a cardiac catheterization, we found I had a regurgitating bicuspid aortic valve that had a 4 to 5 millimeter hole in it!!! I needed open heart surgery to replace my defective bicuspid aortic valve.
In April 2022, I had my open heart surgery to replace my valve. I also needed part of my left atrium clipped off to prevent atrial fibrillation. I’ve stayed on a low carb / Keto diet throughout the recovery. I immediately lost the 14 pounds that the heart lung machine puts on you. Months later I’m walking, driving, biking, and lifting 10 pound dumbbells. I truly believe that had I not lost 150 pounds through the Keto/low carb diet I might have not survived open heart surgery.
I credit my second opinion cardiologist for getting to bottom of my health crisis. I was basically in heart failure. My B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was elevated, but I was not short of breath or retaining water.
After the surgery, I asked my surgeon, “Was there anything peculiar or outstanding about my operation?”
He said, “Oh yes – you had a 5 millimeter hole in one of the leaflets of your bicuspid aortic valve – due to endocarditis.”
I asked him: “How did I ever get endocarditis?”
He said: “You might’ve had strep throat in the past.”
I thought: “Hmmm. I had plenty of sore throats and colds through the years, but nothing stood out.”
I wonder if you’ve heard of anyone else experiencing the same issues, because it is still a huge mystery to me.
Thanks for everything you are doing!
Dave Monasterski
Related Links:
- Bacterial Endocarditis: What Should Patients Know?
- Doctor Q&A: How to Avoid Endocarditis at the Dentist?
Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder
