Janise's Journal

Hi- Wow I cant believe I haven't posted in 6 months. I had a recheck echo in August and my cardiologist wanted me to be evaluated for a mitraclip. I just got the call from UC that I don't qualify for the clip, it is designed for people at high risk for heart surgery and they consider me healthy and low risk.- all my tests came back great, cholesterol, etc.. The nurse was very nice and caring, so that was a blessing. So I am back to the waiting game. I am determined to write daily posts here so I have a safe place to express my feelings. I have been going through lots of ups and downs emotionally, especially when symptoms comes up. I am affected by the weather especially when it's hot and I really feel my heart more when i get emotional about something. Today, we are having a very hot heatwave and I feel my heart more. And I am working on not letting this scare me, just breath with it. I am being more aware of taking my daily coq10 and glucosamine and a product called Heart miracle. Hoping it helps. I am also eating between 1000-1400 mg of sodium a day. This is pretty easy for me being a vegan and making my own food and I know it is helping my heart. I hope everyone is doing well. love JMarie

Hi- I'm new on the site and this is my first journal entry. I am hoping to meet some great supportive friends who understand what I'm going through and we can help each other get through this. I am a 51 year old single mom of a beautiful teenage daughter. 2 years ago, my father passed away and the moment I heard he had passed my heart started flipping around for two months, which had me scared so I went to see a cardiologist and was told I needed to have my mitral valve fixed, I was shocked and very depressed about this, i really had no symptoms and sure wasn't expecting this to be the outcome. I then went for a second opinion with another cardiologist who confirmed that I have a severe leak. This new cardiologist is amazing so if i have to have a heart valve issue I am so blessed to have him in my life. But to be honest I have really struggled with my diagnosis for two years now. I have had some very dark depressed nights dealing with this, being a single mom, I felt very alone in this.. A few months ago my cardiologist thought it was time for surgery and had me come in for another echo. They read it right on the spot and told me the bad news it is still severe but the good news it is exactly the same as 2 years ago... And they are now able to see me every 6 months for an echo. I thought in the meantime I would post regular posts of On here and hope to develop some great friendships so we can be there for each other on the bad days and if things start to shift to surgery it would be so great to have the support from others who understand. Right now the only symptoms I have are palpitations sometimes.I also have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.. I am now taking only one drug. I take one benazapril right before bed to help the pressure in my heart and antibiotics before dental work... I recently had a full panel of blood work done and all my labs came out excellent as well as my cardiac reactive test and my echo Shows a healthy heart with a severe regurgitation of the mitral valve. I am also a vegan and I am happy to eat a strict low sodium diet. I have found that I can eat lots of great healthy food everyday and still stay under 1500 mg of sodium.. I would love to share my heart healthy low sodium meal ideas with anyone who is interested. I am so shocked at the amount of sodium in food. I was at the health food store tonight and was looking at some healthy pickles and was absolutely shocked when I read that one pickle has 840 mg of sodium.. Omg. I know I'm doing my heart good by eating below 1500 mg day. And it sure keeps the heart symptoms away.. I'm trying to put together a daily healing heart routine with walking, lots of pure water, low sodium vegan food, heart based qigong, i found some great heart healing meditations on YouTube to listen to daily. If I have to have this diagnosis I know I need to do everything I can to keep my heart happy and healthy. Well, I think that is all for now. I hope you are having a great night. I'll check in soon.. Love JMarie