Liz Gephart - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2357 days ago

Just sharing I am recovering from myelopathy, C4-5 disc replacement May 3rd. I found out about the ascending aortic aneurysm prior to surgery so I am grateful ...Read more

Just sharing I am recovering from myelopathy, C4-5 disc replacement May 3rd. I found out about the ascending aortic aneurysm prior to surgery so I am grateful to have the disc replacement out of the way and focus on my heart issues.

Liz Gephartposted a journal

2357 days ago

Judy Shaw reacted to this

I am having trbl taking toprol, sup to use for newly found ascending aortic aneurysm but my stomach felt like it was ripping from the inside out. Seeing my ...Read more

I am having trbl taking toprol, sup to use for newly found ascending aortic aneurysm but my stomach felt like it was ripping from the inside out. Seeing my primary today, just wondering if there is different beta blockers that don’t cause this side effect. My blood pressure doesn’t run too high, low teens to 130s, varies with my anxiety attacks which I’ve had forever, haha.

Kelly Stoll Hi Liz. Sorry to hear you are struggling with the meds. Stay strong and hopefully you will get some a ... Read more

Kelly Stoll Hi Liz. Sorry to hear you are struggling with the meds. Stay strong and hopefully you will get some answers/start to feel better soon.

Liz Gephart Thank you Kelly, my primary switched me to losartan sp? aka Cozaar? vs Toprol. Will see how it goes. ... Read more

Liz Gephart Thank you Kelly, my primary switched me to losartan sp? aka Cozaar? vs Toprol. Will see how it goes. Fun, fun, haha.

Kelly Stoll Hang in there and keep fighting. You'll get it straightened out I'm sure. :)

Liz Gephartposted a journal

2359 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

Went in for a Cal-Score March 2018, I run somewhat high cholesterol & cannot tolerate statins. Good news my score was “0”, no plaque, bad news they found ...Read more

Went in for a Cal-Score March 2018, I run somewhat high cholesterol & cannot tolerate statins. Good news my score was “0”, no plaque, bad news they found a 4.5cm fusiform aneurysm ascending aorta. I also have a leaky valve, so I’m scheduled for CT with contrast July 2018. Guess it’s a good thing I went for the cal score, wow. I just had C4-5 spine surgery May 2018 for myelopathy. Then I’m off to cardiologist. Whole new world.

Sommer Russell My aneurysm was found incidentally about 2 months ago. It started this crazy ride for me as well. W ... Read more

Sommer Russell My aneurysm was found incidentally about 2 months ago. It started this crazy ride for me as well. Which valve is leaky?

Liz Gephart Hi Sommer, true that with crazy. Nerve racking haha. I’m not sure which valve yet. I am due for a c ... Read more

Liz Gephart Hi Sommer, true that with crazy. Nerve racking haha. I’m not sure which valve yet. I am due for a contrast CT with a vascular surgeon in July, then an echocardiogram with cardiologist next month too. Just getting started. My Aunt was 83yo when they discovered her aneurysm, same location as mine, and it was 8cm. It’s been 10yrs since her surgery and she is still with us.

Susan Lynn Liz - I also have high cholesterol, but no blockages. I refuse to take statins. Are you doing anyth ... Read more

Susan Lynn Liz - I also have high cholesterol, but no blockages. I refuse to take statins. Are you doing anything besides periodic calcium scoring? Thanks!

Carmel Robertson I’m the same. High cholesterol, no blockage. My surgeon said he sees this, people with high cholest ... Read more

Carmel Robertson I’m the same. High cholesterol, no blockage. My surgeon said he sees this, people with high cholesterol and no blockages and people with low cholesterol and blockages. I have never taken statins.

Liz Gephart That was my first cal score and was so amazed no statins needed. My liver did not like them, got very ... Read more

Liz Gephart That was my first cal score and was so amazed no statins needed. My liver did not like them, got very sick taking them before. I am very drug sensitive. I did go vegan over the past year and lost 30lbs, dairy was not agreeing with me over the years, haha. So glad I did the calscore! Sad about the aneurysm, but glad to have discovered it in time. So bizarre.

Phyllis Petersen By "high cholesterol" do you mean total? How high is your HDL? I've run over the classic 200 for many ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen By "high cholesterol" do you mean total? How high is your HDL? I've run over the classic 200 for many years now, but have very high HDL (120 at the time of my valve surgery), so my arteries are clear and my calcium score is zero also. I also have a couple of displaced verterbrae in my cervical spine, but thankfully no impingement on the spinal cord. You must have been in incredible pain! It'll take a little while for the nerves to calm back down and then, hopefully, you'll be feeling great. Now onto the next adventure!