Victoria Lopez - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3688 days ago

My fevers began about 9 weeks ago after exposure to strep. At the same time, I started experiencing shortness of breath with standing, walking, and talking. ...Read more

My fevers began about 9 weeks ago after exposure to strep. At the same time, I started experiencing shortness of breath with standing, walking, and talking. Echos were done which showed a worsening of my MVP and MR. Lambyl's excrescences were also seen for the first time, too. All throat cultures for strep and blood cultures have been negative. There's a 2% chance that I could have negative-culture endocarditis according to my local cardiologist. All of my doctors are at a loss, but very concerned since I continue to run fevers from 99.4 F to 100.8 and surgery is in 3 weeks. Thanks for any input!

Tammy Pilcher I don't have any experience with this, but will keep you in my prayers for answers.

Kathryn Waymire could your valve be the cause?

Victoria Lopez Thanks, Tammy.

Victoria Lopez I have no idea, Kathryn. I started having fevers, shortness of breath, and night sweats in September ... Read more

Victoria Lopez I have no idea, Kathryn. I started having fevers, shortness of breath, and night sweats in September after being exposed to strep. I then had blood cultures, cultures for strep, and other labs. Everything was normal except for a high BNP, but negative for strep. I then had a regular echo which showed worsening of my mitral valve, worsening of the leakage, and a possible vegetation. Then I had the transesophageal echo which showed a new abnormality on my aortic valve, but no vegetation. The fevers continue, along with the shortness of breath, and intermittent chest tightness. Will be having Dopplers and CTs next.

Thomas Campbell I am 4 months post surgery mitral valve repair. I have had 2 bouts in less then a month with severe f ... Read more

Thomas Campbell I am 4 months post surgery mitral valve repair. I have had 2 bouts in less then a month with severe flu like sysmtoms. Doctor tested for flu (negative) and did a visual diagnose for strep (also negative.) I've had an ongoing fever, pain in neck muscles, tightness and soreness in my chest. Last night had night sweats. I am glad that your doctors are showing concern. I'm trying to find a new doctor that actually seems to care. Dealing with heart disease is not easy and doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves. Be persistant and take care of yourself

Victoria Lopezposted a journal

3688 days ago

I'll be having surgery in 3 weeks. I'm considered "high-risk" due to my mitochondrial disease and also, prior anesthetic complications (i.e., respiratory failure ...Read more

I'll be having surgery in 3 weeks. I'm considered "high-risk" due to my mitochondrial disease and also, prior anesthetic complications (i.e., respiratory failure from anesthetics). I also have a suspected bleeding disorder -- HHT or Osler-Weber-Lindau. Does anyone else have a neuromuscular disease which places them at a higher risk for surgery? Thanks for any input!

Gary Schott I was considered high risk due to my deteriorated condition before surgery and a mass that was in my ... Read more

Gary Schott I was considered high risk due to my deteriorated condition before surgery and a mass that was in my media stinum that might have caused difficulty getting to the heart. The docs were ready to send me home with hospice to live out my last days.

Victoria Lopez Thanks for sharing, Gary. Did you have heart surgery? If so, what kind and where?