Severe panic over tomorrows Echo, please help!!

[miche31263]

I have not been able to sleep or to calm down, anything.  I've just been sitting on my bed for 3 days straight reading on the internet about mvp and surgery.  I went into a walk in clinic a week ago for my ear and sinus infection, and she said I had a very loud pronounced mvp murmur and needed to see a cardiologist.  I freaked out!  I was able to get into my primary physician 3 days ago, who said she could not hear anything!  I've been with her for 6 years.  She is doing an echo tomorrow to double check, but she said not to be worried.  Well, I am, because 8 years ago I had an echo for tachycardia and it showed trace tr and mr, and probable mvp, mild, with myxomatous changes in the leaflets.  I read and read that it always degenerates, and your supposed to be getting regular echos to check up, and I haven't had one check up.  I also take Propanolol for my svt, and pacs and just started back up on Lexapro 7 days ago.  (I've been off for 5 months, thought I was doing good, guess not) I also have Xanax, but it doesn't help. PLEASE, can anyone try to reassure me.  I'm soooo scared of heart surgery, I've been bawling my eyes out.  Being dizzy and sick with this ear infection isn't helping either :(   Michelle

[miche31263]

Well, I survived the echo.  I told the tech, who was a girl my age, about the anxiety I was having and if she would please tell me as much as she was able to, I would be so happy.  She didn't seem to want to at first, in cast it was bad, but she did tell me some stuff.  She did say I have mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, but she made it seem like it wasn't a lot.  She also said that she herself could not diagnose if I had Mitral Valve Prolapse because the new criteria for MVP is now different and she did not think I fit the criteria for it.  She said there was some bowing on the leaflet, but not much, and I would have to get the definite from the Dr. on Monday.  But she said I should feel able to go home and get some sleep over what she had seen.  Hopefully she was not just saying that because I was so scared and kept asking.  I'll know for sure Monday.   Til then, wishing the Lexapro would kick in...  Michelle

[miche31263]

My husband is in another state working trying to deal with this.  He has a hard time understanding because he is very proactive and isn't anxious of anything.  He was once told he had a heart condition and he said "fix it", it didn't scare him, so he is trying to be patient with me.  My regular physician said that she can't hear anything and questions the walk in Dr, but she also has seen the echo from 8 years so shes aware there is a probable mild mvp.  She is gone tomorrow too, so she is supposed to call Monday soon as she gets the results as she knows I have severe anxiety.  She doesn't seem concerned, but she knows not to act concerned to me because then I'll go into more panic.  I'm trying so hard to be brave, and it just ***** that I'm a 40yr old woman cowering.....  

[plomeli]

Oh I'm sorry you are going through this I understand you I've been there before and it *****. But freaking out is not going to help you. You have to be proactive just do the tests and take it one day at a time. Being anxious is not helping anything especially your heart. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you are healthy and strong and that you are ok. I send you a hug hope you feel better soon. Do you have family members that you can speak too or maybe you can call your doctor back tell them that you are really anxious about what you where told and see if she can answer some questions. Good luck.

[JGF25]

Hi Michelle, go in with a positive attitude that things are not any worse then they were before.  I have a murmur and they did an echo and did not find anything so I don't even know why I have a murmur.  I went back to the doc afterward and said "can you still hear it?"  and he said "yes."  WTH????  Anyway, keep a positive attitude.  Don't think surgery until someone says you actually have to have it  otherwise you will just drive yourself crazy.  Replace those negative thoughts with positive ones and keep us posted!