Problems since age 8. New symptoms. On Nicoderm CQ patch.

Posted By Parthina on January 07, 1999 at 04:56:36:







Hi,
  First of all, I'd like to thank you for this site. I really like it and it's updated me alot on Mitral Valve prolapse since I knew it as Barlow's Syndrome..   Thank you..
  All right.. Here is my situation and I'm sure your answer will be of help.
  When I was about 8 I had a cardiogram??? done.. Ultrasound in other words and was pronounced as having Barlow's syndrome by a cardiologist in Georgia. He also said I may grow out of it... That alot of kids do.  I asked my mom about it since I've not had anything done since (low income) and she said the doctor told her and I that one of my valves did not close all the way. My symptoms starting at age 8 were only chest pains.
  Around the age of 16 I noticed that I was beginning to feel fatigued. I've always considered myself lazy since then, or not feeling well enough.
I've had 3 children, first premature. All dental visits have given me antiobotics, just in case, going by me telling them that at age 8 I'd been diagnosed with BS, except for one when I was about 14 yrs. old and I passed out (not sure why).  My second pregnancy was a miscarriage. The Fourth was a successful pregnancy but he stopped breathing and was very blue when born. Seems fine so far at age of 18 months.  Over the last few years I've been getting lightheaded when I stand up (especially from kneeling position) everything whites out and I get really dizzy.  A few times I've gotten sick when I first woke up over the last year. I've always been little. I weigh about 95 lbs, 5'3". I don't have much of an appetite either. I have been smoking near 2-1/2 packs of cigarettes a day since age of 16 and am, for the second time, on the patch. This time without a doctor's permission. It's now over the counter. 21 mg per day. Yes, I've been averaging 5 cigarettes per day now, on the patch for 4 days today. I am an extremist, used to have severe temper.
   It's under more control since I've gotten older. I'm 25 now.
Symptoms: Lightheadedness, dizziness, cold extremedys, low weight, loss of appetite, heart pains when I take a deep breath especially but also when I let out breath or even when not breathing to see a difference) anytime, nausea, nearly everyday headaches, occassional migraines, body aches, nervous, can't sit totally still, can't get to sleep, itch when relaxed, get hyper when relaxed or lying down to sleep, easy irritation, flutters in chest, rapid heartbeat, skipping beat (reseting of heart?)eyesight worse, irritable bowels, mood swings, tingling in extremeties and extremeties fall asleep easily( but I can't!!)  
My questions are:
  How frequently should I see a doctor for this condition?
  Are there any special insurances out there that could atleast help me to get professional help for a fraction of the cost? Like special for single widowed parents? One at home..
  Is it possible it has gone away and it is now something else or always was?
   Could I really have outgrown it??
   Is it really inheredited?
   Could my children get it?
   Would there be any medications for all these symptoms?
   Also, is it possible that having mvp and taking desryl and prozac at the same time could cause me to have a seizure? I've had two while on those medications..
   Could all these symptoms be associated with mvp?
   What are the specific dangers of using the patch with mvp?
   What can I do to gain weight? When I do eat, I don't gain.
   And anything else you could think of..
         Thank you so much for taking the time to read this through and
  "listen" to me complain of my health problems..
         In my opinion, you're very special. You take time to help people for free, are very friendly, professional, to the point and honest. Thank you for those qualities. I've read quite a few of the postins trying to find my answers, found a few though.  Thank you again..
           Parthina