edema

[TSM]

Dear Doctor,
I am a 37 yr. old woman with severe MR and MVP with some enlargement of the LV and left atrium. I will probably be having a MV repair soon. I am asymptomatic as far as I can tell. In the past few weeks I have noticed some swelling in my feet and ankles along with a 4-5lb. weight gain. After a day or two of puffiness the swelling and weight goes down to normal. I guess my question is : Can the edema that comes with this kind of heart problem come and go like mine does? It makes me wonder if I am starting to become symptomatic. Also, I am a thin woman-always have been but I have noticed that since diagnosis of my heart problem(8 months ago) my weight has steadily increased. I have gained 20lbs with no change in lifestyle or eating habits.  The extra weight is all over. I can't help but think that it is somehow related to  the severe mitral regurgitation. My Dr.just laughs when I complain about getting fat because I am still a normal wt. for my height but I am concerned because I have never weighed this much before unless I was 9 months pregnant.What is your opinion?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

The edema and severe mitral regurgitation are possibly related. They would be linked, only if the valve problem lead to heart failue, which you did not mention in the echo findings. It may come and go due to the position of your legs, and could just be due to the veins in your legs.

[(Pacemaker Recall) - Please Read]

In case some of you have not been notified by your physican,
FYI St. Jude Medical has issued a recall on PACESETTER pacemaker
model number 2102, serial number U6161277. There may be others but this was my particular type. I was notified around July 1 by my doctor. The company is urging a total generator replacement, particularly for dependent patients. Most of these models were implanted approximately 2 yrs ago. After calling the company I found out that there are only around 3800 patients nation wide, which is not a really large recall. The number to the company is
1-800-777-2237 if you need further information. The recall is due to battery failure caused by a shortout. There is no warning ahead of time that this could possibly happen. I am not a doctor, only a pacemaker patient. I am also not posting this to frighten anyone. Sometimes patients move without a forwarding address or somehow get lost within the Patient Database and end up not being informed of potential problems. PLEASE, PLEASE, contact your doctor if you think you have this model number. I apologize to MED HELP if this is not an appropiate place to post this message but I just feel like we as patients have the right to know and not be another statistic to fall thru the cracks. Again I stress anyone with questions contact their doctor and or the St. Jude Medical company. Just hope this helps someone. Just sign me ...Keeping the Rhythm. Good Luck to all of us!

[Sandra]

Wow, I just read your post. A pacemaker recall seems so very unlikely. I have heard of recalls on baby carriers, car seats,
firestone tires etc., but never a pacemaker recall. Thank you for posting this most informative update. I have a Pacesetter model but not this particular one. I checked with my doctor to be on the safe side. Hope everyone else out there will check this out. Thanks a million.