mitral valve regurgatation

[laurie1111]

My daughter has a moderate to severe "leak" of the mitral valve and a minor leak of the aorta that she is seeing several differnt specialist for.  She has a rheumatologist, a cardiologist and an infectious disease specialist who are all telling me differnt things to watch out for due to complications with rheumatic fever.  My problem is that each doctor asks me to watch out for different things and I'm having a hard time keeping track of what symptolms each are concerned with.  I know I was told to watch out for symptoms of tiredness or extra sleep and she seems to be doing it quiite a bit in the last couple of weeks.  Is this a symptom of stress to her heart that could be causing more damage.  I've called the doctors so many times over the last month trying to get her diagnosed and find the extent of the damage to her heart that I'm getting confused to what they need me to do.  If that isn't a symptom of heart "stress" could you tell me what they are and how severe the symptom should be before I should concern the doctor without a visit.

[pursue]

i was diagnosed with carditis and rheumatic fever when i was 12. it caused me a mild mitral valve regurgitation so may pedia cardio told me to take a shot of penicillin every 21 days for 10 years aside from the other drug he gave me..I just had my echo test last 8 months ago and from mild i was on my moderate to severe mitral regurgitation stage already and still taking the penicillin shot every 28 days..I didnt take the medication seriously.cause im not feeling anything weird. i mean there are no symptoms..i skip it often because i was to lazy to see a nurse for a shot. (My mom and I always fight on this). being a teenage brat i used to smoke and drink. (My mom doesnt know anything about it.). I thought that this illness is not serious.. If your daughter had this make sure that you'll be monitoring her properly as she grows up..eye her actions and her friends.. I took my health for granted. Now i'm feeling the symptoms already..i had skip beats and i easily get tired with shortness of breath. my heart pounds every now and then. My doctor told me that if i reach the severe stage i'm most likely to go a valve surgery/repair.

[Pamp81]

I'm concerned my daughter may have rheumatic fever. Is an infectious disease specialist my best choice for a specialist?  
I am getting a bit desperate.
Thanks so much.
Pam in Missouri

[laurie1111]

I just started learning about this whole disease however i know exercise is a cautious endeaver.  If you want to start i would suggest you see your doctor for a physical and ask him or her if there are limitations.  I have no idea what would happen if you over-do it somehow and would be finding that out before you start your exercising.

[pursue]

hi! just got a question here i want to hear from you.i have a mitral to moderate valve regurgitation but i'm taking a shot of penicillin every 28 days for maintenance since i was 12, now im turning 22. i used to be a smoker but not that heavy chain smoker. maybe a social smoker as what they call it. i stopped and i now go to gym regularly. is it ok if i go to the gym for hour of exercise everyday..anyway i quit smoking and put myself on a diet..but i just quit it..i mean..is it alright?.

[Encephalomalcia]

Shortness of breath is a sign of the heart valves getting worse.  If you notice that she is not able to climb stairs without stopping or becomes extremely short of breath while doing normal activity that she could do before easily that would be a sign.  If a person sleeps a lot and is tired that can be a sign of heart problems.  My uncle had rheumatic fever as a child and he always took a nap during the daytime.  He had a bad Mitral valve, but never had it replaced.  He took heart medication and lived to be 75.  He passed away from liver problems, not his heart.  Heart valves can get better or can get worse.  Diet can help.  Eating a diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables, brown rice, salmon (omega 3), and staying away from salt, processed meats, and red meats can really help.  Does your daughter weigh herself daily?  Putting on a pound a day would mean water retention.  If this happens, notify the doctor right away.  The main symptom of heart valve getting worse is shortness of breath.