Pulmonary Hypertension, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Calcifications, rising Carbon Dioxide levels

[TREdemaPHPuzzled]

Hi.  I'm hoping someone can help.  My echo showed I have trivial tricuspic regurgitation with an estimate listed as possibly wrong of 30-35 mm Hg for my Systolic pulmonary artery pressure.  My heart's shortening is at 65% (normal range 30-45%) so my heart muscle really squeezes down.  A CT of my lungs with contrast a few years ago showed I had a history of granulomatous disease with calcifications of my left hilar and subcarinal lymph nodes.  Four months ago my blood tests showed my carbon dioxide levels to be 30 mmol/L and now they show as risen to 31 mmol/L (normal range 22-31 mmol/L).  I have problems with ankle and lower leg swelling which they call pitting edema, also raynauds, rosacea, feeling terribly cold both sensation-wise and my skin gets cold to the touch with color changes at times, and sometimes chest pressure, discomfort, some days incredible fatigue, and sudden sleepiness during the day especially on days after I did a little more in the morning.  My family has a history of heart attacks, bypass surgeries, pulmonary embolisms, lung cancer among those who smoked, strokes, hardening of the arteries, thyroid issues, diabetes, histoplasmosis, possible tuberculosis, glaucoma, meniere's, endometriosis, kidney stones, tumors above kidneys, gall stones, hiatal hernias, GERD, bone spurs, paralyzed diaphragm, narrow arteries  leaving heart on right side, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE Lupus, sarcoidosis, tendonitis, trigger thumb & fingers, skin cancers, and there is parkinsons on both sides both male and female.   I am a stone former, have GERD, DDD, sacroiliitis, and esophageal diverticuli.  I read a cardiologist online say that when wrong the estimates for systolic PA pressure is always higher than the wrong estimate.  My Dr. doesn't say - does my echo and blood test point to pulmonary hypertension?  I am not sure what type of Dr. I should go to for help or if a catheterization is appropriate - pulmonary specialist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist - any ideas?  Please help if you think you know.  Thanks much!        

[starion]

Dear Friend,
Just curious, have your doctors ever considered gastroesophogeal reflux disease?  Sometimes it can cause sore throat & lung symptoms & is frequently missed as a consideration by even the most conscientious of doctors.  Here's more info about it.  There are great prescription medications to help control GERD if that's what your docs figure out that you have.

http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html

Aloha,
Starion

[starfire]

Thanks for all your comments.  I have been taking Sudafed, and now I have the laryngitis that always follows the first few symptoms.  Fortunately, my throat isn't hurting quite as much, but my nose is more congested.  
I will probably continue with the Sudafed, and maybe take some Robitussin CF to try to keep a grip on the cough that is starting as well.

[Victoryia]

cough, cold, and sinus meds can be tricky to suggest to someone else. Many of the meds for those things can't be taken by some people with other medical conditions.

One instance is, with people who have rapid heart rate taking some of those over the counter or rx'd meds can make it much worse which could be dangerous.

Also, often high blood pressure and couch and cold meds do not mix.

[starion]

Dear Friends,
It's always best for us to work with our docs, to be sure that whatever we do is best for US, since we are all individuals and do have different reactions & different conditions.
I would strongly recommend talking with your doctor to see what suggestions and recommendations he/she has.  It is really tricky to stop the sinus drainage at the best of times & sometimes we even need specialists to help us on these issues--an allergist or even an ear, nose, throat specialist might be recommended by your doctor if he/she can't help you.
Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI

[starfire]

Thanks for your reply, starion, but I don't seem to have any post nasal drip with this.  Nor do I have any known allergies  (except for aproxen).  I have been drinking a lot of fluids today, and the sore throat doesn't seem to be as bad right now, but then again, I imagine it will hurt more when I get up tomorrow.  I AM starting to cough with it.  It DOES seem to always bother the left side of my throat more than the right, and there have been times when I get those gross white pus pockets on my left tonsil.  (sorry to be so graphic.)
My husband got me some Sudafed today, and I think MAYBE it has helped some.

[starion]

Dear Starfire,
Sorry there are no clear & easy answers I know of for post-nasal drip.
Post-nasal drip can be caused by many different things--do you have allergies?  It can be caused by allergies.  It can also be caused by a viral or bacterial infection.  When the mucous is yellow, it may be an infection.  In any case, I would suggest discussing it with your doctor, particularly if it occurs frequently and often leads to bronchitis.  The prescription antihistimines and steroid nasal sprays can help with minimal side effects, particularly if the post-nasal drip is caused by an allergy.  If you have an infection which needs antibiotics to be cleared up, your doctor will need to prescribe them anyway.
I have allergies & am regularly taking Zyrtec (prescribed antihistimine--none of the others work at all for me), nasal saline & Flonase (nasal steroid) to control my allergic post-nasal drip.  I also have allergy-control barriers on all my bedding.  When the mucous gets yellow for me, it is a sign of respiratory infection & I take prescribed antibiotics.  Hope this is helpful.  
There are various over-the-counter remedies, but many of them are shorter-acting and have more side effects (including drowsiness and/or jitteriness) than the prescription medications.  In any case, please drink lots of fluids & discuss using a saline nasal spray with your doc as well.
Aloha,
Starion--thriving in HI