update after cardio visit

hi everyone. first let me say just how much i appreciate all the love and concern you've shared with me. it's seen me through many a rough spot and this past week has been no exception. i spoke with the cardiologist this morning. they did an ekg and it came back fine. my blood pressure was up 150/100, but i'm in pain so that's to be expected. he said the pericardial effusion was, in and of itself, not a great concern right now. said i should take nsaids to get rid of the inflammation which, of course, i told him is not on my list of 'ok to take meds'. he said i should check with my wls surgeon at my 18 month checkup on friday 8/18 to see whether i can take them for awhile, if i can take steroids, or if he should look for something else to get rid of the inflammation. i asked him about the shoulder pain, jaw pain, chest pain, back pain and he said he has no idea what that's from. i'm thinking it's stress. in any case, he said i'm probably not gonna have 'the big one' anytime soon. so i'm gonna try really, really hard to stop worrying so much. my health is what it is. and all i can do is to deal with it one issue at a time. which brings up my next thing. they've denied my coverage for a panniculectomy. i'll need to appeal, of course, since i'm already in need of surgery for the rectocele. the thought of going through the surgeries seperately is not pleasant so i'm gonna try to see if they can reconsider and i can get them done together. again, everyone, i'm very, very thankful for the hugs, support, well wishes, and love i'm feeling. for right now i'm gonna assume this cardiologist knows what he's talking about and i'm gonna live awhile longer. THANK GOD!!! hugs to all dorthe

Wow, talk about being put through the ringer! But at least it was good news - that's probably a relief. I'm curious, is pericardial effusion that same as pericarditas? I've had that a couple of times, it's an inflammation/infection of the heart 'wall'. It sounded like it might be the same thing, just a different name. I remember when it happened how much it scared me, I thought for sure I was dieing. It felt just like a heart attack - scary!! Good luck on your appeal - insurance companies are such a pain

Hey Dorthe, Girl i told you not to worry. You just have a "big" heart, not a messed up one lol...And as far as that stress deal... What did I tell ya last time. "GIT" on that motorcycle and hit the road and ride till the stress falls out of your hair lol... You have come to far for this stress deal to make ya sick. And I know its easier said than done. Funny that you mentioned the panniculectomy today. My PCP people documented how I have been having rashes and gave me a prescription for it. I told her I would only do it if insurance payed for it. That would be nice but dont have that kind of money just sitting around. And like you said, who wants two operations ugh... so just appeal and hang in there. If your poor stomach is anything like mine ugh..... Totally gonna have to wear sneakers in the winter around here. Gotta have something to "tuck" all the skin in. Its going south fast!! lol Hugs Marge

I am glad to hear you are doing fine.