SilentType
Banned
I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) when I was a toddler. Basically it just means that my mitral valve in my heart is "floppy" compared to a normal one, which should be "tight" like a drum almost (for a better description look it up on wikipedia lol). When I was diagnosed the doctors said it was nothing to worry about and that all it meant was that I would have to take an antibiotic before dental appointments, because if any blood were to be left on that "floppy" mitral valve, I could end up with an infection in my heart. So that's all I've ever thought of it until I was diagnosed with panic disorder 5 years ago. My psychiatrist told me that the panic attacks could be related to the MVP, but she didn't really look into it or anything.
I've just gotten a new psychiatrist yesterday, and when I mentioned that I have MVP and a debilitating case of panic disorder, the first thing she said was that I need to get into a cardiologist to see the extent of my MVP and whether it is causing these panic attacks. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor on the 10th, at which I'll be able to get a referral to see a cardiologist. Hopefully I'll be able to get into the cardiologist soon, because I've been interested in this for a long time now. I know there are other people here at SPW with MVP and panic attacks, and I advise you all to see your primary doctors to get a referral for a cardiologist appointment.
I'll keep you all posted on how my appointment goes, but I just wanted to let those of you that have these coexisting conditions know that there's something you can do that might help. For instance, if I end up squashing my panic attacks with some meds after a simple visit to this heart doctor, I'm going to be extremely happy. However, I will also be very upset that my former psychiatrist didn't address this problem with the help of a cardiologist even though she knew I have MVP and discussed with me the fact that the two things could have something to do with each other. That doc put me on brain med after brain med after brain med (like 15 different ones), when she knew very well the problem could be in my heart. I am also dependent on benzodiazepines because of this psychiatrist (6 mgs klonopin per day). If I find out that I've been one benzos and all these other drugs for five years for no reason whatsoever, I'm gonna be pissed honestly.
Wow I'm ranting...I'll keep you guys posted though...
Peace
I've just gotten a new psychiatrist yesterday, and when I mentioned that I have MVP and a debilitating case of panic disorder, the first thing she said was that I need to get into a cardiologist to see the extent of my MVP and whether it is causing these panic attacks. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor on the 10th, at which I'll be able to get a referral to see a cardiologist. Hopefully I'll be able to get into the cardiologist soon, because I've been interested in this for a long time now. I know there are other people here at SPW with MVP and panic attacks, and I advise you all to see your primary doctors to get a referral for a cardiologist appointment.
I'll keep you all posted on how my appointment goes, but I just wanted to let those of you that have these coexisting conditions know that there's something you can do that might help. For instance, if I end up squashing my panic attacks with some meds after a simple visit to this heart doctor, I'm going to be extremely happy. However, I will also be very upset that my former psychiatrist didn't address this problem with the help of a cardiologist even though she knew I have MVP and discussed with me the fact that the two things could have something to do with each other. That doc put me on brain med after brain med after brain med (like 15 different ones), when she knew very well the problem could be in my heart. I am also dependent on benzodiazepines because of this psychiatrist (6 mgs klonopin per day). If I find out that I've been one benzos and all these other drugs for five years for no reason whatsoever, I'm gonna be pissed honestly.
Wow I'm ranting...I'll keep you guys posted though...
Peace