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Post by gwenyvyre on Feb 12, 2012 13:08:00 GMT -5
At Riley's 6-month checkup, which we were looking forward to, we got some... news. I don't even know what kind of news it is. We were told that we're being referred to a paediatric cardiologist to have his heart checked out, and that's all we were told. He's been coughing a bit, and this is the first checkup he's actually lost weight. I know that one of the nurses when he was born mentioned that she'd heard a heart murmur but it wasn't til this came that it occurred to me to wonder whether it was normal to have a checkup every month instead of just for his shots. Also, we had to go back for a second anatomy scan at 22 weeks and I remember they were looking at his heart. So now I'm left wondering if they just haven't been telling me things 'so I won't worry'. I've done some research and even worst-case he should be ok in the long run, but if they have to do surgery... I've only had him for 6 months. I can't lose him too.
~Update~ It's been 2 weeks now and the cardiologist still hasn't called. I'm going to assume that if he were in imminent danger we'd have heard from them already, so I'm cautiously optimistic. (I asked before we left the doctor's and they said 'don't call them, they'll call you') He stopped eating altogether on Wednesday--wouldn't nurse, take a bottle or eat any of his solids--but seems to be back to almost normal now. So now we hurry up and wait.
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Post by springtimebabe on Feb 12, 2012 21:39:57 GMT -5
OMG I am shocked! I have mitral valve prolapse and it wasn't caught until I was a young adult. I am not at risk for heart disease or dying from it. I just have to be careful at times like going to the dentist... have to take antibiotics. I hope if it's anything, it's just that. It's common. There was a study that those of us with MVP are high strung/ nervous. I have always had nerves. Please post an update. I am sorry. I can only imagine how confusing this is and how scary. (((HUGS)))
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Post by heavyheart on Feb 12, 2012 22:04:45 GMT -5
My dd was referred to a cardiologist at about 3 months but it was after having a conversation with the doctor. It is unacceptable for your doctor not to indicate what is going on with your child and as to why a referral would be needed. I would consider changing doctors.
My dd had been recommended due to not gaining weight properly. She had the hole in heart at birth (like almost every baby) but hers did not close up like it should have. The cardiologist was recommended to make sure the murmur was "innocent" and not a cause of the weight loss. As the cardiologist explained, with some heart conditions, just eating can cause a baby to feel as though they are running a marathon. That is how taxing it can be on the baby's body. If the hole had not closed, surgery is recommended and there are little to no complications from the surgery. They also do a wait and see approach because for a few babies it just takes longer. My dd was in the wait and see and finally at about 6 months whatever caused her weight issues, worked itself out. She did go back to the cardiologist and she still has the murmur and at this point it is considered "innocent."
Personally, if I were you, I would call back your doctor and gather more information. You will need this information in order to ask the proper questions of the cardiologist.
Praying it is nothing.
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Post by missingisaiah on Feb 15, 2012 21:42:41 GMT -5
I'm sorry the Dr didn't explain things to you and makes you wonder what is going on. When I read posts like this, I am so thankful for my children's dr. He explains everything, has told me more than once if I feel like there is something wrong, bring them in and he will check them out, order tests, whatever it takes to make me feel like they are being cared for.
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