The Helicopter Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 Bringing the topic I started with broncos_fan _from _uk and Broncofan to it's own area for obvious reasons. I'll jump right in as best I can so we can hone in on my concerns/questions. The further I get into medical I'm realizing it's "I don't know what I don't know" that's causing confusion, speculation, and skepticism. I'm quite deep and into the thick of things. I have a local doc and cardiologist. I've been to Mayo (Rochester) for a different condition and also saw their cardiology dept who then hit the panic button. I'm extremely healthy otherwise. There's nothing to do for my heart, except slow down on the running. I was recently running at a marathon/50K level. I don't eat red meat or pork. Lots of whole grains, organic, non-processed foods. When I was running more often, I was consistently in a calorie deficit and diet was key. The issue I have is I've seen two specialist who are eager to tout their services and performance for a procedure that is not for the faint of heart. My local cardiologist says, "there's nothing we can give you that is better than what you have now." Let's just say, these docs are at odds. My first thought after Mayo was to get a third opinion and this was going to be a numbers game (the more docs on one side wins), but I'm now realizing the conversations aren't exactly forthcoming. Q1 - is this normal with healthcare? Taking a step back I started asking Google some basic questions to push the boundaries of what I've been told. The risk factors, survival rates, long term health questions, and lifespan data is shocking. Why isn't this being discussed. The conversations made the end game seem all rosy with a simple path forward. I'm now questioning these doctor's motives. Are they ethical? Q2 - how do I figure out who to trust? Now that I think I have a better picture of the pluses and minuses, thanks to Google (finger's crossed), I'm armed with better questions. Q3 - why is the medical field so difficult to traverse? Let me know what questions you have for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncofan Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 (edited) I'm really sorry you're going through so much confusion. It's never good when you are getting mixed messages. A few points: 1. Google is NOT your friend here. You want credible sources. Google just goes with what triggers search algorithms. And if it's not NIH-based, or from an established institution, you're not guaranteed you're getting anything other than a subjective opinion that's written to come off as absolute. The best sources of information offer nuanced and balanced information. There are very few of those around online, that aren't based on established bodies. 2. Ultimately, you need to have a relationship of trust to make your health care work. It doesn't sound like you've got it with anyone but your local cardiologist. 3. I'm not a cardiologist, nor an interventional one, nor a cardiac surgeon. I work in the ICU, so I deal with a lot of uncertainty all the time, but it's also an area that I know well, and then I can talk about. Honestly, I'm not sure I can offer you a great opinion on this - because you're otherwise healthy. That's a very different calculus than when you're sick with problems. 4. Differences of opinion are certainly seen - because there isn't a lot of black and white in medicine. What just happened with Quinn Meinerz shows that - Graham Glasgow seems to have had the exact same condition, and it was only 3 years ago, yet they're taking a very different approach (Glasgow sat out a week, got more tests - while Meinerz is cleared to go, no more testing). Both young athletes, no medical problems. Yet 2 different paths. 5. It's fair to say in the US, it's a different system - where services are sold, and it's more of a business. In a single-payer system like UK/Canada, the demand is so high, docs don't need to sell services. I don't need to go looking for work. I have NO idea if that's what's at play, but it's fair to say the experience of being in the US system, vs. single-payer, is like being in different worlds. Sorry if that doesn't give you an answer on what to do next - but I'd rather you have a better understanding of how these situations arise. If you had a fever, cold symptoms and cough, and were wondering about the risk/benefit of antibiotic Rx vs. not, easy call. Sadly, 90 percent of medicine lies in shades of grey. And while i appreciate your faith in me & UK, a final comment - don't put more weight in online advice with ppl who haven't seen you, and have the WHOLE picture. We don't know the whole picture (no matter how much you describe it in great detail). We're not specialists in that area, so we can't really talk to exact risk/benefits with your case (even if you were wondering if a loved one should be on a ventilator or not, for example - nothing substitutes for me actually meeting the patient, seeing them, and that gives 1000x more info than any records, or tests - although the latter helps answer specific questions). If it was one of those black/white situations, sure. Ironically, sports medicine is pretty clear on the best path (although that changes over time, too - but at least there's a pretty clear defined body of knowledge - iE - torn ACL, you need a reconstruction if you're an athlete). That's why a lot of MD's who aren't sports docs (and well-read non-medical ppl can figure it out if they read enough, albeit it helps to have the background to understand the areas where nuance exists), can talk about this. And there are plenty of medical situations with pretty clear pros/cons - but what you're describing sounds far from it (and I don't do the surgeries, or interventions lol). Hope that helps, even if it doesn't give you a path. I can't speak for UK, but that's why I'm guessing that's why he said he was happy to reply (as was I), as long it's generalities. Really patient-specific Q's, I could never advise you to trust an online opinion for anything with any complexity (which yours is). Edited December 15, 2023 by Broncofan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Helicopter Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 I had a rare event that changed everything and put me in the hospital. Heart surgery is next week. See you on the other side! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grizmo78 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 11 minutes ago, The Helicopter said: I had a rare event that changed everything and put me in the hospital. Heart surgery is next week. See you on the other side! Will be thinking of you! Hope it goes as easy and as positive as it can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKRNA Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 28 minutes ago, The Helicopter said: I had a rare event that changed everything and put me in the hospital. Heart surgery is next week. See you on the other side! OOh! Best wishes bud. Just in the last few years I've had three friends, all about my age, undergo heart surgery. All 3 have recovered just fine with no adverse effects. Heart surgery is no longer the unknown you and I grew up with. It's come a long way. Anyway, get back as soon as you can. After all, the draft and FA are just around the corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7DnBrnc53 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 (edited) You eat no red meat and whole grains? That may be the problem. That so-called food pyramid that the government puts out there is flat wrong. Edited January 20 by 7DnBrnc53 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncos_fan _from _uk Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 10 hours ago, The Helicopter said: I had a rare event that changed everything and put me in the hospital. Heart surgery is next week. See you on the other side! You don’t have to share specifics, but what heart surgery? An ablation? Bypass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncos_fan _from _uk Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 1 hour ago, 7DnBrnc53 said: You eat no red meat and whole grains? That may be the problem. That so-called food pyramid that the government puts out there is flat wrong. Which is probably why it was replaced with myplate in 2005. Food pyramid has been retired (19 years) for longer than it was around (12 years). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Helicopter Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 On 1/20/2024 at 7:00 AM, broncos_fan _from _uk said: You don’t have to share specifics, but what heart surgery? An ablation? Bypass? Endocarditis. 2 valves needing replacement + abscess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Helicopter Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 On 1/20/2024 at 5:56 AM, 7DnBrnc53 said: You eat no red meat and whole grains? That may be the problem. That so-called food pyramid that the government puts out there is flat wrong. I eat whole grains, fruits, veggies, chicken, turkey, fish…no red meat, no pork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncos_fan _from _uk Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 17 minutes ago, The Helicopter said: Endocarditis. 2 valves needing replacement + abscess. I’m sorry to hear that man! Hopefully they were able to find the root cause Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Helicopter Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 (edited) 6 hours ago, broncos_fan _from _uk said: I’m sorry to hear that man! Hopefully they were able to find the root cause Blood infection. I already had a murmur so perfect storm. Possibly originated on my port. Unknown. Edited January 22 by The Helicopter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncofan Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 (edited) 10 hours ago, The Helicopter said: Blood infection. I already had a murmur so perfect storm. Possibly originated on my port. Unknown. Well, that kinda settles the Q if you had an infection while receiving prior medical Rx. Best of luck, fingers crossed on an uneventful recovery. Edited January 23 by Broncofan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncos67 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 On 1/22/2024 at 7:46 AM, The Helicopter said: Endocarditis. 2 valves needing replacement + abscess. Wishing you nothing but the best man. Good luck, fingers crossed over here. My wife has been dealing with heart issues since our daughter was born, and those came out of nowhere, so I can totally empathize. Stay positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosfan_101 Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 On 1/22/2024 at 1:08 PM, The Helicopter said: Blood infection. I already had a murmur so perfect storm. Possibly originated on my port. Unknown. 8 hours ago, broncos67 said: Wishing you nothing but the best man. Good luck, fingers crossed over here. My wife has been dealing with heart issues since our daughter was born, and those came out of nowhere, so I can totally empathize. Stay positive. Praying for physical and emotional healing for you guys and your families. And continued wisdom and discernment for your doctors. Also, this forum rules. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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