I Was Diagnosed With Left Ventricular hypertrophy
So my Echocardiography showed a mildly dilated left atrium as a result of eccentric hypertrophy which eventually resulted in distolic dysfunction grade one. I was livid and utterly devasted when I saw this result. Throughout the echocardiographic process, I nearly lost my mind due to anxiety, and just routinely doing a checkup and finding such is too much to stomach. Throughout the process, people like JAYDR here on Hive have been helpful.
I began immediate research on the cause of this. Firstly, the major cause of this diagnosis is hypertension in regular people, bad cholesterol, and unchecked and prolonged hypertension which damages the diastole and creates pressure or volume overload on the heart, which eventually increases the left atrium, making it bigger and weaker over time, if not managed. I went to the general hospital and gave the doctor the report, unfortunately, he told me they were already on strike and he only wanted to attend to me because he wanted to help me.
He wrote me some medications and asked me to come back some days later, after I came back, I still couldn't meet any doctor to attend to me except him. He said it was because they were on strike. However the most concerning thing was that this doctor wasn't a cardiologist and no matter the medications he wrote me, I didn't think it would address my situation. There weren't many specialists in that general hospital and I was already too exhausted after two weeks of constantly going for tests and appointments.
The doctor asked me to come back in a month after all that he recommended I purchased in the hospital. But I didn't trust the medications he recommended for me. I bought them anyway. One of them was a blood thinner, to prevent blood clots and complications of the already mildly enlarged heart. the others were mainly anxiety medications and because my blood pressure was not high, he didn't write me any anti-hypertension medications.
For my blood disorder, he wrote me Hydroxyurea, but I was just too into the complications of the drugs, like the possibility of infertility, electrolyte imbalance, and even mass reduction of white blood cells. I felt I needed to use the medication under the supervision of a hematologist and the doctor wasn't. In reality, my enlargement isn't my concern, the concern is making sure it gets managed without worse over time. I've spent a fortune on medications and I'm still not able to secure a hematologist. All the causes of these heart issues are something I don't have.
My scan never showed valve regurgitation or stenosis. I did cholesterol tests yesterday and sugar levels and they were all normal. It now boils down to the fact that my enlargement isn't caused by a cardiovascular problem. I've had hypertension in the past, but I didn't think it was enough to cause left ventricular hypertrophy, and after over 5 to 6 tests, I'm beginning to look at my blood disorder as a reason for this heart disease. Being severely anemic is another thing that overworks the heart, and causes pressure overload, but I guess it's hardly looked at because not a lot of people have LVH for reasons that are not vascular.
That being said, I'm exhausted from going to any general hospital. I'm mentally drained, financially exhausted, and psychologically depressed. If not for the early doctor's medication of bromazepam, I don't think I'll be able to sleep at night. That I think I need to see a hematologist quickly. I have to privately get this and I checked the cost of doing this and it was exorbitant.
At this stage, I have no option anymore. One thing I need is for a hematologist to give me a proper prognosis of how to improve my anemia and reduce the workload on my heart to prevent failure. Secondly, I need to see a cardiologist to affirm or rule out anything vascular as my scan and my blood results are not showing hypertension or cholesterol as the main reason for this enlargement. It's been the toughest two months of my life. With a better market situation, I'd have chosen to go overseas.
However, the funds I currently have will not do that while buying me the medications I need at the same time. I have tried contacting a friend about the possibility of the sale of some of my physical items. I attempted contacting a person I know yesterday to guide me on seeking treatment elsewhere, but the cold reception I got and the feeling that I wanted to beg them for money only signaled one thing: when it gets tough, the battle is only yours to fight. I will begin to seek to meet a hematologist. Timely intervention is everything I just want. I've endured weeks of sleepless nights and I don't think I can do it anymore.
I'm sorry you've had to go through all these and unfortunately, your location is not helpful to access specialists. Identifying a problem is the first stage of problem solving and taking the right steps are next. You would definitely need to raise some cash to get yourself treated which would span into weeks or months. You may need to go beyond Ogun state if you're not getting the right specialists.
Plus, if you connect with one outside Lagos that has your time and attention, he can co-manage you with a recommended specialist in Lagos after initial consultations ad most often, they know themselves
You're right. I don't know about going outside of Lagos, I'm exhausted, and the stress I've had to go through is a lot. I'm tired of politics in the general hospital. Now that I've realized the issue, I do not want to waste time but take quick action to address it. Unfortunately like you've said I've had to spend a lot of money and I have tried contacting anyone I know that might know a specialist even if it's outside of Lagos. I'm tired of going through stress and yet no result.
I'll ask someone if he can recommend specialists in Ibadan, seems closer and may be less burdensome
The stress alone makes it difficult. I'm at home now, but the past two weeks I've been going here and there, and I can't tell you how exhausted I am
I understand, would find the clinic days out for you in Ibadan and when you're much settled, you could get to see either or both. It's a sacrifice you will need to make also brother
I understand, I will greatly appreciate this. I don't know if the crowd at Ibadan is like the one we get here. But I truly need to address this
Alright, would reach out once connected
I'm very sorry to hear about everything that's been going on with you regarding your health, man. I hope that everything gets better overtime.
In the meantime, you can employ Tele-health consultations as you search for a Hematologist. I don't know of the ones in Nigeria, but I know of Berry Health in Ghana that offers remote tele-health diagnosis and consultations.
Stay strong
That's the problem, Nigeria does not have all these tele-consultations. The ones I saw are just paid-to-treat malaria and nothing elses. It's the system in Nigeria. Good health care is hard. It's why I try taking care of my health, unfortunately I didn't do enough.
Sorry to hear about your health challenges as of late, I've been there too. You need to see a competent specialist, especially a cardiologist Left ventricular hypertrophy in the absence of hypertension needs to be addressed by a cardiologist. If you have anxiety from this that is completely normal, who wouldn't be? If he have you some anxiety pills you might want to use them so you don't stress yourself out too much!
I know, without hypotension it becomes surprising. I have a blood disorder. This is currently what I believe is the Cause. How did you go about yours?
I have a different type altogether. I don't know what kind of blood disorder you have but a cardiologist is definitely who you will want to see. He may want you on blood thinners depending on your unique situation.
I'm already on a blood thinner and I'd definitely see a cardiologist soonest. However, I want to firefly see a hematologist to help me with this firstly.
Hematologist is a great idea, buy don't put off the cardiologist too long. The earlier they can start a treatment the better the outcome as a general rule. Having health problems isn't fun at all. Spoonies is a new group started by @cryptounicorn420 that is a support group and charity to raise money for chronic disease if you're interested.
I wish I could make myself twenty years younger (or even ten)! It just seems that as we get older the more problems that pop up. Most of mine came from the COVID vaccine!
Thanks for the tag. 🦄
I’m sorry about your situation. It’s disheartening the level of nonchalance in Nigeria in every sector. I will advise you still see a doctor at a general hospital. I think the strike has been called off except if this particular one is led by the hospital.
Report any abnormal symptom you have. And if you think you need a doctor immediately, please visit a private hospital. Wish you a speedy recovery.
So sorry to hear about all this, I believe this is the Time to be Strong, whatever is making you hypertensive
You have a very long Awesome Years to spend on Earth and Nothing should stop or steal your joy, not even health issues
About the hematologist, I will strongly recommend talking to a doctor in the general Hospital, tell him or her to recommend a good Hematologist to you, I will try to contact some of my friends in Lagos to assist with any good person available.
Make sure you pray too, Nothing God Cannot do, I will take out time to specially pray for you too.
Stay Blessed and Stay Happy
All will be well🙏
The doctor in the general hospital I went to, could not get me a good hematologist, if not, that would have been my next course of action. However, I'm praying and hoping that something will come out good in the coming days or weeks
Sorry to hear this, I wish you a quick recovery. if not that this private hospitals are somehow expensive, you would have tried them too. At least most of them have a good working system. Most of the general hospitals in Nigeria has very poor operating system, and it makes you stress out yourself even in your unhealthy condition. It doesn't really make sense.
So sorry about how the health system of Nigeria is right now.
Yes you do need a specialist but I think while at it, you should try to optimize your PCV. I am sure with your knowledge, I am sure you know about your steady state. If its below your steady state, I think you should be transfused and I am sure you are compliant with your routine drugs.
Going outside the country to seek health care is way too expensive as you do not have insurance.
The best is to find a way to see a hematologist and a cardiologist. I could organise for you to see these specialists
Thank you, well I am optimizing my PCV but the thing is that I try and sometimes I might not completely be able to do so. As for my steady state, I only got to know about it recently. Plus, I'm always scared of transfusion because of how complicated I think it might be. Maybe I'll reach you on discord, so I can get your number, I truly need to see these specialist
Alright...
I could not locate you on discord, I don fin tire o. What's your username or maybe the group I can find you in?
no wahala...
bhoamd is my discord username
I am sorry to hear about your health. I suggest that you consider seeking medical attention from the best doctors available.the diagnosis results alone can be discouraging and may even add to the problem. As someone who has been through a similar situation, I recommend that you consider going to a private hospital or a reputable public hospital like Uch will be better
Uch is far for me, considering my health situation. But I want to consult a good hematologist this week, if not, Uch will be my next option. Don't have a place to stay to run everything, but maybe if it becomes an option, maybe I'll seek your help.
it is fine bro.
I am very sorry to hear about your situation. Chronic illnesses can be devastating -physically and emotionally /psychologically. I really hope you can get the tests and treatments that will help you. I am an advocate for those with chronic illnesses and I am one myself. Please feel free to reach out or tag me in posts etc.
You are not alone.
Thank you. I've had a blood disorder all my life, so I this is a type of complication that Comes with it. I'ts good I detected it on time and get the treatments necessary. If I had the means or mobility I'll have chosen a facility outside my country. But the people I've contacted didn't think they can help, and even selling off all my crypto cannot afford travelling and buying meds
This is crazy…..all these drug names and all, driving me crazy already, so sorry you have to go through this bro, I’m praying to God for a miracle for your healing bro.
Thank you bro, I'm certain I'll recover in time, the stress of running after specialist and the expense of private ones is what gives me chills
I’m glad that you took the first step which was getting to know what is wrong with you. So the next thing is to find one of the best hospitals
General hospital are good too but may be stressful
Just make sure you’re good
Thank you for the kind words. The problems I've seen with general hospital has been unbelievable
It sucks to hear that you have that disease but at least you can get started on treating it. I hope everything goes well and that you can fix the issue before it gets worst. I hope you have good luck in selling those physical items and I hope it is enough for you to get through the treatment
Oh wow bro, you have definitely been through so much and I doubt any of us have been through any of these. Losing your mum and bro was the worst. And now this diagnosis is quite stressful to say the least. Thank you for the courage you have to share it with everyone. All I ask is that you look for a counsellor or someone to talk to one on one. Talking does help. The best part is to get someone or people in the same predicament. Thank you for sharing and I want to say, all's well that ends well :}
It hasn't been easy on me, but I try my best nontheless. Thank you for the care and all your kind words
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Let's take the positive from all this: you have a diagnosis and a doctor willing to help you. It may not be the right specialist, but it beats googling for information. Most times you find the worst possible outcomes when googling symptoms and that alone can bring you down. It may not be the case here, since you already have a diagnosis, but it can contribute to amplifying your anxiety during these moments. Take care!
Yes it wasn't the right specialist, but like you've said it beats googling for answers. But my emotions were all over the place and my anxiety took the best of me. Googling gave me some answers and also some worst possible outcome too, but like you've said, it's important to focus on the focus on the positives
When a person is sick, he gets very worried and then the chances of getting sick are high, so it is better that a person should be relaxed and in this way, as doctors say, one should follow their words, then something. Within a certain period of time, the person will surely recover again.
❤️