Posted by Snoozy on May 18, 2003, at 21:47:19
In reply to Re: Mitral Valve Prolapse and ADs, posted by mattdds on May 17, 2003, at 11:46:44
Hi Matt-
I have heard that there can be a risk to patients with MVP when they have dental surgery. I think it was from bacteria - the recommendation I heard was to take an antibiotic shortly before the dental work. Can you enlighten us?
Thanks!
> Hello,
>
> I have mitral valve prolapse, and also happen to have panic disorder. I can't say that I'm a fellow "sufferer" because I don't really suffer from it. I was diagnosed when I was 17 and have no symptoms related to it, as far as I know.
>
> In my second year of dental school, we had a cardiologist from Columbia University medical school give a lecture on valvular diseases in my pathology class. His opinion (and I believe that the majority of cardiologists) was that MVP is benign and unrelated to psychiatric problems.
>
> There was some equivocal research showing a possible correlation between MVP and panic disorder, but I think later follow up studies did not show much correlation.
>
> Either way, I am guessing your symptoms are something like panic disorder? Or what are your symptoms? Do you have a psych diagnosis? If you have panic disorder or generalized anxiety (I think you called it dysautonomia - referring to symptoms of autonomic arousal?), the treatment is the same whether you have MVP or not.
>
> I wouldn't worry about MVP at all. In the vast majority of the cases, no treatment is needed for it.
>
> It sounds like your problem is anxiety! So I would find out about getting a psychiatric diagnosis.
>
> As far as SSRI's, they were terrible for me, but are helpful for some. I tried all of them, except Luvox. They significantly worsened my symptoms.
>
> Benzodiazepines are my treatment of choice, namely Klonopin. I used to be sensitive to caffeine and stimulants, and they made me feel light-headed and dizzy. Now I can down 2 double espressos back to back, with no problem. This is nice because I enjoy coffee and it helps me study.
>
> So don't sweat the MVP, there is usually no treatment needed, it really is just a benign condition in general. See if the Prozac helps, and if it does, great! If that doesn't help, I would go directly after some Klonopin or similar medication from the benzodiazepine family.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Matt
>
>
poster:Snoozy
thread:227225
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/227539.html