Mitral Valve Prolapse and Dysautonomia

This is an article I've been asked to submit recently for the website: http://www.themindshelter.com/wsite/ Let me know what you think!!!!

My name is Katie. I have two different chronic illnesses. A chronic illness is basically a progressing disease that no one has found a cure for, yet. One is Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome, a heart disorder causing regurgitation; and the other is Dysautonomia, a breakdown of your Autonomic Nervous System. Your ANS controls all the vital functions of your body such as, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature, respiration and perspiration. In short MVPS-D because they are linked to each other. So, when your heart and mind are not functioning properly, YOU are not functioning properly. Both of these diseases are very difficult to diagnose.

Some of the major debilitating symptoms associated with both are Migraines, Panic and Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Fybromyalgia and Phobias. These are grave disorders that can affect your life in very serious ways if they are not monitored and controlled as best as possible. They are very real issues that need to be taken seriously in order to be managed properly. Other major symptoms are Fatigue, Shortness of Breath, Chest Pain, Palpitations or Irregular Heart Beat, Extremely Low Blood Pressure and Dizziness. There are many, many minor symptoms as well. You will find a complete list of symptoms and more thorough explanation of the diseases in the links below.

The biggest thing with these conditions is your response to every day life. The simplest things can set you off into a downward spiral believing without a doubt the world is coming to an end and it is all going to come crashing down around you at any moment. The smallest threat to your well being could send you into a tailspin and cause you to lose all ability to form rational thought. This is called a “fight or flight” response, seriously, as if you were in battle. Your body releases an extra dose of hormones to get you ready for hands on combat like you see in the movies and you are constantly in this state of preparedness to fight. When your body continually releases these hormones that are normally only reserved for serious conditions, it puts you in a toxic state and you must balance your system. The typical to even somewhat healthy North American diet can make this condition worse. It would be beneficial to run bloodwork to determine how toxic you are and how to regulate yourself. It will be helpful to find a good Chiropractor that is willing to work with your medical doctor and vice versa to run all the tests and suggest proper nutritional and supplemental changes to help promote wellness for your life.

It is very typical that the majority that suffer with these conditions are right-brained females. Right brained meaning you are typically much more creative than analytical, but not any less intelligent. In fact, due to all that you must overcome with the symptoms associated, you are typically a Type- A personality and tend to get a lot of things accomplished in a short amount of time. Many typically come to you first when they need help because they know they can depend on you and you will do it right, the first time! Of course, it’s not always females, or right brained individuals. It’s just that this seems to be typical.

If you have been diagnosed with, or think you may have one or both of these conditions, you have probably been more than a little frustrated with traditional medical care. As I have said, they are very difficult to diagnose to begin with. Your symptoms may be sporadic, and not linked to anything you’ve been doing or not doing consistently. It is important for your close friends and family and your employer in most cases to understand what you are struggling with on a day to day basis, and the reality of it. The problem with this is you don't look sick so people, including your doctors in many cases, don't understand or believe your symptoms and they think you should, just snap out of it, or get over it! But they wouldn't say that to someone with Cancer, there are good days and bad days. Same with these conditions, the symptoms are that severe.

Your goal is not to get any sympathy, but just to let those close to you know to know there's a reason for behavioral issues due to the health problems you’ve been having causing breakdowns in your system. The last thing you want is pity, just that others have awareness. In fact, though many people may see you as weak, you are in actuality very strong in order to maintain a job, go to school, or run a household and still function in a basically normal manner despite all you must overcome all day every day, even to just get out of bed! I know there are mornings when I wake up, especially when my diet is not so good, and I am under stress, that it feels like there is an elephant on my chest that makes it nearly impossible to even get into an upright position.

Some Chiropractors are very familiar with these conditions, especially if they have a focus in neurological studies. They have seen excellent results in treatment - without meds, but with a focus on diet, such as the elimination of caffeine for example and the addition of a few supplements, such as Cod Liver Oil. Medical doctors are becoming more and more aware of the symptoms associated with these two conditions and have a list of several meds that they would like to have you take immediately upon diagnosis, on a daily basis. It is very important you have a “team” of health care advisors that are willing to listen to you and that truly desire to look out for your best interests, on your terms.

Here are some links to help you understand the details:
Autonomic Nervous System controls everything in your body from your brain.

English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomic_nervous_system
Spanish: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistema_nervioso_auton%C3%B3mico

French: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syst%C3%A8me_nerveux_autonome

Dysautonomia - very severe in my case, this causes the worst problems for me.
Spanish: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disautonom%C3%ADa
English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysautonomia

French: Not available in French
There are 30 symptoms associated with Dysautonomia, I have ALL but one - non-epileptic seizures.
Symptoms: http://www.brain-and-heart.freewebspace.com/rich_text_1.html

Mitral Valve Prolapse - very severe in my case, worst case my doctor had ever seen
English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitral_valve_prolapse
Spanish: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolapso_mitral

French: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolapsus_mitral

There are 40 different symptoms associated with MVPS, I have all but 2.
Symptoms: http://mitralvalveprolapse.com/symptoms.html

Here is a website created by someone who has the exact same diagnosis I do and she is as severe as me: all the pages are helpful. http://www.brain-and-heart.freewebspace.com/index.html

Here is a song by Amy Grant that I think is quite appropriate: Takes a Little Time
It takes a little time sometimes To get your feet back on the ground; It takes a little time sometimes To get the Titanic turned back around; It takes a little time sometimes But baby you're not going down, It takes more than you've got right now Give it time
What's this walking thru' my door I know I've seen the look before; Sometimes in faces on the street, Sometimes in the mirror looking back at me; You can't fix this pain with money You can't rush a weary soul;You can't sweep it under the rug, now honey It don't take a lot to know
Now it may not be over by morning But Rome wasn't built in a day;You can name that thing a thousand times But it won't make it go away; Let me put my arms around you And hold you while you weep; We've been talking and you know what, I'm sick of this talk And it's nothing that won't keep

Now that you know more, there’s hope for change!! Success to you on your journey towards health, wellness and wholeness. I would love to hear your stories!

Katie is a Life Coach and Career Counselor, she is also a Business Consultant and a Dynamic Speaker. Check out her website at: www.forerunnerpdc.com for more information. Disclaimer: This information is purely based on Katie’s research and she is by no means medically or otherwise qualified to diagnose or treat. This is only submitted for reference and to bring awareness.

This is an original article submitted by Kathleen M. Fitzpatrick, dated November 2, 2008 to be posted in New Stories/Articles, Mental Health Topics.