Lauren Recovery
Lauren Swanepoel
I wasn't born with PE, it developed during my teenage years and worsened in my twenties. I am now 28.
I was unfortunately told that it is only a cosmetic problem but I know now that it is definitely not. The reason I know this is because I developed myocarditis during my pregnancy- my heart got squashed between my sternum and my belly that grew big.
My mitral valve prolapse which I only discovered during my pregnancy went from being mild to severe. I use to have endless energy and now I am out of breath during normal walking and it feels as if someone is sitting on my chest. My ribs and sternum are also painful. I must add that I didn't have these symptoms before week 34 of my pregnancy (before my stomach grew big).
I have to see the cardiologist again in 5 months. He will probably recommend surgery. I'm hoping if my sternum is lifted I won't need Mitral valve repair. But how will I be able to do these exercises while being so tired.
Does anyone else have a Mitral valve prolapse? Has anyone tried the vacuum bell?
I can literally feel the pressure in my chest, I think if they would make an incission air would come out.
I'm still waiting for the clavicle brace I ordered on amazon. It would probable also be a good idea to get a spirometer to build lung function during the recovery process.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks,
lauren
Björn Åkerström
Hi Lauren, first of all, be very careful when using the clavicle support so you don’t push your shoulders too much (collarbone never behind your ears).
I wish I could help you with your health status as a whole but because I am not a doctor I can’t give you recommendations related to what you mentioned in your post. I hope that the doctors you meet will help you recover and heal.
People who read my blog probably already know, but I can’t stress enough that the posture in a standing position is the most important thing to improve. The shoe-thing that I am always talking about is the safest and also most effective way to improve the condition. That is the best thing I can say.
Wish you all the best
/Björn Å.
Lauren Swanepoel
I've been walking barefoot or with Zerodrop shoes for two months now. I personally prefer barefoot. I've tried recently to walk with sandals that have a heel of 4mm but had to take them off because I could literally feel the pressure on my sternum.
I am having a hard time sleeping without a cushion. One night I slept on a hard board and had terrible vertigo the next morning. Walking and being on my feet fixed it but it did feel as if the world was spinning for awhile. I'm thinking that it was muscle related.
Has anyone else experienced vertigo?
Björn Åkerström
It sounds so good in my ears to hear that the zero drop have an effect on you. I guess some people are a little skeptical in the beginning so this type of comment may actually help others to see that it really makes changes.
Yes, I had some experiences with feeling dizzy in the beginning but that happened very often even before I started my recovery period. So that was not something new to me just a little more. Now it is completely gone. I can even lie down and very quickly jump up without problem. I have really noticed the medical advantages after my dramatic improvements.
My advice concerning sleeping is: I think it is enough to sleep 2 hours without pillow on the back on a quite hard surface. I did that in the beginning and it worked great for me. When sleeping on the sides it is ok to have a pillow. It is the initial stage which is the important part. And also lie down on the back without pillow in the morning can be really helpful too.
On Friday, January 23, 2015 at 7:35:21 PM UTC+1, Lauren Swanepoel wrote:
On Friday, January 23, 2015 at 2:31:59 AM UTC+2, Björn Åkerström wrote: