GP meltdown.

Oh, Rubylady how awful! I am so sorry you're having to use your precious energy to try to get some attention, get things moving! Good luck with it all.

I am afraid I only have staunch support to offer, but also, I would make the observation that it seems a real crying shame a patient has to insist on a different GP, AND go into melt down before anything gets done.

My Dad had that operation and his quality of life improved 100%?

This may be entirely unconnected rubylady but DH had a replacement aortic valve 9 years ago . He had the option of tissue or metal but given his other problems including being on immunosuppressants, the tissue valve was considered the better option. Nobody said anything about it only lasting 10 years!! His heart valve seems to be one of the few bits of him which is working without problems, so PLEASE don't let anything about "10years shelf life" scare you unnecessarily

f77ms Aw, I do feel for you. It's not easy if they are finding out what is wrong and then being told there is no treatment. Life sucks at times, but we do have to look for the positive. I have just watched Would I Lie To You and had a half hour of pain free laughs. What sort of things do you manage to do for some happiness? I have some craft things to do for Christmas and bought a new colouring book today. I also bought some battery fairy lights, but can't get the battery cover off! I really need to get some muscles.

My cardiologist has said that they will break ribs, they did when I had my last operation. Like you said, it will be worth it. The only problem is, that the new valves only last 10 years and then they need to be done again.

Ruby It sounds very scary to have ribs broken but I had 2 ribs removed because I had compression of the blood vessels in my neck . They did it from under my arms , God knows how , but it really wasn`t too bad as operations go . They won`t brake them but go through the softer tissue where they join onto the sternum , It sounds really violent to think of having your ribs broken !! If it sorts your problem out then it will be all worth it . I get fobbed off all the time btw , investigations which show up what the problems are then to be told that there is no treatment. I am very much like you , struggling on and trying to cope with some very unpleasant symptoms and putting on a brave face . I am just grateful for the things I do have and try to concentrate on the good things but it is not always easy .

Hilltopgran They will have to break ribs!

I can not answer your questions, but hope you will get the treatment you need to help you. After going through such major surgery as a child it must be worrying for you, I do have friends who have had major heart surgery and come through really well with a better quality of life afterwards. I do hope that with a different GP you that you get the treatment you need.