anyone else out there with Mitral Valve Prolapse along with IBS?

Hi Erin, thanks for your reply. I've not been here that long so I must have missed the last posting on MVP. Anyway, I do believe that my IBS and MVPS tie in together. If you don't believe that yours does, then that's great, one less thing to worry about hey? Anyway, if anyone is interested, this is something that I just stumbled upon: Title DG DISPATCH-GASTRO 99: RESEARCH LINKS IRRITABLE BOWEL AND MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE--- URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/128D46.htm South American doctors have suggested that IBS might be related to MVP, a condition in which the valve between the left atrium and ventricle either malfunctions, or is weakened and blood does not circulate through the heart in the way it should. Dr. Alejandro Navarro, a resident in gasteroenterlolgy in the department of gastroenterology and cardiology at the Chilean Air force National Hospital in Valparaiso, explained that IBS and MVP can both be caused by disfunctions in the autonomic nervous system. "We're not saying there is a cause and effect, but in this case, IBS and MVP are both caused by something in the nervous system, so we wanted to see if there was a connection with IBS in the same way there was with these other conditions, for example,"Dr. Navarro said. "WE think that both of these conditions are malfunctions of autonomic nerve signalling." 25 consecutive patients, all female, mean age 38 with IBS, were recruited to determine if there was a pattern between their IBS and any possible cardiac abnormalities. Dr. Navarro said MVP was confirmed in 76 percent of the women. Eighty percent also had Scoliosis. "There is a phenotype--A person who might have IBS and they might also have MVP. But you might have other people who have migraines and MVP, or scoliosis and MVP. The two don't always go together." "We know that IBS is not one single disease--that it's many diseases and this is one component of the disease, in one group of people.------------------- I've always thought that MY MVP and IBS were somehow linked together. That's just my personal opinion. runnL8 SORRY THIS IS POSTED TWICE, MUSTA HIT THE WRONG BUTTON! [This message has been edited by runnl8 (edited 03-28-2000).]

Hi Erin, thanks for your reply. I've not been here that long so I must have missed the last posting on MVP. Anyway, I do believe that my IBS and MVPS tie in together. If you don't believe that yours does, then that's great, one less thing to worry about hey? Anyway, if anyone is interested, this is something that I just stumbled upon: Title DG DISPATCH-GASTRO 99: RESEARCH LINKS IRRITABLE BOWEL AND MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE--- URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/128D46.htm South American doctors have suggested that IBS might be related to MVP, a condition in which the valve between the left atrium and ventricle either malfunctions, or is weakened and blood does not circulate through the heart in the way it should. Dr. Alejandro Navarro, a resident in gasteroenterlolgy in the department of gastroenterology and cardiology at the Chilean Air force National Hospital in Valparaiso, explained that IBS and MVP can both be caused by disfunctions in the autonomic nervous system. "We're not saying there is a cause and effect, but in this case, IBS and MVP are both caused by something in the nervous system, so we wanted to see if there was a connection with IBS in the same way there was with these other conditions, for example,"Dr. Navarro said. "WE think that both of these conditions are malfunctions of autonomic nerve signalling." 25 consecutive patients, all female, mean age 38 with IBS, were recruited to determine if there was a pattern between their IBS and any possible cardiac abnormalities. Dr. Navarro said MVP was confirmed in 76 percent of the women. Eighty percent also had Scoliosis. "There is a phenotype--A person who might have IBS and they might also have MVP. But you might have other people who have migraines and MVP, or scoliosis and MVP. The two don't always go together." "We know that IBS is not one single disease--that it's many diseases and this is one component of the disease, in one group of people.------------------- I've always thought that MY MVP and IBS were somehow linked together. That's just my personal opinion. runnL8 [This message has been edited by runnl8 (edited 03-28-2000).]

I have had MVP for 35yrs. but not documented until the late eighties. So all that time I had my teeth worked on I never took antibiotics and that's a BIG NO NO. I developed gum problems and had to have my teeth cleaned every 3 mos. and had to take antibiotics -- standard procedure for anyone with MVP every 3 mos. And every single time I'd get a yeast infection. Yuck! Then more doctors visits. Tried taking acidophilus and ate yogurt to no avail. I'm long over due to see the dentist but I hate to take antibiotics so my teeth will probably fall out! I have only had IBS for 2 1/2 years. I don't see any connection but I do know I certainly over used antiobiotics from the late eighties until 1992. And people wonder why I have a very low opinion of the medical profession! They take all your money and make you ill at the same time! Talk about being disgusting! Better get off my soap box.Kittygirl

To HipJan, I often don't explain myself clearly and this could be the case here. When you have MVP you automatically have to take antibiotics EVERY TIME YOU GO TO THE DENTIST -- even teeth cleaning. They are afraid you will get an infection and have it go right to your Mitral valve (since the blood flow is backing up there) and then guess what? Major heart surgery. I have never been ill from MVP except on time and that was a dooser. Many in the population have it and when they listen to your heart it sounds funny as the blood isn't flowing normally. You have to have an echo cardigram before you can offically say you have "MVP". It just so happened as I aged and most everyone will have this experience where your gums and teeth seperate and this necessitates the teeth cleaning every 3 mo. to help your gums improve. So there's no connection with MVP and gum problems. But no dentist or hygenist will work on your teeth if they know you have MVP and that you are not medicated. Boy I am explaining it better now. Sorry.Kittygirl

HipJan, yes you do have palpitations along with MVP, but you do have to have an echocardiogram or ultrasound of the heart to have MVP confirmed. Go to the Society for Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome for more information. It's a wonderful and most helpful site. My whole life changed the day that I became symptomatic with the MVPS. Some people are not symptomatic at all or at least not very much. My entire lifestyle was altered that very day, and has never been the same since. I've been on beta blockers ever since that I was diagnosed when I was 19 years old and am now 33 and still on them. I could go on, I get a little carried away when talking about MVP and how it changed my life. I can't take antibiotics by mouth before a dental procedure because of the IBS and D, so I always just get a shot or an IV. Hope this helps HipJan! runnL8>lol

Hi Runn18, I am new to this board, just found the address on the ADAA (Anxiety Disorders Assoc. of America) webpage. My MVP was diagnosed about 2 years ago. I also have IBS and - which I consider the worst of them all - panic disorder. I am convinced they all go hand in hand. I only developed the Irritable Bowel Syndrome after I already had panic attacks, it is clearly an anxiety symptom for me. My doctors also told me that many people with panic disorder have MVP at the same time. I think you mentioned you are on beta-blockers? Do they work for you? My MVP is not very strong, but I was told that beta-blockers might help with anxiety, too, since they influence the nervous system. My nervous system has been really out of control for at least 5 years now. I also sometimes faint (vasovagal syncope) and was told this is caused by an imbalance in the nervous system. Seems as if I am one big imbalance! Anyway, I've been thinking for some time now that maybe I should give beta-blockers a try. How do you feel about them? Any bad side effects? It would be great if you could give me some input on this! Thanks.

Hi Inge. Finally, someone who can relate to what I'm trying to say. I know for the fact that the IBS, panic attacks, hypoglycemia, rapid heart rate, low tolerence to streneous activities, and so many more crappy things tie into this MVPS, in MY case. Talk to your doctor about the beta blockers, some people take to them well, and some do not. I couldn't make it without them(I've tried). I was diagnosed with panic attacks and hypoglycemia just after I was diagnosed with MVPS. And I know much too well what you mean by feeling that you're out of balance. I actually thought that I was cracking up before that they got down to the bottom of the problem. I was put on a sensible diet ie.-no caffiene, no nicotene(I used to smoke 2 packs a day) cut down on the sugar, and plenty of proteins to ward off the hypoglycemic attacks. I was initially put on a beta blocker called Corgard. It helped tremendously with the rapid heart rate and even helped the panic a little. Then after I had been taking that for a few years I began having lots and lots of palpitations, so they changed it to Tenormin-25mg in morning and 25mg at night. It was too much for me. I couldn't get out of bed I was so tired. It lowers your blood pressure, and it was making mine too low. Anyway, to make a long story short, I am now just taking about 12.5 mg of the Tenormin every morning and prn(as needed) if I feel that I need it after that. I couldn't make it without it, but like I said, talk it over with you doc first. My uncle had a reaction to it and got a little sick, so it's not for everyone. By the way, are you extremely sensitive to medications? I can't even take 2 tylenols without it making me shaky, sweaty, and very nauseated. Hope this helps. Didn't mean to take up so much room on the board guys. If you would like, email me INGE lol, runnL8 ronty93###yahoo.com