Guest Author - Jim Lowrance

The full title of the book is “The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonomia Survival Guide” and this is my review. I highly recommend it to my readers here at BellaOnline Thyroid Health. When corresponding with the authors, I made mention that I hear from many thyroid patients who have Mitral Valve Prolapse and the related syndrome and they acknowledged hearing from many thyroid patients with the condition as well. I’m grateful for the free copy of the book they sent me for reviewing.

I finished reading this incredible book, this month of February, 2009 and was actually disappointed when I came to the end of it because it was such an interesting read! James and Cheryl Durante have authored this book, along with John G. Furiasse, MD, a director of a medical center in Illinois that brilliantly covers all of the important aspects of a condition called “Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome”. This common heart murmur that is not widely recognized by the medical community but that is gaining recognition with each passing year, can seriously affect those who have the syndrome it may cause.

The authors give a detailed but easy to understand description of Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) itself with professional line-art drawings included in the book, to show the reader how the mitral valves in the heart and the mitral leaflets extending from them are affected by this condition. They also help the reader to understand the difference between MVP, which is the condition apart from the symptoms it causes and Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome (MVPS), the name used for the condition when it does cause symptoms. The book leads the reader through a description of both the physical and psychological symptoms caused by MVPS and how these can seriously affect the quality of life in those who experience them.

The subject of “dysautonomia”, a co-occurring imbalance in the function of the involuntary nervous system is addressed in detail as well in this book, which is believed to be the cause of the symptom aspect of MVP (syndrome). The physical symptoms that result from MVPS-Dysautonomia are thoroughly detailed, including its affects in causing imbalance in blood pressure regulation and in causing imbalances in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems of the nervous system. These systems are also what control the amount of adrenal hormone produced and how often it is produced in triggering the “fight or flight response” (anxiety mechanism) and also in calming the body down afterward. The authors point out that this imbalance aspect of MVPS-Dysautonomia is believed to be responsible for the anxiety problems experienced by those with the syndrome, resulting in panic attacks and other conditions of disordered anxiety. Other problems may result as well, including ongoing and severe (chronic) fatigue, dizziness and exercise intolerance, which when all combined, can seriously affect the quality of life for those who suffer MVPS-Dysautonomia.

We then come to the part of the book that helps MVPS patients learn to cope with and even overcome the symptoms of this condition, thereby restoring a higher quality of life to them. A number of patient testimonials about symptom-struggles they have experienced from MVPS-Dysautonomia are included, as well as testimonials of recovery from these symptoms and ongoing positive improvement with proper treatment. The authors detail medication options for treating both the physical and emotional symptoms of MVPS-Dysautonomia but also describe available therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy to help with anxiety disorder and phobia struggles, as well as deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Also discussed in the book are methods for helping those who need help in regaining self-confidence and self-esteem that can also be seriously affected by MVPS-Dysautonomia.

I have experienced the symptoms of MVPS-Dysautonomia since my teen years and possibly earlier and I related a great deal to the symptom descriptions contained in this book. I also know that both James and Cheryl Durante authored this book from the perspective of having experienced this condition as well.

I not only recommend this book but I also recommend that readers visit the Durante’s website “The Society for Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonomia”
where you’ll find lots more helpful information and sample pages from their “And The Beat Goes On” newsletter.