Current guestbook entries

Your Name	Alastair
Where are you from	Southampton, England
Your E-Mail	[email protected]
Your Web Site URL	http://
Comments	I have been aware of a dent in my chest since the age of 12, but I have never investigated it further since my parents have always maintained that it is due to bad posture. I am now 20 and only became aware of the disorder following a doctors appointment for a chest infection, where he mentioned i have moderate PE. Alhough the doctor says it should not affect my cardiovascular system, i have always found it hard to keep up with my peers during exercise despite having a similar level of fitness to them.
Does your pectus deformity affect you psychologically?	Not particularly now, but whilst at school I was of course reluctant to expose my upper body. I have also recieved much abuse for my comparative lack of fitness, earning me the nickname Half Lung!
Does your pectus deformity affect you physically?	I often find that during exercise with friends I have to push myself to exaustion just to keep up. On some occasions I can feel my heart beating against my chest, and follwing a physical test at the gym it has emerged that I have a dangerously small lung capacity and peak flow rate.
What do you think of this website?	Excellent - I have only just discovered PE and it is great that sites such as this exist to help and educate sufferers.

Your Name	Mark Craig
Where are you from	Glasgow
Your E-Mail	[email protected]
Your Web Site URL	http://
Comments	I wish this site had been available when I was younger. I lived with severe P.E. for 34 years before finally asking from help from my GP. He referred me to a sympathetic consultant (now sadly retired, I was his last procedure) who carried out a Ravitich procedure. Although I had problems with severe pain for the 6 months the bar was in place, as well as one occurence of fluid on my lung and regular wound infections, 4 years later I'm more than happy with the result. Unfortunately I have some scarring but this is minor compared to the previous deformity. Please encourage parents and young people to get this condition corrected as early as possible. I wish I had done this years ago.
Does your pectus deformity affect you psychologically?	Classic case of low self esteem and unwillingness to take my shirt off for PE at school. Avoided wearing tight clothing that showed off the condition. Now, after corrective surgery, I'm more willing to go sunbathing, swimming etc.
Does your pectus deformity affect you physically?	Yes. Shortness of breath. Feeling of heart about to burst. Regular colds/chest infections
What do you think of this website?	Really worthwhile. I wish I'd seen this before my operation, it would have explained some things and reassured me.

Your Name	Frank Green
Where are you from	Scotland
Your E-Mail	[email protected]
Your Web Site URL	http://
Comments	I had two operations on my chest before i was five, success as far as letting my heart and lungs grow properly, but certainly not to look at. Still thinking of cosmetic surgery!
Does your pectus deformity affect you psychologically?	Yes it affects me I`m now 45 and it as affected me for as long as I can remember.I cant swim,never took a shower with others at sports days.It has not stopped me having relationships,but i think it has a affected them by me being insecure!
Does your pectus deformity affect you physically?	had lots of chest infections.
What do you think of this website?	very good.

Your Name	Andrew
Where are you from	Auckland, New Zealand
Your E-Mail	[email protected]
Your Web Site URL	http://
Comments	I'm 19 and have P.E, all docters I ever had except one mentioned my chest & that was the first time I knew somethin was really wrong. Until just tonight I had no idea what I had! Nobody I knew seemed to know anything about it.
Does your pectus deformity affect you psychologically?	Definately. I never swam or took off my shirt during my teen years and lost lots of confindence having everyone at school making comments about me. As I got older I've became much less caring about what other people think and go swimming and stuff but still hate it heaps.
Does your pectus deformity affect you physically?	I can't lie face down on the ground, as it hurts my ribs and scrapes my skin. I paddled to out to sea on a surfboard once & my ribs were bruised very bad for over a week. My heart seems to hurt sometimes but dunno if it's to do with my PE or not.
What do you think of this website?	Great, it was good to FINALLY learn something about what I had when I had no idea what it was!Nice and Simple and not overloaded with info. Thankyou so much.

Your Name	Raphael
Where are you from	Switzerland
Your E-Mail	[email protected]
Your Web Site URL	http://
Comments	I had surgical correction (modified Ravich procedure) about 3 months ago for a rather severe deformity. I'm 27. The result is good, I would give it 4 out of 5. I feel much more comfortable now wearing t-shirts or going to the swimming pool. I would certainly recommend surgery with an experienced surgeon. The only thing you must know is that the post-operation pain is absolutely unbearable in spite of the powerful painkillers you are given. It was much worse than what I was expecting. But it was worth it.
Does your pectus deformity affect you psychologically?	The year before my operation, I felt very self-conscious all the time whatever I was wearing or whoever I was with. I also suffered moments of extreme sadness and became quite obsessed with the condition. It has all gone now. The result is good, not perfect but it was definitely worth it. I am a happier guy today.
Does your pectus deformity affect you physically?	It did, and I can see an improvement in my exercise capacity now I've had surgery.
What do you think of this website?	More people should sign the guestbook and share their experiences. It would help fellow PE sufferers. Feel free to contact me if you've got questions.

Your Name	drew dawes
Where are you from	trout run, PA, USA
Your E-Mail	[email protected]
Your Web Site URL	http://
Comments	This is great, ive never found anything like this. I didnt really know so many people had the same condition.
Does your pectus deformity affect you psychologically?	It used to...like, when i was a kid in summer, i would get teased alot. but i have learned to love the hole in my chest. i call it 'The Super Bowl', & use it as a cup holder. once in a while, i will eat cereal or ice cream out if it to win a bet.
Does your pectus deformity affect you physically?	yes, actually. i cant run for a long period of time, & if i get hit there, i am pretty much down for the count
What do you think of this website?	very helpful

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