what to do

[dizzydave]

been told that l need a new heart valve but because l have COPD if l have the operation l might not come through.

dizzydave

[knitter]

The best thing I can think of is to discuss it thoroughly with your consultant .

My friend and neighbour had a replacement heart valve this summer....she is asthmatic with a chronic cough, but everyone is different ...you need specialist advice.

Best wishes.

[dizzydave in reply to knitter]

thanks for you advice knitter . dizzydave

[Jessy11]

A very warm welcome dizzydave. I'm sorry to hear you have such a dilemma.

I can't offer any advice apart from to speak to your doctor.

He/she should be able to explain the operation to you & what your options are.

I think it's safe to say every operation carries a risk whether you have Copd or not.

Please do join in & chat to us. I'm sure there will be someone here who can advise you.

Here's wishing you a peaceful Christmas & best wishes for 2017 🎄🎅🏼🎁🎊

[dizzydave in reply to Jessy11]

thanks Jessy11 for your warm welcome and advice dizzydave

[susieanna]

Wow, what an awful decision to have to make; depends how bad the faulty valve is? As others have said, discuss thoroughly with consultants; then weigh up the odds; if the op would be a life saver so to speak then you have nothing to lose but possibly everything to gain.

[dizzydave in reply to susieanna]

thanks susieanna for your valued advise dizzydave

[susieanna in reply to dizzydave]

Your most welcome; wishing you lots of luck! and all the best.

[punkyb]

That is not a comforting thought. If you are a praying person, I will gladly pray that all will be well.

[dizzydave in reply to punkyb]

thanks for your kind thoughts and prays dizzydave

[punkyb in reply to dizzydave]

[Mooskie]

Hi dizzydave....I too have copd (very severe) and was told I could not have

Any surgery,that required anesthesia because my lungs are not able to function

Well enough. I have made up my mind, that should I need surgery for something serious..I would consider how my quality of life would be,without surgery. If it will be very low,quality, I would risk the surgery. Hard decision for you....hoping,the best for you.

[dizzydave in reply to Mooskie]

hi Mooskie thanks for your very good advice you are right it does depend on the quality of life all the best dizzydave

[kassy6767 in reply to Mooskie]

I like his answer, my sister was told that about a surgery she had done on her shoulder and they told her she maybe wouldn't make it she is on 5 inhalers for her COPD and has emphysema besides. She did fine. I believe they have to tell you that these days for all the lawsuits. I also believe they don't like wasting their time on someone who smokes, or use to smoke. Just saying

[tamariki]

In September I went to the doctors with a case of SOB. He gave me an ECG and decided to send me to hospital for a stent to be implanted. Upon arrival at the hospital I was told that as it was Thursday I would have to wait until Monday before the procedure would be carried out. I was taken to the cardiac ward, and whilst being transferred to a bed I suffered a severe SOB episode. Unfortunately I had non of my medication or inhalers with me. The following morning, when the cardiologist saw me he, I was still SOB but at least I had been given some Ventolin to help. Throughout the day, blood tests were taken and I eventually got some inhalers, which my wife brought in. The hospital also put me on prednisone. My breathing seem to improve. On the Sunday morning I asked the cardiologist if I would get a stent. He told me that because of the state my heart was in, and the fact I had COPD, he was unable to differentiate the cause of my SOB, heart or lungs. I was discharged from hospital on the Monday, and given a blood thinner, Plavix, a statin, Crestor, and Glytrin in case I have an angina a attack. Two weeks ago I went for an assessment of my condition, and was told virtually the same thing. The cardiologist had studied my xrays etc, and said he wasn't confident that I would survive any surgery on my heart. I still get SOB if I walk to fast, but my pulmonary nurse has booked me in to attend a rehab clinic in the new year.

[dizzydave in reply to tamariki]

thanks tamariki it seems that you are in the same position as me and we can only take the advice from the cardiologist wish you all the very best dizzydave

[Mooskie in reply to tamariki]

Wow, tamarisk You sound just like me. Can't tell if it is my heart or lungs causing shortness of breath, so doc put me on warfarin to thin the blood and something else ?? To slow my pulse. Seems to help a bit.

My personal opinion,is it,is my heart because it has to work so hard. However, the heart tests show nothing!

The other change in me is lack of appetite! Anyone experiencing this?

[Dedalus]

Hello and welcome to our group. Good luck with your decision.

[dizzydave in reply to Dedalus]

hi Dedalus thanks for your kind welcome all the very best dizzydave

[nancye]

Is the less invasive TAVR procedure available to you? My friend with COPD and aortic stenosis had it a few months ago and is doing well. It is usually done with just sedation.

[dizzydave in reply to nancye]

hi nancy thanks for your story about your friend with COPD and aortic stenosis which is the same as me l will certainly mention this when l see my doctor thanks very much all the very best . dizzydave

[bandit2]

If I am not mistaken they tell everyone that has surgery the worst that can happen meaning there is a chance they may not make it. Hey you could also go out into the street and get hit by a car or a bus but if you don't walk across the street you will never get to the other side. What I am saying is that life is always a gamble, living is a gamble and if you look at the odds if you don't have the surgery will you surely die, or what would your quality of life be like, have faith in your surgeon and in your higher power that this is meant to be and how lucky you are in this time to have an option of a heart valve. Medicine has grown in leaps and bounds and now a triple by-pass is like a tonsillectomy, where as years ago they too were told they might not make it.

I know you are scared who wouldn't be but having COPD today is not like it was 20 years ago, people live a very long time and have surgeries. People go in for simple procedures like Joan Rivers and she died. You are going into an operating room with skilled surgeons and anesthetists who are planning to have you live many long years. The longer you wait the more you put yourself at risk. Put on your big man pants and trust.

Talk to your dr and find out what options there are if any. The operative word that I heard from you is the dr said you MIGHT not make it, not if you do the surgery you will definately not make it. Weigh the pros and cons, then make a decision. We are all here for you and sending prayers your way.

[dizzydave in reply to bandit2]

thanks bandit2 cannot agree with you more every thing you say is very true and reading your reply as given me more hope to go in for a operation if it is possible so thanks for your solid reply all the very best dizzydave

[bandit2 in reply to dizzydave]

I tell it like it is my friend, not time for sugar coating, I see you living long and living life thanks to skilled hands and a positive attitude. I don't know your age so you best not be 100 lol.

[dizzydave in reply to bandit2]

l bandit 2 l am 3/4 the way there cheers dizzydave

[kassy6767 in reply to dizzydave]

Everything is possible just stay positive and go for it! Bandit is right everyone I have known in the last 6mos., that got sick had gallstones, all of them and I mean all of them died. Doctors all different mind you told them that wasn't the problem. I'll remind you of something my parents taught me. The teacher isn't always right just because she or he is the teacher. My Father had 5 open heart surgeries lived to be 79 and they use to bring students into see him and he was a smoker. You need to live your life to its fullest good luck in your choice

[dizzydave in reply to kassy6767]

thanks kassy6767 so true we have to stay positive the good thing is at least stopped smoking about 5years ago after years of trying to give them up wished that l had been more positive then . thanks for your valued comments all the very best to you . dizzydave

[bandit2]

well hell Kirk Douglas just had his 100th birthday so there you go lots of living to do.

[dizzydave in reply to bandit2]

love the comment bandit 2 all the best dizzydave

[bandit2 in reply to dizzydave]

Merry Christmas to you and seeing you healthier in the new year

[tamariki]

If a cardiologist says he is not willing to take the chance and do heart procedures, there is not much we can do about it. We all die at some time, whether it is on an operating table or crossing the road. If he has the operation he will still have COPD, and the same problems with breathing. Regardless, medications for heart problems and COPD have improved over the years. So long as we exercise and take not of what doctors advise us, there may be no need to go under the knife.

[dizzydave in reply to tamariki]

thanks for your remarks tamariki it is very true what you say l will try to do some exercise which l have neglected to do , thanks for you suggestions .

all the very best dizzydave

[tamariki in reply to dizzydave]

Unless you have had a heart attack,, you can't understand how every little chest pain or other pains we used to take for granted can affect our thoughts. "Is it another attack"? Having COPD doesn't help. SOB puts stresses on hearts, which makes things more confusing.