Mitual valve repair

[Lisa198]

Hi everyone, i had a valve repair 3 years ago and even though the surgery was successful i cant seem to get over the whole scary experience. I was the only young person in the ward, I hate my scar, i now suffer from PTSD. Does anyone feel how i do 3 years after surgery? Thank you. Xx

[BigT2013]

Hi Lisa 198 I am at the moment being written up for mitral valve repair /surgery after being diagnosed in 2013. After being found by accident as I have no symptoms. They have monitored me yearly since. Apparently the thinking has changed recently and they now want to operate!!!!!! Everything is snowballing and gathering speed even though I feel fine and still have no symptoms!!! In the last few weeks I have been Bombarded with tests think only got two more tests before I have to meet surgeon. I am really, really scarred and worried about the whole thing. Maybe just talking about it would help both of us and others. How do you feel? I am a good listener.

[Lisa198 in reply to BigT2013]

Im sorry to hear you have to have surgery. The experience was so scary and i was the only young girl there, so i felt so alone. I hate my scar makes me feel so insecure, i cant seem to forget the whole thing, i have nightmares i cant sleep and all this 3 years down the line.. I have a 12 year old to take care off aswel. Xx

[Fredders]

Hi Lisa, sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. Have you spoken to your GP? Perhaps you could get them to refer you to a therapist as it sounds like you need to talk it through with someone rather than getting fobbed off with drugs. It's often easier to talk to a therapist rather than friends or family as they are not emotionally involved with you. Hope you can get some help.

Wendy

[Lisa198 in reply to Fredders]

Hi wendy,

I have spoke to my doctor so many times they have put me on medication to try relax me but it aint working, I've done therapy too, i just want to feel ok again. Xx

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

I agree with Wendy, I definitely think you should seek counselling or therapy. I was able to talk to a psychologist after my out-of-the-blue diagnosis of heart failure and it helped me so much. I'm now much more comfortable with my health status and all the implications of that. When you've done so well physically, you really don't want to let the mental side of recovery stop you enjoying the life you have.

I can definitely relate to the anxiety of being surrounded by older people and feeling like the only young person this stuff is happening to. I spend lots of time in waiting rooms where I'm the only non-pensioner and it has really got me down in the past. But actually there are lots of younger people going through similar, as this forum makes obvious, and just because there are lots of elderly people around us at times, it doesn't mean we are all in the same situation or all have the same predicted outcomes. It's so hard to take a step back and see this when you're scared and upset, though, which is why it's so important to do something to tackle these feelings. I would make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible and find out what help is available in your area.

Good luck with it all and lots of love x

[Lisa198 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Hi laura,

Thank you for your reply. I've seen a doctor and been therapy but nothing seems to help me iv been on medication to try help relax me but still noting, but this site is makin me feel a lil bit better knowin i aint alone. I scar it not nice dont feel like me anymore. I hope ur well. Thank you. Xx

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Lisa198]

I think it took about four years of hard work before I started to feel positive about my situation, so please don't feel that something will never help you just because it hasn't helped so far. Eventually I found a balance of medication, lifestyle changes and talking therapy that made a difference, but there was a lot of trial and error beforehand. I really am happy now but I still have to work hard to maintain it. It's definitely not easy but please don't give up x

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Lisa, welcome to the forum.

3 years is a long time to be suffering, as some of the other members have suggested, go and see your GP, its time to get some help. Mine was just over a year ago and I am now seeing a counselor for help.

The scar, yes I can see why it would be an issue, have you tried any cream or oil to lessen it, bio oil or rosehip oil i have been using, other members will have other ideas and suggestions.

good luck

Mark

[Dazzler142]

Hi Lisa,

Bless you.

I have just had a mitral valve replacement.i am 45 and have a 15yr old daughter.it's really scary stuff ism't it.i feel really down some days as i had been ill since she was 4 and the guilt i have.

I think you should ask the doctor for some therapy,but for now this site is amazing.if you need to message me please do..don't feel alone

Jenny x

[Lisa198 in reply to Dazzler142]

Hi jenny,

Its so scary aint it the hurts so much, and after all ths time I still ake and cant even sneeze or cough with out hurting, u av been docs many of times, they have out me on medication to help me relax but it aint working for me. How are u feeling about the whole thing? And i will message you thank you 😊. Xx

[KazSumm]

Hi Lisa 198

I had AVR 17 weeks ago, I didn’t know I had a heart problem and showed no symptoms, so it

was a bolt out of the blue to be told your not going home and you will need open heart surgery. I am now suffering with Post Traumatic Stress . At cardio rehab they gave me a NHS service called Step2wellbeing you can refer yourself on line, I had my 1 hour telephone assessment last week and have chosen to have therapy by phone as the waiting list was shorter. The only way to sort it is by talking. I was frightened about the operation, but was surprised by how calm I was,and I can’t remember anything until I woke up the next day. You are obviously a lot younger than me and I can see how your scar could impact on your self confidence . I’ve excepted mine and see it as my battle scar but then my bikini days are long gone Lol I used Bio

oil every day and the top that shows is hardly noticeable . Depression and emotional well-being aren’t really discussed, just mentioned briefly in the information books, but nearly everyone I’ve met and the lovely people on this site who’s had open heart surgery sufferers from depression of some degree. Why no one seems to know. But I think it may be because our hearts are not only our engines, but we associate it with feeling love and emotions, and maybe because it’s stoped and restarted it takes a while for it to feel again.try to see the positive side you are alive and will see your child grow to an adult and share all life’s joys . Please talk to someone, and your not on your own. Take care Kaz❤️💕❣️

[Lisa198]

Hi kaz, thank you for ur kind words. Sorry to hear ur feeling down too. I dont know why people go through depression or PTSD, i thought i was the only one until i come on here, i finally know i aint alone now. I've always been an outgoing person now i just shut myself away. Yes im alive and im blessd to have an amazing son. I hope you feel better soon. And thank you. Xx

[gal4God]

I have PSTD 9 years after surgery. I was also the onli young person on the ward. It’s affected surgery’s I’ve had since emotionally and spiritually. I’m amazed that God keeps me fighting. I also have a scar I’ve hated from my surgery as a baby. I have keyhole surgery a lot now, my last open heart surgery was as a 4 year old. I was outgoing till 9 years ago and I went into a shell I’m just coming out of with therapy. I’ve had therapy for years now and just started to be able to talk bout my surgery 9 years ago. I refused antidepressants and decided to go fully down the therapy route. Also spoke to my pastor.