Aortic stenosis

[OttoK]

I will have a titanium aortic heart valve put in soon. Very happy to get advice from others: How long did you wait on your the waiting list? Tips about life afterwards.

Thanks,

Otto

[jimmyq]

I haven't had that but good luck with it!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Ticktock61's AVR journey is well documented. It starts here:- healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

[OttoK in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for the info. Otto

[kefalonia1]

Hi Otto, l had the same valve inserted two years ago Yesterday, but mine was an emergency op 5 weeks after the first repair failed. l worked as a nursey nurse in a lovely rural day nursery always active running with the kids through woods etc but after my op the lack of energy, soreness, and no confidence hit me like a train. My advice is to pace yourself, nap when you feel like it and be prepared for the depression which often follows, mine was horrendous followed by flashbacks of hideous visions caused by all the drugs. lt took me 18 months to get my head around all that had happened to me it was like a bad dream ( you must tell loved ones how you feel at all times it is hard but so very important) and be prepared for the ticking noise from your chest like the crocodile in peter pan!!! TODAY, life is great l am now happy, a lot fitter than l was, back on my Husbands fast BMW motorbike (not so much biker chick, more like an old boiler but l don't care, with my helmet on and tinted visor down no one knows my age) and l fly off on holidays. l have recently been discharged from BHF outpatients after a successful echo scan, just a pacemaker check once a year and warfarin. lts a long road to recovery but now l am quite fond of the titanium valve which saved my life, l've called it" Steve" to add some humour on those dark days. There are some wonderful people on this site ready to support you through anything at any time please keep in touch, you will be just fine. Take care, Sue x

[OttoK in reply to kefalonia1]

Dear Sue, what a nice reply, it really moved me and my other half. I think I am to have a carbon fibre valve. Tests yesterday showed that I have a big lung capacity and other not-so-bad indicators, although I have big fatigue from about midday every day and really need that valve. Prompted by your message we are thinking of names for my future valve.

Valvey McValveface is the most obvious, or Fickle after the song "My fickle heart". So, I guess like you, humour is my best antidote ..... and Tina Turner.

Please drive that motorbike carefully and thanks for your support.

Otto x

[kefalonia1 in reply to OttoK]

Thanks Otto, love the names for your valve it really helps to laugh! l am just the pillion on the motorbike but we have connecting microphones in our helmets, if my Husband rides too fast l sing "bat out of hell" loudly and off key, he soon stops so l will be fine. Good luck with everything. Sue x

[OttoK in reply to kefalonia1]

Well I had my op lady Friday. I now sit and walk. They don’t tell how tough it is. Probablt 2 or 3 more days. It was aortic valve plus double by-pass. Distressing halucinations from the drugs. They tell me they will wear off. Pain not as bad as I thought it would be, but nausea, worse. Now it’s all walking and caughing to clear lungs. Coughing painful but better after. Whole thing like crawling through a tunnel a but feel pretty optimistic. Luck to have fab wife. Cheers Otto.

[kefalonia1 in reply to OttoK]

Great news mate! you are at the end of the tunnel and into the light. l have a wonderful Husband who has been my rock and it sounds like your wife is the same. The hideous flashbacks do hang around for a while but eventually subside. Onwards and upwards from now on, you are alive and mended. Take care, Sue.

[bee862]

I call my heart tikki. Often say come on tikki we can do this. Lol

I had my valve replaced February last year. I had a human valve. I was on a medical trial. I’m very lucky as I don’t have to take blood thinners.

I have never been one to have a nap but when I come home after the op I napped a lot. You definitely have to listen to your body. I have been given some amazing advice on here.

I have always suffered with depression and anxiety and since the op i do find it very hard. But everyone is different and you will do just fine. But it is a long road. If you have any questions I’m more than happy to try and help.

Good luck and best wishes

Keely

[OttoK in reply to bee862]

Just had my angiogram. They may have found some extra clogging. Now it's just waiting for the results, then waiting for an op date, then waiting for the op, then waiting to recover. Hope that at least one of the terrible duo of depression and fatigue will diminish finally. Thanks for your kind words and happy nappying.

Otto