Side effects Amiodarone Warfarin Amilofruse

[Frankievalli]

Husband is 2 weeks post op from a mechanical aortic valve replacement. He is struggling with pain in shoulders and cramp in both arms and has great difficulty sleeping. He also seems confused, not always but occasionally and I’m unable to rationalise with him, I wondered if this could be side effects of medication Amiodarone and a water tablet Co-Amilofruse. He has also started on Warfarin. Any advice or is it early days. Many thanks x

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Disturbed sleep is often a problem both post OHS and a stay in hospital (every time you get off you get woken for obs ☹️).

Warfarin has be used for decades and side effects are rare and usually limited to bleeding. The other two are used for arrhythmia and fluid retention. None are particularly known for the symptoms you describe.

Is he properly supported in bed?

You need to ring the cardiac unit or your GP in the morning. If you are really concerned or he develops chest pains it is 999!

[Frankievalli in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi, thank you so much for replying. We went to A&E yesterday as I panicked and they did ECG and chest X-ray on him and all was ok, the dr said it’s a huge op and a shock to him (and me!!) I felt he was suggesting we’d over-reacted. I shall ring our GP in the morning as you suggest. Thanks again.

[achingarm in reply to Frankievalli]

I had stent in December had some chest pains for about 6 weeks, not hurtful ones just aches. I attended our A&E many times to have things checked out & everything ok. Not until I saw and older doctor who explained these are normal & can last up to 2 months.

I know where you’re coming from when people think you’re over reacting, it’s not them that’s got the pain!

I’m sure your husband will be fine. Do not worry about taking your husband to A&E again if you need to.

Wishing you both good health

[Frankievalli in reply to achingarm]

Thank you for your reply, that’s reassuring to know that you have done the same, I’m sure A&E will be seeing us again ! All the best. X

[Yorkshirehead]

Hi Frankievalli, ( oh that name takes me back!😀)

Yes, a really stressful time. When I had my new aortic valve in 1982 I remember having feelings of panic. I had difficulty sleeping because of pain and general discomfort. I remember waves of panic coming over me. Instead of just staying in bed I used to get up and make a cup of tea. It helped.

Things got better slowly. Looking back, what I didn’t do enough of was talk to other people. It was years later that I first spoke to someone else who had become ‘bionic’! Fortunately, through social media, things are much better now.

Medication wise, I have never had any side effects from taking Warfarin, other than the obvious need for taking care re bruising.

Two weeks is still very early days but focussing on the, seemingly, tiny improvements together with keeping the mind busy could help. How about planning your next holiday together? It might help if your husband could be sharing in this forum as well as your good self.

Also, try listening to some Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons hits. They work wonders in lifting my spirits!!!

[Frankievalli in reply to Yorkshirehead]

Thank you for replying, it is such a stressful time, and it’s exactly as you say, waves of panic come over, I think it’s a shock to the system as he wasn’t displaying any symptoms, or so he thought.

No matter how much googling and reading you do I don’t think we were prepared but reading the replies on here is hugely reassuring.

Like the idea of planning a holiday might listen to Frankie Valli while doing just that. 😀 x

[Hermanm]

Hi ,

I had the same op 4 years ago,

It's a big op and a big shock to the system,

I think the cramps and pains will ease after a few months,

Mine certainly did,

I still get cramps ocasionally ,going down both arms ,even now!

I find, if I sit on a chair ,and lean forward, with my head lowered, towards my chest ,and my arms hanging loose ,and just try and relax ,it soon passes.

Its early days for him,

but there will be a day ,when the corner is turned ,

and he will get better .

( I didn't believe it either)

It took me about 3 months ,

then I was able to walk 2miles to my local hospital for my warfarin checks ,

and I was back to work as a landscape gardener, a couple of months after that.

as for the confusion issue ,

I havent had any problems like that ,apart from when I was on high levels of pain relief in hospital , things were a bit strange at times!

I'm on Ramipril, and Bisoprolol now,

and they do have side effects which are well documented,

probably best to see his GP,

Hope things get better soon ,

Keep us updated,

and good luck!

[Mikedabike]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I had a mechanical aortic valve and hemiarch graft. I am now nearly 9 weeks post op. The shoulder pain is a very common symptom and can last for some time. I was lucky with my pain, but many on my ward needed copious amounts of pain medication to manage the pain. If I can offer any advice it is to strictly follow the guidelines for lifting. The other week I reached across a sofa to lift a fairly heavy tray without thinking. I immediately felt the strain in my shoulders and learned a valuable lesson. Just remember your husband has undergone major surgery, so try not to worry too much. Each person recovers and heals at very different rates.

[bowls12]

First and most important, contact your GP or the heart specialist. Some of the side effects you mentioned are known, but there is no need to "suffer in silence"

I had trouble sleeping after a mitral valve repair, the cardiac rehab nurse advised sleeping in a comfy chair with feet up is OK, The important point is to sleep no matter where.

Slowly things will improve, it might take several weeks or even a momth to two. We all recover at different rates, not according to numbers in a book.

Gentle exercise, walking is best, is essential. 100 yards this week, 200 next week and before long it will be a mile.

I w wasn't a fitness fanatic, but following the cardiac rehab programme I'm now at the gym for 1 hour, twice a week.

[Chrijan]

My 22 year old son had mechanical valve done in August real shock thought he had only pulled a muscle . He had lots of pain in his shoulders and like your husband didn’t sleep well . It was very hard and still is for my son to come to terms with what he has gone through . It knocked his confidence big time . He also is on warfarin and 7 months later still up and down on his inr .

[Frankievalli in reply to Chrijan]

Thank you for replying, it is such a shock isn’t it, especially as your son is so young, I’m sure he’s going to be fine and will turn that elusive corner soon.

We were advised it’s 12 months and even longer before back to normal but that everyone recovers differently.

Sending much love to you and your son. Xx

[Hannah-Hay]

If he had a general anaesthetic it could be that causing your husband’s problem & anaesthetic can take months to totally go from your body. Hope all goes well