Hi I had mechanical aortic valve replaced 27th March then during my stay contracted covid. However after 3 weeks I was discharged. My question is to others who have had a valve replacement is how long was it until you were fully emotionally 'back to normal'?.
Physically I'm doing really well walking at least 10000 steps a day but I'm quite concerned that I'm not remembering things. Even forgot if I'd already had a wash and brushed my teeth the other day. I feel quite concerned and am going to speak to my GP but is this normal???
I only retired from NHS in Dec was looking forward to retirement and spending time in Oz with my daughter and none of this has happened. I had a senior role and the thought of going back into any sort of a Nursing role petrifies me because of this memory issue.
Wondered if the covid has excavated the problem.
Thanks for any replies
Suzanne
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SuzanneJ1
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Hi Suzanne, good to hear your op went well and that you’ve recovered from Covid, must have been scary. Loss of memory and concentration after open heart surgery is very common. Recovery is varies from person to person, often depends on how long you were under anaesthetic. I think it took me a good six months for my memory to get completely back to normal. I still have my moments, but I put that down to age! 😜 I don’t know enough about the effect of Covid to say whether that could have made it worse, but if you are still worried have a chat with your GP or cardiac nurse.
So pleased to read your op went well and your recovering from Covid, as a Wendy as said memory can be a problem after a long op, and 11 weeks it’s not very long since your op. If you feel nervous I would have a word with your GP, you should be starting cardio rehab about now if things were back to normal and you could have spoke to the nurse there. Have you a contact in cardio rehab maybe a call there? One of my sons tells me I am telling him the same thing a couple of times!! Sure that’s my age 😊 you are doing really well.
Thanks for reply. I spoke to the GP he's prescribed diazepam but I don't really think it will help. It may be my age as I'm 55 so memory going a bit. It's quite worrying and frightening. Before all this I was in charge of lots of staff and services now the thought of being in charge of 1 person scares me witless.
Hopefully it will improve. It could be the covid making me worse maybe. Cardio rehab classes cancelled and being isolated doesn't help my recovery. I'm lucky I live in the country so I walk for miles every day with my dog so physically I've recovered well I think. I retired 31st Dec so think that may be hitting me a bit now too. Wanted to return to work part time but now reconsidering!!.
Think I remember you saying you have family in Australia? and you were planning a trip? I too have son in Perth.
That is something wonderful to look forward to. I can appreciate you saying it’s scary but maybe in time things will improve. Your body and mind have been through such a lot. I can remember after my op I would suddenly think about my surgeon holding my heart in his hand and my mind would be all over the place! From your post your physically doing wonderful, so gently does it.
Thanks for advice I read the article yesterday and yes it sounds very familiar. I'd never heard of it before yesterday. How are you recovering after your surgery? Hope your doing well? I can hear slight ticking mostly only at night or when its quiet but at least it's working!
Good luck you will be fine. I can't believe how well physically I feel I can now walk up hills without stopping and getting out of breath. It makes you realise how poorly you were before surgery.
Take care and keep in touch on here. You will feel so much better.
I am about 7 weeks and i had a mechanical aortic valve fitted.
I have been surprised just how long I am taking to get my brain thinking straight. I dont have any aftercare as pretty much everything has closed . So i am accepting that the memory loss is a temporary thing that will improve.
Think we are unfortunate to have had our surgery during this strange time as normally we'd be accessing cardiac rehab and seeing our Nurses. However we are still here and I hope you are recovering well. It's only really my cognitive state that's causing me a bit of concern and I've become quite anxious. I'm 11 weeks now. People say I'm putting pressure on myself. I had covid so I don't know if it's to do with that think that's something nobody knows at this time neither but if other people go through this too it makes me feel a bit better. Thanks for your reply and take care 😊
Cognitive troubles are very hard to deal with. Please try to do some relaxation sessions. Of whatever form suits you. In fact, thank you for raising this because I have not been doing any relaxation whereas I always used to. I will remedy my omission and get out my relax tape (yes its actually on a cassette). I had a stroke and have not totally got over the cognitive side, so I have that on top of the heart stuff. I try to see it as being able to kill two birds with one stone (isnt that a horrible saying. Poor birds).
Take care carry on with your walking I love being out in the fresh air with Alfie my black lab. We live in the country so I know I'm very lucky. Think it doesn't help that I retired from NHS at 55 in December so I think that is also having an effect on my emotional state going from a full time role to nothing. I was due to go back 3 days a week but obviously because of surgery and new management that role has since gone. Anyway I'm lucky to still be here so will keep going. Take care and I will look my relaxation CD out. 😀
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