Hello,
I am currently waiting on OHS for severe aortic regurgitation. I am struggling with my sleep massively due to symptoms (mainly due to how strong my heart beat and pulse is). I don't have any breathlessness, ankle swelling, etc.
I am concerned that I feel so poorly prior to major surgery.
Anyone experience anything similar?
Many thanks,
Adam
Hello AdanJames157
I was very sick before my OHS replacement valve and bypass and spent 7 weeks in hospital before being transferred to the heart hospital for surgery.
My problem was water retention and was on a diuretic drip twice a day to get rid of the problem.
My surgery went well I was only in the heart hospital for 7 days and I made a good recovery that was nearly 6 years ago and I was much older than you 68 at the time.
You say you feel poorly and can’t sleep can you possibly have a word with your cardiologist or your GP? Have you got a date for your surgery? Maybe if you explain your struggling you could be moved up the list.
I hope you can get it sorted, the waiting is so much harder than the op itself.
Best wishes Pauline
Many thanks. Where did you have water retention?
I can't sleep as I can hear my heart/pulse in my ears. I can also feel the odd twitching now and again in different places. I have no idea what the twitches are a cause of, however I do not feel great. I have tried talking with GP and Cardiologist who've said I have an appt next week with surgeon so discuss then.
Hi again,
The water retention was all over my body, in total I lost 68lb in weight! They weighed me every day just to keep a record, my poor heart couldn’t pump hard enough to get rid of the fluid.
Hearing your heart beating in your ears I had after my surgery, thought it was something to do with my mended heart but was told by the doctor it’s a form of tinnitus, it drove me nuts for ages but after a few months it eased off. Twitches, sounds like your anxious, and as I said before the waiting is so much worse than the operation.
When you have seen your surgeon and discussed types of valves and what will happen you will feel that things are moving.
Once you have your new mended heart just remember to follow all the instructions you are given.
Don’t try and run before you can walk. Once you have your date post and someone will talk you through what to expect.
Yes it’s major surgery but it’s done day in day out and your surgeon will be very good at what he does it’s his day job!
Every day I thank the medical team that gave me my life back. I have seen my granddaughters grow and thrive. 6 years ago I never thought it would be possible.
You will be walking this mended heart road before you know it.
Very best wishes Pauline.
Terrified of OHS. I can feel my heart beat in my chest now and can’t sleep because of the sounds in my ears. See surgeon on Wednesday.
We are all scared out of our skin, you wouldn’t be normal if you weren’t, but please believe me that once your in hospital it’s not like our imagination makes it. We are so well looked after, you will be thinking about how much pain you will be in. You will have nothing, uncomfortable is about as bad as it get’s.
You will have rules to follow, no arms above your head, no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water, and no pulling or pushing movements. This is for 8-10 weeks, just so the sternum heals like any broken bone it takes time. Do your exercises walking daily gently at first but as you get stronger increase it.
Sleeping can be a problem, I am a side sleeper and for the first few weeks you need to sleep on your back, so a V shaped pillow helps. A rolled up towel or I had a baby blanket for when you need to cough or sneeze or laugh! Pressed against your chest helps loads, all these things you will be told about in hospital.
When I was told about my heart issues, it was as if the ground had opened up under my feet. We all feel that being scared is an understatement!
As for the sounds in your ears, sometimes it sounded like soldiers marching over cobblestone’s, it seemed so loud to me I thought my husband could hear it laying next to me, but of course he couldn’t.
Once you have met your surgeon things will start to make sense.
Best wishes Pauline.
I am waiting for OHS for a valve replacement and your comments have been a real comfort to me, thank you. I am.pleased to hear you are feeling so well x
Morning Cavachon1
There are so many of us on the forum that have had OHS I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass. If you have any questions just post and someone will be along to try and help.
We all face the unknown and asking questions from someone who knows how you feel really helps.
Wishing you a great recovery
Pauline
is it the same for any valve replacement? I have MR which at the moment is moderate but I quickly get breathless and fatigued with a tight chest
Aortic valve replacement 
aortic valve replacement 
Aortic valve 
Mitral valve regurgitation 
aortic graft and valve
