I have recently and quite unexpectedly had a Mitral valve repair and Aortic valve replacement. I am quite shell shocked!Really wasn't prepared for the anxiety that has hit me! I have been a widow for 20years, lived alone and been very independent! Suddenly I thought I'd turned into a vulnerable old lady! I "know" I haven't, I've actually been given extra years to enjoy and I'm probably a lot less vulnerable now than I was before (without knowing it) it's still early days (8 weeks)
I have a lot of nerve pain and sensations which can make me very anxious especially when on left side and into armpit. I have been checked out and reassured by GP and at hospital yet these feeling just pop up unexpectedly. Can anyone relate to this? And how long does this nerve pain continue?
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Mishy2610
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I was getting breathless, blamed it on gaining weight and blamed tiredness on lack of sleep. I had had high blood pressure for some years a family trait unfortunately. Then a heart murmur was picked up on annual health check and sent for an echocardiogram, which showed leaky Mitral valve. Within a few weeks I went down hill rapidly, went GP and he called an ambulance! 🤷♀️
I have a slightly leaky mitral valve have had it for years. We never know what's around the corner do we. Hope you are soon feeling really well and hope that someone who has experienced the same thing will soon reply.
I had a replacement aortic valve by open heart surgery when I was 72.
The recovery period for me was three months.. what I could identify was improvement every two days. After three months I had my life back. I felt so well and so active, it was wonderful.
I was given masses of anaesthetic for the op. So my brain was knocked off course for a while.
What did help me was getting in to a good sleeping pattern, in my case retiring at 10.30 and getting 7.5hrs sleep. This took me some time and effort. New mattress, trying things warmer and cooler etc etc etc. I use a tinnitus relaxer to help me settle . I don’t have tinnitus.
Without the new valve I would have been dead within weeks. So it’s all bonus time.
Summer is on its way, so it’s a good time for your life to be revitalised
Hi Sooty, thanks for your positive response 👍I wasn't expecting the Aortic replacement, only went down for Mitral repair. 8 hours later and yes, masses of anesthetic! I'd had the replacement too. In the surgeons words it was knackered .
I was very sick from anesthetic, I DO have tinnitus which was made so much worse in hospital! I know I'm getting there.
The neuropathic pain however seems to be getting worse before it gets better and can be quite disconcerting if you've never had chest pain before. So good to hear you have your life back and feel so well. Yes summer is on it's way but its taking it's time! Everything is better when the sun shines and it's been a good day today.
Hi Mishy,It's an incredible shock , and me personally, I found it very difficult mentally to come to terms with it all. A lot of people focus on the physical side, which is of course important, then forget about the mental scars.
The good news is physically you are on the mend. It may take a while. My Aortic valve replacement via OHS knocked me for six and I was a young 50 year old 😉. I didn't physically feel 'right' until three or four months after and even now, three and a half years after, I still am not 100%. I am sure I am better though than if I hadn't had the op.
I read these forums every day and they make me feel better. So times I post too.
The good news is hopefully the weather is improving and I found getting outside one of the best things.
Hi and welcome. You are in the right place here among friends. I'm sure most people with problems and surgery like this have anxiety problems post op but it does not help you. Does this pain mean anything etc. Good luck and enjoy your extended life xx
Good morning....I had mitral and tricuspid repairs 8 months ago. I got poorly very quickly and was so shocked with my diagnosis as I thought I had thyroid problems!! I got even more poorly as was first taken in as an emergency...Operation cancelled night before surgery....was sent home and waited a further nine months with more cancellations....2 whilst having been gowned and waiting for theatre. Unfortunately I got a hospital infection so when I did get my op i was kept in for 4 weeks....then had a further 3 weeks in hospital a couple of months after. All of this delayed my recovery somewhat and nine months later I still get the odd nerve sensation and muscular tension but nothing that particularly makes me worry. I would say it's still early days for you yet if it's only 8 weeks post surgery. I just think that open heart surgery is a huge shock to the body ... physically and for some, mentally. Lots of people are really lucky and have a text book recovery and feel fairly reasonable and ok 6-8 weeks down the line with not too many after effects. Others have to wait longer....might not be for any particular reason but I would think age can play some part. I would recommend doing chest exercises and also heart rehab, which you should have been or will be informed about....if not ask the hospital.....I think a lot of people on the forum will recommend the rehab. As I said....I think 8 weeks is still early days. Take it easy doing house work, changing beds etc ., Gardening...and don't lift anything too heavy or put any strain on your chest. Get any pain you are concerned about or that is ongoing checked out just for reassurance but I'm sure a few more weeks will see you feeling a lot better. Good luck with everything x
Just wanted to welcome you to the forum, Mishy. I'm sure it's not a forum you ever thought you'd be joining 😳but it's definitely the place to be if you've any questions (or need to vent!). I also live alone, am 63 and have always been fiercely independent - it's a bit of a shock when an 'event' like this hits us! Everyone here is helpful, kind and understands what you're feeling and going through and we have very knowledgeable people posting too! I don't know a lot about valve repair but do remember having quite a severe pain under my left armpit, and down my left side, for quite a few weeks after a triple-bypass last February especially on exertion. It lasted for about 8 weeks or so and I'm sure it was only nerve damage that took a wee while to heal, but you did the right thing in having it checked out. Carol
Hi MishyI had aortic valve replacement 4 years ago aged 49. It was totally unexpected as it was diagnosed after I had a cardiac arrest at my local Parkrun! The plus side was none of the waiting most people have.
My chest twitched when I initially lay down at night which I guess must have been the nerve endings. I think it lasted a few months and did at times reoccur but it's been a long time since it last happened.
Certainly 3 months after it wasn't unusual for me to have a lie down in the afternoon and it must have been a year before I could bend over to tie laces without feeling any discomfort.
I can still occasionally overdo things with a resultant sore chest but I don't think the structure is quite as strong as it was.
On the plus side I'm still improving my Parkrun times, faster than pre-op, and can almost keep up with my nephews when climbing munroes, I used to do one when they would do a second.
had mitral valve replced last year. It takes time but you will get there. Things you mentioned happened to me as well. And sometimes I feel the stretching on my chest when I move left side sharply. I hear the thickijg sound from the valve as well. Cardio doctors in Uk and Turkey checked and said all is ok. They both adviced me to carry on my life as normal but aboid lifting too heavy stuff. Apart from the hassle of getting my inr checked regularly (I bought a machine so I check at home sometimes) my life is much better and I am back to work 3 months after the operation. So far my life became better as my breathing is better.
Yours is too new yet. Just relax and give yourself time. If worried speak to rehab nurses. You will overcome the shock and have a better days than pre-op. so good days ahead.
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