Hi all I had a aortic heart replacement with a mechanical valve. This was my 4th op [ 1st one when I was 10 I'm now 56) and last one. I had severe stenosis as the homograft valve I had in me for 31 years caused me to get endocarditis. The op was torrential as the valve was in a bad way but I survived. Before this I had been unwell for approx 2 years with cardiac symptoms. I feel relieved and happy that I'm alive but I also feel sad and depressed and a bit overwhelmed. I feel I should be extra happy as I did survive the op but most of the time I'm sad. My ribcage hurts a lot more than I can remember and I'm getting used to taking warfarin. Is it normal to feel like this?
Thank you Felicity
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Good morning felicity. I had a CABG and a mechanical mitral valve installed 22 years ago at the age of 54. The emotional stress and reaction takes a few years to overcome with thoughts of "why me" and feelings of guilt that you have been "cured" but people you know haven't. This is perfectly normal and my loved ones were very tolerant and supportive. It's a long job to get to almost normal and your ribs have been abused to an incredible degree. I only stopped having shoulder pain after two years! If you want any specific support or advice on warfarin PM me. After my surgery I found an American warfarin forum that was incredibly helpful and exploded many myths and it persuaded me to go into anti-coagulant learning more deeply. The results of that was that I now basically live a normal life with warfarin having little impact on my day to day living. I hope you're feeling better soon!
Felicity we are all different. I had my valve replaced while I was still fit and young apart from a leaking valve, so I felt so alert once I had got over the effects of the anesthetic that I was making others fell tired. As you were unwell prior to surgery it is not unreasonable to expect your recovery to be a little slower but as your heart is now working normally you should begin to feel the benefit soon. As for Warfarin, I have been taking it for 36 years now and live a totally normal life (admittedly my alcohol intake has always been extremely low or zero regardless) Hope you feel the benefit soon
I count myself as very lucky (compared to most on this forum)
3 years ago I was fit& healthy my own business with my wife 2021 endocarditis , bypass & a new valve (aortic) following year pacemaker & endocarditis again.
Im here healthy as can be, optimistic & lucky. Nearly 3 years of nightmares at least they’re gone( mostly) Everything does get better
Lovely to hear you are well three years on, I had AVR and IE back in July last year and just finished 7 weeks of IV for the 2nd round of IE only to be told I have new vegatations/growths following a TOE scan last week, I’m confused we didn’t ask many questions as was in shock, how could this be and what next for me, I’m waiting to hear from the consultants this week.
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