white noise pillows or other recommendations to limit thumping/thud following aortic valve replacement

[andgrant1]

Hi, I’m coming up to ; months after successful aortic valve and roof replacement and all is going well apart from the thumping from the mechanical valve that is severely impacting sleep and often means I just can’t back the sleep again after waking in the middle of the night. Has anyone had similar experiences and tried one of the white noise sleep pillows that are used for tinnitus and seem to be an option for me. It’s only when things are really quiet and still that I notice the valve but it’s quite a thud rather than a gentle ticking! I know it is reassuring to hear it working and things may quieten down over time. Thanks for any tips or recommend products!

[Hanibil]

Hi I had a similar experience when I had my mechanical valve, before I had the procedure my surgeon warned me that would be the case for a while, he said one of the reasons is you are without realising it listening for the tick. He told me to buy an old fashioned alarm clock, the one with the two bells on top he explained that they tick loudly and would take my mind off the valve ticking. It worked wonderfully I do not use now it as I no longer hear my valve. The other thing he said was when you do hear it while laying in bed just think to yourself if it wasn’t for that you may not be alive.

[andgrant1 in reply to Hanibil]

Thanks so much for this and I do agree with you that the main thing is to still be here! Willing to give anything a try for a better nights sleep so appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post.

[Rhinos67]

Hello

I also have a mechanical valve, I took ownership April 22. During the day the noise doesn't bother me at all, but I become ultra aware of it during the night and that sometimes keeps me awakebane anxious.

When it becomes too much I use my Echo dot that is in my bedroom and put rain sounds on..rain on a window and rain on a tent are my favourites. They generally send me off to sleep.

I hope this helps 😊-

Joanne

[andgrant1 in reply to Rhinos67]

Hi Joanne, that helps a lot, thank you. I do have an echo dot and will try that as it could be a very simple solution! I hope your recovery has gone well too.

[Rhinos67 in reply to andgrant1]

There are dozens of different sounds, including white noise. You have to activate the sleep sounds skill and then go through them to see which works for you. And yes thanks I'm doing well, I've just been to the gym 😊

[andgrant1 in reply to Rhinos67]

That’s great and so pleased to hear you’re doing well also!

[Daisyblu]

I received my mechanical valve 26 years ago. I am really not aware of the sound it makes but others are at times! I'm sure it's something that you adjust to over time. Take care.

[andgrant1 in reply to Daisyblu]

Many thanks for the reply. Glad to hear you’re doing so well and that you’re no longer aware of the ticking.

[Wingnutty]

I can't beat the advice you have already been given, but I will tell you what my surgeon told me at the preop assessment. He said, most people tolerate the ticking very well, but he did have one female patient who was being driven crazy by it and insisted that he take it out and replace it with an animal valve. After a lot of toing and froing he relented and gave her a second sternotomy and replaced it. He told me that back in 2013 when I had my op, but the NHS is a different world now and I doubt she would get that second op unless she went private.

[andgrant1 in reply to Wingnutty]

Thanks and there isn’t any way I’d want to go through it again just because of the ticking. I hopeful it will start to quieten down over time as everything heals or that I just get used to it!