worrywart24

[Worrywart2024]

can anyone who has had a mitral valve repair say how long did it take you to recover and are you feeling the benefits of more energy. Also any all round advice please.

[Skiffrower]

I had mitral valve repair and aortic valve replacement in June. I'm 67. Ist 3 months were a bit grim until I got the post op medication sorted; other people don't seem to have issues with meds. I have lost muscle tone but I'm gradually getting this back and also being able to do more. now walk 4-5 miles , hills are hard still. Having had open heart surgery , I'm still being careful about lifting heavy things like compost bags! BUT I have complication of long covid and asthma so still have to pace myself as after a day of exercise I need to do v little the next day. Personally I've accepted that it will take a year to be really fighting fit.

But I'm better than a month ago.......

[Worrywart2024 in reply to Skiffrower]

You seem to be doing amazingly well with all your health problems , post covid affected so many people. Really appreciate your positive reply and wish you continued progress.

[Traveldreams]

Had mine Jan 31st. 24 hours in icu (don’t recall much about it) followed by another 5 days on ward. First month was hard going but not impossible. I was back at work after 13 weeks (part time) and full time after 4 months (standard days 730-530 plus work at home for one day at weekend).

I’ve been walking 10 miles at the weekend and have enjoyed 3 holidays abroad since August.

My top tips are ignore the goals for exercise and listen to your body, buy a slope for your bed, I couldn’t get in or out of bed initially without it. Lots of front fastening tops or PJs and lots of new facecloths for cleaning and drying your wound . Easier to keep washing them than towels.

Keep in touch xx

[Worrywart2024 in reply to Traveldreams]

Thankyou so much for your reply and practical tips.

[Bluedolphin123]

Hi I had my mitral valve repair OHS in July

I’m a real worrier but have to say it wasn’t as bad as I imagined plus having the surgery has decreased my anxiety & worry significantly - can’t believe I’ve done it but now don't even think about it .

Due to the long wait for surgery I left my job and although I’d be welcomed back I’m not sure I’m up to the fast life pace of my job at the moment.

I have however made it to Cornwall 7 weeks post op which was a surprise , I’m now doing the cardiac rehabilitation, walk every day and started swimming again - next aim is to get back to the gym and yoga .

I meet friends most afternoons now so keeping busy but I do pace my self which I don’t mind d too much afters years of trying to be superwoman I’m enjoying taking life a bit easier.

I do get tired but I think it’s realistic to think I’m looking at a year or more to get fully back to me

I’ve emerged from all of this a much calmer braver person making the most of every day which I’m rather liking 😊

Good luck I know absolutely that you will be fine

Do let us know here how you get on x

[Worrywart2024 in reply to Bluedolphin123]

What an uplifting message thank you so much that really has mentally given me a boost. Just want to get the job done now but its a waiting game to get to the top of the operating list.

[Bluedolphin123 in reply to Worrywart2024]

As everyone will say It’s the waiting that’s hard but I decided to focus on meditation journaling I did talking therapy (all new things I wouldn’t have considered before to help keep upbeat) plus a daily walk at whatever the pace is that day is fine , listen to your body

I continued with the gentle swimming & yoga healthy eating , it all gave me a purpose whilst waiting and for me that worked.

I stayed in touch with friends but that was a lot of garden center tea & cake 😂

Honestly before all this I would have ruminated over everything and almost fainted at going for a routine check up so yes life does feel good 😂xx

[Worrywart2024 in reply to Bluedolphin123]

😀You sound upbeat which is good for me mentally thank you😀

[Haveabrew]

Hi,I'm only just over 2 weeks post surgery,but I think everyone is different in recovery. I was slow at first but no pain. Still steady with regular walking ,further each time but easier each time. Down to minimal meds now .Only real irritant is the sensitive stomach area to touch, not painfull. I assume nerves in repair. All considered I'm doing and feeling good.Still feel the cold more ,but hoping down to Warfarin which I'm hoping is temporary as only had repair not replacement. I'm seeing surgeon for follow up in next few weeks hopefully. INR test down to once a week now.

[Worrywart2024 in reply to Haveabrew]

Thank you so much you seem to be doing really well after only 2 weeks since surgery which is comforting to hear. What is an INR test?

[Haveabrew in reply to Worrywart2024]

INR (international normalized ratio) blood test measures how long it takes for your blood to clot. INR is calculated from a prothrombin time (PT) test, which measures how quickly a blood sample clots. The INR is a standardized ratio that makes it easier to compare results from different labs or test methods.

INR

What it measures

How long it takes for blood to clot

Why it's important

Helps doctors determine the best dose of warfarin for patients, and assess the risk of bleeding

Target range

For most people taking warfarin, the INR range is between 2.0 and 3.0

What it means if it's above or below target

Above target means blood takes longer to clot, which can increase the chance of bleeding. Below target means blood clots too fast, which can increase the chance of harmful blood clots.

INR tests are required for patients taking oral anticoagulants, like warfarin, to monitor their INR and adjust their dose. The frequency of testing depends on the patient's circumstances, but is usually every 1–2 days when starting the medication, then once or twice a week until the INR is stable. After that, testing may only be required once every 12 weeks.

A lower INR number could also be caused by taking supplements or eating foods high in vitamin K.

What is an INR test? Do I need to have them? - Heart Foundation

26 Mar 2023 — What is an INR test? * INR stands for 'international normalised ratio'. It's a blood test that measures how long it takes your blood to form a clot.

Heart Foundation

Prothrombin Time Test and INR (PT/INR) - MedlinePlus

15 May 2024 — What is a prothrombin time test with an INR (PT/INR)? A prothrombin time (PT) test measures how many seconds it takes for a clot to form in a blood s...

MedlinePlus

International normalised ratio (INR) test - Healthdirect

What is the international normalised ratio blood test? The international normalised ratio (INR) blood test tells you how long it takes for your blood to clot. A...

Healthdirect

International Normalized Ratio (INR) - StatPearls - NCBI

Introduction. International normalized ratio (INR) is the preferred test of choice for patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA). It can also be used to asses...

NCBI

How and when to take warfarin - NHS

Regular blood tests The aim of warfarin treatment is to make your blood clot more slowly, not to stop it from clotting completely. Getting this balance right me...

nhs.uk

Prothrombin Time (PT/INR) Blood Test for Clotting Time - WebMD

28 May 2023 — If you have a lower number, your blood clots faster than normal. This could be from taking supplements or eating foods high in vitamin K.

WebMD

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. Generative AI is experimental.

Hope that helps...at gp it's mostly done by finger prick tests.

[Worrywart2024 in reply to Haveabrew]

Wow no wonder its in Initials. That was a very in depth reply thank you so much for enlightening me and for taking the time to do so. Everyone on this site is so helpful and i feel better prepared. Thankyou Haveabrew that just what i am going to do now.

[PadThaiNoodles]

Another worrier here.

Diagnosed with mitral valve & aortic valve regurgitation 20 years ago, but was asymptomatic so it was just a once-a-year echo and an MRI every 5 years or so.

Diagnosed with depression & anxiety disorder about 10 years ago. On escitalopram and lamotrigine for it.

Last year echo showed LVH (from my heart trying to compensate for the leaking valves). Still asymptomatic, but LVH is an indicator for surgery so I had my mitral valve repaired and my aortic valve replaced 8 weeks ago.

Hospital was kind of rough (I was in for 11 days because my INR wouldn't settle down). First 4 weeks at home were pretty bleh too, but then things started to really improve. I went back to playing bridge at 5 weeks, and driving at 6 weeks. At 8 weeks I definitely feel I've got this under control.

I didn't really get a bounce in energy because I was asymptomatic going in. But my depression and anxiety (even though reasonably well controlled before) do seem to be better yet. (Knock on wood.)

[Worrywart2024 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Oh wow that’s fabulous news, I can’t believe that you bounced back so quickly after major surgery. Everyone’s comments have really cheered me up. So pleased you have got you zest back to enjoying you hobbies.

Just getting the tests done before being put forward for a repair job has taken ages so hoping it’s not going to be a year or more for the surgery. Fingers crossed.