Recent content by Erwitchin

Both are important. Until I got my diagnosis and prescription, I had neglected my physical health for years because making a call or appointment would only occur to me at 3 am or on Sundays. Without the Adderal I would never remember to show up at the doctors office.

They actually started giving to me in the ICU, but stopped when someone figured out that it counteracts the pain medicine. I resumed (with approval) as soon as I stopped taking the opiate and the muscle relaxer, about a week after my surgery

I just had that surgery on June 12. I was in pain for a few days because my lung didn't want to inflate back up. (I was a smoker for 40+ years and quit the day before surgery) The pain was well managed and I was able to go home 4 days after surgery. I was able to drive a week later. I am...

Hi! Welcome to a place you never wanted to be! I am glad your friend sent you here... there is a LOT of good info from good people. Sorry about the delivery of the news and lack of education from your cardio team... but they aren't leading you astray from what I can tell. I have known that I...

That wasn't the terminology used by my surgeon, but I think it accurate and succinct, while lacking specificity. Honestly, I am just impressed the thing worked as well as it did for 51 years.

Pics from my surgeon! My valve was WONKY!

Check out minimally invasive options. I just had my aortic valve replaced on June 12 via mini thoracotomy. I am off the serious pain meds (don't need them anymore), I feel mostly recovered from the "wounds" and my heart already feels better than it has in years. I am trying to start some rehab...

Made it through surgery. Trying to Inflate my right lung all the way so I can go home. I can NOT hear my valve, which was something I worried about.

Me too! Hoping my lung inflates and I can go home later today. We made it!

Surgery in 3 days! Packing, getting my space ready to come home to, and getting trying not to over think!

The papers... 1st from 2018 finding that minimally invasive procedures are indeed safe and viable https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5906311/#:~:text=Overall%20procedure%20duration%20was%20significantly,group%3B%20P%3C0.01). this from 2022 comparing recovery and complication rates...

My local doctors were all suggesting sternotimy or TAVR as if those were the only options. I don't even qualify for TAVR, since I have a bicuspid aortic valve. I "shopped" around and found a surgeon 4 hours away who specializes in the mini-thoracotomy. I will be having surgery on Wednesday. I...

We are to be surgery buddies! I am getting packed tonight to go to Dallas and have my AVR on Wednesday!. Best Wishes!

Yes, but it says that extensions must be filed prior to the date of stay, which makes no sense. How would they know in advance? The surgeon estimates 3-5 days, so I would think the insurance would authorize at least 3 to start. (And here I thought 1 day for childbirth was pushing people out...

I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve at around 27, and with ADD at 50. I credit the Adderal for enabling me to actually make and keep doctors appointments and get the severe stenosis diagnosis before it damaged the rest of my heart. My primary care physician, cardiologist, and surgeon...