jeffreycaulfield
Member
Thanks, dont know how i missed that!
38/M - 5.5 weeks post AV/Root Replacment (Surgeon Selection, Recovery & Pericarditis)
- Thread starter acki46
- Start date
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- Aug 30, 2022
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Hi @jeffreycaulfield
My current energy levels are no different to pre-surgery as I was asymptomatic. The pericarditis pain has now eased, but the advice seems to minimise any strenuous activity for 1-3 months
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I was always a casual surfer at the best of times and given current circumstances (travel, winter & pericarditis) I haven't been in the water for the best part of 4 months. I definitely still had discomfort during my last surf but it has eased over the past 12 months. I did discuss it with my surgeon post-op and he said that it can be caused by a build up of scar tissue at the base of your sternum. Apparently you can have an operation to remove this scar tissue if it is significnatly affecting your comfort but I have not explored this further.
As others have saide - TAVR/TAVI is not possible with a mechanical valve.
My current energy levels are no different to pre-surgery as I was asymptomatic. The pericarditis pain has now eased, but the advice seems to minimise any strenuous activity for 1-3 months
.I was always a casual surfer at the best of times and given current circumstances (travel, winter & pericarditis) I haven't been in the water for the best part of 4 months. I definitely still had discomfort during my last surf but it has eased over the past 12 months. I did discuss it with my surgeon post-op and he said that it can be caused by a build up of scar tissue at the base of your sternum. Apparently you can have an operation to remove this scar tissue if it is significnatly affecting your comfort but I have not explored this further.
As others have saide - TAVR/TAVI is not possible with a mechanical valve.
jeffreycaulfield
Member
Hey @acki46 ,
I hope you've recovered from your second pericarditis episode. How are you feeling now?
I've spent the last couple of months weighing up valve options and this thread has been a massive help in choosing a valve and easing the anxiety about what's to come. Thank you for this.
I've decided to go with a mechanical valve with the hope that it's a one and done scenario. The plan is to have the surgery mid november.
I'm either going to go with Dr. Jansz at St Vincent's or a surgeon in Ireland to be closer to family for the recovery.
I hope you don't mind answering a couple of final questions. I feel like our lifestyles are similar with regard to travel, hiking and casually surfing so you're answers have been really helpful for me.
- Did you have a full sternotomy or was Dr Mathur able to do a mechanical valve via a mini sternotomy?
- What type of mechanical valve did you choose and why? I'm considering either a On-X or St Jude
Thanks for all your help. I plan to do a similar post following my surgery to give back to this amazing community.
I hope you've recovered from your second pericarditis episode. How are you feeling now?
I've spent the last couple of months weighing up valve options and this thread has been a massive help in choosing a valve and easing the anxiety about what's to come. Thank you for this.
I've decided to go with a mechanical valve with the hope that it's a one and done scenario. The plan is to have the surgery mid november.
I'm either going to go with Dr. Jansz at St Vincent's or a surgeon in Ireland to be closer to family for the recovery.
I hope you don't mind answering a couple of final questions. I feel like our lifestyles are similar with regard to travel, hiking and casually surfing so you're answers have been really helpful for me.
- Did you have a full sternotomy or was Dr Mathur able to do a mechanical valve via a mini sternotomy?
- What type of mechanical valve did you choose and why? I'm considering either a On-X or St Jude
Thanks for all your help. I plan to do a similar post following my surgery to give back to this amazing community.
Lisa from LJ
Well-known member
Do you have autoimmune issues? I've had recurrent pericarditis since my surgery in 1998. It's nothing like it was the first couple of years and I always feel it coming on, so I take colchicine and Aleve immediately, but they say it's an autoimmune issue, just like a few other things that I have.
jeffreycaulfield
Member
No autoimmune issues but that’s interesting. It sounds like pericarditis is more common than I realised
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- Aug 30, 2022
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- 17
Hey @jeffreycaulfield ,
The pericarditis episode didn't last longer than a couple of days, however medical guidance has been to reduce exercise for a period of 1-3 months (dependent on a number of factors) - this is probably the most frustrating thing about the whole thing.
I started excercising two weeks ago and went for my first decent bike ride in 5 months (most of this delay was due to international travel rather than pericarditis)
In regards to your questions:
- I had a full sternotomy. I did ask Dr Mathur if he would consider doing a mini. His guidance was that he wanted full access should something go wrong.
- I have a Medtronic Open Pivot valve; this was what Dr Mathur recommended based on his surgical experience
In both cases, I deferred to the surgeon's recommendation given his vastly greater experience in this matter than mine.
At this point I have no regrets with my choice of a mechanical valve. I'm approaching 2 years post OHS and I can imagine that I'll reach the 10 year anniversay before I know it. I'd hate to be staring down the possibility of another OHS (probably more from the mental aspect rather than the physical recovery).
Cheers,
Alex
The pericarditis episode didn't last longer than a couple of days, however medical guidance has been to reduce exercise for a period of 1-3 months (dependent on a number of factors) - this is probably the most frustrating thing about the whole thing.
I started excercising two weeks ago and went for my first decent bike ride in 5 months (most of this delay was due to international travel rather than pericarditis)
In regards to your questions:
- I had a full sternotomy. I did ask Dr Mathur if he would consider doing a mini. His guidance was that he wanted full access should something go wrong.
- I have a Medtronic Open Pivot valve; this was what Dr Mathur recommended based on his surgical experience
In both cases, I deferred to the surgeon's recommendation given his vastly greater experience in this matter than mine.
At this point I have no regrets with my choice of a mechanical valve. I'm approaching 2 years post OHS and I can imagine that I'll reach the 10 year anniversay before I know it. I'd hate to be staring down the possibility of another OHS (probably more from the mental aspect rather than the physical recovery).
Cheers,
Alex
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2022
- Messages
- 17
Thanks for sharing @Lisa from LJ ,
I don't have an autoimmune disease, I do however have Hereditatry Fructose Intolerance. I haven't found anything that would link HFI with pericarditis.
How often do you suffer pericarditis?
I don't have an autoimmune disease, I do however have Hereditatry Fructose Intolerance. I haven't found anything that would link HFI with pericarditis.
How often do you suffer pericarditis?
Lisa from LJ
Well-known member
Not very often anymore, maybe once or twice q year, and when I feel it coming on, I take medicine immediately that knocks it out. The first round of colchicine didn't completely put it into remission, but it did slow it down immensely.
