Denial?

[kevin21]

Seems like its easier to get winded lately but then I think it is because i've gotten out of shape. I used to go to the gym about 4-5 days a week and lift weights, but for about 2 years I've been sporadicaly getting on the elipitcal rider machine and doing that for about 20-30 mins a session. Latley I've all but stopped doing that and I've also been chowing down on fast food for about a month.

Did anyone else seem winded or tired a little more often before they had to get AVR surgery?

My last echo was a little better number wise than my prior one, I guess due to the fact that I was put on Accupril (ace inhibitor). My ejection number was like 65%. The valve leaks bad (Docs words) and he is concerned about the heart walls getting thicker, which they had done a little since a couple of years ago.

At this point I guess it is a question of when instead of if.

2 more questions.

Doc said, no heavy weights but I could do moderate cardio exercising. Should I start back up and try to get in shape before I have surgery? Or is it better to not get the blood pressure up?

Also, and I've asked this before but I forgot, are there any good surgeons here in Houston? I believe the Debakey heart center is here....


I have so many questions about this stuff!!!

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Kevin,
I used to think that it was old age getting to me after a long workout or after a large fire call. But I think all along it was my aortic valve getting worse. I am even older now and I haven't felt this good for years. I think we do have some denial about it and hope it will go away but it doesn't.
As far as exercising before surgery, I think the better shape a person is in the better the recovery. Just don't over do it.

From other posts I have read, it sounds like there are a lot of good heart surgeons in the Houston Area.

Take Care.

Dave
____________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Mara]

Oh yes, Kevin.

For the 6 months before my AVR I was very fatigued.
Chasing the dog around the yard made me more winded than I cared to think about. Carrying a full laundry basket from the basement to the second floor made me a little more winded than I liked, too.
But, mostly I felt tired. I could go to sleep at 10 p.m. get up at 8 and need a nap by 1 or 2. That was pretty yuky.

But, now, I feel great!
Last weekend I played two 60 minute soccer games, we aren't World Cup, but it's a workout!
-Mara

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi kevin!
i remember joey getting progressivley more fatigued and winded about 4-6 month before he had his surgery done. in fact, near the end he could hardly make it upstairs (12 steps) without stopping to catch his breath.
now, however, he runs, bikes and does weight work and feels strong and great.
please let us know what happens.
in the meantime be well, sylvia

 

[Ross]

But, mostly I felt tired. I could go to sleep at 10 p.m. get up at 8 and need a nap by 1 or 2. That was pretty yuky.

That's pretty much my day right there! I'm still winded all the time and tired all the time. I can't even vacuum the dang livingroom without stopping 5 or 6 times to catch my breath. Guess I'm bummin.

 

[medtronic of borg]

sucking wind

sucking wind

Ross I am write there with ya!!!!

Medtronic

 

[mike shields]

Hi Kevin
That's how I feel tired alot and winded. I think part of my problem might also be the shiftwork. I try an get to the gym 3-4 times a week, plus swim 3or4 times a week also. But I also seem to nap alot on my days off. Hopefully more energy after surgery.


Mike

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Hello Kevin - yes I had symptoms very similar to yours. You might take a peek at my personal story, Johnny Stephens and you'll see that I had very similar symptoms and feelings. It was so insidious that I didn't realize how weak I'd become. When I would walk with co-workers to meetings, they would often walk too quickly and I would get out of breath. I would either duck into the mens room to catch my breath, saying I'd catch up with them, or fake a cell phone call coming in.

If you are showing signs of the muscle thickening as you mentioned, your heart is ALREADY working harder.

 

[Gnusgal]

Yes, there are many great heart surgeons in Houston. I, myself, was able to go to Texas Children's Hospital for my surgery because of my congenital heart defect. But remember, they have the Texas Heart Institute right there in the Medical Center! Check out the doctors at St. Luke's Hospital. (I've been there before too) From what I understand, they also have been rated the #1 place to work in Houston, which tells me that their nursing staff is probably happy and therefore wonderful to their patients. I'm sorry I don't have any specific names for you. Like I said, mine was done at Children's, so I used Dr. Charles Frasier. But I know there are pleanty of adult heart surgeons in Houston that are wonderful.

Hope this helps a little!

 

[hensylee]

Kevin - and Dr DeBakey is still on staff, believe it or not - he's very old. Methodist and St Lukes are good hospitals there. Methodist has excellent heart section.

Welcome, Mike, to the forum. Nice to see you.