Getting Louder...

[Gnusgal]

I know there has been a lot of talk about how much other people can hear their mechanical valves. Most people, if I recall, say that over time it gets quieter or they don't notice it anymore. But is anyone in the same boat as I am? My valve is getting LOUDER. I've had the valve for 4 years, and I swear that each year it gets a little louder. Even my cardiologist commented on it at my last appointment.

It's getting to where people around me can hear it, even when it's not quiet. For example, when I was in WV visiting my friend, we were in the car (so road and car noise), with the radio on, and talking. Suddenly she stops and says "What is that ticking? Is that your watch?" I had to say, "No, it's my heart." She didn't believe me at first. She made me hold my watch up to her hear before she was finally convinced that it was not the source of the ticking. She asked why she had never heard it before. Granted, she hadn't seen me in two years, but she HAS seen me since my valve surgery. My only answer is, it's getting louder... And VERY annoying, I must say.

Is there anyone else in this boat? Or am I the only one? Why, do you suppose, is it getting louder?

 

[Ross]

Have you lost weight or something to become acoustically correct?

 

[Sherry]

Niki, mine is still loud after nine years, but I've always been convinced that it had to do with my small upper torso.

 

[Gnusgal]

Have you lost weight or something to become acoustically correct?

Nope. Just the opposite. Though not significantly in the chest region (more the tummy and rear end regions ). I can't figure out a significant change other than maybe that I've been increasing my Vasotec, which is an ace inhibitor... Perhaps it's opening up my blood vessels to the point that my valve is now echoing through them.

 

[Gnusgal]

Niki, mine is still loud after nine years, but I've always been convinced that it had to do with my small upper torso.

If it were just staying consistantly loud I would be more understanding... What I don't understand is why it's getting louder. I assume it's nothing to worry about, since my doctor commented on it, but didn't seem concerned, but it sure is annoying. I thought it was loud before, now it's down right deafening at times. Sometimes it feels like my whole chest is vibrating with the noise!

 

[Christine]

it's been 4 years for me as well.. and while I can't say mine has gotten louder, it hasn't quieted down either.. still tickin' away.. sometimes on the half beat as I call it.. beating to it's own drum... most people don't hear it or they don't acknowledge it.. everyone once in a while in a quiet dr office for my ekg or echo.. a newbie nurse will hear it and wonder....

Chris

 

[Gnusgal]

it's been 4 years for me as well.. and while I can't say mine has gotten louder, it hasn't quieted down either.. still tickin' away.. sometimes on the half beat as I call it.. beating to it's own drum... most people don't hear it or they don't acknowledge it.. everyone once in a while in a quiet dr office for my ekg or echo.. a newbie nurse will hear it and wonder....

Chris

Chris,
When I first had my VR it was rare for people to hear my heart unless they came up close to my chest or we were in a very quiet room. Generally, I'd take people into the bathroom to "show off" my new tick (don't know why that room conducts noise so much better than the rest of the house ). I was generally unable to hear my valve when I was outside or in the car, due to the extra noises all about. However, now I can hear it at all times, and people sitting across the car from me can even hear it! I just don't understand why it would be getting louder. Again, I don't think it's a medical problem, but it may end up being a mental problem if it continues. I swear it's going to make me crazy one of these days (if I'm not already ).

 

[RandyL]

what kind of valve do you have? Mine is pretty damn loud all the time too. And my bathroom is louder also, must be the tile floors. When I am sitting on the toilet it is really, really loud.

 

[Gnusgal]

what kind of valve do you have?

I have a St. Jude's Valve.

 

[bvdr]

I don't know Niki. Sometimes I am not even aware of my St. Jude valve either but every once in a while I think I'm hearing a far away boom box but then I realize that it is me. I'm on the ace inhibitor Altace and I don't think that has made a difference in how loud my valve is but it has sure improved how I feel.

 

[RandyL]

I have a St. Jude's Valve.

I have a St. Judes Regent and it is definately loud and sounds like this all the time:
http://www.carbomedics.com/patients_how_ticking.asp

 

[JohnnyV_46]

Sometimes when its really quiet in the house, I hear this Faint MOoooooing. I know its not quite the same thing...I know freshly mowed grass smells much sweeter also. I don't know which would be better...Hearing it louder now, or Hearing louder and then not hearing it? I think I'd feel better hearing it.

 

[Gnusgal]

I don't know which would be better...Hearing it louder now, or Hearing louder and then not hearing it? I think I'd feel better hearing it.

Well, yes, I don't want it to stop, naturally. However, when one is trying to get to sleep, or has a headache, or is trying to concentrate on something, it does become annoying. If it was just a little quieter, I'd be happy.

Funny story about being able to hear my heart:
When I was 5 years old I had a bt shunt put in to improve my oxygen levels. Because of this shunt I could always hear a faint "whoosh, whoosh" sound with every heart beat. When I was six years old, I went to stay with my grandmother by myself for the first time. I am told that the first night there I came out of the bedroom after being put to bed and said to my grandmother, "NeeNee, I can't sleep. My heart's too loud."

On the other end of the spectrum, after my OHS in 1997 in which they took down my shunt (among other things) I could no longer hear this "whoosh, whoosh." It was quite disconcerting and I was soon complaining that it was too quiet... Guess I'm just never satisfied.

But I swear I'd be okay with a quiet tick. It doesn't have to go away completely, just turn down the volume a bit!

 

[Mary]

Sometimes when its really quiet in the house, I hear this Faint MOoooooing. I know its not quite the same thing...I know freshly mowed grass smells much sweeter also. I don't know which would be better...Hearing it louder now, or Hearing louder and then not hearing it? I think I'd feel better hearing it.

Oh give it a break Johnny!
That's bull that you're hearing!

 

[JohnnyV_46]

Lol Mary, yeah that and the whooshing sound of hot air escaping,which my wife says I'm full of..