Hello everyone, I'm new to the board!

[Hot Rod Harry]

Finally got my internet going & stumbled across this site. Looks to be some great info. It's such a relief to know that I'm not alone.. A bit of history:

I'm a 41 year old single male. I have 2 children, one 22, and one 3. I've always tried to live a healthy life, but have not always been perfect in that. I lifted weights seriously for many years in powerlifting. Also dabled in Martial Arts, and even boxing when I was a bit younger.

I've had chest pains for at least the last 10 years, but always associated that to the weight lifting. Things got worse for me the last 2 years, with shortness of breath, tired ALL the time, and chest pain on a daily basis, instead of "once in awhile".

After these complaints to my Dr, the holter discovered that something wasn't right, and medication failed, so to the cardiologist I went, where my world came to a screeching halt.

My Dr, after listening to my heart, asked me how long I have had the heart murmor, and I was stunned!! He stated that it sounded to be leaking really bad, and an echo proved that to be true, and immediate surgery would be required.

Open heart surgery for myself at only 41 was such a shock. All these years I though I'd done great by not smoking, and living a, for the most part, a healthy life. Now as I search for answers, I feel let down, sad, and alone...

I had mitral valve repair done on 6-22-06, and I'm currently recovering. I've had a few set backs, and have been back to the hospital a few times, the last being last weekend, after being short of breath, sharp pains when breathing, and masive muscle spasms in the middle of the night, intestional virus that may have caused dehydration. Echo showed fluid around the heart.

I just want to get better & go back to work & get on with my life, but somedays are just worse than others.. Anyway. Hello to everyone.

 

[Ross]

Hello Harry and welcome to our world. Age doesn't mean squat when it comes to this stuff. It nailed me 33 and again at 40. We have many younger and older. Things should start settling down for you soon. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Kate]

Welcome Harry!
I had my aortic valve replaced just under a year ago at the age of 38. Just wanted to let you know that, in my experience, the hardest time of recovery is what you are going through now - the worst is over but it's been weeks and you still don't feel like yourself and begin to wonder whether you ever will. Well, the good news is - you will. Unfortunately, it really does take awhile and you'll just have to do your best to take good care of yourself for the next few months - eat well, exercise a little more each day and get plenty of rest. I suspect that is a little harder for a single person - do you have a friend or family member who can help you out with grocery shopping, cooking etc. so that you don't get over extended? We are here to help in anyway we can - answering questions, lending support. It really will change! Best of luck, Kate
PS - I saw your other post as well - I was on 25mg of Toprol for many months to keep my heart rate down. That might be an option for you as well. Talk to your dr. about it.

 

[twinmaker]

Hey Harry! Welcome aboard!! We're glad you found us. I know how hard things can seem right after surgery and for a while afterwards. Most of us can honestly say, we know how you feel, and the rest of us are in the waiting room for upcoming surgery in the future. I found out I had a bad valve when I was 21 and had my repair when I was 22. Then I had a mitral valve replacement at age 29. I'm now 54 and doing pretty well, all things considered. There will be days when you feel kinda bad physically and also emotionally. This is normal, but believe me when I say that things do and will get better. Just hang in there. You've already come a long way by having had this diagnosed and having surgery. There are a lot of knowledgable and caring people on this site. We really are like one big family...and we're here for you. LINDA

 

[Hot Rod Harry]

Kate, thanks for the kind words. I'll be so glad when I can feel normal again. I had family shop and cook for me when I first got out of the hospital, but now, that's my excuse to get out of the house. I get tired of sitting here watching tv all day.

It's a constant reminder to myself to not over do things. I know I did last weekend, when cleaning up my car, polishing, etc, for the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit. I had a great time @ the cruise, but paid for it with 2 days back in the hospital, because I over extended myself.

I will ask my Dr about the Toprol. I'm surprised that there are so many young people going through this. It's a relief to have some answers to what I've been experiencing.

 

[aussigal]

Hi and WELCOME to the family

It took me 3 months to realise I was feeling normal again after my surgery...so keep going and you will get there too...

Theres tons of great advice here and of-course most of all people who have had the same experiences and know what youre talking about...

 

[Guest]

It's a constant reminder to myself to not over do things. I know I did last weekend, when cleaning up my car, polishing, etc, for the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit.

*raises eyebrow*

Ya know, Harry, it's too bad you didn't find this website a few weeks sooner. I was there ... the week before ... Aug 13. A whole group of us met up at Pasquale's on Woodward for dinner. If you want, you can read about that trip I took here:
http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17477


In the meantime, WELCOME!



Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html
"I want a 2-tone Chevrolet" ... BJ Thomas ... '2-Car Garage'

 

[geebee]

Welcome Harry,
You are at a really tough time in the recuperation process. You are at the stage when you will feel good sometimes and not understand why there are times when you just can't get going. It is easy to tag yourself a wimp or question why you went through all this. Trust me, there will come a day, not too far off, when you wake up and feel like yourself again. You will pause and almost forget that you had OHS and have to remind yourself that it happened. When that day comes, the rest of your life will be wonderful.
You mentioned fluid around the heart. When did that occur and how was it treated?
Take care.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Harry and WELCOME

Great site and wonderful, knowledgeable, caring people. Glad you're aboard. The good thing is that you WILL get better. My husband, Tyce, had AVR in June of '02. Four years ago we werent' sure if we would ever be able to go back to Maine for our annual celebration there. The first time we did after Tyce's OHS was very special.....now it's just a way of life. Things return to normal very quickly. The worst time is the waiting preop, the second worst is the 8 weeks post. Be patient, it WILL be better for you and soon. Take each day as you can....good or bad....and you'll find the good will gradually take over more and more.

Glad you're with us.

Evelyn

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our world Harry !

As you've seen, VALVE disease can occur at any age for a multitude of reasons. The list of Valve Disease culprits includes Congenital defects, Rheumatic Fever, Bacterial Endocarditis, and even Radiation Therapy to the Chest for other diseases such as Hodgkins.

Bad Days and Good Days is par for the course. As long as you are having more Good Days than Bad, you are heading in the right direction. You WILL get better, it just takes longer than we would like. Some of us continued to improve for over a Year before realizing our full surgical benefit (especially older patients or repeat patients).

Are you doing Walking and Stretching Exercises every day? Visit a Good Cardiac Rehab Facility and ask the nurses if they have a printed outline of recommended exercises you could have. OR, just watch what they do and then do the same at home. Ask your Surgeon or Cardiologist for a copy of their recommended Walking Program. Walking is one of the BEST ways to increase your strength and stamina.

Did you receive an "Incentive Spirometer" (Breathing Exercise Machine) to take home to build up your lung capacity? If not, ask your surgeon for one.

Did your Doctor drain the excess fluid from around your heart? That should have made you feel better !

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Harry -

Out of curiosity, where did you have your Valve Repair performed (i.e. what hospital?)

'AL Capshaw'

 

[joanne6]

Welcome,
I haven't been online for a few days and just saw your post. Sorry you didn't find the site before your surgery but glad you are here now. I have mitral valve surgery a year ago. For me it took a long time to feel recovered. I took 3 months off of work and then started a new job. Hope you are feeling much better soon. Keep coming around here and you will gets loads of support and information.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Harry

Hi Harry

Welcome to our forum... You are only 2 months post-op from major surgery... so remember like we girl valvers. No heavy lifting (like wet clothes out of the washer, ect) Take it easy..and another month..you should start to feel better. ....See you have an age 3 year old..I just took care of my age 3 year old Grandaughter for the weekend...and I am 4 years post -op but those litle tykes can wear you out. ...no reason why you cannot hang with her/him in another few months. A year from now, they will not be able to keep up with you. ....Bonnie

 

[LLJ]

Hi Harry and welcome! I recall those days after surgery when you thought you should be feeling better than you were and how difficult it was.It was almost as if the energy spent preparing for the surgery and the initial recovery just evaporated. It's a long road but there is another side as you see here. I lifted in powerlifting locally and even at the nationals so I know how hard it is to give that up! No more heavy weights with a new valve,but now I try to run and bike and have found great satisfaction in trying my hand at a new past time. I had my valve replaced at 46 and now 1 1/2 years later feel like I can finally start training hard again in aerobic activity. Our own Bill C did an Iron Man Tri 7 years after his repair (I hope I got that info right Bill!)
Glad to have you aboard!
Laura

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Welcome Harry!
I am so glad you found us! I have found many great friends and all the free advice I've asked for on this site! I understand how you feel, but it will get better. It's amazing how many of us have had a few bumps on the road to recovery. That little bit of info was unbeknowst to me until it happened to me. I was 5 weeks out and developed fluid also and ended up having two back to back pleural effusions which had to be taken care of with a small procedure of draining my lung. After that I started feeling better each and every day. Seven weeks out was my miracle week!!! Felt incredibly better. I have to stop to count ...wow....I'm coming up on 5 months now and I absolutely NEVER think of my heart anymore. My OHS is definitely a thing of the past. You'll get there! Keep the faith!
Debbi

 

[StretchL]

Now as I search for answers, I feel let down, sad, and alone...

Hey, man... welcome... The kind of depression you're feeling is not uncommon post-surgery. From what I've read, no one really knows why it happens, but a few mg of a mild anti-depressant might be just the thing...

Personally, I think they should put Prozac in the general water supply... especially since it's now generic and they wouldn't have to raise our taxes so much to do it!

But seriously...
Hang in there... having someone tell you that things will get better doesn't necessarily make one actually feel better... but... you will improve and be back better than you were before the surgery...

 

[Joe Cool]

Welcome Harry! You are a brave man! Not for the surgery, but a 3 year old at 41?!!!!! Hang in there it only gets better.

 

[Hot Rod Harry]

Harry -

Out of curiosity, where did you have your Valve Repair performed (i.e. what hospital?)

'AL Capshaw'

I had it done @ McClaren HP, Flint, MI. By Dr Fernando Jara.

I thought about going to Cleveland, because I heard that was the best place, and that's where my Card got his training at. But I decided to stay closer to home for the sake of friends & family. I'm happy this far with the results. Dr said that the valve was way worse than he innitially thought. Surgery took almost 4 hours. Does't that seem like a long time?

Knightfan, small world. I went by Pasquale's many times, on Wed, and on Fri. If I had only known about the sight earlier, we could have met up. I do get to Elgin, Il. I deliver cars for the big 3 (and anything else shipped to the country) so I'm through IL quite often. Although, I prefer to go to Ohio, PA, and West Virginia.

I've learned not to get too excited about feeling good, because I know the very next day I very well may feel like crap again. I'll be so glad when that goes away. From the sounds of it, time heals all. The Card did say that I would feel better than new once everything is done. That means more coming from those with the same experiences than from a Dr.

I found out about 3 weeks ago when I had an echo that I had fluid around the heart. The tech said that it was not much & the body would absorb it in time. Then I got sick (viral infection), dehydrated, and somehow there was more fluid on the heart. After a few days in the HP, they determined that it was not significant enough to draw out. However it was enough to give me sharp pain when barely breathing. That went away a few days after leaving the hp, so I assume it's gotten better.

HaHa Joe. Yes, my 3 year old trys my patience, but he does real good most of the time. I'm glad to have the time to spend with him, because when I work, I'm out on the road, and not home every day. He was unexpected, but I love him, makes me look back to the time in life where we had it made, when our parents took care of everything.

 

[Sandy SHields]

Hi Harry
Sorry you are having such a rough time. I had mitral valve surgery when I was 27 and I am now 50 years old. I had a son that was 10 and one 3. So far the only real problems that I have had are atrial fib. I sure the valve brought that on. Hang in there things will get better. As you get older it seems to take a little longer to heal. I just had my ovaries removed and it seems slow to recover. Good luck and wel-come

 

[Guest]

Knightfan, small world. I went by Pasquale's many times, on Wed, and on Fri. If I had only known about the sight earlier, we could have met up.

*nods*

Yes, we could have. However, I tend to get to MI at least once a year (if not more), considering how many friends I have up in that greater Detroit area. Sssoooo....who knows ... I'm sure we will meet someday .

I do get to Elgin, Il. I deliver cars for the big 3 (and anything else shipped to the country) so I'm through IL quite often. Although, I prefer to go to Ohio, PA, and West Virginia.

Hmmm....you deliver cars? Is that your day job? If so, is your company hiring? he he he ... sounds like an awesome job to me .

And, next time you find yourself coming to Elgin ... let me know!