Help....MVR surgery postponed/new symptoms

[irishmiz]

Need some advice please. My mitral valve replacement surgery was scheduled for Nov. 28. However, pre-surgery tests revealed that I was highly anemic. After GI testing, it was revealed that I had gastritis and a peptic ulcer which was likely the cause of my anemia. Until the ulcer heals, I can't have MVR surgery. So, I re-scheduled surgery for Jan. 2 2007. Whereas before I was asymptomatic, I have recently experienced some heart palpitations and shortness of breath. My cardio and cardiac surgeon told me a few months ago that it would be ok to schedule surgery right after the holidays. I scheduled it originally in Nov. with the thought of going into surgery w/out any major symptoms and preserving my cardiac muscle before any damage was done to my heart.

My question is.......will waiting one month adversely affect my heart function and chances of a successful replacement? I'm 43 and this will be my 3rd OHS. I had OHS last July (2005) to repair the MV valve, which was unsuccessful. I would really like to minimize my chances of developing AF before going into surgery. Any advice in this matter would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

 

[Marguerite53]

I think those are really important questions for your cardiologist!! Surely he/she has given you the complete advice you need on all that.

If you are interested in others' timetables, well, I'm sure we can share some experiences, but honestly...each case is so completley different.

I was in the "waiting room" for surgery for almost 3 years. I had a stenotic aortic valve. My symptoms increased at a slow pace, but were certainly manageable and not dangerous. I was put on Atenolol for PVC's (annoying palps) prior to surgery. I did not go into A-fib except for a brief bout just after surgery (somewhat normal). So far, so good at 7 months post-op (knock on wood). When it was determined that I was ready for surgery, I opted to take care of some other medical issues (a breast biopsy in my case....benign) prior to my surgery. My timetable was.....telling echo mid December, colonoscopy late December, surgical consult January, biopsy January, angiogram March, surgery mid-April. The anesthesiologist for the biopsy was very unhappy having to treat a "critically stenotic" patient, but it all went fine. I don't know how different mitrals are from aortics.

Obviously, having had 3 OHS before, you know that this type of surgery can leave you anemic. Thus there might be some danger in going in that way! Then the affect all those meds can have on your digestive system.....ugh. I would think that it is very wise that you are waiting for those things to heal up.

If you are worried about A-FIb, you can always have an event monitor. That will isolate the type of palpitation you are having.

Please be in contact and conference with your doctors about these questions.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing! And stay away from holiday chocolates!! My cardio swears that she has more complaints of palptations during the holidays because of stress and all the rich food and chocolates!!

Marguerite

 

[irishmiz]

Thanks Marguerite! I plan on getting in to see my cardiologist as soon as I can to see if perhaps he will place me on some type of med to mitigate the symptoms until I can safely have surgery. However, not having had sysmptoms up til now, their appearance (PVCs, shortness of breath) over this weekend has really alarmed me. I'm kind of afraid to get up and about

 

[Nancy]

Are they doing anything in the mean time to help the anemia, such as transfusions, ProCrit (epoetin), iron, and folic acid?

Are you being treated for the ulcer, and are they continuting to check your GI tract for bleeding?

And are they checking out your kidney function as well?

 

[irishmiz]

Other than taking iron supplements and Nexium for the ulcer (that I have been on for many years previous to this GI dx), that's about it. Trying to coordinate with four different dr's offices this past week has driven me batty (or battier and I haven't received any new information since my GI tests/biopsies. I'm sooooo tired of chasing down so many different doctors and their nurses.....

 

[susieq14]

Irishmiz,

Oh what a terrible week you must be having! I'm so sorry your surgery has been rescheduled and that you are now experiencing GI problems as well. As someone who is also on Nexium and careful dieting to get my GI problems (GERD, esophagitis and IBS) under control I can certainly empathize with you on that issue. Unfortunately I don't know the answers to your questions about the one month postponement but I do want to offer you my best wishes and positive thoughts as you deal with the delay as you get your ulcer & gastritis healed. I know it is easier said than done but try try try to take a few deep breaths and try to calm down.

Take Care!
Susie

 

[irishmiz]

Thanks Susie

 

[Phyllis]

So sorry you are having these problems and I hope the cardio is able to help you resolve them soon. Right down your questions for the doctor before your next visit- always easier to remember them that way. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. In the meantime, I put you on the calendar for January 2nd.

 

[marky]

I am sorry that you had such a difficult week. You sure have some good questions for your cardio!
A few years ago i was also severely anemic with 'thoughts' of a bleed, altho no one ever found one.
I too still take previcid (have also used protonix) for GERD and finally have my iron at a good level.

My only advice (outside of your cardio of course) would be to try to stay calm, anxiety can bring on uncomfortable arrhythmias, try to rest well, eat well and stay hydrated.
Also ( and you probably already know this) eat iron rich foods with vit. C.
so have a nice steak with a glass of OJ or whatever.. it will increase the absorbtion.
It does take a while for those counts to get up there, so as Nancy suggested, maybe they have some interventions to help you in the process.
It is less than 2 months away to gain that strength.

I hope this week gives you some clear answers.