L
Lynne1
My husband will be having mitral and aortic valves replaced in 2 weeks. He is very concerned about the pain he'll experience afterwards. Can anyone share what to expect?
thanks.
thanks.
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
M
Mara
I don't think the pain was that bad. In the hospital I was on that morphine pump for the first 24 hours, and that was great. The worst was when they gave me OxyContin, it made me sick. After that it was more discomfort than PAIN. Feels like a big turtle shell on your chest, you can't move very well. Makes you appreciate those muscles in your chest.
At home I was only on Tylenol 3 and that was only for a few days, after that the occasional Advil.
But, others might have a different take.
Good luck to your husband. He'll do great!
At home I was only on Tylenol 3 and that was only for a few days, after that the occasional Advil.
But, others might have a different take.
Good luck to your husband. He'll do great!
fyrfytr
Well-known member
Hi Lynne1,
Welcome to vr.com. You have found the place with a lot of caring and knowledgeable people here.
You will find that everyone heals a little different. I was expecting a lot of pain but was surprised that I had very little pain. The staff on the heart floor really knew how to take care of it. If you let them know you are in pain they take care of it right away. When I discharged I was given percocet and took it for only 3 days. The only bad pain was when I couched or sneezed. A person just has to watch what they do. You feel so much better after the surgery and think you can do anything but it will catch up with you.
Please keep us posted on your husbands surgery and how everything is going.
You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
Again Welcome to the Great Site.
Dave
___________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies
Welcome to vr.com. You have found the place with a lot of caring and knowledgeable people here.
You will find that everyone heals a little different. I was expecting a lot of pain but was surprised that I had very little pain. The staff on the heart floor really knew how to take care of it. If you let them know you are in pain they take care of it right away. When I discharged I was given percocet and took it for only 3 days. The only bad pain was when I couched or sneezed. A person just has to watch what they do. You feel so much better after the surgery and think you can do anything but it will catch up with you.
Please keep us posted on your husbands surgery and how everything is going.
You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
Again Welcome to the Great Site.
Dave
___________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies
Ross
Well-known member
Hello Lynne and welcome
The pain is really not that bad. The worst is coughing and sneezing as Dave pointed out. Your husband may not be comfortable laying down, so many have used recliners to sleep in temporarily until they heal a bit more.
I've had surgeries that hurt far more then the heart surgeries did. He should be surprised and I think you will be too.
The pain is really not that bad. The worst is coughing and sneezing as Dave pointed out. Your husband may not be comfortable laying down, so many have used recliners to sleep in temporarily until they heal a bit more.
I've had surgeries that hurt far more then the heart surgeries did. He should be surprised and I think you will be too.
L
Lynne1
thank you
thank you
Thank you for your quick replies. It is great to know this group is here - I stumbled on it while doing some 'surfing'. I really appreciate knowing there is support out there during what will be a difficult couple of months I'm sure.
thank you
Thank you for your quick replies. It is great to know this group is here - I stumbled on it while doing some 'surfing'. I really appreciate knowing there is support out there during what will be a difficult couple of months I'm sure.
B
Bill Hall
Lynne - Welcome to this group. They give you Morphine directly after surgery and ask you if you need anything for pain throughout (at least in my case). My own experience was that there was very little pain. I always said no when they asked. I think the aches and pains of being stuck in bed was worse for me.
Nancy
Well-known member
Hi Lynne-
Welcome to this terrific site.
My husband ditched the heavy-duty pain relievers after a couple of days. They were making him too out of it. At home, he did not take the heavy-duty ones either. He was uncomfortable for a couple of months. You really have to be careful about how you move, and coughing and sneezing are pretty bad. But if he uses his little heart pillow that most hospitals give patients, it will help in some of the more difficult things like bending to get up from a sitting position, getting out of bed, etc.
As others have mentioned, in today's world, the hospitals are very aware of pain problems. They really want the patient to be up and moving around soon after surgery, so will give maximum help with any pain. Immediately after surgery, in the ICU, your husband will probably be in La-La land, and on heavy-duty stuff.
They have a little chart with happy faces and frown faces to help the patient communicate the level of pain, and the staff will take it from there.
When is his surgery scheduled? Let us know and we'll put him on the calendar.
Welcome to this terrific site.
My husband ditched the heavy-duty pain relievers after a couple of days. They were making him too out of it. At home, he did not take the heavy-duty ones either. He was uncomfortable for a couple of months. You really have to be careful about how you move, and coughing and sneezing are pretty bad. But if he uses his little heart pillow that most hospitals give patients, it will help in some of the more difficult things like bending to get up from a sitting position, getting out of bed, etc.
As others have mentioned, in today's world, the hospitals are very aware of pain problems. They really want the patient to be up and moving around soon after surgery, so will give maximum help with any pain. Immediately after surgery, in the ICU, your husband will probably be in La-La land, and on heavy-duty stuff.
They have a little chart with happy faces and frown faces to help the patient communicate the level of pain, and the staff will take it from there.
When is his surgery scheduled? Let us know and we'll put him on the calendar.
MelissaM
Well-known member
I concur with the others. The pain is not that bad. In the hospital they know how to handle it. Once home, I needed some pain meds for sleeping - otherwise I would be waking up every time I turned over. After the first week, tho, I am fine with Advil.
Melissa
Melissa
hensylee
Well-known member
Hey Lynne - the pain from surgery wasn't that bad - I had pills to bring home and used them for some little while. The worst pain of all was Janie's 'EVIL SNEEZE'. It really knocked me out of whack every time so tell him to figure out how to stop the sneeze, because for some reason, they will come.
L
Lynne1
Surgery Date
Surgery Date
Nancy,
Thank you for asking - Peter - husband - surgery is scheduled for October 15th.
Surgery Date
Nancy,
Thank you for asking - Peter - husband - surgery is scheduled for October 15th.
S
Susan BAV
Hello Lynne -- I hope everything goes well for you and for your husband, Peter.
Best wishes, ~Susan
Best wishes, ~Susan
B
Bob
Susan, pain in the recovery room is controlled. At home it can be a problem if you husband is like most of us guys. We have this dumb idea that to be a man you have to be able to stand anything. WRONG! I tried the no pain pill diet and needlessly endured pain. Finally I had to admit I couln't handle it and took the pills. The worst things you already know about, sneezes, etc., the rest of it is as he gets better he will want to push the limits. You will just have to stand on him like my wife did to me. He has to recognize that it takes time for his body to heal even when he feels no pain. For most of us six months is the initial recovery span with a year for full recovery.
K
Karlynn
Hi Lynne,
So glad you stumbled upon us. I've had an artificial mitral valve (St. Jude) for 12 years and this group has offered more support in the few months I've been a member, than I've received the rest of the 18 years I've dealt with my valve issue. There's nothing like support from people who KNOW what you're talking about.
Welcome.
Not that your husband will understand this, but child birth pain is worse. I think that pain is pretty easily managed through medication. I had morphine while in CICU, which was 24 hours, and then went straight to Tylenol. I could have had the Tylenol with Codein?, but that makes me really nauseaus. The hospital will probably provide him with a pillow to hold against his chest when he coughs. And if they don't, have him use one. They will be encouraging him to cough to clear out his lungs from the anesthesia most likely. Coughing, sneezing and laughing all cause pain, so he needs to have that pillow close at hand.
Best wishes to you both for a successful procedure and a quick recovery.
Keep us all posted.
Karlynn
So glad you stumbled upon us. I've had an artificial mitral valve (St. Jude) for 12 years and this group has offered more support in the few months I've been a member, than I've received the rest of the 18 years I've dealt with my valve issue. There's nothing like support from people who KNOW what you're talking about.
Welcome.
Not that your husband will understand this, but child birth pain is worse. I think that pain is pretty easily managed through medication. I had morphine while in CICU, which was 24 hours, and then went straight to Tylenol. I could have had the Tylenol with Codein?, but that makes me really nauseaus. The hospital will probably provide him with a pillow to hold against his chest when he coughs. And if they don't, have him use one. They will be encouraging him to cough to clear out his lungs from the anesthesia most likely. Coughing, sneezing and laughing all cause pain, so he needs to have that pillow close at hand.
Best wishes to you both for a successful procedure and a quick recovery.
Keep us all posted.
Karlynn
Johnny Stephens
Well-known member
Hi Lynne & welcome
Everyone is different, but from a pain perspective, my experience was much like the others here. I had abdominal surgery many years ago that was MUCH worse for pain, and I was a young, strapping, healthy guy back then.
I would bet that he will be more bothered by fatigue, lack of sleep, bad hospital food and not being able to drive for a while.
I would have to agree that the pain of childbirth is worse - based on what I saw my wife go through
Everyone is different, but from a pain perspective, my experience was much like the others here. I had abdominal surgery many years ago that was MUCH worse for pain, and I was a young, strapping, healthy guy back then.
I would bet that he will be more bothered by fatigue, lack of sleep, bad hospital food and not being able to drive for a while.
I would have to agree that the pain of childbirth is worse - based on what I saw my wife go through
C
ccrawford
Hi Lynne - I have a real strong suggestion for you and your husband. Try to read as many of the posts as you can before the surgery. The more you understand, the easier it will be, and the fewer the surprises. As you've already learned, pain is not a big problem, but there are a lot of other issues that can trip up a non-informed patient. Hope this helps. Chris
Lynne:
Best wishes on your husband's surgery!
I had MVR surgery 6/24/03. In hospital 1 week, at parents' home 2 weeks, then husband took me home. Sure, it was slightly <vbg!> painful, but probably not as bad as the bilateral bunionectomy I had in 1980.
I did not know about vr.com before my surgery. Might have made my life a little easier. I discovered that I couldn't lift heavy glass glasses of iced tea -- hurt chest muscles. Had to ask restaurants for foam cups. Too sore to raise arms to wash my hair first week or so after leaving hospital. I'd had my hair cut right before my surgery, but after surgery & 1 week in hospital, I was ready to get it clean again. Mom took me to a salon so I could get my hair shampooed & blow-dried. I needed lots of pillows to get to sleep. Put them on each side and hugged a king-size pillow to turn from side to side and then to get up. Did this at least 2 months, perhaps a few days longer.
The surgery threw a wrench into my big passion -- showing pedigreed cats. I went to a show 6/14 (utterly fatigued, pre-op), then again 7/19 -- 3 weeks after surgery. I groomed the Persian, husband toted him to & from judgings. Hurt to clap hands that weekend. Did another show 8/2-3; could clap my hands, but a judge (a friend who has MVP, by the way) reprimanded me for carrying the Persian, told my husband to tote the cat.
I flew 8/8 to a show; friend helped with luggage, cat's bag.
Did my last training session to become a shorthair judge 8/30 (originally scheduled 6/28). Only had to judge kittens. Repetitive motion of taking 66 kittens out of wire judging cages made drainage tube incision area sore. I passed the session.
Nowadays I feel wonderful. Occasionally there's a little soreness, but nothing that Tylenol won't fix. INR has been steady for 4-5 weeks, and I'm exploring home testing.
Marsha
Best wishes on your husband's surgery!
I had MVR surgery 6/24/03. In hospital 1 week, at parents' home 2 weeks, then husband took me home. Sure, it was slightly <vbg!> painful, but probably not as bad as the bilateral bunionectomy I had in 1980.
I did not know about vr.com before my surgery. Might have made my life a little easier. I discovered that I couldn't lift heavy glass glasses of iced tea -- hurt chest muscles. Had to ask restaurants for foam cups. Too sore to raise arms to wash my hair first week or so after leaving hospital. I'd had my hair cut right before my surgery, but after surgery & 1 week in hospital, I was ready to get it clean again. Mom took me to a salon so I could get my hair shampooed & blow-dried. I needed lots of pillows to get to sleep. Put them on each side and hugged a king-size pillow to turn from side to side and then to get up. Did this at least 2 months, perhaps a few days longer.
The surgery threw a wrench into my big passion -- showing pedigreed cats. I went to a show 6/14 (utterly fatigued, pre-op), then again 7/19 -- 3 weeks after surgery. I groomed the Persian, husband toted him to & from judgings. Hurt to clap hands that weekend. Did another show 8/2-3; could clap my hands, but a judge (a friend who has MVP, by the way) reprimanded me for carrying the Persian, told my husband to tote the cat.
I flew 8/8 to a show; friend helped with luggage, cat's bag.
Did my last training session to become a shorthair judge 8/30 (originally scheduled 6/28). Only had to judge kittens. Repetitive motion of taking 66 kittens out of wire judging cages made drainage tube incision area sore. I passed the session.
Nowadays I feel wonderful. Occasionally there's a little soreness, but nothing that Tylenol won't fix. INR has been steady for 4-5 weeks, and I'm exploring home testing.
Marsha
fyrfytr
Well-known member
WELCOME
WELCOME
Hi Marsha,
Glad to hear how well you are doing. I am one that also found this site after my surgery. Hope you stick around and share with the others. The first 2 weeks after surgery were the hardest for me also, I slept in the recliner and took everything very slow. I found that cardiac rehab helped me out a lot.
Congratulations on becoming a judge.
Again Welcome to vr.com.
Have A Great Weekend!
Dave
______________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies
WELCOME
Hi Marsha,
Glad to hear how well you are doing. I am one that also found this site after my surgery. Hope you stick around and share with the others. The first 2 weeks after surgery were the hardest for me also, I slept in the recliner and took everything very slow. I found that cardiac rehab helped me out a lot.
Congratulations on becoming a judge.
Again Welcome to vr.com.
Have A Great Weekend!
Dave
______________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies
K
Karlynn
Marsha,
Welcome. So glad you found this site so soon after surgery. I didn't find it for almost 12 years after my surgery. You are now in a community of caring people who know first hand what you speak of. Looking forward to getting to know you and taking this journey together.
Karlynn
Welcome. So glad you found this site so soon after surgery. I didn't find it for almost 12 years after my surgery. You are now in a community of caring people who know first hand what you speak of. Looking forward to getting to know you and taking this journey together.
Karlynn
Hi Lynne
I'm Evelyn whose husband, Tyce, had avr replacement about a year and a half ago....he was sent home from the hospital ONLY with EXTRA STRENGTH TYLENOL for pain. That was it, nothing else. If I recall, he only took them the first one or two nights when he was trying to sleep. Of course, that is also Tyce's nature. If it had been me, I would have needed alot more....I don't deal with pain well. Anyway, I do remember him being on major meds for pain for the first 12-18 hours, and then he said he didn't even need them then. Hope that is a help to you.
Welcome aboard.....this is a wonderful site. In no time it will feel just like home for you. We're glad you're here and please ask any questions you need to.
Evelyn
I'm Evelyn whose husband, Tyce, had avr replacement about a year and a half ago....he was sent home from the hospital ONLY with EXTRA STRENGTH TYLENOL for pain. That was it, nothing else. If I recall, he only took them the first one or two nights when he was trying to sleep. Of course, that is also Tyce's nature. If it had been me, I would have needed alot more....I don't deal with pain well. Anyway, I do remember him being on major meds for pain for the first 12-18 hours, and then he said he didn't even need them then. Hope that is a help to you.
Welcome aboard.....this is a wonderful site. In no time it will feel just like home for you. We're glad you're here and please ask any questions you need to.
Evelyn
G
Georgia
Hi, Lynne and Marsha
Hi, Lynne and Marsha
First - the pain issue: because they want you to do well and breathe and move, they control the pain very well in the hospital. That's the surgical pain. There are a few other issues, such as tube removal, that can be problematic, and whether or not such things will hurt appears to be idiosyncratic. If your husband voices his concerns, he will surely receive a little boost before the tubes are removed.
At home, it's mostly up to him if he has pain. He simply has to be a good boy for a while. 5# is generally the recommended limit for lifting; and he doesn't even want to consider doing anything that'll make him squeeze his arms together or push them apart. Just remember that the only thing holding his chest together are some wires. Most of us say that we only forgot that ONCE.
Sleeping flat on the bed can also be a problem for many. A recliner that he's comfortable in (if you don't have one, go get one and have him try it out in the store) is a big help. It's easier to get out of, and he may elect to sleep in it.
You need to take care of yourself, too, as you'll be needed very badly when he gets home. Get plenty of rest and eat well and take your vitamins!
Marsha - glad you found us. I, too, didn't find the site until shortly after surgery. I still feel deprived! Can you post a pic of your kitties?
Hi, Lynne and Marsha
First - the pain issue: because they want you to do well and breathe and move, they control the pain very well in the hospital. That's the surgical pain. There are a few other issues, such as tube removal, that can be problematic, and whether or not such things will hurt appears to be idiosyncratic. If your husband voices his concerns, he will surely receive a little boost before the tubes are removed.
At home, it's mostly up to him if he has pain. He simply has to be a good boy for a while. 5# is generally the recommended limit for lifting; and he doesn't even want to consider doing anything that'll make him squeeze his arms together or push them apart. Just remember that the only thing holding his chest together are some wires. Most of us say that we only forgot that ONCE.
Sleeping flat on the bed can also be a problem for many. A recliner that he's comfortable in (if you don't have one, go get one and have him try it out in the store) is a big help. It's easier to get out of, and he may elect to sleep in it.
You need to take care of yourself, too, as you'll be needed very badly when he gets home. Get plenty of rest and eat well and take your vitamins!
Marsha - glad you found us. I, too, didn't find the site until shortly after surgery. I still feel deprived! Can you post a pic of your kitties?
