Is this weird or normal?

[shenews]

I had AVR in Dec. 07, and ever since surgery, I have a very strange sensation every time I bend over. The sensation, however, appears to be getting worse over time. When I bend over like just to tie my shoes or to pick up something off the floor, it feels as though my neck is about to explode. It feels like my neck is swelling huge, although it isn't. It's not a pain, but rather a feeling of expanding pressure. When I first mentioned it to my cardiologist after surgery he said it was because I'm finally getting blood pushed up there with the new valve. I just don't buy that. It just feels very strange. I have also noticed in the past couple of months that I have experiencing a lot of lightheadedness quite frequently.
Anybody experience the same things?
Thanks for any input.

 

[catwoman]

Shenews:

What other Rxes are you taking in addition to warfarin?
My husband take a BP med -- not for hypertension but for benign prostate hyperplasia (I think it's called that) -- and one of its side effects is postural hypotension, i.e., causing sudden, low BP if he jumps out of bed or bends over. He has to avoid doing such.

Did you have your ascending aorta replaced when you had your AVR? When did you have your last echo?
Have you run this symptom past your family doctor or seen a 2nd cardio?

 

[shenews]

I am concerned

I am concerned

I take Metoprolol ER 25 mg once a day since my surgery. I do not have blood pressure problems. My lightheadedness occurs quite frequence for no apparent reason: not bending over, or turning around, or rising from a sitting position. I did not have anything done to my aorta during surgery. I did not mention it to my GP because my cardiologist said it was due to more blood flow from the new valve. I am considering getting another doctor...soon.

 

[Nancy]

Have you had any echoes or caths since your surgery? If so, what was the pulmonary pressure?

 

[catwoman]

I take Metoprolol ER 25 mg once a day since my surgery. I do not have blood pressure problems. My lightheadedness occurs quite frequence for no apparent reason: not bending over, or turning around, or rising from a sitting position. I did not have anything done to my aorta during surgery. I did not mention it to my GP because my cardiologist said it was due to more blood flow from the new valve. I am considering getting another doctor...soon.

Have you had an ultrasound of the carotids?

If your symptom was due to more blood flow from the new valve, EVERYONE who gets a new valve would be having those symptoms.

Get a 2nd opinion.