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Hello everyone. I underwent AVR on Monday, April 17 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospirtal, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Dr. Bobby Kong). I am the new owner of a Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna 3000 27mm bovine pericardial tissue valve!!!
I am happy to say that things went well, and I was discharged from the hospital on Friday, April 21.

While I am very grateful for the absence of complications and speeedy discharge, I must say it was no "walk in the park." I was basically asymptomatic prior to surgery so, for me, the cure has seemed worse than the disease. I just have to keep in mind that the early intervention has averted heart falure and given me some longevity. Today (my first full day home) I walked outside about 1/2 mile -- a beautiful spring day in the mid-west!!

I am on a short-term coumidin regimen (@ 2 months). While some institutions(i.e. Cleveland Clinic) have substituted aspirin therapy post-surgery for tissue valves, my surgeon is taking a more conservative view. Hopefully, the coumidin will be stopped in 6 to 8 weeks.

I also realize that comfortable sleeping may be a probelm for a while. I was able to sleep for about 3 hours on my side, but sitting in a reclining chair seems to be best overall. Anyone have any advice on sleeping postions?

Thanks , again, for all of your advice. I know at least three others were scheduled for sugery last week. I wish you all the best and hope things are going well.

David Esper
Northville, Michigan
AVR 4-17-06
27mm C-E Magna Pericardial
 
David - I am just a few days ahead of you (operated on the 12th) and out the door on the 17th. I have the same valve as you also. I am on 325 mg of aspirin.

Re sleeping -- I got rid of the bolster pillow last night and now sleep in bed normally. I've been able to sleep on either side now for 3 nights.

I am also like you and walking up a storm. Been rained in the last two days but did the following last week: Tuesday -- 0.4 miles. Wed -- 3/4 mile. Thursday -- 1.2 miles. I felt so good in fact (could've easily gone twice the distance) that I asked my doc's PA if I was pushing things too fast. The answer was, no, not as long as you feel good. And she said, you really can't hurt anything - just listen to your body. But I seem to have regained most of my strength and the legs are raring to go.
 
David it may seem like the cure is worse then the disease, but had you gone full term with the diseased valve, well........I think you get the idea. You'll be feeling great in a couple of weeks, so hang in there.
 
Good news!!

Good news!!

Welcome to this side of the mountain!! Wishing you an eneventful recovery.
Like you... I had no symptoms but when they found a blockage on top of the mitral valve regurgitation.. I knew it was time for surgery.
 
David,
Welcome home and glad you made it over the mountain. Things will improve, try not to be discouraged. You will have your ups and downs but you will progress.
Sleeping - recliner, recliner, recliner. It will be your best friend for awhile.
 
David,

Glad to hear your surgery has gone well. Experiences are quite varied on post-op sleep. Some of us have had difficulty getting back to regular, sound sleep. I slept (or dozed) in a recliner for a few months, and I still don't sleep well in bed. Others have few or no problems. I hope you will be in the latter category.
 
That isa fantastic! Good to hear you guys are recovering so nicely.
 
Welcome to the other side!!

Welcome to the other side!!

Nice to see you around, David! Keep up the good recovery but make sure you don't overdo it! We have another member going through a bad patch on another Post Surgey thread so, it's even more rewarding hearing that you're doing so well and are already on the mend.
Débora
 
David,
I'm glad to hear that you're home, and your recovery is going well. I have no advice on sleeping; it took me several weeks before I could sleep in bed, and then I could only lay on my right side. Still it was much better than trying to sleep in the hospital!;) ;) ;)
 
Welcome home, David....Sounds to me like you are doing great..to post a day after you came home ..and to walk 1/2 mile.:) :) ...Take one day at a time..I slept in a twin bed with a foam wedge..(kind that you sit up in bed to read)Twin bed was lower to floor.Take your pain meds before they are due..Remember you have no where to go..so, nap,nap, nap during the day.:D Bonnie
 
Glad your back safe and sound

Glad your back safe and sound

David,
So happy for you that the dreaded hospital stay is over with. I am curious that you and Der Bermiester (sorry about spelling) both are on some sort of blood thinning therapy. My surgery was on March 27th. I got a tissue valve (pocine) but was not perscribed any blood thinners. I even asked my surgeon, "Aren't I suppose to take coumiden for a couple months?" and he said "no." So, Why are you on blood thinners....is there a clotting risk with tissue valves?
As for sleeping, I slept propped up on the couch for a couple nights and then moved to my bed. It was difficult but I weaned myself to a flat sleeping position. I just wanted my life to go back to normal if as many ways as possible. Several days after surgery I found that if I used many pillows to support my arms, head and back, I could sleep on my side for big chunks of time. (I learned to do this when I was pregnant. towards the end one is so big and uncomfortable sleeping is very hard) Now I sleep with two pillows strategically placed under my head and shoulders and one pillow I hug and and it supports my arms so as to reduce sternum pain. I also take a over-the- counter sleeping pill that is non-habit forming. (ya know like Benadryl) I take half the dosage they recommend. The nights I take the sleeping pill are so much better than when I am without. I plan on reducing the dose as time goes on. Good luck! I hope you find something that works for you
--Janea
 
Congrats on getting through the surgery and making it home! I got home from the hospital last Monday and have been sleeping mostly in a recliner but made it through a full night in my bed last night!

Stay strong and take good care,
Kristy
 
Welcome to the other side....I've been sporting one of those fancy valves for 8 months now and doing great. Hope your recovery's a good one. I slept sort of on my back, side...Good drugs.... I never had any problems or worries about addiction. I stayed on them as long as I needed. I tried the recliner but it didn't work for me.
 
Welcome home, David and welcome to the Magna valve family. Dick found a good night's sleep elusive for about 3 months due to back and shoulder pain, but lots of massages and day naps helped. Wishing you the best for a speedy recovery.
 
Janea said:
David,
I am curious that you and Der Bermiester (sorry about spelling) both are on some sort of blood thinning therapy.
--Janea
Click to expand...


Not sure exactly why, but probably has to do with the bypasses they put in (4). I'd been taking Plavix for 1 1/2 years after two stents were inserted. They were still wide open, but the arteries themselves were showing some narrowing (accounts for two of the bypasses) and another totally blocked artery (on the other side of the heart) needed a bypass (two more)..
 
Congratulations on a nice and boring surgery. I hope you find a way to comfortably sleep and continue to be boring during your recovery! :)
 
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