My 6th Month Post-Op Check Up

[Rush20]

Well, I have little bit of good news to share. I had my 6-month (closer to 7 month) post surgery check up with my cardio today and everything seems to be OK. My pro-time has leveled off at 2.6 and I'm down to a once/month bloodletting, I mean testing.

Better news is that he dropped my daily Toprol XL down to 12.5 MG from 25 MG. I'm happy because I haven't had any palpitations since I started on the calcium/beta blocker in November. My halter monitor test in December came back clear so he thinks it was just a routine irritated post-surgery heart that caused the occassional palpitation.

The Toprol tends to make me feel a little dopey now and then and I'm hoping the reduced medication will improve or eliminate that occassional feeling. If all goes well, he plans to reduce the prescription to 6mg in July and then potentially wean me off completely by year end as I guess this kind of medication needs to be slowely tapered off.

As always, thanks for your thoughts and feedback.

 

[Ross]

Congrats! That's the kind of news we all need to hear. Out of curiosity, did they do an echo?

 

[Rush20]

No echo. I was expecting some kind of test, however he listened to my valve, checked the file and was happy with everything. I asked him questions about bicuspid aortic valves being linked to aortic dissection, etc. and whether or not I require any additional tests and he reassured me that my condition should have no impact on the health of my aorta. No mention of another echo or stress test. He does want me to have a cholesterol check prior to my next appointment in July. Although my levels are still within the "good" range, the bad cholesterol did go up after my surgery, however he thinks it was because I wasn't exercising post surgery.

I mentioned this website and he smiled and said it's great to have support groups to talk with. He also said be careful in reading too much information on the web because medical opinions vary and sometimes information isn't accurately communicated. Hmmm....sincerity or and HMO response?

 

[Ross]

He sounds like the type of Doctor that I'd like to see in this forum looking around. Did you tell him that everyone here either has had or is about to have OHS and that we don't b.s. people that are here asking questions and scared?

When we say internet and forums to these people, they invision a free for all set up where just anyone offers advice. This is why I would encourage him as well as I have my own Doctor to come take a look at this place.

We are like no other!