new here--headaches

[mybravelittleman]

I am posting on behalf of my 8 year old son who just had his 3rd open heart on APril27th. I am still trying to figure out how to post. I posted a message under a heading of reunions without realizing there were topics. SO i apologize if you are reading this twice. My son had a mitral valve replacement (st. Jude). He is doing great except for complaints of headaches. He is taking lasix for one more week and coumadin. He has taken coumadin since he was 9 months old when his first valve replacement.

I would appreciate any comments about headaches after surgery.

thank you

 

[Greg a]

Mom, a heart felt WELCOME to our OHS family your son is now our brave little man aas we are all brothers and sisters in OHS the great aspect there are no medical pros so you are hearing from those that have and are climbing the mountain .....there is a wealth of knowledge here for the future ..... I do remember severe headaches after OHS from the intubation a term sometimes refered to as pumphead also accompanied by a loss of memory and power of reason ...it took a couple of months to fully pass even though my wife still calls me pumphead four years later.

-Bob/tobagotwo has up dated a list of acronyms and short forms http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8494&d=1276042314

-what to ask pre surgery http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...68-Pre-surgery-consultation-list-of-questions

-what to take with you to the hospital http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?13283-what-to-take-to-the-hospital-a-checklist

-Preparing the house for post surgical patients http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...Getting-Comfortable-Around-the-House&p=218802

These are from various forum stickies and there is plenty more to read as well


And Lynw recently added this PDF on what to expect post op
http://www.sts.org/documents/pdf/whattoexpect.pdf

 

[mybravelittleman]

Thank you for your response. I actually called the doctor today and they took him off of the lasix and told him to drink a lot of water. we shall see. How do you post a picture on the profile??

sharon

 

[kfay]

I had terrible headache problems that started while I was still in the hospital. I am 3 years post op and feel like I am just now getting them back under control. I don't think I am in the norm with the severity of mine, but we have had others report problems with headaches after surgery. I hope you find something that helps him.

Kim

 

[Greg a]

......................... How do you post a picture on the profile??

sharon

http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?37290-Why-can-t-I-use-a-photo

 

[New Guy]

Littleman,

I am sorry to hear about your sons health problems. I too had terrible headaches after surgery. Mine lasted about 1 month before going away for good. I had about 2 per day for a couple weeks and then they went to 1 per day for about 2 weeks more. I didn't take any pain meds but found caffeine helped a lot, and that did give me relief for about a week until I developed afib. Then I went off the caffeine and still am.

After that my angel of a wife found that she could help me through the worst of it by standing behind me while I was seated and gently stretch my spine by lifting my head with both hands. These headaches were almost unbearable and she really helped me with these shoulder and neck massages and stretches.

Fortunately after a month or so they started to become much less frequent and soon went away for good.

I wish I could give you some better advice, but hopefully soon they will fade away like mine.

 

[bdryer]

Bravelittleman

I would see how the elimination of lasix and an increase in fluid consumption pans out. The diuretic action of the lasix will be ongoing for sometime after terminating lasix, so keep up on consuming fluids.

This little dude may also require a good quality muliti vitamin. The lasix may be eliminating much needed vitamines and minerals, hence the possible cause of head aches. I would talk to the doctor about taking the multi. I take a good multi. I as well have a mechanical heart valve and take warfarin. Only diff is I'm 56 not 8.

You are both very welcome in our unique little world! Bravelittleman is our new hero!