New to Mechanical valves with questions

[nlm5209]

On the 12 of Jan. 05 I became a proud user of a St. Judes Mechanical Mitral Valve. The history of the mechanical vs. the others was the determing factor in my decision. I certainly feel better and I am able to walk nearly as good as before the problem showed. My problem is that now, after the fact I have all of these back room experts saying you can't do this or that now. The this is continue to shoot my rifles in competition and the that is fish my bass tournaments. I have been told that a high power rifle could cause a recoil injury by tearing the sutures around the valve and the impact caused by unavoidable wave actions while running in my bass boat could do the same. When I asked my doctor if he could give me a guideline on what is considered "HIGH POWERED" he couldn't give me a definitive answer. Calibers that I prefer are the Win. 308, the 223/5.56 Nato and the venerable 30-30. Does anyone out there have any information that can be of use to me. I have spent the largest part of my life working in order to enjoy this part and don't want to do anything that would shorten my time with my wonderful wife who is worth more than any fun I could have shooting or fishing a tournament and I don't want to climb into a hole and just wait for whatever.

 

[Ross]

Quite honestly, I think what they are telling you is hog wash! When a firearm recoils, the entire body moves with the recoil. It would be one thing if you were a stone statue and your heart didn't move with the rest of your body, but your not. This sounds like wall of shame material to me. I'm sure we've got folks here that hunt that will chip in also.

We do all sorts of crazy things. Nothing is going to stop us from living our lives after what we've been through. Sounds to me like you have a Doc that thinks your some sort of thin shelled egg and most likely has your INR all screwed up too!

My vote--Live your life the way you want. I cannot see how this is going to do any harm.

 

[JimL]

What they're telling you makes some little bit of sense regarding your sternum, which can take several months to heal up; you want to be careful about that. But as far as the valve is concerned, these seem to be mild activities with next to no possibility of harm.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi,

I am going on 5 years with my St Judes Aortic valve. I hunt in Maine and in TN primarily with 270, 30-06,12 gauge and compound bow. I also boat, snowmobile, fish, use a chain saw on occation, and for the most part, continue to do what I used to do prior to my surgery. I do however, exercise more caution when taking on certain activities, if nothing more... just to pause and go over those things I should consider for safety purposes.

I don't think you need to stop doing the things in life you enjoy.. I do however, feel that you should let your body heal before jumping into some contact / body jolting activities. More people re-injure themselves, or create life-long problems by not allowing their bodies to completely heal after surgery. This hold true for many types of major surgery, heart related, back related, etc.

Enjoy your road to recovery, let your body heal.. and look forward to the future.

By the way, deer and turkey hunting here in TN was great this season!
Alabama was too I bet.
While I was writing this to you this morning... my dog was watching out the window and went on alert.. I looked out and there was a beautiful 10 pt buck . Since the season is over... maybe he'll be a 12 pt next season.

Rob

 

[carbomedic]

Hi there!
I have returned to playing softball and volleyball without hitch, As Rob mentioned, Let your body heal, then all will be well. I was told 2 years for a complete recovery, I think that is true. The first year I returned to VBall, I was huffing pretty good, probably should have waited, but now, team mates even mention that I don't bend over gasping anymore.
BTW, I learned how to dive for the balls to prevent head injuries. Guess what? Proper technique is use your chest!

Give yourself time to heal, in two years, you will not have any issues.

 

[geebee]

Once your sternum is fulling healed, you can do the things you mentioned. I shoot shotguns and have never had a problem other than bruising on my upper arm (but I had that before coumadin).
I used to live on a lake in Northern NJ and raced a 28 foot sailing boat. It was a lot of jarring and rough (we sailed even in storms) and, again, never had any problems (in fact it was easier and more fun after surgery). We also "ran around on the lake" in various speedboats.
I think the information you are receiving is a result of doctor's either being totally clueless or just trying to protect themselves by not allowing us to do ANYTHING.
The whole purpose of going through OHS is to have a life that is better and worth living. Do not change yours.
Take care.

 

[Ross]

I shoot shotguns and have never had a problem other than bruising on my upper arm (but I had that before coumadin).

A lady shootist Perhaps I should be careful around you then?

 

[geebee]

A lady shootist Perhaps I should be careful around you then?

Yeah & I shoot pool, too

 

[tobagotwo]

I would echo what has been said above, with one, large caveat:

You should ask your surgeon if you have a myxomatous tissue problem where your valve is sutured.

If you do not have that issue (or some other issue that I've not run across yet), then general experience on this site seems to be that you should be free to hunt and fish as you please once you have completely healed. Mechanical valves in and of themselves do not create that type of issues to my knowledge or anywhere in my personal research exposure.

If you do have a myxomatous tissue problem, the concern may be valid or at least partially valid permanently. Myxomatous tissue can be a result of a connective tissue syndrome that is sometimes related to bicuspid valves. It is basically a degeneration of the tissue to a fibrous or even gel-like state, where it may not be able to hold the sutures securely under duress. Repeated percussion could potentially damage the sutures, as the weakened tissue they are stiched into can give way.

At some point, you will have to make a decision about your quality of life, what things are to remain important to you, and what you are willing to risk for them. Hopefully, you have just been misguided by overcautious professionals. But please ask them first why they are specifically warning you about these activities.

Best wishes,

 

[nlm5209]

Thanks for the responses

Thanks for the responses

Thanks to all of you that replied. I plan on seeing the doc on Monday the 31st and your informative replies will be going with me. I kind of felt that is was a case of him not being active in those areas I mentioned and I had no idea where to go for information. Luck and the net helps. Thanks again for your words of encouragement and I hope you all prosper. The hunting was superb by the way. That and a national tournament in Oct. in Decatur , AL. was the primary reason for a Jan. surgery date. Mans got to have some outside activities. Thanks again, nlm5209

 

[RCB]

My experience

My experience

I can't speak for medical science,but I do know I was one of the orginal
proto type OHS pt. Had my first surgery at age ten and after 1 year had no restriction. I hunted with a 12 guage shot gun, played running back and def. back( got hit and gave hits ), shot an M1 at military school(think it is close to a 30-06 in kick), rolled my corvette 3 times corner-for-corner,the 3rd roll the top came down and I was thrown 50 feet- walked away and broke my foot swinging on a rope in a barn. None caused any problem to my heart valve.
The heart has some pretty tough, build in shock assorbers. As Tobagotwo
said, it would be more likily other medical problem might have more effect
on your heart valve than just the surgery.

 

[Tom F.]

I can't believe that the 5.56mm mouse gun or even the 30-30 is going to bounce you around to the point of damage, unless you have some form of underlying connective tissue problem. Even 7.62mm/.308 is not that strong in recoil, epecially if the weapon is on the heavy side. I had an aortic valve repair and dacron tube inserted where I had an aneurysm and I have been cleared for Judo!

 

[Ross]

I was told by the coumadin educator when I was in the hospital that I could never eat a large spinach salad again.

I do hope we've taught you better now!