Occasional depression

[Lynlw]

John

If you can get those kind of rides in with your doc's blessing, that's GREAT! I know it's prbably not enough, but it sure beats not riding.

I have a 20 year old Vitus-Cilo set up on a trainer in the basement. That was a really neat old bike. It has glued thin tube aluminum frame. 10 years ago or so I had it upgraded with an Ultegra gruppo. I used that as my only bike until 3 years ago when I splurged and got a Merlin.

I don't love the trainer...too boring. But if I had to go somewhere to ride a trainser, I know I'd never do it. If I break it up into multiple 1/2 hour sessions it's not too bad.

Fast Eddie

Eddie, I don't know if your docs or anyone suggested it, for some reason I noticed valve replacements don't get told about it as much as other heart surgeries. But you might want to look into cardiac rehab. it is kind of like a gym, but you are monitored and the tech let you know what/how much you can do, so you can get a good dea and not find out what it "too much" the hard way. Alot of people that weren't really interested in going ended up thinking it was pretty great and recomend it to everyone. Lyn

 

[ToFMom]

Eddie, I don't know if your docs or anyone suggested it, for some reason I noticed valve replacements don't get told about it as much as other heart surgeries. But you might want to look into cardiac rehab. it is kind of like a gym, but you are monitored and the tech let you know what/how much you can do, so you can get a good dea and not find out what it "too much" the hard way. Alot of people that weren't really interested in going ended up thinking it was pretty great and recomend it to everyone. Lyn

Lyn, you are right! For some reason my dad (triple bypass) was set up automatically for cardiac rehab, but my son's cardiologist just said, "you can walk, use a treadmill or an exercise bike". Turns out my son's shoulder was bothering him such that he was referred to physical therapy for that, but I really think he would benefit from a rehab structure. I guess people should just ask their drs about it right away!

 

[ruth]

IMHO Cardiac Rehab is worth every minute and every penny.

It baffles me why valvers wouldn't be automatically referred to it, yet I know we aren't always......

 

[Adam 12-21-05]

I'm still jealous of Eddie!

One of the issues that non-symptomatic people face is accepting it. Another issue that I think people like Eddie or myself face is that we are exercise junkies. If we can't work out, we have trouble sleeping because we so used to the activity level.

Interesting John.

Like you, I was almost asymptomatic and a work-out junkie. The sleep comment ties right in as well.

However, accepting my need for AVR was not a problem for me, especially after my second-opinion.

I had no choice but to die, my heart was already dilated.

That said, the anticipated procedure became a life-saver instead of an impediment or fearful event.

Now, fifteen months laters, I'm back to being a work-out junkie - All five days this week!

I'm sleeping great and.....

I'm even back surfing which is the ultimate miracle.

All the best accepting it in the future.

Cheers,

Adam

 

[WayneGM]

I found waiting the hardest part. I was asympomatic as well so it was tough reconciling myself to the fact I needed OHS. I had nobody to talk to about OHS either, and I hadn't found VR.com until after my OHS. My father had two OHS (by-passes). Unfortunately, due to complications during the second one we lost him. That made me very nervous about OHS although he had health problems that I didn't that made the surgery more risky. I knew that, but it was still hard to get out of my mind. He never talked about the first one much, so I didn't get of the benefit of his experience. My wife was my crutch, and I don't know what I would have done without her.

YOu are not alone. You've found the VR community so when you need a shoulder to lean on, we're here.