On the other side now but not happy yet
- Thread starter Sevgi
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Sevgi
Well-known member
After only 3 days back at work, I woke up with a sore throat. After 24 hours, I went to see my GP. At the time, the only symptom I had was a very sore throat. She diagnosed it as carotidymia and prescribed Celebrex. I questioned using that med and she said it's fine. I did not get the prescription filled. About 12 hours later and after her office closed, I began to run a low temp and developed all the symptoms of a nasty cold. Today I called her office to speak with on Doctor on call only because I was running 99.5 temp. 3 1/2 hours later, a nurse calls back and says the Dr on call does not want to put me on antibiotics as this will weaken my already weakened immune system. He suggested I wait until tomorrow and if I get worse or I'm not better, I should go to E/R. I'm not sure that these Drs know what to do with peeps that have had OHS. Has anyone else caught a cold 4-5 weeks after surgery and what did you do to feel better?
After my first heart surgery (31 years ago) I seemed to get ill a lot that fall and I was back and forth to my doctor's office a lot, getting all kinds of antibiotics. That very nice family doctor really pursued any kind of illness I had, because of the recent heart surgery, wanting to avoid any potential infection traveling to my heart. I don't know if that experience is helpful or not. Please post again and let us know how you are. Take care 
Sevgi
Well-known member
I went back to PCP today. Since it's only been 5 weeks and I've had pneumonia twice before, I wanted to be checked. Dr said lungs sound clear and since I haven't had fever since saturday, she believes I have a regular cold virus. She said antibiotics will not help with virus so I should rest, drink plenty of fluids and take mucinex & tylenol as needed. I was under the impression I needed to be very careful to avoid infection that might affect tissue valve. She said I do not have to be treated any differently than before surgery. I required antibiotics before dental work or any procedure and still do. I've got a follow up with cardiologist tomorrow so I'll see what he says.
Sevgi
Well-known member
Just wanted to report that I'm having some really good days now. My sister and I shopped 8 hours yesterday looking for bargains. She got tired but I didn't, yay! We rode in my new convertible with the top down and had so much fun! Dr approved rehab for me 2 weeks ago but they haven't called to give me start date. By the time they do, I may not need them. I just really wanted them to guide me into an exercise program. I have a treadmill, Wii fitness & a swimming pool but I don't want to overdo it too fast. I bought some Shape Up shoes and I've been wearing them when I clean house. I haven't tried to vaccuum yet but I'm doing everything else. I went back to work 8/16 and now I'm on vacation for a week. Things are starting to look up and I'm enjoying life again. My brother in law asked me what happy pills I'm taking and couldn't believe it when I told him that I'm off all meds from surgery. Life is good!
What a great update. I'm so glad you let us know you are feeling so much better. Isn't it amazing the difference a couple of weeks make? That you could do 8 hours of shopping and not get tired, is much better than I could do and I never had heart problems. Are you feeling better than you were before surgery yet? THAT was always the time that Justin would get really happy about. A couple weeks after one of his surgeries he was going to a friends house a couple blocks away, he called me shortly after he left (and of course when I saw him on caller ID, I braced for bad news) and it was to tell me, he realized he was running a couple of the blocks and didn't even think about it, but then realized he hadn't been able to even walk that far before surgery without getting out of breahtha and wanted me to know now he could run with out a problem.
I think if it were me, and rehab didn't return my call for an appt after 2 weeks, I would call them back, just incase they lost your message.
I think if it were me, and rehab didn't return my call for an appt after 2 weeks, I would call them back, just incase they lost your message.
Orangebrittainy
Well-known member
Sevgi, I am glad to hear things are looking up for you. I am hoping for my life to improve as well.
