Still a rocky recovery... 12 weeks post-op

[Smiley2000]

I read about Jody going for her 2nd OHS in such a short time and all my other friends on here that have bigger problems than me, and then I feel fortunate that I am actually doing okay in comparison.

I am now 12 weeks post-op and still sit with this Tachycardia, irregular heartbeats and my GP did bloodtests and confirmed that I still have CHF (for some reason it has returned post-op) and I just don't feel well. Body aches, tired, shortness of breath, get palpitations when I walk short distances and climbing stairs is a NIGHTMARE! A lot of the symptoms that I had pre-op! My sternum/chest hurts when I turn at night. It is winter around here and I don't think the cold weather is helping much.

I have been on unpaid sickleave for the last 3 months, lost my job - they didn't want to wait for me and even though I have appealed against their decision to terminate my contract, they are working against me and I now have to go the "labourlaw" route. My Cardio booked me off and I thank him for that. My office is on the 2nd floor and A LOT of stairs to get there, I just don't have the energy for that!

The last Echo said: mild mitral incompetence. Can this be the cause of all my current problems?

 

[Superbob]

I don't have any answers to offer, but did want to extend my best wishes and hopes that everything will turn around for the better for you. There are a lot of folks more expert than I on these issues so hopefully someone will come along who can offer more specifics about possible causes for the unsmooth recovery.

All best wishes...

 

[bvdr]

I'm sorry to hear that you are not feeling better. It might sound like a long time, especially since you are not getting paid right now, but twelve weeks is still pretty early post-op. Mild mitral regurgitation shouldn't be producing the kind of symptoms you are currently having. I don't know how long you were having symptoms pre-op or what the size of your left atrium was then as compared to now. I know in my case that as my left atrium started reducing in size I began to feel better.

I had problems with CHF and arrhythmias before and after surgery. I stayed on flecainide for 4 years post-op and then, due to neural side effects, switched to amiodarone and several months ago got off of that as well. For the most part I think I am in sinus rhythm but not always.

Sometimes medications can make you short of breath too. I cannot tolerated calcium channel blockers. I have one on hand to take just to slow my heart rate down if it gets much too fast but really don't have to use it. I have to watch my sodium intake very carefully or I feel the CHF returning. I've got a few other things going on that adversly contribute to my heart health that may not apply to you. Everyone is different. Recoveries are also different so please try not to be real discouraged but at the same time pursue answers and/or medication changes to get you to the place that you can feel that having had the surgery was really worthwhile. I know you are going through a rough time so I'm sending you cyber hugs.....

 

[Karlynn]

Have you had an echo since your surgery to see how the repair is holding?

 

[Bina]

At 12 wks post op I was also Tachy, irreg beats, uncomfortable lying down, very tired, and could not do stairs.... I wondered if I would ever improve. Now I do small sets of stairs, small walks, and am able to twist and turn without pain. I would like to be dancing and running, but I guess that isn't going to happen.
Have patience and stay in regular contact with a doctor.

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry to hear the road is a bit bumpy. I didn't feel myself for over a year, and had to learn to have lots of patience. All you can do is see the doctor regularly and explain how you are feeling to get their assessment on your recovery. Best wishes continue. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[designlady]

I feel your pain!

I feel your pain!

Hello Smiley!
I want you to know that my heart aches for you! Sometimes the bumps in the road to recovery are overwhelming! I know because I was there! Now at about 6 months out I can honestly say it WILL get better! It won't happen all of a sudden...it seems to be a gradual healing...one day you just realize that you may feel just a tiny bit better...than several days pass and you are feeling a little better...etc. I had just about given up! The surgery hadn't done at all what I had expected. I thought within a couple of months following surgery I would be better than ever! Instead I kept going downhill...it was all so frustrating and disheartening! But eventually I DID start feeling better...and better...and better! I am probably back to where I was before surgery and my cardio thinks I will keep healing and feeling better for up to a year! So hang tough girl! Don't give up! Prayers are being offered up for you! You aren't in this alone! People from all over the world are praying for you and sending you thoughts of encouragement! You'll get BETTER!
Hugs from the heart!
Jane (designlady)

 

[njean]

Hang in there Smiley! Everyone's recovery from OHS is different. Some people bounce back in no time while others, like me, take months & months to feel like we finally made it!

Your body has been thru a very tough ordeal so don't get discouraged & give yourself time to heal.

 

[AquaJeff]

I read about Jody going for her 2nd OHS in such a short time and all my other friends on here that have bigger problems than me, and then I feel fortunate that I am actually doing okay in comparison.

I am now 12 weeks post-op and still sit with this Tachycardia, irregular heartbeats and my GP did bloodtests and confirmed that I still have CHF (for some reason it has returned post-op) and I just don't feel well. Body aches, tired, shortness of breath, get palpitations when I walk short distances and climbing stairs is a NIGHTMARE! A lot of the symptoms that I had pre-op! My sternum/chest hurts when I turn at night. It is winter around here and I don't think the cold weather is helping much.

I have been on unpaid sickleave for the last 3 months, lost my job - they didn't want to wait for me and even though I have appealed against their decision to terminate my contract, they are working against me and I now have to go the "labourlaw" route. My Cardio booked me off and I thank him for that. My office is on the 2nd floor and A LOT of stairs to get there, I just don't have the energy for that!

The last Echo said: mild mitral incompetence. Can this be the cause of all my current problems?

Dear Smiley,
Sorry to hear about the bumps in your recovery. Also the added insult of the loss of your job. Sweet people at that place. I was just discussing the recovery time with my Mom who is now at 2 weeks post op. She said. "It's going to be a long journey."
I agreed and tried to reassure her it's only 2 weeks. It dawned on me as to how relative time is. A wonderful day or a weeks vacation seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. But on a bad day or a painful moment the clock doesn't even seem to tick. I said to my Mom i bet it seems like you've been going through this for 2 months instead of 2 weeks. I bet it must be the same for you; 12 months instead of 12 weeks.
I've read everything i can to help her but reading about it and living it are 2 different things.

I can't even begin to put myself in your shoes. But I can feel for you and hope you continue to recover. From speaking to my medical friends they all say it's a long road but you eventually get through it. Everyone is different. Keep track of your discomforts and report everything to your doctors. Write out your questions and ask your doctors. Don't be shy.

I would probably keep a journal of how I felt daily. What activities I could do and how much I exercised. Then compare it week to week. (Not day to day) and see if you're making progress. That's how I look at it but that may not be right for you. Hang in there and I wish you all the best.
Jeff

 

[Cooker]

So sorry things are gong the way they are.....hang in there, it will get better

 

[Smiley2000]

Thank you to all my friends for the lovely well-wishes and advice. It is so comforting to know that I am not alone in this struggle.

I went to the ER yesterday with a prayer in my heart that they will catch something on the ECG and they DID! For the past week I have these really weird flutters in my chest and not the normal "PVC/PAC" that I am used to and even the nurses said the ECG looks strange and my GP had a look at it and said she is going to fax it to my Cardiologist today.

My BP is normally loooooooow 100/70 was the highest thus far) and last night at the ER my BP was 149/98 and HR 102! I think it is stress!!!

 

[strudell]

I hope you get feeling better soon.

 

[Plumber1]

Wow, sorry to hear this kind of physical difficulty and then the employer not helping out. Yuk.

Hang tough, I know things will get better. CHF can take a while to fix. I should know, I had a fairly serious case 10 years ago.

Gods speed.

Mark

 

[hall]

I sure hope they get you to feeling better. Let us know what the cario says. Take care.

Deb