Symptoms- before and after

[deckard]

I am ready for aortic valve replacement. But have been experiencing some unusual symptoms for 10 years now, that no 'ologist' has been able to diagnose. After dozens of tests over the years, the only health problem we know for sure about is an inefficient bicuspid valve. We hope my odd symptoms are caused by the valve and will go away after replacement. But am wondering what kind of symptoms that others have experienced, and did they go away after surgery. For 10 years I have had the same constant tension headache, constant lightheadedness that blooms into dizzines that can go on for days, constant fatigue, frequent insomnia, ringing in the ears, occasional double-vision and 'grey curtains' in the left eye. Have been told repeatedly by several cardio docs that they do not believe these symptoms are related to my heart since none of them worsen with exertion, and they have existed for many years even when my valve inefficiency was very minimal. Has anyone else experienced these specific symptoms and did they abate after surgery?

 

[geebee]

Although I can't help with the symptoms you are experiencing (except a few - fatigue, insomnia, and dizziness), I wanted to welcome you. I am sure others who can help will be along.

My fatigue and dizziness did go away after my first OHS but I still have the insomnia.

Hope you find the answers and you get relief from surgery.

 

[Georgia]

Certainly the visual disturbances bothered many of us prior to surgery. Mine have nearly disappeared almost completely since surgery; occasional ocular migraines remain. I also had a lot of headaches and rarely have one now.

Exertion was not necessary for these. And I don't think there are any definitive answers - possibly TIA's.

There are a lot of bizarre symptoms that don't seem to relate to cardio problems that people here have had that clear up with surgery. Why the cardiologists don't give credence to them, I don't know.

btw - welcome to the site. Others will be along soon to add their 2 cents.

 

[aussigal]

Hi and WELCOME!..

I have had a myriad of symptoms bothering me for quite a few years...when I read the bicuspid aortic foundations' website they were ALL listed there as consequences of my valve and connective-tissue-disorder...
ie: ALL my symptoms were much more obvious than my dodgy-valve...and I had been told the BAV was more than likely a benign condition...
no-one was more surprised than my Cardio when they saw the aneurysm ...but at least they listenend to me and I am now under-control and much happier!

 

[Marguerite53]

Hello and welcome. It is great to hear that some of these weird symptoms may go away after surgery. It will be different for everyone. I'm still presurgery and have certainly experienced some of what you have mentioned.

I consulted with an opthalmologist about the grey curtain, or floaties. He told me that the condition was not unusual. He called it "posterior vitreous detachment". I googled it a long time ago and was satisfied with the descriptions I found. Whether it goes away or gets worse, I'll just have to see. Many here are troubled with visual disturbances, but we do not have any way to compare ourselves with the normal population.

Oftentimes, people have food and environmental sensitivities which can cause all kinds of symptoms. A regular doctor would probably overlook those as cause. There have been many threads on these. Perhaps you could do a search, here, on visual disturbances.

Good luck, and let us know about your surgery plans so we can keep our watchful eye on your success!!

Marguerite

 

[CCRN]

Seeing things.....

Seeing things.....

Yes!

I had double vision for minutes at a time, sort of spasmodic like, for years. No physician could explain the reason to me until my valve gradient went up high enough. My surgeon then told me the incidences along with the TIA I had was more than likely platelet aggregation thrown off the stenotic valve. He had had the same reports from other patients. The incidences did decrease after I started taking an aspirin a day pre-operatively. I have only had one episode in seven months post-op and that was imediately before it was discovered my INR had dropped to 1.5. Thus, you could say my visual disturbances pretty much stopped completely after my surgery. I also had left shoulder muscular pain which also went away post-op. No headaches though. Can't think of anything else except what would have pertained to my aneurysm.

 

[dej72]

Ocular Migraines

Ocular Migraines

I'm shocked to hear of others having experienced these. I thought I was the only one.

 

[Marguerite53]

dej72, I don't think that it is just the valve population who experiences these! Otherwise, there would be drive-up echo stands everywhere!! (and wouldn't that be nice!!) But there has been enough discussion about it here, that if you are having concerns or problems with yours, you might find some useful information.

I'm a big proponent of watching out for what triggers the episodes, as they are discomforting and oftentimes mildly debilitating while driving. I, personally have found that there are foods, scents and lighting that I must avoid or I will have a 23 minute ride with my auras. Interestingly, I felt I was all alone in my experience of them, too, until I read an illustrated Scientific American article in a college psychology class.........guess what year that was?? 1972!! (guessing from your screen name...the year you were born?? )

Marguerite

 

[Ohiosweetheart16]

hi i hope someone can help me i have a 15yr old daughter that just found out she has bavd but my family doctor doesnt seemed to be concerned about it my daughter keeps telling them she is tired all the time even after 9 10 hrs of sleep dizzy all the time or feels as thou she will faint

 

[Mary]

hi i hope someone can help me i have a 15yr old daughter that just found out she has bavd but my family doctor doesnt seemed to be concerned about it my daughter keeps telling them she is tired all the time even after 9 10 hrs of sleep dizzy all the time or feels as thou she will faint

Ohio sweetheart,
If you'll start this as a "new thread" in heart talk you're apt to get more replies. Did they discover the bicuspid valve during a routine exam or did she present with symptoms? Have you seen a cardiologist or just a family practic doctor?
Mary

 

[CCRN]

hi i hope someone can help me i have a 15yr old daughter that just found out she has bavd but my family doctor doesnt seemed to be concerned about it my daughter keeps telling them she is tired all the time even after 9 10 hrs of sleep dizzy all the time or feels as thou she will faint

Your daughter needs to be seen by a cardiologist and probably have a preliminary surgical consult. Her symptoms may be due to some other minor problem but are also some of the signs of symptomatic valvular heart disease. Please tell your FP to refer you to a cardiologist familiar with BAVD. She probably needs to see a pediatric cardiologist at this point. Hope her problems are easily remedied. It's always nice to have your mind put at ease. I hope I am not sounding very bossy.....don't really mean to but I have found a lot of symptoms to be dismissed when they happen to young healthy people. If your daughter was in her 60s she would be smacked into the hospital for a workup. Check out the Bicuspid Aortic Foundation, discuss it with your FP and see what he says then. Getting control of your health care can really improve outcomes. Hope this helps.