Symptoms

[rmoss]

Hello all I am new here and had some questions. I had my first surgery when I was 12 (pulmanary valve repair) and my second when I was 13 (pulmanary valve replaced) it was replaced with a homograph. I am now 28 all most 16 years later, I know that the average life span of the valve is around ten years so my time is probably getting close. I was wondering if any of you had symptoms before you had to have replacement surgery. I ask because I seem to really be fatigued more so then usual and ocassionally have a dull chest pain. I am wondering if these are normal symptoms presurgery or if maybe I am just getting older.
Dont worry I do have an appoinment in 2 weeks to see my cardiolgist. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Those are pretty standard symptoms, at least for the aortic valve. I don't have any experience or knowledge about the pulmaonary valve.

For sure, you will want a standard Echocardiogram and perhaps a more definitive TEE (TransEsophageal Echogram). Be sure to ask for a copy of the report and learn how to read the results. I put several echo report results on a spread sheet to track the progression of my valve disease. It makes things more apparent.

'AL'

 

[vlamus]

Randy,
Just had a PVR done in Feb. I was in dire need of this, since I had basically free-flow across the valve (basically non-existent valve). The sympts I was having prior to my PVR were fatigue (especially climbing stairs), terrible cough, fluid retention in my legs. I have some other problems along with the PV, so my sympts may have been related to something else. Anyway, I am much better post-op. I got a tissue valve and was told they last anywhere from 10-25years. Less pressure on the right-side of the heart. You are getting up there, so best you get a thorough check-up. Vlamus

 

[rmoss]

fatigue (especially climbing stairs),

Its funny you mentioned this I to have notice when I climb stairs I am really out of breath when I get to the top. I have been hoping these symptoms were just me being out of shape, I am not looking forward to another surgery but according to statistics I know it is drawing near. Last year my doctor told me it was very important that I dont miss my yearly appointment because at this stage there could be significant changes from year to year.

 

[MarkU]

I was first diagnosed having a bicuspid valve when I was five. No symptoms until I was 45. At that time I was doing a lot of business travel and at first attributed my fatigue to age and my schedule. My first reaction was that I needed to start working harder at he gym to get back into better shape, which of course looking back, was the wrong choice (too much male ego at work...). My symtoms only got worse: I started to have problems breathing at night when I was in bed, and when climbing stairs.

One of my worst episodes was when we moved my daughter into her 12th floor dorm room at the University of Florida and I tried to go up the stairs instead of waiting in line for the elevator. The last few floors were agony - I had to rest at every landing and was drenched in sweat by the time I got there. That day was when it really started to sink in that something was really wrong and it was time to check in with my cardiologist.

Mark

 

[alicia]

Hello Randy!
I live about an hour and half away from Raleigh and had my 2nd heart surgery up at Duke. I too was having shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. I thought it was from being overweight and aging process but I persisted and my cardiologist here sent me to Duke for a second opinion and they did a battery of tests that concluded the leakage from the mitral valve was pretty bad and I needed surgery soon so I had the mitral valve replaced with a St Judes on Jan. 6th,2003. Ive been doing fine except for managing my Coumadin. Its apparently causing internal bleeding and I will have more surgery on Aug. 8th,2003.

Good luck to you. You will find a wealth of information and support here. Its relaly helped me thru some trying times. Its nice being able to talk to others that have been there. Get yourself checked out soon, okay?

A friend

 

[LoraW30]

Hi,

I had my mechanical aortic valve for about 16 years before it was replaced. I had some similar symptoms, fatigue, shortness of breath, dull chest pain, and numb left arm. After an echo, my cardiologist decided on a stress test. That was the clincher, it was time for a new valve, my third so far.

Deifinitely tell your doc every symptom you've been having, even if it might not seem significant to you. Write everything down and include questions you might want to ask. 16 years is a pretty good stretch of time for an artificial valve.

Good luck!!!!

LoraW

 

[rmoss]

Hi Alicia, I had both of my surgeries at Duke my cardiologist is Dr. Kanter and my surgeon was Dr. Ungerlieter (not sure about the spelling). Its good to see another (dukie) around here. I have been going there my whole life and they have always treated me very good. I had my pulmany valve replaced but my tricuspid valve leaks moderate to severly so I have been told next surgery I have they will probably repair that and replace the pulmanary. Its nice to talk to other people who have to deal with all the same stuff.

 

[Guest]

Greetings Randy, and welcome!

I had symptoms similar to that late in 2002 (October/November/December) but chalked them up to stress and not much sleep due to various issues.... But, then, a check up with my cardiologist and succeeding tests showed that a pulmonary valve replacement was in order. At the time, I had had my current pig's valve since March 1987. It was replaced January 6, 2003.

Do keep us posted about your cardiologist appointment and what is found .

Peace...Always,
Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 29/swm
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[lcwhitney]

Hi Randy,

I'm Lettitia, I had a pulmonary valve replacement,pulmonary artery anuerysm repair, aortic valve replacement, and ligation of a patent foramen ovale, in Aug of 2001. I will be having another pulmonary valve replacement thi August. Dull chest pain, fatigue, lower extremity edema and a chronic cough are very typical symptoms for pulmonary valve problems. Be sure that you tell your cardiologist everything you experience , things we just live with on a daily basis can sometimes be red flags for a doctor .

Lettitia

 

[Nancy]

Here is a site that speaks about various valve problems and their symptoms.

http://www.tmc.edu/thi/valvetype.html

 

[maxximom]

Hi Randy.. Make that another for good old Duke!! I had my aortic valve replaced and also a triple bypass at Duke in September of 2000 by Dr Donald Glower. I now OINK with the best.My cardio is Dr Harrison. Duke is a good place top be as you know. I also live in Raleigh. Just wanted to touch base with you when I saw your post.
Joan Seide
AVR 9/25/00 Duke University Hosp. Dr Donald Glower. St Judes stentless Porcine Toronto Valve and Triple By pass