Thump Thump Thump

[Bunkenmeyer]

Hi everyone. Finishing up my second week at home and feeling much better. Special thanks for the advice to look at recovery week to week rather than day to day, that really helped me a lot as I faced little setbacks along the way. Two questions I was wondering if anyone had any experience with:

1. Since my surgery (a valve sparing aortic root replacement), when I take a deep breath I can really feel my heart thumping away in my chest. I don't feel it when I'm totally relaxed but with a deep breath or more activity, if I place my hand on my chest I can feel it knocking pretty hard. I called my doctor and the nurse told that it is not very common but sometimes that happens as a result of the surgery. She said it is nothing to worry about and it might go away or it might not, but that basically that's just the way the valve isworking now. Anyone have experience with this or get any different explanations. I'm not sure if its the result of the valve sparing procedure (where they re-shape the valve) or if it happens with traditional replacements too (I have heard alot about te clicking from mechanical replacements).

2. I have a vein in my arm that had an IV in it which now feels hard and a bit sore - it runs the length of my forearm. A few nurse friends told me to use warm compresses but to check with my surgeon. The surgeon's nurse I asked today at the hospital told me not to do anything except maybe massage it if it makes it feel better. Any ideas? Will it go away by itself?

Thanks everyone, and have a happy holiday.

-Bunkenmeyer

 

[hensylee]

Hey Bunk - can't comment on the thumping - but the forearm - probably some of the IV fluid got under your skin. It is very sore when this happens - it takes about a month for the body to absorb this. There's a word in medicine for this and I can't recall it (my pumphead, you know) but one of our medical people know what it is called. I am pretty sure the nurse you talked to knew what it was and just didn't tell you.

 

[Creed3]

Hi Bunkenmeyer!
I know exactly what you are talking about. I am 3 months post op and I noticed the thumping right from the get go. I never really thought much of it because I noticed it right away and the docs have done numerous tests several times and I have been told everything is working perfectly. Sometimes I notice it more than others. Ive just gotten used to it. I don't really pay much attention to it. I just took a deep breath right now and I felt the thumping. I just figured that is part of having a new mechanical aortic valve. If anyone else out there has any input regarding this, it would be helpful, but I'm thinking it is normal.
I had an ascending dissection/anuerysm repair with a graft along with replacing the aortic valve with a St. Jude mechanical.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Ross]

I think it's pretty much standard equipment with the valves. I'm doing it also. I don't pay any attention to it.

The Vein- I don't know about that one. It could be as Hensylee suggested, but if it starts turning colors or more painful, get it checked asap.

 

[Mara]

Hey Bunk-
I think the word Ann is searching for is Infilrated. That's what your vein situation sounds like. I had an IV infilrate once. It's pretty painful. Use the warm compress and massage it. When mine happened I was at the doctor's office and they took the IV and put some topical ibuprofen on it. Very cool. they pain went away but I had a sore spot on my arm for a while.
As Ross says, if it keeps buggin' call the doctor's office.

-Mara

 

[hensylee]

Thanks, Mara - that is exactly the word I was looking for. My ex had surgery and while he was under influence of heavy pain med, an entire unit infiltrated his arm. Even while he should have had the most pain from surgery, he only complained of the pain in his arm and they didn't catch it. They told him it would take a full month for it to be absorbed and it did. Very, very painful. It isn't generally dangerous, tho but if it continues to hurt, call them again.

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Just call me thumper

Just call me thumper

Yep, I'm a thumper too. When I REALLY take a DEEP breath, I can actually feel the thumping down in my abdomen. Not painful at all, but kind of an odd sensation.

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Bunk, I know exactly where you are coming from. I had my aortic valve replaced with a bovine valve on 11/13/02 (about 5 weeks ago). The thumping and the faster heart rate drive me up the wall but the cardiologist told me that because my old valve was so bad my heart muscle had to work extra hard to do its job and now with the new valve it does not realize that it can take it easy. Meaning the muscle overcompensates with the new valve. He said it might take up to two years for it to get the message and slow down. At rest I run about 90bpm and just a little easy walking and it goes up to maybe 120bpm. Needless to say I don't plan on jogging for while although they have me scheduled for a stress ekg next week. The thumping is more unnerving than anything else. It does keep me awake sometimes if I lay the wrong way. Oh well lets consider the options!!! Dave

 

[Perrster]

Thumper too!

Thumper too!

I believe the thumping you are talking about is a "bounding pulse."

Everything I've read and asked the docs about leads me to accept that it is a common thing. I'm pounding away as I sit here keyboarding this message!

Try a google internet search for "bounding pulse"and read up on it.

It was explained to me that my bounding/thumping pulse is due to the way that prosthetic/ mechanical valves function, i.e., our little metal valve leaflet parts are "thrust" open and close vs. an easy, flowing movement that our former, normal tissue valves used to do.

I have found that exercise and Magnesium supplements have helped me to some degree. Quitting caffeine helps too.

Regards,

 

[Ross]

Quitting caffeine helps too.

No Way! I've quit everything else, but I gotta have my coffay!

 

[Granbonny]

Quit everthing?????

Quit everthing?????

I quit everything too except for coffeee and ?? Bonnie

 

[Igor]

I am 7 months after the surgery and do get this feeling once in a while especially after the exercising.
My rest puls is around 58-60 and during the night I can hear my heart beat, though.

I try to limit myself to one coffee cup a day and strongly agree with Ross: "No Way!" Quitting coffee.

Also, I was wondering if anybody noticed a change in the blood pressure numbers since the surgery?