Mercia
Well-known member
So far no one heard my On-X Mitral valve - my husband can only hear it when he puts his ear on my chest, or listening with a stethoscope.
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Johnny Stephens
Well-known member
I have two St. Judes - Aortic and Mitral. I can easily tune them out, or I can hear them all the time, if I want. My cardio says they're louder than most. Where a single-valver goes "Tick - Tick - Tick", I go "TickTick - TickTick - TickTick." I usually take my pulse just by listening.
My coworkers are used to it for the most part - I did have one guy say it was "incredibly distracting." Occasionally a new person will ask me "what's that ticking sound?" I always tell my coworkers to inform me immediately if the ticking stops.
I keep it in perspective by reminding myself that I'm alive.
There are certain other times where they get quite loud and fast, but an understanding partner makes all the difference
My coworkers are used to it for the most part - I did have one guy say it was "incredibly distracting." Occasionally a new person will ask me "what's that ticking sound?" I always tell my coworkers to inform me immediately if the ticking stops.
I keep it in perspective by reminding myself that I'm alive.
There are certain other times where they get quite loud and fast, but an understanding partner makes all the difference
W
westie
noise
noise
actually,it seems no one except my wife and doctors has heard my valve. the noise does not particularly concern me, but have been suprised that the noise could increase over time
noise
actually,it seems no one except my wife and doctors has heard my valve. the noise does not particularly concern me, but have been suprised that the noise could increase over time
W
westie
lucky
lucky
hi bridgette
i was lucky to find valvereplacement.com a year before surgery and it proved a big comfort and benefit in easing my path to surgery; though i think a few in the medical profession here are not so impressed!
bridgette, you had an artificial valve implanted without any discussion about what was going in and the surgeon i used would never have discussed it either unless i had pressed the issue hard.
i just can not see how surgeons can make a valve choice decision without discussing the options with the patient i.e. the different brands and the pros and cons of each; not to do so sort of denies the patient their right to informed consent, which is a big no no these days.
in fairness i should point out that both cardiologist and surgeon said there were tissue and mechanical valves available but that they would not implant a tissue valve in me - full stop!
a minimum of research on valvereplacement.com confirmed that tissue valve was not for me - full stop! but zero discussion was offered on mechanaical valve choice
sorry if i am raving on again!
lucky
Yeah, I have the On-x too - I didn't choose it though.
I didn't know till after the op what brand of valve I had - just knew it was going to be mechanical. I didn't know about this site till 3 days before my op so didn't have time to study brands of valves etc...but after I started reading up on this site following my surgery I was glad to see that it was considered to be a premium brand with many possible advantages.
I don't think my valve is very noisy - except at night in a quiet room. Then I can hear it and sometimes it makes getting to sleep quite hard. But I guess I've slowly gotten used to it - it hasn't got progressively louder like yours Westie, rather it has just stayed at the same volume I think.
Bridgette
hi bridgette
i was lucky to find valvereplacement.com a year before surgery and it proved a big comfort and benefit in easing my path to surgery; though i think a few in the medical profession here are not so impressed!
bridgette, you had an artificial valve implanted without any discussion about what was going in and the surgeon i used would never have discussed it either unless i had pressed the issue hard.
i just can not see how surgeons can make a valve choice decision without discussing the options with the patient i.e. the different brands and the pros and cons of each; not to do so sort of denies the patient their right to informed consent, which is a big no no these days.
in fairness i should point out that both cardiologist and surgeon said there were tissue and mechanical valves available but that they would not implant a tissue valve in me - full stop!
a minimum of research on valvereplacement.com confirmed that tissue valve was not for me - full stop! but zero discussion was offered on mechanaical valve choice
sorry if i am raving on again!
B
Bridgette
You're right!
You're right!
Knowing what I know now, (from knowledge gained on this forum) I can see that yes, my surgeon should have informed me about the different kinds of mechanical valves....at the time though, he just said that it would be mechanical because tissue would not be appropriate for me.
His rationale for that was the fact that I had AF so needed to be on Warfarin anyway, plus a tissue valve would mean a guaranteed re-op in 10-12 years (his estimate).
Actually, I had never heard of On-x valves before my op, only St Judes so I just assumed I had one of those until after the op when I found out what I actually did have.
Oh well, it all turned out ok.
I've got a little On-x card with the serial number of my valve etc on it. have you got that?
You're right!
Knowing what I know now, (from knowledge gained on this forum) I can see that yes, my surgeon should have informed me about the different kinds of mechanical valves....at the time though, he just said that it would be mechanical because tissue would not be appropriate for me.
His rationale for that was the fact that I had AF so needed to be on Warfarin anyway, plus a tissue valve would mean a guaranteed re-op in 10-12 years (his estimate).
Actually, I had never heard of On-x valves before my op, only St Judes so I just assumed I had one of those until after the op when I found out what I actually did have.
Oh well, it all turned out ok.
I've got a little On-x card with the serial number of my valve etc on it. have you got that?
I didn't know about valve choice either and it was never discussed by my surgeon. That might have something to do with the fact that he was a pediatric surgeon? I didn't realize there were choices. I had hoped I'd get a tissue valve because I really didn't want to go on coumadin, but I was not given an option. BUT I also trust that this surgeon did what he thought best. After all, he postponed surgery the first time because he was up all night reviewing my case and decided he needed more info before proceeding. I had a TEE instead, then he presented my case to a board of cardiologists on Monday and I finally had the surgery a week later. I know he wanted to make sure he was doing the best possible thing for me. So far so good!
That's funny, I do the same thing. Most people don't hear mine though, but I find if I orient my head a certain way, I can hear it through my neck and can take my pulse. Mine is not distracting though.
marciemarine
Well-known member
Valve Noise
Valve Noise
In November of 2007, I got two ON-X valves (mitral and Aortic). I hear them when all is quet or I'm in the bathroom. On rare occasions, people near me hear them and ask if a clock is ticking, but for the most part I have gotten used to the noise and don't notice. My latest echo surprised me when the sound was amplified and sounded like a lot of clanking, like a broken machine.
My doctor was happy with it and told me all is well, so, I guess I'll just get used to that too. It doesn't seem to be getting louder with time, but I occassionally find myself wondering what all the racket is, and then I remember! Good luck getting used to it. Marcie
Valve Noise
In November of 2007, I got two ON-X valves (mitral and Aortic). I hear them when all is quet or I'm in the bathroom. On rare occasions, people near me hear them and ask if a clock is ticking, but for the most part I have gotten used to the noise and don't notice. My latest echo surprised me when the sound was amplified and sounded like a lot of clanking, like a broken machine.
My doctor was happy with it and told me all is well, so, I guess I'll just get used to that too. It doesn't seem to be getting louder with time, but I occassionally find myself wondering what all the racket is, and then I remember! Good luck getting used to it. Marcie
W
westie
yes
yes
yes, i also got the little card with my valves serial number. because i knew i would loose it, i took it to our gp and got him to record full details in my records.
at a later consultation, i glanced at his computer screen and saw he had recorded that my on-x valve was implanted in the aortic position; which was wrong as my mitral valve was replaced. really it was a simple clerical error by a great gp but he did say he was greatly embarressed.
yes
yes, i also got the little card with my valves serial number. because i knew i would loose it, i took it to our gp and got him to record full details in my records.
at a later consultation, i glanced at his computer screen and saw he had recorded that my on-x valve was implanted in the aortic position; which was wrong as my mitral valve was replaced. really it was a simple clerical error by a great gp but he did say he was greatly embarressed.
SHEEPDOG
Well-known member
I want one!!!
I want one!!!
Hey, Why didn't I get a card with ny serial # on it. If it ever gets stolen, I will need that to file the police report. Perhaps whoever steals it will return it because it clicks too loud.
I want one!!!
Hey, Why didn't I get a card with ny serial # on it. If it ever gets stolen, I will need that to file the police report.
Perhaps whoever steals it will return it because it clicks too loud.
B
Bridgette
Lol! Only very special people get the little card with the serial no on it Sheepdog
I guess they give you the card so you, the patient, know that it's the real McCoy ticking away inside you
I guess they give you the card so you, the patient, know that it's the real McCoy ticking away inside you
C
clapper
Noisey Valve Man
Noisey Valve Man
I was a public patient and had no say but I got a St Jude Mitral Valve and I love it. Its been banging away since day one and when I get sick it speeds up so I spent time in Hospital 5 yrs ago. When I got to Hospital it was making so much noise they wouldn't sign me out so I spent 10 days hospital. The treatment that worked was the expensive mobile bed and extra pillows. Now I sleep on 2 Air Beds one on top of the other with a couple of bits of foam and lots of pillows.
Clapper
Noisey Valve Man
I was a public patient and had no say but I got a St Jude Mitral Valve and I love it. Its been banging away since day one and when I get sick it speeds up so I spent time in Hospital 5 yrs ago. When I got to Hospital it was making so much noise they wouldn't sign me out so I spent 10 days hospital. The treatment that worked was the expensive mobile bed and extra pillows. Now I sleep on 2 Air Beds one on top of the other with a couple of bits of foam and lots of pillows.
Clapper
Last edited:
Ross
Well-known member
Hey, Why didn't I get a card with ny serial # on it. If it ever gets stolen, I will need that to file the police report.
Actually the hospital will repossess it for failure to pay the medical bill!
If you didn't get one, call the silly people that make the thing and ask them where your card is. It's given to us in case of recalls.
Roger Frank
Well-known member
Actually the hospital will repossess it for failure to pay the medical bill!
If you didn't get one, call the silly people that make the thing and ask them where your card is. It's given to us in case of recalls.
Don't forget about the new integrated RFID transponder!
...just kidding...I think.
