G
Guest
I had mitral valve replacement surgery five months ago. I have half the energy I had prior to the surgery. I am over 50. Did anyone else experienced this and did you get your energy back?
Theresa
Theresa
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harrietW
Attitude of Gratitude
Great question l am very interested to read some positive feed back as l am 22 days post surgery and worried about your exact results. I know 22 days may be a little premature to expect results but honestly l have never felt so miserable in my life.
5 mths post l sure hope you find strength and a higher level of energy soon. Xx
5 mths post l sure hope you find strength and a higher level of energy soon. Xx
Five months post aortic valve replacement I was nowhere near back to the health and fitness I had prior to surgery. I was very fit prior to surgery and was completely asymptomatic - not my imagination - as I have often told other forum members, the day before surgery I did a six mile walk and did some heavy weight lifting. I got back to normal at approximately one year after surgery. I started cardiac rehab at around two months post op and, to be honest, the cardiac nurse thought I was amazingly fit, but I knew I was not, I knew how I was prior to surgery and I was nowhere near that. I was also getting breathless which I'd never experienced pre surgery - I think this was due to the negative effect of the surgery, anaesthetic, meds, on my lungs.
22 days post op Harriet was hell for me - pain, weakness and so on, anaemic, low sodium, nearly admitted to hospital again due to gut problems - that began to improve at about the five to six week point. Did you see your GP on Monday Harriet ? Has he/she been able to be of any help ?
22 days post op Harriet was hell for me - pain, weakness and so on, anaemic, low sodium, nearly admitted to hospital again due to gut problems - that began to improve at about the five to six week point. Did you see your GP on Monday Harriet ? Has he/she been able to be of any help ?
Superman
Well-known member
It's really hard to measure, "half the energy". Whether literal or figurative - it still isn't fun. At some point you will have a great day and you'll try to think back and remember when exactly you started to feel "normal" again. You will realize that it's hard to put a timestamp on the moment "normal" returned.
Until then, all you can do is follow your rehab regimen and do the best that you can do. You will get there. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call your cardiologist or surgeons office (or continue to post here!). There isn't a cutoff date where they leave you totally on your own.
Until then, all you can do is follow your rehab regimen and do the best that you can do. You will get there. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call your cardiologist or surgeons office (or continue to post here!). There isn't a cutoff date where they leave you totally on your own.
Yes. . . and yes. I had a really rough first month after surgery, and the next few weren't that great, either. I was back to work (office job), "fully functional" in life, but not anywhere near where I was in terms of exercise tolerance, strength, etc.
When I look back, the first few months got me back to about 60-75%, but I continued to improve and feel better for quite a while. I'd say that by the end of the first year, I was at 90-95%, and shortly after that I cruised past the 100% mark.
Bear in mind that we all heal differently, and at different rates. Some folks zoom back in a few months, others of us take longer. Also, some folks were in pretty bad shape before, so their sights aren't set as high as others. Keep at it. As long as you don't have medical complications or other concurrent conditions, you will continue to improve for quite a while. It really does get better.
When I look back, the first few months got me back to about 60-75%, but I continued to improve and feel better for quite a while. I'd say that by the end of the first year, I was at 90-95%, and shortly after that I cruised past the 100% mark.
Bear in mind that we all heal differently, and at different rates. Some folks zoom back in a few months, others of us take longer. Also, some folks were in pretty bad shape before, so their sights aren't set as high as others. Keep at it. As long as you don't have medical complications or other concurrent conditions, you will continue to improve for quite a while. It really does get better.
almost_hectic
Well-known member
Give it more time. If your doctor did not recommend a cardiac rehab program I would definitely ask if that option is available to you. They will get you going on a better path to better physical health and stronger overall. Its not too late to start.
W. Carter
Well-known member
Don't feel bad, give it more time. Increase your exercise time little by little and you will start having more energy. I was an iron worker working alongside 25 year olds prior to my heart disease. It took me about a year to get get back to feeling good again. I still don't feel 100% now, I will probably never feel that good again and thats alright with me. At least i'm not going to keel over and bleed out from a dissection now so it's all good.Guest;n862143 said:
tsanjose
Active member
on feb 6 i will be exactly 3 mos post mitral valve repair. the first two weeks post were rough as i needed to go back in to get a paracardial window due to fluid build up. after that i suffered from bigeminy/trigeminy which brought on a whole different experience.
after starting cardiac rehab (now 1.5 mos into it) i can tell you i feel almost like my pre-op state. everyday gets better and better but one thing i have to stress is to stay positive. staying positive helped me push forward which helps with the reconditioning process.
good luck and keep us posted!
after starting cardiac rehab (now 1.5 mos into it) i can tell you i feel almost like my pre-op state. everyday gets better and better but one thing i have to stress is to stay positive. staying positive helped me push forward which helps with the reconditioning process.
good luck and keep us posted!
