Hello! I have a very strange question. Hoping someone has any experience with what I’m feeling. I’m 3 months post op for mitral valve repair. Feeling ...Read more
Hello! I have a very strange question. Hoping someone has any experience with what I’m feeling. I’m 3 months post op for mitral valve repair. Feeling really good. But the last week I was taken off amiodarone and xarelto. Since being off the medication I’ve noticed a few new symptoms. I’ve been feeling like I have gas trapped in my upper chest and throat area. Almost like I drank a carbonated drink and that feeling of needing to burb. It last for a bit and I’ve been burbing like 6-8 times a day (sorry for the TMI). What’s making me worried is If I’m sitting and stand up with that feeling, I feel like I get a rush of blood to the head.
I know amiadarone affects the lungs. So I did go to the ER last week because I was nervous about what I was feeling. I got confirmation that my heart, lungs and blood work looked great. I saw my cardiologist today and he said to give it a bit. That it takes time for the lungs to Heal after surgery and for the amiodarone to be out of my system.
After heart surgery I’ve become very in tune with my body and maybe a bit paranoid of any symptom. anyone else have a similar experience? Thank you!
Jill Porter It's challenging for some like myself too, to have faith that all is well after surgery. You feel thi ... Read more
Jill Porter It's challenging for some like myself too, to have faith that all is well after surgery. You feel things, or have symptoms but are told that everything is as it should be. I know that people are all different and everyone heals at different rates and may experience different sensations. I think that heart surgery is very traumatic and that it takes a long time for the mind and body to heal.
Rose Madura Yes, I think we are super aware of our bodies since we have been through a major surgery. I do know t ... Read more
Rose Madura Yes, I think we are super aware of our bodies since we have been through a major surgery. I do know that Amiodarone will stay in you system for a while so hopefully you will feel better soon. Three months is still early in recovery so just try to stay on track with walking etc. God bless you. It's been nearly 7 years since my AvR+ and this post brings back some memories. It takes time for our bodies to heal. ❤️🩹🪖💪
Michele Renee Thank you Jill!! I think I was more concerned because it came on right after stopping my medication!! ... Read more
Michele Renee Thank you Jill!! I think I was more concerned because it came on right after stopping my medication!!! I definitely feel so much better being 3 months out but I definitely think the mental toll of surgery may last a bit
Rebecca J Thanks for posting your concern Michele. I appreciate it and all the encouraging comments. The need ... Read more
Rebecca J Thanks for posting your concern Michele. I appreciate it and all the encouraging comments. The need to burp feeling right after removing amiadarone sounds correlated to me-as that drug leaves your system and your lungs have a bit more to do in their own. I'm glad you got it checked out and it's not visibly diagnosable, rather perhaps an indication of your lungs still recovering. I like the idea of blood rushing to your head, rather than out; though the new sensation sounds uncomfortable to adjust to. All my best in your continued recovery-it is still early days.
Pamela Gregory Definitely the mental part of recovery took me by surprise. I can tell you that for me, it slowly go... Read more
Pamela Gregory Definitely the mental part of recovery took me by surprise. I can tell you that for me, it slowly got better over a year till I felt pretty close to myself again. I think everyone has "new" feeling inside their body after this major surgery. Sounds like you are very aware and doing the right things
Ann T I don't have any experience with those meds but I sympathize with the being very in tune and anxious... Read more
Ann T I don't have any experience with those meds but I sympathize with the being very in tune and anxious about what you are noticing with the heart. I have a mechanical valve and notice every heartbeat. It has definitely been challenging to get used to. For me I will say it is slowly getting easier with time. I'm learning as long as I am not Short of Breath or in lasting pain I should be ok. Prayers that you continue to heal well and can start to have more comfort and peace!
Michele Renee Thank you everyone!!!! I’m glad I’m not alone! Rebecca thank you for that info! My nurse at cardi ... Read more
Michele Renee Thank you everyone!!!! I’m glad I’m not alone! Rebecca thank you for that info! My nurse at cardio rehab said the same thing. That amiodarone is a wonderful drug but the side effects and it leaving your system can take a while! I definitely feel like my lungs have some more healing to do. I’m so happy that this site exists! Sending you all big hugs for the comforting comments 💗💗💗
Rebecca J Wonderful Michele-so glad to hear you’ve had some reassurance on the side effects of it leaving you ... Read more
Rebecca J Wonderful Michele-so glad to hear you’ve had some reassurance on the side effects of it leaving your system. Did you have A-Fib at all? My PA told me the other thing they use amiadarone for is for a-fib. I had some a-fib and had a cardio-version and I have normal sinus rhythm now, but will see if it returns when they start to remove the amiadarone. I could feel the flutter when I had it. I am now 9 days post surgery and notice the spirometer helps quite a lot, and also that I have more energy a few hours after getting my walking exercise in. So I’m feeling stronger every day. Our lungs really need help healing and re-expanding. I wonder if returning to the spirometer and some deep breathing exercises might help you through this medication removal? All my best.
Almost 4 weeks post op and my emotions have been all over the place from relief the surgery is over to how long will it take for me to feel normal. Since I ...Read more
Almost 4 weeks post op and my emotions have been all over the place from relief the surgery is over to how long will it take for me to feel normal. Since I had afib upon discharge the medications do not seem to be helping. I’m dizzy at times and just so tired. I walk twice a day around my neighborhood, but feel so tired afterwards. I start rehab next week, hoping that helps with my energy level. I’m prob being extremely impatient with recovery, but I am a mom of two beautiful girls that need me and not being able to be 100% has been challenging. Any advice on those further post op with the silver lining and such?! Also anyone that had post surgery afib, how long were you on medication? Specifically statins, Amiodarone and xarelto. Thank you !
Richard Munson You might be expecting too much too soon. Be patient, it gets better
J Alexander Lassally Four weeks is nothing ! Give it time !! I am at 10 weeks and think I'm somewhere in the 60-70% of ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Four weeks is nothing ! Give it time !! I am at 10 weeks and think I'm somewhere in the 60-70% of self range... The last incremental improvements take longer and longer.
Michele Renee Thank you!!! I tend to worry and wonder if this is the norm! And I’m a little impatient haha! I’ ... Read more
Michele Renee Thank you!!! I tend to worry and wonder if this is the norm! And I’m a little impatient haha! I’m hoping the rehab helps just with my energy level! I appreciate your guys comments
Rose Madura Once again, I agree with Richard. It is still very early. You must listen to your body. I did have ... Read more
Rose Madura Once again, I agree with Richard. It is still very early. You must listen to your body. I did have Afib (among other things) after surgery. Afib was for about six weeks. It was three months before I even "turned the corner". And probably a year before I felt "normal". Unsure of the ages of your girls but it may help them as much as you if you let them do some things for you. You had major surgery on your heart and you can't go about things right away as if you had a less invasive operation. I feel for you on the Amiodarone because it's the pits. I always say with OHS recovery, you want to be the tortoise 🐢 and not the hare. Hopefully you will feel better soon. Hope this helps. 👍🪖💪
Michele Renee Thank you Rose and Andrew! I definitely have mom guilt not being able to do everything, but I’m ver ... Read more
Michele Renee Thank you Rose and Andrew! I definitely have mom guilt not being able to do everything, but I’m very fortunate that I have tons of help and my girls are my angels. I think I’m expecting to be back to myself too soon! But the medication I’m taking seems to be making me feel worse, dizzy and nauseous. I see my cardiologist Thursday so hoping he can make adjustments so I’m not feeling so crummy when I wake up! Thank you everyone!!! I read something where people feel immediately a million times better after surgery, so it was making me a tad nervous ❤️
DeWayne Adamson Very early. I didnt start feeling near normal for at least 7 or 8 weeks. At 13 now and getting close. ... Read more
DeWayne Adamson Very early. I didnt start feeling near normal for at least 7 or 8 weeks. At 13 now and getting close.
Hello, I’m a week into recovery from mitral valve repair. Surgery went well, but as I was set to go home I went into AFIB . So I ended staying a few more ...Read more
Hello, I’m a week into recovery from mitral valve repair. Surgery went well, but as I was set to go home I went into AFIB . So I ended staying a few more days with loads of medication. I got released and at home few nights later went into AFIB again. I had a cardio which seemed to resolve and am on a blood thinner. Im a bit nervous that it’s going to keep coming back and stay. Anyone have experience with this? I am a 46 yr old female , the medications are making me feel terrible! Thank you!!!!
Brady Busch Hello Michele,Your experience is fairly common,at least from people's stories here,including mine. From listening to doctors,as the wounded heart tissue heals and inflammation goes away,so will the AF.Everyone's a little different,but the window is about 4-6 weeks. I had a pacemaker installed and it recorded over 40 instances,for about 3 weeks,after leaving the hospital.Then no more,until a couple months later.There were 2,that lasted a few seconds each.The doctor that reads my pacemaker,told me,she always sees it come back.I hope she's wrong. What are the medications?Maybe they can find a better substitute.
Brady Busch Hello Michele,Your experience is fairly common,at least from people's stories here,including mine. From listening to doctors,as the wounded heart tissue heals and inflammation goes away,so will the AF.Everyone's a little different,but the window is about 4-6 weeks. I had a pacemaker installed and it recorded over 40 instances,for about 3 weeks,after leaving the hospital.Then no more,until a couple months later.There were 2,that lasted a few seconds each.The doctor that reads my pacemaker,told me,she always sees it come back.I hope she's wrong. What are the medications?Maybe they can find a better substitute.
Rose Madura I also had Afib or Aflutter off and on for about six weeks. I was on high doses of Amiodarone and Met ... Read more
Rose Madura I also had Afib or Aflutter off and on for about six weeks. I was on high doses of Amiodarone and Metrolpol. The Amiodarone was horrible and at my last hospital readmission, I refused to take it anymore. They switched me to Multaq which has less side effects but has interactions with other meds. It's worth looking into. I feel for you and hope it gets better soon.
Ana Kelton-Brand Hi Michele, I started having Afib episodes starting the day after I was discharged from the hospital ... Read more
Ana Kelton-Brand Hi Michele, I started having Afib episodes starting the day after I was discharged from the hospital. I was rehospitalized three times for tacchycardic Afib my first week post-discharge. It's a horrible feeling, both physically and emotionally. The electrophysiologist put me on IV Amiodorane for 24 hours during my second rehospitalization. Went back into Afib that night and back in the hospital. This time I had IV Amiodarone for approximately 28 hours. I was discharged on oral Amiodarone, 800mg for five days, 400 mg for three weeks, then 200mg till I don't know when. I'm on my second day of 400mg, and so far so good. But I know it can come back. I'm also on Eliquis. The doctors said that as more time passes from the surgery date, the less episodes I'll have. The heart needs time to heal. But this can be very despairing when you're going through it.
Kath Duggan I have gone in and out of Afib….the afib lasted about 4 weeks. I am afraid it will start again and ... Read more
Kath Duggan I have gone in and out of Afib….the afib lasted about 4 weeks. I am afraid it will start again and I am reluctant to start cardiac rehab due to the fact they require a stress test first ( years back I went into tachycardia and was rushed for an ablation). This can be a confusing, difficult journey because you have to find the right answers for yourself.
Richard Munson I never gad cardio rehab kath due to covid but i have a treadmill. Walking is good medecine after ohs ... Read more
Richard Munson I never gad cardio rehab kath due to covid but i have a treadmill. Walking is good medecine after ohs
Susan Eckermann Hi Michele. I also agree. I had mitral valve repair (regurgitation caused AF), maze procedure and re... Read more
Susan Eckermann Hi Michele. I also agree. I had mitral valve repair (regurgitation caused AF), maze procedure and recision of a benign pericardial cyst. I was in and out of AF for several months post surgery. Post release I was originally on Metroprolol, Amiodarone, Warfarin and 81 mg aspirin. Once my heart adjusted to its "new normal" everything seemed to stabilize. I ended up in the ER with a very low pulse, and they quickly reduced/eliminated my meds. After about 3 months recovery, I've been AF free now for more than one year! My surgeon and cardiologist both explained that it was part of the healing process. Hoping everything stabilizes for you. Hang in there.
Michele Renee Thank you everyone! I am currently on Amiodarone and Metrolpol. I had a cardio version as well, so bl ... Read more
Michele Renee Thank you everyone! I am currently on Amiodarone and Metrolpol. I had a cardio version as well, so blood thinners. I’m just hoping it resolves
Jill Porter I also went through it and it was very distressing. Mine lasted about 5 weeks after my mitral valve r ... Read more
Jill Porter I also went through it and it was very distressing. Mine lasted about 5 weeks after my mitral valve repair. I had 2 cardiofversions through that time. I was scheduled for a third and then it converted. The amiodorone made my stomach feel awful/nauseous but I think it did make the difference in my heart going back to sinus. Eventually I was able to reduce the amount of Amiodorone and my stomach felt better. I think yours will go back to normal very soon.
Michele Renee Thank you Jill! It’s so alarming because I feel like I lay awake feeling every little thing my hear ... Read more
Michele Renee Thank you Jill! It’s so alarming because I feel like I lay awake feeling every little thing my heart is doing. The mornings seem to be the hardest. My blood pressure is low when I wake up and I feel not so great. I’m sure all the medication is helping . The cardioversion seemed to work the first time. But I have been feeling moments where I’m not sure if I’m fully in AFIB, then it goes away. It’s a bit discouraging. So thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences, makes me feel so much better that this is pretty common as the heart heals.
I know amiadarone affects the lungs. So I did go to the ER last week because I was nervous about what I was feeling. I got confirmation that my heart, lungs and blood work looked great. I saw my cardiologist today and he said to give it a bit. That it takes time for the lungs to Heal after surgery and for the amiodarone to be out of my system.
After heart surgery I’ve become very in tune with my body and maybe a bit paranoid of any symptom. anyone else have a similar experience? Thank you!
The need ... Read more
The need to burp feeling right after removing amiadarone sounds correlated to me-as that drug leaves your system and your lungs have a bit more to do in their own. I'm glad you got it checked out and it's not visibly diagnosable, rather perhaps an indication of your lungs still recovering. I like the idea of blood rushing to your head, rather than out; though the new sensation sounds uncomfortable to adjust to. All my best in your continued recovery-it is still early days.
I am now 9 days post surgery and notice the spirometer helps quite a lot, and also that I have more energy a few hours after getting my walking exercise in. So I’m feeling stronger every day.
Our lungs really need help healing and re-expanding. I wonder if returning to the spirometer and some deep breathing exercises might help you through this medication removal?
All my best.