http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/09/05/pumphead-cognitive-decline-after-heart-valve-surgery-huh/#comment-5893 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:47:52 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/09/05/pumphead-cognitive-decline-after-heart-valve-surgery-huh/#comment-5893 Dan -- I had mitral valve repair in March of this year. I too had read about "pumphead," but never experienced it. On the other hand, I did experience depression, and in retrospect, would go on an antidepressant BEFORE the surgery to help alleviate that whole experience. My cardiologist told me, AFTER the depression had lifted, that he was taught in school to start open heart patients w/ antidepressants before their surgery, but in his practice now, he's not "allowed" to prescribe antidepressant med prior to surgery. Yipes. Good luck w/ your procedure. You'll do fine. If you've ever had a scratched cornea, I'm here to tell you that that hurts way more than this surgery. Dan — I had mitral valve repair in March of this year. I too had read about “pumphead,” but never experienced it.
On the other hand, I did experience depression, and in retrospect, would go on an antidepressant BEFORE the surgery to help alleviate that whole experience. My cardiologist told me, AFTER the depression had lifted, that he was taught in school to start open heart patients w/ antidepressants before their surgery, but in his practice now, he’s not “allowed” to prescribe antidepressant med prior to surgery. Yipes.
Good luck w/ your procedure. You’ll do fine. If you’ve ever had a scratched cornea, I’m here to tell you that that hurts way more than this surgery.

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