Terry's Posts

I had mitral valve repair in July 2010. I was not prepared properly for what would follow. The surgeon did a great job but did not present the recovery process in enough detail. My expectations were based on what he said and that was his reality and not mine. I had some complications of low blood pressure, blood loss and anemia after surgery. I had to stay in the hospital 7 days rather than the original 4-5 plan because of the complications. I was not happy with the inconsistencies I received regarding my condiiton from the medical staff. There were too many different doctors, nurse practitioners who all had different opinions. About ten days post op I started to see "flashing/jagged lights". Went to a retina specialist for three months and the eyes were fine. Cardiologist did not know what was causing the vision disturbance. I read online from others who had heart surgery experiencing similar visual disturbances. Also got migraines after a few months with the flashing lights. Finally went to a neurologist who did an MRI and said all was normal and that he sees a lot of patients who have had heart surgery who experience these flashing light/migraine complex. He suggested Vitamin B2 and magnesium. The headaches have decreased but still get the lights weekly. I had minimally invasive surgery and still have soreness and numbness in the right breast and underarm area. Heart rate has been much faster since surgery but am back at the gym full time and that seems to be getting better but still gets pretty fast at times. I can't seem to figure out what triggers it. I was on meds after surgery but they lowered the blood pressure too much (I already have low blood pressure). Different med tried to lower heart rate but did not seem to affect it and I didn't want to take meds if they were not working so doc agreed to stop. The heart rate is getting better but I wonder what it was pre-surgery since I really did not pay attention to it pre-surgery except when I exercised. It's a long slow process and I wish I had been better prepared for what I would or could experience after surgery.