Sophia's Guestbook

Sophia Ridley  Hi Bonnie, thank you. I’m so sorry to hear you got bumped. I was two days before mine. I was actually calmer on the day as I had been so busy with everything upto first date, that the extra days were a blessing!
Best wishes for uneventful surgery and a steady recovery. You can do this!!!

Sophia Ridley  Hi Paula, thankyou so much for your message. Your message has wonderful timing as only yesterday I've booked us a week away to Croatia. I'm going to sort out the travel insurance on Monday. With hearing of everyone else's wonderful trips, I knew I had to pluck up the courage to get on a plane. We're going with a British tour operator to their activity holiday resort, so their level of support will be better than some. I'm planning of swimming and reading as my activities whilst everyone else sailing, bikes etc etc!!
Certainly does take a year to get over this!
Happy Easter to you, hope you've had a lovely St Patrick's weekend... well done on the rugby!!

James Roberts  Sounds great, Sophia. I'm very jealous. I'd be interested to hear if the surgery had any effect on travel insurance premiums.

Sophia Ridley  I'll let you know tomorrow, I haven't been abroad since finding out my valve was very leaky so my insurance was pretty standard. I'm expecting that it will go through the roof, esp when I ask about being airlifted!! 🙁

Maggi Turner  It will be interesting to know how you get on with travel insurance. I am about to make enquiries fior a cruise we are going on. Had one quote which seemed reasonable, but not sure whether it included the airlift bit

Maggi Turner  James, we are going on a cruise and it is important that your insurance covers you for being air lifted off the ship if need be. Let's hope it will never be needed. Insurance premium has gone up, but no more than I thought it would be.

Sophia Ridley  Thank you Paula for your kind thoughts. Time is healing but slowly.
Fantastic to hear you're doing well.

Sophia Ridley  Hi Sara, great news that you've been migraine clear for a week. I haven't had my MRI yet as have tonsillitis and on antibiotics, I'm not sure if it's clearing so delayed arranging appointment. I hope to this week to see them next. I'm quite nervous about having one with this atriclip but the hospital are reassuring so I'll be glad to get it done. I'll certainly let you know the outcome. I haven't had another eye blacking out, the migraines are a few a week but not as bad as yours sound. Fingers crossed you see another clear week.

Sara Hedberg  Hi Sophia --
It has been awhile! How are you doing?
My heart is dandy, but I continue to average of 2 to 3 Migraines with Aura (MAs) per month. In May I had 3 in 6 days. And in the past 24 hours I have had 2. Since surgery 18 months ago I have had more than 50.
I continue to seek medical help to understand and manage this now chronic condition. (I still feel it is a small price to pay to be alive and otherwise health.) I have seen a neurologist to rule out aneurysms. She has recommended acupuncture, meditation and supplements. She also prescribed a palliative medication, Fioricet, which helps immensely with the symptoms (headache and nausea.)
We think my MAs have to do with a structural issue -- pinched nerve in neck from arthritis (I'm 64 yrs old). I am now taking GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitters -- it stimulates receptors that inhibit, or calm down, activity in the brain -- available over the counter here in the US), which along with acupuncture, seems to be starting to change the tide to less severe, less frequent auras and migraines. I will also start seeing a physiatrist to deal with the pinched nerve via physical therapy.
I just emailed my heart surgeon to see if he has ever heard of post-OHS MAs and ask for any thoughts. I'll let you know if anything comes of that.
So that's it in a nutshell for me of late. The quest to manage this condition continues here. You?
Best regards,
Sara

Sophia Ridley  Hi Sara, thankyou for your very kind words. They certainly picked me up after one of those days 🙂
I work in finance, and have a maths background. I like to share what I've learnt if can help others, as they have helped me, and mindful that I need to recall it accurately! To get through all this, I turned the whole experience into a research project. I've actually found it all fascinating. The field that you worked in sounds equally fascinating.
I have yet to have the MRI, they are using a dye so I need to get my kidney function checked, might be next week.
I had never thought about how my eyes were during surgery, it's an interesting thought that it could be related. I'm hoping that my meds are causing this, the different side effects on same meds but different brand was quite shocking. What has your doctor said about your worsening symptoms? Has he checked your electrolytes, B vitamins and thyroid function? Magnesium is the one that comes up time and again. I would certainly check if any of your meds have altered formula, which could be a cause. It's so much like clutching at straws to find a cause. Wish I had a magic wand for all of us!

Sara Hedberg  Hi Sophia -- Sorry I haven't replied sooner. Have had another migraine. Just coming out the back side... More soon. Hope you are having a good weekend. My there is quite a celebration in the UK for Her Majesty and the Prince! Have you been a part of it?!

Sophia Ridley  Hi Sara, thankyou for your post. My MRI is delayed today due to the excitement caused by my atriclip. I'm amazed that more patients don't have this, especially as developed by Cleveland surgeon.
My migraines are usually painless and last up to 30 mins. They used to be directly linked to my blood pressure so when low I resolved them by drinking water or if extreme taking salt would work. They now are triggered by bright light too and I have glasses for work. I am on beta blockers and blood thinner, so it could partly be meds related too.
It's my left eye blacking out that's driven the MRI but be good to get an answer to auras. Think it will put my mind to rest.
Thank you for the warning about the contrast, I've had it before pre-OHS but things are different post so good to be aware.
One other thing I'm trying is Physio, my neck muscles (front and back) are very tight and this can also cause headaches. I'm looking forward to acupuncture once off the thinners.
It's all a mystery! I'll report back when I've got some answers 😀

Kate Watson  I have suffered from migraines for most of my adult life, but I distinctly remember after my first surgery that I had them non stop for a few weeks, until I realized it was the beta blocker that was worsening them. That is kind of odd because beta blockers are often used to prevent migraines, but I'm just so sensitive to meds and our body chemistry just seems to change after this surgery. I was able to cut back on my dose of beta blockers which reduced my migraines, back to their normal amount anyway. Hope everything goes well with your MRI and you get some peace of mind. I'm glad you said that about acupuncture and blood thinners because I was recently thinking I needed to get back to acunpuncture to help with my healing. But I didn't even think about the fact that I'm on blood thinners! It's a lot of adjustment!

Sara Hedberg  Hi Sophia -- thank you for your reply. So much good info! And calling my attention to sore neck has me focusing on this area with relaxation and yoga to soften. Meds hmmmmmm......

Sophia Ridley  Hi Pino, that's exactly how I'm feeling today and a bit foggy headed as if I've a cold coming on. I'm so determined knowing that exercise will strengthen the heart that I've been forgetting to take it easy :( I'm sure that you'll enjoy rehab, the reports online really encouraged me. I've got into reviewing what I'm eating too, but I need to remember that carbs are friends!!!
That's very kind of you, when I found out I needed OHS I felt very alone as here in the UK it seemed to be something that happens to older patients. This site has been a God send and the support I received was tremendous, I just like to pass it on. I am always talking of the wonderful people here. God bless you, looking forward to hearing your experienced of rehab.

Sophia Ridley  Hi Paul, thank you. It didn't send me your email, must be a different route. Mine is my firstname_surname at yahoo dot com, drop me a line.

Sophia Ridley  Thank you Pino, your message is very touching indeed. I'm no writer, my job is quite the opposite (finance!)

The way I see this... Everyone here is a survivor, a courageous warrior whether pre/post op. We battle our symptoms, facing test after test with fortitude and then approach surgery with a degree of apprehension mixed with a big dose of bravery knowing that there's considerable support from those before us. And then we emerge a little battle scarred, with some aches and pains which we hope will subside, to fight another day! A day we would possibly not have had without the wonders of medical science. That day maybe challenging sometimes but we remain positive that the next will improve. We'll be stronger, fitter and most importantly positive ambassadors for successful valve surgery to support others. This site has given me great strength and I'm thankful to all my heart friends.

Sophia Ridley  Hi Meredith, I live in London, UK and my hospital is The Royal Brompton. I'm not sure what is available in Florida. Bringing your first hand experience will be so valuable to your patients. When I met with a GP whom had had OHS, it was a relief as I could talk more freely.