Hey Travis. Thought I\'d check in with you and see how you\'re doing. Sounds like a mixed bag what with the pain episodes and the Navy deal. Well, they don\'t ...Read more
Hey Travis. Thought I\'d check in with you and see how you\'re doing. Sounds like a mixed bag what with the pain episodes and the Navy deal. Well, they don\'t know what they\'re missing out on. Anyone who can face the challenges you had and add to it the physical conditioning regime you are on and then on top of that working through the pain episodes is the elite of the elite. Yeah, elite of the elite of the elite even.
I really hope that it works out getting to the bottom of the pain episodes. Keep pushing them to figure it out. Maybe consult with a place that\'s done even more thousands and thousands of MV repairs? Hopefully somebody has seen it before. Hey, but I know you are unique!
So, a 6 out of 10. Can I convert that to a 2 out of 4? That\'s not so bad. The important thing is to keep track of it. Athletes as a matter of course have more regurgitation than average according to the stats. It\'s partly because athlete hearts are beefier in the muscle, but conditioning does not enlarge the valves along with the muscle. That pulls the bases of the valves apart a bit so they don\'t meet as well in the middle anymore. You have an annuloplasty ring, right? That\'s supposed to stabilize the valve circumference and keep the leaflets at the right separation so they meet properly (coapt) on the ventricular beat. That means something else is going on. Here\'s my (un)educated guess:
You mentioned numbers below that suggest your heart has remodeled significantly post surgery. So, and I\'m just free wheeling here without any real expertise - take it with a grain of salt - when your valve was repaired they moved the chords around on the leaflets as part of the repair. Then they check for leakage and coaptation to be sure they\'ve got them in the right place so the leaflets properly meet before finishing up. That all happened when your heart was still enlarged. At that time the chords were just the right length. Now after remodeling, your heart has gotten smaller because it doesn\'t have to fill 140 ml to pump 60 ml anymore (or whatever the numbers are). It only has to fill 80-90 ml or so now that half the blood isn\'t going the wrong way. Being smaller means the distance from the papillary muscles where the chords are rooted to the valve leaflets is shorter. But the chords are the same length. So there\'s some room now for the valve to prolapse. Maybe they compensate for this effect in the surgery, but if so, I imagine it\'s hard to get just right. Or maybe I\'m totally off base, engaging in pure and idle speculation, or just plain wronger than wrong. In any case there should be some details in the surgery report about what was moved, trimmed, and added. Whatever is going on should be apparent in your echo.
In my journal I have a piece about afterload reduction, which has been shown to slow down the progression of MR using common, safe drugs. They basically lower your blood pressure through a variety of means to promote more prograde rather than retrograde flow. You might want to see if this is a viable approach for you. It\'s my journal entry \"An ACE up your sleeve: from October 28, 2012.
As usual since I\'m not a medical doctor these are just talking points you might want to use with your cardiologist to stoke a conversation that might end up with some good ideas.
OK buddy, time to book. May your beat be strong and long!
Yes I do have a annuloplasty ring.
And in one of my echos 6 months post surgery it says that two jets where identified. One originates from the coaptation point of the leaflets (I don't know what that means) and the other originates from the posterior region of the annuloplasty ring. Does that mean the ring wasn't sewn it well?
For the next six months I am going to try to back off the intensity of my workouts and have two exchos done by two different doctors and see how it effects my regurgitation. That will be a big factor in my upcoming decisions. I've also been trying to keep my blood pressure as low as possible because that seems like it would have the same effect on the valve as a strong beating heart.
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi,Travis..Very important data,I know the meaning of this numbers.....Thank you very much for it...About Italian method,I think that you didn`t get the idea ...Read more
Hi,Travis..Very important data,I know the meaning of this numbers.....Thank you very much for it...About Italian method,I think that you didn`t get the idea of the method..It is not especially for elongated chords ...The idea is other : just to prevent leaflet of the valve to bulge back..because your chords may be OK as length,but they are elastic and doesn\'t prevent leaflet to bulge back in atria...these artificial chords are much more tight and STOP leaflet to bulge back deeply,keeping leaflets in one contact line ...the traditional repair surgery as I can see is based on completely different idea - they cut part of the tissue and make the mitral valve to close completely..but when surgery is done,blood flow put a pressure to leaflets and even not so loose,they again (in some cases) bulge back in small or bigger extent...the Italian method,as I can see,just restrict leaflet from opening further from some level,i.e. more then some length....nevertheless of blood flow and BP..remember the bungy jump - rope prevent the jumper from touching the ground....after some level it is like a break ...this direct counter - force,acting in opposite direction of BP,is much more stable,then the repaired tissue ..I think this is precious in this Italian idea..of course,only animation now,but very smart..more over these artificial cords are stronger they original mitral chords/tissue and will not elongated because of BP as mitral tissue do..ok,may be it is not \"tight seal\" because of not perfect leaflet\'s contact line,but MR will be just several drops of blood (as typical for normal valve),but not a \"backflow\"...keep in mind,that if this Italian method become reality ,no necessity of stopping heart,no such a long recovery period,no opened heart,but only one hole...and the most important - you decide problem forever and forget about second OHS..no artificial valves needs,no risk of new mitral valve loosening because of permanent BP...just technically new approach ...you actually don\'t have sick heart,but just mechanical problem with mitral \"door\"....problem is the location of the \"door\" and difficult surgery access to that \"door\"...look again video...look and schemes of mitral valve..and you will appreciate the new idea and its defence against blood back flow...But my general idea for the very moment is other : Do not be in hurry for second OHS...just try all these lifestyle changes,we are talking about to postpone OHS as much as possible...you see- new technologies are close...and they probably will solve MVP problem in entirely new way,and this way will be stable and life-long..and if you again will be declined by SEAL Navy will be not because of your heart this time,but only because of your age - you will not be young enough for them:) Even with mitral valve much more tight,than nature give to healthy people...you will agree that artificial cords are stronger than natural ones,right?...your enemy now is BP and everything which stretch in mechanical way your valve (too strenuous exercises,salt,weight, endurance running/swimming, etc.)...your MR/MVP in my opinion is not result of age degeneration or cellular disorder,but mechanical problem in the valve caused by extra physical efforts.I am neither expert,not a prophet,but I think that you have the chance to be one of those men who first in the medical history get STABLE,LIFELONG and SATISFYING decision for MVP.
Travis Watson I hope this Italian method becomes a reality here in the United States. I am very certain that I am g ... Read more
Travis Watson I hope this Italian method becomes a reality here in the United States. I am very certain that I am going to need some type of procedure done to my mitral valve in the future whether it be the Italian method or replacement. I am not in a hurry unless my heart starts changing negatively because of the leakage. The Navy wouldn't take me even if my valve was perfect. Because of the condition that I HAD. They won't even give me a stress test or anything. The doctors had no knowledge of me going in the SEAL path. The didn't care. They said I can not be a cook in the military. Part of that could be because the Navy is down sizing and they can pick the whomever they want and I would need a age waiver and medical waiver.
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi,Travis...Of course,I a can promise that this is right,but I think that should be like that...I used to do fitness,but was not able to gain enough kg...I ...Read more
Hi,Travis...Of course,I a can promise that this is right,but I think that should be like that...I used to do fitness,but was not able to gain enough kg...I was,with a lot of eating about 86 kg...After that I start really hard workouts,with proteins and supplements...I become 96 kg....and I think this may be the reason for me,because nobody in my family and relatives has MVP ...Just this extra 10 kg. cause the heart to work more,increase BP and stretch the valve..Now I cut meat,I lost weight and my BP is 120-125/75-80 kg...I start to run moderately and to walk much..and my cardiologist said that my left atria - for 6-7 month become smaller...and MR is 24 ml...I do not know if it is truth or just inaccurate diagnostic,but I think that it is logically ....I tried to convince a friend of mine to make the same changes (he is active in fitness and has MVP),but unfortunately he is not willing to lose weight,and have no way to check this theory with him....But if you search internet you will see,that MR is more common among sportsman as average percent (10 %),than among rest people ( 3-4 %)...But the sportsmen are usually healthy people ...That`s why I think that in the very begging strenuous sport could trigger MR..And,after that this MR \'work for itself\" and deepen the problem....And my idea is ; if somebody with this condition,make the above mention changes,may be some reversion could happen ...even to the harmless point....because if your heart is so strong for these strenuous exercises,probably MR is not because of natural (cellular) reasons,but self-induced...Filipides - ancient Greek run 42 km.,after Marathon battle,and after that collapse and die....Obviously this healthy man died because of extra efforts - hearth attack...I mean-even perfectly healthy person,could pass away just because of one extreme physical effort... If so,why are not permanent physical efforts able to induce these changes in mitral valve?...Doctors dont know what cause MVP/MR,but in the same time they always look for \"pathological\" reason on cellular level..OK,but if the reason is not \"pathological\"? And we are healthy as mitral valve tissue,but just because of increased heart activity cause this ?...Also,see your case - you did surgery - may be not 100 % perfect,but probably good enough to stop the MR..your valve WAS MADE tightened...but something again loosen your valve...and probably this is your own heart,because it used to work with extra force and extra pressure...if the reason was on cellular level,I think 2 years is too small time...Also,you said - possible bad surgery and doesn\'t hold up...If it was bad surgery,probably it would fail earlier,after some month and weeks...Doctors usually take decisions,based on your present condition...and doesn`t try to find out what cause this condition...Once they see my BP,they says - should take pills..but I didn`t take pills,and try alternatives,and think they work...Could you tell me your left atria numbers and cholesterol levels? My idea is - my ones,was a little bit higher...but it is possible because of sport (athlete hearth) and meat (if somebody do fitness usually eat more meat and this rise cholesterol)...about chest pain episode : I never have it ,before to understand of MR..after that I has almost one year - I was so depressed and scared..not only chest,but and shooting back pains...Stress produces adrenalin and other chemicals,which can destroy your nerve systems and heart rhythm..After I calm down this pains goes away...About your chest pains,it is possible to be result NOT from the heart,but because of injuries of muscle nerves during the OHS...and because you start too early with exercises it is possible to cause them additional irritation..I dont know if you are under stress (you wrote you manage it),but I knew for me,that stress could cause physical pains,not only emotional depression.
Travis Watson Svetlomir,
I am waiting to get echo results from one more doctor and I will send you all of my number ... Read more
Travis Watson Svetlomir,
I am waiting to get echo results from one more doctor and I will send you all of my numbers from 4 different echos. But MR was mild 1 month after surgery and 5 months later it was moderate.My left atria prior to surgery was 5.4cm with a volume index of 61, one month post surgery 3.8cm with a volume index of 42, two years post surgery 3.7cm with a volume index of 40. I am missing data from an echo 6 months after surgery which I should get from the doctor tomorrow.
I don't have cholesterol numbers but I think it was in healthy levels.
I do know that MR was moderate only 6 months after my surgery.
I am 95% sure that my pains are caused from nerve damage from OHS.
I was thinking more about the new chord Italian method. I am not 100% sure but I think my chords where ok. My leaking was cause my my valve not being shaped properly.
I will have more information for you tomorrow.
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
You are very strong man:)SEAL Navy shall be sorry you didn`t joint them...Do not be in hurry for second OHS . ...you may be never need it..try changes with ...Read more
You are very strong man:)SEAL Navy shall be sorry you didn`t joint them...Do not be in hurry for second OHS . ...you may be never need it..try changes with lower BP,we have speak about to see if they will work...I think in you case they will..BP and strenuous workouts probably stretch the valve and increase/even cause MR...also new technologies are possible...did you have before surgery symptoms,or something you find strange? How do you feel now - some symptoms, or problem with the heat ? palpitations?
Travis Watson I had no symptoms before my surgery. No shortness of breath, no palpitations, no dizziness. The Milit ... Read more
Travis Watson I had no symptoms before my surgery. No shortness of breath, no palpitations, no dizziness. The Military entrance doctors heard a Murmur. I went to a cardiologist and basically he said I don't need to get the valve fixed today but I could have heart failure in 3 or 4 years. So I decided to have the surgery right away, while I was young and I still thought I would have the opportunity to try for SEAL.
I felt better before my surgery since I get these chest pains now when I I push myself too hard and too frequently. I was almost at the point, about a year after surgery, that I was going to quit my job and start training for swimming seriously. I was swimming 1/3 the amount that I did in college and writing my own workouts and wasn't far off of my best times. But the chest pain episodes prevented me from doing that. That is the reason I would like to have surgery again soon....To see what I could accomplish with a good heart. But I think now, I am going to have to stop caring about that and focus on keeping my heart from damaging itself. I will spend the next 4 to 6 months doing what you and I have spoke about and see if that helps.
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi again! Yes,after I understood of MVP I made some changes : no to much heavy fitness - just moderate levels - for example: I was around 90 kg. in muscles,187 ...Read more
Hi again! Yes,after I understood of MVP I made some changes : no to much heavy fitness - just moderate levels - for example: I was around 90 kg. in muscles,187 sm....I used to do bench press with 90-95 kg...after that stop the gym,and do only home workouts - bench press and other exercises around 2/3 of previous weights...I lost weight and I am know around 80 kg....in the matter of fact,may be lost fat -my waistline drop from 93 sm. to 83 sm....biceps from 41 sm. to 38-39 sm...thigh from 65 to 60 sm...but I think the most important is BP - keep know around 125/75...before that 135/80..and my cardiologist said that MR is smaller - 24 ml. regurgitation volume..left atria - around 42 mm (some echo even under 40,some more than 42,I am surprised with different results in different hospitals in the same time)...BP I learned to measure by myself....try TEE -unsuccessfully,it was disgusting..they says MR - II degree..some even III degrees (from total IV worst)..in the same time only 24 ml back flow...I that echo is not precise measurement...Friend of mine also have MVP,but he refuse to goes to echo...active in fitness,his father has MVP,OHS and died during this \"routine\" OHS in 1995 ..That\'s why he refuse medical checks...to avoid all this stress...he feel good....I feel good,also....I lost weight because of reduced intensity in lifting and eating /I used to eat a lot of pork,now not,but my Cholesterol is not perfect even with dietary changes - HDL is little bit under the perfect levels - 0,9 mmol/L, LDL is little bit over - 3,27 mmol/L,the total is OK - 4,79 mmol/L, VLDL is ok,triglyceride is OK...Diet reduse LDL,but HDL does not rise....I run 2 km. one day in the week for around 12 min.,i.e. easily...and walk 5-6 km. everyday....if didn\'t visit the doctor I would never knew that I have MVP...but after visit I was one year under very big stress...now I start to feel emotionally better enough...I hope never to has OHS...and I am fed up with al this echoes,BP,healthy eating,cholesterol,etc...ok,I gained better waistline,but always feel hungry....may be some small good changes in cholesterol....and eating habits...but very boring and non-tasty like food...Follow now very unpleasant healthy eating : not eating pork more than once -two per week....stop chocolate....stop cakes ..nothing left to eat in the matter of fact,and still the cholesterol is not OK..may be has some profits regarding BP because of weight loss and salt cut,but boring ...about health system - all around the world is just profit..not for health exactly..in US health system has a lot of money, but too much people are not covered...but even in US medicine level of hearth surgery is not so far developed in my opinion..I mean,that medicine and surgery is OK for appendicitis ,but in hearth surgery is not satisfying level,yet - neither in US or anywhere ...surgeons says -early surgery,mitral operation is \"routine\"...but I am not sure if it is better,than to stay and live without this intervention,if you are feeling OK..In the matter of fact they even can not tell precisely how much leak,what is the reason for leak,but are strong that shall operate to stop the leak....very,very poor knowledge...I suppose,that now you are not willing to second surgery,as before the first one..This Italian method (new cord) seems much more good - no open heart,no stop of the heart,no cuts of mitral tissue ...of course,it is just an animation,but look much more better.
Travis Watson I can't see anywhere on my report that shows ml of regurgitation. I have three reports. One from befo ... Read more
Travis Watson I can't see anywhere on my report that shows ml of regurgitation. I have three reports. One from before my surgery, a second from one month after my surgery, and a third from 2 years after surgery. I will draw up a diagram later today and post it in my pictures for you to see. It may make more sense to you.
I didn't think surgery was too bad. I would do it again if I know my heart will be functioning properly.
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi! Of course you right saying that damaged valve cannot repair itself. I mean that MR can slow down when the valve still is not damaged in great extent,but ...Read more
Hi! Of course you right saying that damaged valve cannot repair itself. I mean that MR can slow down when the valve still is not damaged in great extent,but just because of extra pressure start to leak....I mean that you did OHS in close time,probably it was repaired at least good enough (if not perfect),and it start to leak not because of structural changes,but just because extra BP and workload in the heart.And my idea is,that in the very beginning of MR,the valve still is not grown bigger,with extra tissue and elongated chords ...and maybe in this stage changes are reversible,or no changes yet,but only MR as result of extremely strong back flow. About doctors and study - I\'ve read this hypothesis partially and partially it is my own...Of course I am not expert in this matter,but educating myself of MR reach to this...Of course it could be birth defect or some cellular problem,but it is possible to be and direct result of sport - first you start with \"athlete hearth\" ,but this stretch and loosen mitral valve apparatus,after that MR begin,after that the very MR stretch additionally mitral valve and the entire \"process\" to be generated and supported by itself...just one of the possible hypothesis..if things are not like that,what cause this ? shall have some reason,right? OK,which is the reason? they shrug shoulders and say: we will wait and see..but I dont to wait,I do want to know how to prevent it....In the begging,I thought that here in Bulgaria are not good enough in diagnostic,but as I can see even in US the things are the same...The truth is that they don\'t have a idea about the reason or MVP..MVP is found firstly in 1960...approximately...only thing they know in the moment is OHS..but if there are some underlying reason,after OHS it will still exist...same about hair - you can cut it,but will start to grow again..you shall destroy hair follicle to stop the hair grow...I watch here a video of new Italian method -no OHS,no bypass machine...they just sew the leaflet up with one or more shorter threads..and this prevent mitral leaflet to billow back..of course it is not \"seal tight\",but MR is very insignificant just because of not smooth contact line between leaflets....but not OHS,not cutting tissue,not bypass machine..and maybe as result will be much more video...see the video here in the site...Also,why big hospitals shall lost patients,if this could be treated easily,instead very expensive OHS? things are complicated...I\'ve read that US government will give billions to investigate Mars ....lost money...better to investigate censer or to create long-life tissue mitral valve...tell me please,about so called \"pump head\" effect - did you meet it?..Also,how they measure degree of MR? What was your regurgitation volume in ml and left atria dimensions? only with echo was the medical check or otherwise?I get the impression that it is not very precise measurement and even quantitative figures vary by the the different hospitals and doctors...
Travis Watson That's very interesting and very good news about the neochord chatheter! That is why I hope that my s ... Read more
Travis Watson That's very interesting and very good news about the neochord chatheter! That is why I hope that my surgery can wait a few years to see what technology is around. I am not sure about my regurgitation numbers and atria dimensions. I may have a print out of it at work so I will get back to you on that.
I understand what you are saying about the high pressure and force of a strong heart. It is worth a try, and I will get another TEE in 6 months to see if the regurgitation slowed down any.
Unfortunately, drug companies, companies that make valves and new technology, are money driven and not government sponsored. This was great years ago but now with the new health care laws being pushed in the United States I don't expect many new medical inventions or drugs to emerge from here.
Have you had any echocardiogram or TEE before and after you decreasing your sport intensity?
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi again! I think this is right word - the heart is too strong for the valve.The heart as treasure of put to much pressure to valve,and the valve get stretched.In ...Read more
Hi again! I think this is right word - the heart is too strong for the valve.The heart as treasure of put to much pressure to valve,and the valve get stretched.In other words,BEATS of the heart are to strong.Also,blood pressure (BP).As higher is BP,as pressure of valve is bigger and permanent.Try to lower BP - just stop to eat salt and salty product,because salt keeps more water and BP goes up.May be in some degree this will lower MR.Let`s presume
a ship\'s sail - may be its form is OK,but in case of too strong wind,the sail puff up.This wind in your case could be BP and to strenuous heart beats when you exercise heavy.I mean - may be your surgery is not the problem and technically is not bad,but extra BP and to strong heart beats can cause MVR after technically perfect OHS..Why your heart beats are to strong - because of permanent strenuous exercises..your heart just used to beat to strong to supply enough and more than enough blood to the body...just like a sport - when you are doing workouts regularly,body become stronger,bigger with more energy...i.e. you change your hearth\'s way of work..and this change is permanent....but what if you slow down? May be and you hearth will slow down,and MR will slow down...Everything has reason...shall have some reason why the valve to leak..ok,you says - valve is weak...but if the valve is not so weak,and reason is too strong heart beats? ....you have door in your home - if you kick the door slightly,the door will stay closed..but if you kick the door heavy,the door will open,I think...if the problem is only internal or genetic,I think your kins will have the same..but they don\'t...That\'s why I think that the sport and to much energy in you body can cause this in some extent.. what if you decrease the sport intensity? just try..I think that heart is adaptive,and as a result the valve could become stiff,not so big...if you do biceps,it grows,but if not - it stop to grow and become a smaller...valve and heart is muscle,as the biceps...but valve is under permanent workouts,not temporary as the biceps...you can not change that,but you can change the stress over the valve ,and to see what will happen ...if the MR will decrease or not...
Travis Watson I agree with what you are saying for the most part. I think I could have damaged it from strenuos exe ... Read more
Travis Watson I agree with what you are saying for the most part. I think I could have damaged it from strenuos exercise but I personally think once the valve is damaged it can not repair itself. The valve is not a muscle. It's like the ships sail...Once too strong wind stretches or rips it, it's going to stay that way unless it's repaired.
I think decrease intensity can stop or slow the progression of MR but I don't think it can reverse it.
The past two months I have basically eliminated salt from my diet.
I wonder if any doctors would do a study on us to prove our theory?
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi Travis! I knew that no research in this field,but I think,strenuous exercises could accelerate in big amount the process - In the very begging,I try to find ...Read more
Hi Travis! I knew that no research in this field,but I think,strenuous exercises could accelerate in big amount the process - In the very begging,I try to find something in this aspect,but no medical research done...That is why, I start to read post in Internet,and I very well can remember that one guy told that he has only mild MR,but after several years of heavy running,his MR become almost severe. And again,when he stop to run so heavy, his MR stop to progress. That`s why,when I\'ve read your journal,I said to myself - this boy (i.e. you) may be did mistake,starting so much strenuous fitness immediately after OHS. I\'ve read very carefully your sport results and said to myself - this is to much even for athlete without MVR,but for patient after OHS is not the best way...Do you have kins with MVR and OHS,because of MVR?...Keep Blood pressure in normal level - if it is not
Travis Watson I've also thought that maybe my heart muscle is too strong for my valve. My heart is and was strong e ... Read more
Travis Watson I've also thought that maybe my heart muscle is too strong for my valve. My heart is and was strong enough to not get damaged or become enlarged dispite having years of severe MVR.
I am not on any kind of diet but I do eat healty and I eat variety. I eat lots of fish and seafood.
My blood pressure is sometimes a little high 144/74 but sometimes it's around 132/80. It fluctuates alot.
I can not find any of my kin that have any heart problems.
The only person that may have had MVR is my father's mother who died in the 1950's at age 33. Doctors didn't know much back then but I think she may have died from heart failure from MVR. She had alot of other health problems too though.
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi Travis...I\'ve read a lot about MVP..and I think that except of birth defect,shall exist something as a reason...I was a fitness maniac (here no pics,but ...Read more
Hi Travis...I\'ve read a lot about MVP..and I think that except of birth defect,shall exist something as a reason...I was a fitness maniac (here no pics,but I can send )...friend of mine,also has MVP - he is very active in fitness,too..And my conclusion is,that extra blood pressure in this exercises can cause mitral valve tissue stretching - just like a T-shirt become bigger,if you are getting bigger...Also,may have something common with eating habits- some substances missing or more..how to be explained that man like you,me,and my friend - with different genes,countries have the same.Only common is the sport.Moreover my kins non of them -has MVP. I think your surgery was OK,but just \"pumping habits\" of your heart restore the MR- sport require more blood,and heart just adjust to this model,which cause MR.At least,my theory is like that.Think about- all docs shrug shoulders when asking what is the reason for MVR.OK,MVR in many cases is progressive -if it is progress,something cause this \"progress\". Surgery looks like haircut - your hair is cut,but it grow again..because something cause hair to grow...Sorry for bothering you,but I am not glad of doctors answers...they just don`t know nothing about the prevention and reason of MVR/MVP
Travis Watson Svetlomir, Thanks for writing me. You are not bothering me at all. It is good to hear from someone w ... Read more
Travis Watson Svetlomir, Thanks for writing me. You are not bothering me at all. It is good to hear from someone with a similar situation as me.
I think about this all the time and I share the same beliefs you do. I have asked my cardiologist and surgeon if my exercising habbits could of caused this and they say no. But there is probably little to no research on people such as you and I. I always thought that MAYBE my valve structure could of been weak from birth and should of started leaking when I was 60 years old like the average MV patient. But maybe my intense exercise accelerated it's degredation.
Svetlomir Ivanov posted a note for Travis that says:
Hi,Travis...I am asking myself-is it possible to tell what is in your opinion the reason for Mitral Regurgitation(MR)? Sport,when is too strenuous?Or Blood ...Read more
Hi,Travis...I am asking myself-is it possible to tell what is in your opinion the reason for Mitral Regurgitation(MR)? Sport,when is too strenuous?Or Blood Pressure? What are thinking about? I am very disappointed of hearing that you have again MR...I read your journal and always said to myself- OK,here is the case,of complete recovery...I hope,you will be fine,but I am angry and disappointed to hear that - about your MR.
Travis Watson I wish I and my doctors knew the answer your question.
It could be a birth defect, or something that ... Read more
Travis Watson I wish I and my doctors knew the answer your question.
It could be a birth defect, or something that happened when I was an infant. Maybe I just have a week structure around my valve I don't know. I asked my cardiologist if strenuous exercise could have caused my repair job to fail and he said no. He said sometimes the surgery just doesn't hold up and to keep doing what I do.
Thanks for the reply, Travis. I guess I was mostly curious about how soon the incision can be exposed to something as harsh as chlorine. I\'m actually having ...Read more
Thanks for the reply, Travis. I guess I was mostly curious about how soon the incision can be exposed to something as harsh as chlorine. I\'m actually having a full sternotomy, so I expect I\'ll be kicking on my back for a while before I can even begin taking actual strokes.
Cheers, Summer
Travis Watson You will be able to tell what you can do with your body and you'll know when to back off. You don't n ... Read more
Travis Watson You will be able to tell what you can do with your body and you'll know when to back off. You don't need a doctor to tell you, you'll know. For my wounds, I caked them up with bag balm before I went in the water just to keep them from drying out. Just remember through this whole experience, that you know your body better than the doctor does.
Hi Travis,
I am far from a serious swimmer, but I really do enjoy being in the water. How long after surgery did you wait before getting back in the pool? ...Read more
Hi Travis,
I am far from a serious swimmer, but I really do enjoy being in the water. How long after surgery did you wait before getting back in the pool? Was it up to you or did your doctor give you a time limit?
Hope your pain issue is heading towards resolution. That doesn\'t sound like much fun.
Cheers,
Summer
Travis Watson Hi Summer, I waited 4 full weeks before I got back in the pool. And then for the next couple weeks I ... Read more
Travis Watson Hi Summer, I waited 4 full weeks before I got back in the pool. And then for the next couple weeks I only kicked, didn't use my arms at all. Then I slowly would add a very light lap or two a day of pulling with my arms. Then built it from there. If you read my journal entries starting at week 4, I explain in more detail. My surgeon said it was up to me as to what I did. He said if I feel comfortable doing something then it's ok, if not, don't do it.
I get the sweats hours after my workouts but not as bad as the ones you described, I don\'t work out as much as you, but I do still get discomfort in the incision ...Read more
I get the sweats hours after my workouts but not as bad as the ones you described, I don\'t work out as much as you, but I do still get discomfort in the incision site after yoga and weight trainning only, daily walks don\'t cause me any pain just gets me tired and I have to rest for at least a couple of hours before I get going with my day.
I am sure glad to see that this pains are not in my head since I am suffering from cardiac depression still.
Patricia De Leon.
Hi Travis!
Glad that pain is gone. Ouch. Feeling shaken no fun either. I get that sometimes if I\'m short on sleep and then have a hard workout. Like yesterday ...Read more
Hi Travis!
Glad that pain is gone. Ouch. Feeling shaken no fun either. I get that sometimes if I\'m short on sleep and then have a hard workout. Like yesterday when I only had 4 or 5 hours sleep and then played ultimate over lunch break (extended!) without really warming up. Boom - Big string of PVC\'s and that shaky feeling. Settled down after a bit, but still. So I try to get my full night\'s shut-eye.
Even after almost a year things are not quite in factory new condition it seems. Not surprising since they cut through 2 walls of the heart and the healing produces scar tissue, which alters the conduction pathways. I\'ll go for that scar to normal tissue conversion procedure when its got the kinks worked out!
So after yesterday and a full night\'s sleep I did a \"commute\" run today. Daughter came by work and borrowed the car at lunch so I decided to don my toe shoes and run home on the trails and streets. That\'s 4.8 miles and 950 feet up. Piece of cake and steady as a rock. Gotta love it. A good night\'s sleep is great protection and I\'ve got to keep reminding myself of that.
Well tomorrow\'s a day off and another workout. Have 2 days of ultimate tournament the weekend and really looking forward to it. Last year I had to skip it on doctor\'s orders. That really got me motivated for the surgery!
You asked about my stamina. For sustained effort, like running, it\'s back and more. For intermittent but extreme effort, not yet back to my top form. So I\'m training some with hill repeats, suicides, and such. I hope to get there sometime tin the next few months.
Well, all the best to you. It seems like on the whole you are almost back to peak form. The pain episodes and nerve symptoms will get more and more infrequent and milder and milder as everything stitches itself back together. That can take a while, nerves grow slowly and it takes a while for their signals to settle down and get integrated properly.
Keep the beat buddy -- DVB
I\'ts great to read that someone else is still feeling the pain just like me, it\'s great to read that others recover so quickly but I really needed to read ...Read more
I\'ts great to read that someone else is still feeling the pain just like me, it\'s great to read that others recover so quickly but I really needed to read about those who are still pretty much recovering and feeling the pain.
Have a blessed day!.
Travis,
Your aches & pains seem normal considering how hard to you play and work out. PVCs in an athelete is somewhat normal (I was told) until it reaches ...Read more
Travis,
Your aches & pains seem normal considering how hard to you play and work out. PVCs in an athelete is somewhat normal (I was told) until it reaches 5 or 6 per min.
So, get more massages! And, keep up the great work.
You\'re one strong guy!
Sheila Garrison
Wow Travis, you are doing great. I\'m glad the pain episodes seem to be a thing of the past. I know they bummed you out some since otherwise everything was ...Read more
Wow Travis, you are doing great. I\'m glad the pain episodes seem to be a thing of the past. I know they bummed you out some since otherwise everything was going so fantastic. Your stamina will slowly return. Mine is back completely now at 10 months out, at least to better than pre-surgery. I can do my 8 mile runs easily now, but still not to my younger self in ultimate frisbee, when I could play all day it seemed. I\'m still working on it, and it does get better all the time. Your swimming is awesome, and I can\'t wait for it to get warmer so I can start my mile swims back up. I guess I could use a wetsuit. In the meantime I was challenged to see how many pushups I could do in a day and now its up to 300. Think 500 is possible? 1000? I\'m limited by some sternum pain that starts up after the first 200. But it used to start up after 15, so I know I can push through. Keep the beat buddy, you are an inspiration. -- DVB
Travis Watson It sounds like your doing awesome as always. It seems like you've had the best recovery out of anyone ... Read more
Travis Watson It sounds like your doing awesome as always. It seems like you've had the best recovery out of anyone on this site!
So, your stanima was a little low for a while? How was it around 8 months?
Hey Travis, thanks for posting again. I am three weeks post op. Was very active physically pre op (though probably not as much as you). Today I walked 1.5 ...Read more
Hey Travis, thanks for posting again. I am three weeks post op. Was very active physically pre op (though probably not as much as you). Today I walked 1.5 miles in the AM, and did a mile at 20 minute pace in the PM. I am so hoping I can get back to what I was doing pre-op. Reading your journal is great for me to see the possibilites. Keep up the hard work and thanks again for posting.
-Mitch Friedman
Travis, thanks for sharing. I\'m not young like you or in shape like you but I still find inspiration in your posts. You keep running and swimming and I\'ll ...Read more
Travis, thanks for sharing. I\'m not young like you or in shape like you but I still find inspiration in your posts. You keep running and swimming and I\'ll get back to hiking/walking and slow river kayaking. I wish you continued good health. I know you will be 100% very soon!! Janis Kielbasa
Hey Travis.
How are you getting on? Have you had any more chest and shoulder pain. I am nearly at the end of week 1 of a 6 week steroid course. The cardiologist ...Read more
Hey Travis.
How are you getting on? Have you had any more chest and shoulder pain. I am nearly at the end of week 1 of a 6 week steroid course. The cardiologist said he cant promise that the flare ups wont come back, but there is a good chance this treatment will break the cycle. I\'m hoping to resume my rehab now and add swimming to my routine. The steroids have some potential side effects- weight gain being one of them!
Julie
Travis,
I was re-reading your post, and I wanted to add that I feel your frustration at being so young and fit, and ready to heal and recover to your former ...Read more
Travis,
I was re-reading your post, and I wanted to add that I feel your frustration at being so young and fit, and ready to heal and recover to your former fitness level.
I went into rehab asking to rehab my upper body strength, day 1. They looked at me like a overachiever whippersnapper, and said, \"Well, we take it slow, we don\'t want you to hurt yourself.\" I hurt myself at home yanking out summer plants prepping my decently large fall garden. My older buddies at rehab weren\'t doing this. I felt sore, but I expected to, and thought this was because I was becoming active again after 3 months of relatively no upper body exercise. I exercised with interval training with a trainer 2x/wk up until my surgery. I was pretty fit before, and hated to see my atrophied arms and abs (legs were still strong!)
I read how much you exercised post surgery, and how soon, and you are 18 years younger than me, which is HUGE, but my doctors and rehab nurses keep reiterating to impatient and depressed me that this surgery takes 6 months to one year to fully recover to the state your body was in before surgery. I am at month 4. You are closer, at month 5. I get bummed when they keep telling me this, but I am grateful for the well functioning valve.
I\'d find a muscle guru to check out muscle damage. I had a chest crack, and you had minimally invasive surgery, so we had different injury, but still, they wreak havoc on a lot of ligaments and muscles to splay those ribs, and ???
I hope you find a fixable answer (and me too).
Keep well,
Jennifer
Dear Travis,
Funny you should contact me, I just had a second 7 day episode of shoulder and back muscle spasms. I agree with the pain is worse than the surgery ...Read more
Dear Travis,
Funny you should contact me, I just had a second 7 day episode of shoulder and back muscle spasms. I agree with the pain is worse than the surgery itself! I was cursing a blue streak over the pain. It felt as bad as no drug labor to me. I took Advil and Flexeril, and went to my primary care (as my cardiologist refuses to deal with this, and told me this was a primary care problem, sending me to tears before him...,) and I asked her to send me to physical therapy to rehab my muscles and affected upper body parts.
Nobody mentioned any other possibility but muscle spasm. I talked about this at cardio rehab, and to my rehab massage therapist (I pay privately), and both the cardiologist (!) and my primary care doctors (even squeezed in a call to the Mayo clinic surgeons, though I was 2 weeks past my ending date of care for my surgery,) all doctors and therapists felt this was a back spasm around my trapezius muscle, and involving ligaments to my sternum, and cascading to the muscles between the shoulder blades. I can point to overextension \"events\" that damaged the trapezius, so this wasn\'t a sudden onset, but rather a ramp up of pain after doing too much on 2 occasions (latest helping son catch heavy pot that was heading for his face.)
It is scary to think there could be more to this.
I am going to hopefully start PT next week (evaluation?). I\'ll keep you posted.
My episode is abating, but I still am tender, and afraid to use my muscles (not good for a busy mom during Thanksgiving!) I did have trouble breathing, but my massage therapist says the muscles I would have used to catch the heavy pot connect to my diaphragm, and even continue down my legs. He sees the logic in my symptoms and muscle pain as a cascading spasm of connected groups of muscles and ligaments.
I hope this sheds some light...
We\'ll soon see if the theory is right with PT.
Thanks for the info.,
Jennifer Turner
Hi Travis
You must be a bit fruastrated with the mysterious chest pains. When the body has pain, it\'s a warning. I hope you can figure this one out. Please ...Read more
Hi Travis
You must be a bit fruastrated with the mysterious chest pains. When the body has pain, it\'s a warning. I hope you can figure this one out. Please let us know when you do.
Other than the pain, you\'re doing great. Keep up the strong work.
Sheila Garrison
I am from: New Bern, North Carolina
Yes I do have a annuloplasty ring.
And in one of my echos 6 months ... Read more
Yes I do have a annuloplasty ring.
And in one of my echos 6 months post surgery it says that two jets where identified. One originates from the coaptation point of the leaflets (I don't know what that means) and the other originates from the posterior region of the annuloplasty ring. Does that mean the ring wasn't sewn it well?
For the next six months I am going to try to back off the intensity of my workouts and have two exchos done by two different doctors and see how it effects my regurgitation. That will be a big factor in my upcoming decisions. I've also been trying to keep my blood pressure as low as possible because that seems like it would have the same effect on the valve as a strong beating heart.
How has your recovery been?