Bert's Profile

Mitral valve repair done Nov 7 2013 (robotic, minimally invasive). In recovery mode now. Blogging and video-blogging about my experiences as I try to return to being active again -- I find that social media and reaching out to others can be very helpful. Please visit my blog at https://bertshealth.wordpress.com/ Please visit my video blog at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edz4phGbHjs My situation: was very active prior to my surgery. I was a runner mainly but also pretty active cyclist. I had just completed a marathon when told my regurgitation had progressed from moderate to severe. I didn't want to linger in severe for very long as this is not advised, so I had the procedure done in the fall. Going on 5 months post-op as I write this, I've had a lot of trouble in my recovery with breathing issues and a type of a squeezed-throat sensation along with two big flareup events with pain in my chest or left shoulder area (above the left shoulder blade). I'm investigating inflammation as a root cause now, since they measured for it in my blood and the "marker" was highly elevated. I've had a great deal of difficulty getting this acknowledged or treated, just being told to wait it out for 6 months to a year as part of the recovery process. But from what little I know of other patients having had this surgery, most do not have the type of issues I've been having, so I don't think it is typical and normal in most cases. Even if it were, I'd still like a more definitive diagnosis of what is going on, and a course of treatment to alleviate the symptoms (and let me get back to being more active), if this is possible. As of mid-March, I seem to be making some headway again. I found that taking ibuprofen around the clock has helped a lot (a new development with my doctor's oversight), although I still am not breathing normally. I hope that with continued followup I can get to the bottom of my problems with my doctor soon. I've only managed very slow runs, as slow as possible without being a walk. But after a recent flare-up (maybe not due to run and to a virus, but it's not clear to me), I'm postponing running. All I do now is walking and some light weight training. Not to be 100% negative, I will comment on some high points. First, the surgery itself went very well and the valve is repaired. I seem to have a normal heart now if one ignores the inflammation problems. My resting heart rate has fallen to pre-surgery levels even though I'm not exercising much at all, so it seems my heart isn't working as hard. I have a little more energy, fewer episodes of feeling tired like I did, and more enthusiasm for things. I'm thankful that the surgery has extended my life. There are these aftermath problems but I believe those are still preferable to a slow degenerating heart and an early death. I expect to eventually feel much better than I did before surgery once I get beyond these current problems. If anyone else is in a similar situation I'd be glad to compare notes. Maybe we can help each other.