Amber Sanchez - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1702 days ago

I am 8 weeks post-op. I had my ascending aorta replaced, my aortic valve replaced with a bovine and a ring placed around my tricuspid valve. I am having a ...Read more

I am 8 weeks post-op. I had my ascending aorta replaced, my aortic valve replaced with a bovine and a ring placed around my tricuspid valve. I am having a hard time recovering. I am a 68 year old who was very healthy prior to surgery. I now feel my health has been taken away. I have back muscle spasms, migraines, I see shooting stars, I am short of breath, my resting heart rate is often 120 or more, I break out in hives, I'm wheezing and occasionally, my left arm feels like it suddenly weighs 40 pounds and aches so bad...it passes, but is worrisome. Has anyone else had any or all of these post OP maladies?

Marie Myers I experienced the shooting stars and painful back muscles. The visual effects did lessen with time, b ... Read more

Marie Myers I experienced the shooting stars and painful back muscles. The visual effects did lessen with time, but I would have dozens of auras (optical migraines) daily. The back muscle problems also eased with time, but I wish I had asked for muscle relaxants to get through the early days of recovery. As far as the other issues, have you been evaluated by your cardiologist? Things should be getting better day by day. The high heart rate and other feelings (wheezing, hives) should be of interest to your cardiologist or internist. If they are not responsive to your problems, I might get another opinion on what is going on. Keep us posted, and hope you start feeling better soon!

Hi Amber, I agree with Marie. Recovery can bring all kinds of different issues that will eventually g ... Read more

Hi Amber, I agree with Marie. Recovery can bring all kinds of different issues that will eventually go away. In your case with all the issues you are having, you should communicate them to your Cardiologist or your Primary. If they don’t respond find another doctor or maybe the ER. Have you had your post op appointment with your Cardiologist? I do wish you start feeling better. I will pray for you. God bless you

Rita Savelis I hear you Amber. Much of what you are experiencing is completely "normal". It's still so very very e ... Read more

Rita Savelis I hear you Amber. Much of what you are experiencing is completely "normal". It's still so very very early after your OHS and there can be many after effects. Recovery takes months and is different for each patient. I for one certainly did not feel "better" after OHS. I felt so incredibly weak and tired with a fast beating heart and shortness of breath. This took months to pass. It's hard, because we expect to feel better faster. Each body has its own pace. OHS is a big deal and hard on your body. It's recovering, but it needs time. Take care Amber.

Shannon Gray So sorry you have had such discomfort and challenges... I remember wondering if I would ever feel lik ... Read more

Shannon Gray So sorry you have had such discomfort and challenges... I remember wondering if I would ever feel like myself again after surgery. I whole heartedly agree with what others have mentioned. It takes a lot patience, but please take gentle care of yourself.