Andrew's Posts

Andy - I had a mitral valve repair via a mini-thoractomy and had some twinges of pain and numbness on my right side that seem to have dissipated. I didn't have the intensity that you are describing or pain of any kind in my arms and hips. That may warrant a call to your surgeon's office. I also had a drop in my ejection fraction after surgery and I took a combination of metoprolol and lisinopril to assist in heart remodeling - according to my cardiologist, my heart had to acclimate to pumping more blood after surgery. There was improvement after a few months and I stayed on for several more. I will find out my EF next Tuesday at my first annual appointment with my surgeon. All the best to you.

Andrew - I'm a frequent migraine sufferer, but I've actually had fewer headaches since my MV repair. It could be because I'm still on a low dose of metoprolol, which is a beta blocker. If you haven't taken Imitrex or it's generic, also a beta blocker, you might want to consider it. The key is taking it as soon as the symptoms are starting. Works like a charm for me! Best of luck.

I never had migraines, but developed ophthalmic migraine right after my mitral surgery 21 months ago. I had aura, but never headache. It was very noticeable for several months, but is now down to less than 1 per month. Because I did not get headaches, I never really tried to stop them. The aura would last 15-30 minutes and seemed to be associated with my computer use. What I can tell you is that this is not a rare event after valve surgery, and that things do get back to normal, but it takes time. Talk to your Cardiologist about whether you can use triptans when the aura starts in order to avoid the headache. Best, Ellen

Hi Andrew, I too got the auras, but with no headache, after my minimally invasive mitral valve repair, They were more frequent after the surgery but diminished over time. It's been a little over a year since my surgery, and I have them maybe once every few months and they last for about 10 mins. Definitely discuss with your cardiologist just for peace of mind. I'm on Cardizem (also good for migraines) and my cardiologist and neurologist think it may help keep them at bay. My surgeon also said it is not uncommon. I wouldn't worry about them.

It could be the medication your on, I get dizzy and some double vision now and again and goes away in about 5 mins. I asked the Doctor about it and he said its more or less the medication, as I wing off of it I should see it decrease and go away.

I was a migraine sufferer but they stopped as I got older. However, after OHS, I got ocular migraines every day sometimes twice a day for months. They are now less frequent (3-4 times a week). I'm four and half months past surgery and feel great apart from the migraines. Mine seemed to be caused by overdoing things like too much exercise or lack of sleep. My cardiologist, surgeon and neurologist all assure me they will eventually go.

I had mitral valve repair 7 weeks ago. I had 6 to 12 ocular migranes per year (aura, no pain) since 2006. Since the surgery I've had around 14. The surgeon told me they would go away eventually and to drink more water. They are annoying because if I am driving I have to pull over. They last exactly 20 minutes.

Congrats Andrew! I had MI Robotic with Dr Smith as well 6 weeks back. Barlow as well, 20 new Gortex Chordi as well! Can't say enough great things about team at HHBP, my recovery has far exceeded my expectations. After my follow up couple weeks back I was released to only follow up annually.