Well gang... My final post, and good news. Surgery to replace my Aortic valve went very well. I was discharged after 4 days and now six weeks from the surgery ...Read more
Well gang... My final post, and good news. Surgery to replace my Aortic valve went very well. I was discharged after 4 days and now six weeks from the surgery I am comfortably walking 2 miles a day. A BIG thank you to the doctors and staff at the Cleveland Clinic. A more professional group could not be found anywhere. A couple of points. Turns out I had a bivalve. It lasted 67 years, so I guess it's hard to complain about that, but as a result of my health issues I encouraged my three brothers to have their hearts given a thorough checkup. One brother is OK, a second is on a weight loss program, and a third is now scheduled for heart valve replacement. So if you have had an issue, it's possible some other blood relative might as well. Encourage them to get checked!
Second. I have had a condition called ITP (low platelet counts of unknown cause) for about the last 15 years. My counts dropped from 184K to 139K in 2012, then to 90K in 2014. Stabilized at that level until 2017 when they dropped to 74K and at the time of my surgery in December 2018 they were at 50K. The counts rebounded to 131K two weeks after surgery and appear headed for better numbers yet! All that turbulence and regurgitation through my narrowed and calcified aortic valve was apparently killing a lot of platelets. Dr. Neff (Hematologist at the Cleveland Clinic) said that in one of the pre-surgery test that she ran, the platelets that were there were "young" platelets, which was certainly in keeping with the hypothesis that the older ones were just not surviving... and today they are. So if you have low platelet counts, pre-surgery, you too might have a pleasant surprise upon reviewing your next blood tests results.
Thanks to everyone for your support, and to this great site for the mountains of useful information and guidance it has provided.
Hi...New guest here. Diagnosed with aortic stenosis three years ago...have been watching with 6-month Dr. visits. getting close now to needing repair/replace. ...Read more
Hi...New guest here. Diagnosed with aortic stenosis three years ago...have been watching with 6-month Dr. visits. getting close now to needing repair/replace. Boy that sounds strange to say. Sounds a bit like I am talking about a set of old tires! I also have a condition known as ITP (low platelets) usually in the 60K-65K range. I expect this to be a bit riskier than the usual repair, and living in the FL panhandle, I will probably travel to a facility of choice. Perhaps Cleveland Clinic in OH? Does anyone have info on a clinic or doctors with experience dealing with low platelets, valve replacement and surgical options?
Phyllis Petersen I can't speak to your specific situation, but I have issues with NSAIDs and internal bleeding and the ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I can't speak to your specific situation, but I have issues with NSAIDs and internal bleeding and they were not at all concerned at Cleveland Clinic when they repaired my mitral valve. They have a wide range of experience with heart surgery, but the best way to find out is to call and ask for their take and how much experience they have.
Janet Skinner Hi Bill. I have an inherited platelet function disorder ... normal numbers but qualitatively abnormal ... Read more
Janet Skinner Hi Bill. I have an inherited platelet function disorder ... normal numbers but qualitatively abnormal ... therefore, higher bleeding risk. I had mitral valve replacement surgery mid Aug/17 and four weeks later, a pacemaker inserted. During surgery, I was given DDAVP to assist with clotting; I needed a unit of blood during the OHS surgery but I was told that it "is fairly normal." There was no bleeding afterwards, however I am still taking an iron supplement for the iron deficiency anemia and low hemoglobin post surgery.
Overall, I'm doing really well! I did have to push back hard to get OFF of the aspirin that the surgeon prescribed post surgery! It took 3 1/2 months but I persevered after spending 6 hours in the ER with a tongue laceration that would not stop bleeding. In the end, I was told that I "should never have been put on the aspirin." !!
Ask lots of questions. You've got this Bill.
Bill Snead Thank you Phyllis and Janet - MUCH appreciated. I too have avoided aspirin, although every other doc ... Read more
Bill Snead Thank you Phyllis and Janet - MUCH appreciated. I too have avoided aspirin, although every other doctor seems to recommend it. Perhaps post surgery it "may" make sense, but I am nervous about taking ANY meds that I really don't need. Thanks for the heads up on the Cleveland Clinic. I understand there are extension clinics in several states now, but that the Cleveland unit is still ranked as the best in the world. I have a call in to them now, to see if there is a doctor there familiar with such platelet issues.
Phyllis Petersen I was only prescribed metoprolol for a couple of months after surgery, and pain meds with tylenol. Wh ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen I was only prescribed metoprolol for a couple of months after surgery, and pain meds with tylenol. When I had my knee replaced, that doctor/hospital gave me xarelto, which apparently does not have the same effects as other blood thinners, so was not problematic.