David Martin - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

21 days ago

I am 16 weeks post thoracotomy mitral valve repair struggling mightily through autonomic nervous system recalibration and I’m wondering if anyone has experienced ...Read more

I am 16 weeks post thoracotomy mitral valve repair struggling mightily through autonomic nervous system recalibration and I’m wondering if anyone has experienced this

David Martin Nausea, dizziness, GI issues, headaches to migraines and I’m told it’s common through a thoracoto ... Read more

David Martin Nausea, dizziness, GI issues, headaches to migraines and I’m told it’s common through a thoracotomy and can take up to 6 months to stabilize. It’s honestly been the worse part of recovery and certainly was under discussed. Thanks for any feedback to anyone who can share.

J Alexander Lassally Hey David - so sorry (really, I am) for your outcome so far. I am 24 months... The thoracotomy surge ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Hey David - so sorry (really, I am) for your outcome so far. I am 24 months... The thoracotomy surgery is difficult in its own right because they literally "sneak" into your heart and a lesser skilled surgeon can "f-up" and hit critical nervous system architecture.
I will say that some of what you express could be post bypass trauma - migraines, dizziness etc... The nausea not so much. It does seem like every patient has their own signature of weirdness post surgery - some of which is in your list...
Hope that helps - sort of....

J Alexander Lassally P.S. Your surgeon looks young? Was he any good?

David Martin Surgeon is renown actually. Bedside manner not the best but from everyone and everything he is one of ... Read more

David Martin Surgeon is renown actually. Bedside manner not the best but from everyone and everything he is one of the best when it comes to mitral valves. I am lucky to live in Ottawa as the Ottawa Heart Institute is where you want to be in Canada.

I keep getting told my heart is doing well and that thoracotomy affects many things in the body especially the nerves and nervous system and that it takes time. All unadvertised of course. It’s been frustrating and exhausting.

Kathy Blank How’s your heart rate and BP? I had more issues with that and some fainting and heart rhythm issues ... Read more

Kathy Blank How’s your heart rate and BP? I had more issues with that and some fainting and heart rhythm issues- I don’t think we realize how much stress our body goes through- hope you feel better soon!

David Martin HR and BP great, my cardiac rehab is going well, well into zone 2 and 3, I feel best when exercising ... Read more

David Martin HR and BP great, my cardiac rehab is going well, well into zone 2 and 3, I feel best when exercising it’s the in between that is brutal. I am a 52 year old fitness fanatic so I went into this hoping to get back in a realistic time frame but this ANS stuff is all unexpected 😔

J Alexander Lassally David, it takes a long time to recover. Realistically, 6 months minimum to be sort of back to self. I ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally David, it takes a long time to recover. Realistically, 6 months minimum to be sort of back to self. I was 51 when I had it. Just for reference, I think at 1 year I felt about 80% of my old self.

David Martin Alexander, did you have those symptoms also? Hearing from someone who
lived through this i feel ... Read more

David Martin Alexander, did you have those symptoms also? Hearing from someone who
lived through this i feel
might help!

Kathy Blank I never had any ans issues but just read about them in an online search. Does your cardiologist offer ... Read more

Kathy Blank I never had any ans issues but just read about them in an online search. Does your cardiologist offer any insight? I wonder if an electrophysiologist would be the specialist to help you manage this? I had some heart rhythm issues and my electrophysiologists helped me manage the exact diagnosis and some dehydration related issues I was having. Good for you for keeping physically fit- I did 3x per week for 12 weeks to get back to running and strength training!

David Martin I have also read a lot about ANS instability for up to 6 months after thoracotomy. I struggle with th ... Read more

David Martin I have also read a lot about ANS instability for up to 6 months after thoracotomy. I struggle with the lack of help or guidance on the matter. I did inquire this week with my cardiologist and waiting on feedback on who would be best suited for support in this matter

Kathy Blank Keep searching- think of how many others you will help once you get this and managed!!!!

David Martin 😊