Debbie Chatzky - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2577 days ago

Pulmonary Hypertention I had an echo last week. Four months out of mitralvalve replacement surgery and maze. Never had pulmonary hypertension before surgery. ...Read more

Pulmonary Hypertention I had an echo last week. Four months out of mitralvalve replacement surgery and maze. Never had pulmonary hypertension before surgery. Could this have been caused by surgery? Or meds? Could it be temporary? Thanks.

Marie Myers Good question for your cardiologist... I know it is common both before and after Mitral valve surgery ... Read more

Marie Myers Good question for your cardiologist... I know it is common both before and after Mitral valve surgery, though.

LINDA ROBERTS Hope you get some answer from your cardiologist. I remember seeing something like that on my report ... Read more

LINDA ROBERTS Hope you get some answer from your cardiologist. I remember seeing something like that on my report before surgery but was told it was nothing to be alarmed about. Think there are different types of pulmonary hypertension. I know my blood pressure is higher now than before surgery even though now I am on meds and before I was not.

Debbie Chatzkyposted an update

2586 days ago

In the hospital. Surgery was May 31st for mitral valve replacement and maze. Came down with sore throat 2 days ago. Today was nauseas and cold sweats. Dr said ...Read more

In the hospital. Surgery was May 31st for mitral valve replacement and maze. Came down with sore throat 2 days ago. Today was nauseas and cold sweats. Dr said go to immediate care. They didn’t like high heart rate 102 bpm and that I was Basra’s and sweating. Sent me to ER. He was 103 to 118 but in good sinus rythym. The started bloodwork for heart enzymes. Admitted me tfor observation. Drew blood cultures cause I had root canal 2 weeks ago. This is the thing I am totally at a loss about. When I had my heart catheter before surgery, the doctor said clear as a whistle no blockages. The ER doctor said he read my catholic report and he sees that right artery is 30 percent clogged!! What!!! So surreal! Thanks for listening.

Debbie Chatzky Sorry for typos - that’s nauseas and sweating and cath report

Mark Wilbur Very sorry to hear about these new troubles, Debbie. I hope everything gets sorted out and you're on ... Read more

Mark Wilbur Very sorry to hear about these new troubles, Debbie. I hope everything gets sorted out and you're on your way home very soon. Be well.

Chris Purvis Sorry Debbie! Hope your feeling better and they figure out what’s going on. My right artery was clo ... Read more

Chris Purvis Sorry Debbie! Hope your feeling better and they figure out what’s going on. My right artery was clogged as well at 25% so they put me on a statin to prevent any further increases.

Marie Myers When the cath is reported as "no blockages", what they really mean is "no blockages worth bypassing" ... Read more

Marie Myers When the cath is reported as "no blockages", what they really mean is "no blockages worth bypassing" while you are having OHS. They may not recommend bypass until an artery is 70% blocked. Pretty much every adult and many kids in our over-fed and under-exercised America has some amount of blockages. Just another reason to eat right and stay active! Hope you feel better soon!

Dan Baltazor So sorry to hear. Hope they can find exactly what is going on and get you back to feeling better.

Rob Sparling Sorry to hear, Debbie! Glad you are getting the needed attention!

Relative to Marie’s point above ... Read more

Rob Sparling Sorry to hear, Debbie! Glad you are getting the needed attention!

Relative to Marie’s point above, this morning I started reading Dr Gillinov’s book “Jeart 411”. I didn’t have time to get into it prior to surgery am doing so now. I recommend for all of us!

Catie B Debbie, I hope you feel much better soon. So sorry this happened!

Catie B Marie, I did not realize that about the cath--I wish the report would be more specific and informativ ... Read more

Catie B Marie, I did not realize that about the cath--I wish the report would be more specific and informative. Wow.

Marie Myers Yup, me too. If you get the actual cath report you may see more information. But the cardiologist/sur ... Read more

Marie Myers Yup, me too. If you get the actual cath report you may see more information. But the cardiologist/surgeon is likely to report " no blockages" to the patient.

Debbie Chatzky I am home now. Heart issues were ruled out but still waiting for blood cultures. They diagnosed this ... Read more

Debbie Chatzky I am home now. Heart issues were ruled out but still waiting for blood cultures. They diagnosed this as a minor viral bug and low blood pressure from the metropolol. They are reducing the metropolol even though my heart rate remains high. Marie you are right the cardiologist says no blockages meaning no operative blockages. I find this very misleading. I have a blockage that I only found out about now because of this hospitalization.infeel like I held it together much better in the hospital for my surgery than now. My threshold is low. Feeling overwhelmed. Thanks for listening everyone.

LINDA ROBERTS Sorry you had to go through this. It is misleading when the cardiologist says no blockages and it me ... Read more

LINDA ROBERTS Sorry you had to go through this. It is misleading when the cardiologist says no blockages and it means no operative blockages. I have-not seen my report so am sure I have blockages I do not know about. So thankful heart issues were ruled out for you. It has been 8 weeks since my surgery and I broke my tooth which will have to be extracted. Hoping it does not abscess for would love to make it another month or two before getting anything so invasive.

Mark Wilbur Debbie and Marie: You have alerted us to another question for us to ask after an angiogram. Thank yo ... Read more

Mark Wilbur Debbie and Marie: You have alerted us to another question for us to ask after an angiogram. Thank you!

Marie Myers Ask about your carotid ultrasound results also.... Same story, different area...

Debbie Chatzkyposted an update

2586 days ago

In the hospital. Surgery was May 31st for mitral valve replacement and maze. Came down with sore throat 2 days ago. Today was nauseas and cold sweats. Dr said ...Read more

Steve Farthing Almost same finding - During my heart cath last year, doc said an artery appeared 30% blocked on the ... Read more

Steve Farthing Almost same finding - During my heart cath last year, doc said an artery appeared 30% blocked on the image but he also said when he measured the actual flow rate in front and past the block, it was 90% so he said no need to do anything.

Debbie Chatzky Thanks Steve. How is the blockage monitored going forward?

Debbie Chatzkyposted an update

2647 days ago

Does anyone who is taking Amiodoran and Metropolol have trouble sleeping, weight gain or low blood pressure? I am experiencing these things at 11 weeks out. ...Read more

Does anyone who is taking Amiodoran and Metropolol have trouble sleeping, weight gain or low blood pressure? I am experiencing these things at 11 weeks out. Thanks everyone!

Nancy Surprenant Takahashi I was on both, now just metropolol and can't sleep, some days I'm lucky if I get 4 hours.

Rose Madura Amiodoran was horrible! I had all kind of symptons - mainly dizziness and damage to my eyesight. Ev ... Read more

Rose Madura Amiodoran was horrible! I had all kind of symptons - mainly dizziness and damage to my eyesight. Everyone reacts to medications differently. You might want to discuss it with your cardiologist. Maybe he can recommend a lower dose?

LINDA ROBERTS I am on half a dosage of metropolol morning and night and does not seem to bother my sleep. However, ... Read more

LINDA ROBERTS I am on half a dosage of metropolol morning and night and does not seem to bother my sleep. However, I take a
pill at night to help me sleep. I am also on amiodoran but believe at 4 months I can go off it. Are you taking coumadin as well?

Debbie Chatzkyposted a journal

2700 days ago

Jennifer John, Rose Madura, Adam Pick and 4 others reacted to this

There has been progress. Showering, dressing getting in and out of bed and being comfortable in bed. Stronger, breathing easier, walking more. The kitchen is ...Read more

There has been progress. Showering, dressing getting in and out of bed and being comfortable in bed. Stronger, breathing easier, walking more. The kitchen is still a hard place as is doing laundry. Also, I have had a high heart rate. This morning it went to 108bpm. They doubled the metropolol to 50 mg. I hope it works. Hoping that everyone waiting for surgery and recovering are doing well!

Rose Madura Seems like you are doing well! You'll be feeling much better in no time.

Marie Myers Things will get better slowly, day by day. Hope your heart rate stays under control.

Debbie Chatzkyposted a journal

2711 days ago

Judy Shaw and 1 other reacted to this

10 days post op and with all the complications pain fluid retention etc I just realized how misshaped I am. I have a full ropy sternotomy. I will small before ...Read more

10 days post op and with all the complications pain fluid retention etc I just realized how misshaped I am. I have a full ropy sternotomy. I will small before but now they are missing off to the side. Anybody?

Rita Savelis Don't know quite what you are experiencing, although looking at one's body after surgery can be terri ... Read more

Rita Savelis Don't know quite what you are experiencing, although looking at one's body after surgery can be terrifying for many at the beginning until things get back to where they should be. Hope this misshapenness won't last. Take care;

Lilly Black Debbie, you can have some of mine....seriously. I thought I would experience what you just did, but n ... Read more

Lilly Black Debbie, you can have some of mine....seriously. I thought I would experience what you just did, but no such luck. 🙁

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella My cousin's wife had robotic mitral repair (including some breast incisions) and she was also concern ... Read more

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella My cousin's wife had robotic mitral repair (including some breast incisions) and she was also concerned with how misshaped she was post-op, but it all resolved as she healed.

Lilly Black that's interesting, Valerie! good to know

Debbie Chatzkyposted a journal

2712 days ago

2 people reacted to this

I have been twitching while trying to fall asleep. I don’t know if it’s a side affect from a medication. Also twice for a few seconds I’ve had double ...Read more

I have been twitching while trying to fall asleep. I don’t know if it’s a side affect from a medication. Also twice for a few seconds I’ve had double vision caused by light. Not my typical migraine aura. 10 days post op. Anybody?

Marie Myers Do these symptoms correspond to any change of drugs or increase in dose?

Susan Lynn One of my initial meds gave me restless legs. You should reach out to your surgeon's office to inqu ... Read more

Susan Lynn One of my initial meds gave me restless legs. You should reach out to your surgeon's office to inquire. It might be something that is an easy fix.

Rose Madura I twitch also but not sure if it is something new or something we just noticed. I found out that one ... Read more

Rose Madura I twitch also but not sure if it is something new or something we just noticed. I found out that one of my brothers does it also so I didn't worry about it too much.

Marianne Charters I’m also 10 days post and I believe you said they put you on amiodarone. Me too. And I have some o ... Read more

Marianne Charters I’m also 10 days post and I believe you said they put you on amiodarone. Me too. And I have some of those annoying effects. Luckily probably only on it a little longer. Twice a day until Wednesday than once a day for a little longer

Marianne Charters And your question about fluid. I was lucky and went home 4 days after surgery. I know your stay wa ... Read more

Marianne Charters And your question about fluid. I was lucky and went home 4 days after surgery. I know your stay was longer. It really helps being home and walking and breathing deep. All fluid weight is gone plus a few more pounds. Are you doing ok with bowel activity? That can really cause some bloating and discomfort if you’re not taking care of that issue. I worked in the pharmacy satellite of a cardiovascular hospital for many many years

Debbie Chatzky I am was taking miralaz and milk of mag in hospital and still have the effects. Which is better than ... Read more

Debbie Chatzky I am was taking miralaz and milk of mag in hospital and still have the effects. Which is better than other way but very gassy. Combined with fluid and full sternotomy. Trying to balance it all.

Carol Kauffman Are you on Amiodorone? That med can cause wierd visual side effects- I was on it for 2 weeks post o.p ... Read more

Carol Kauffman Are you on Amiodorone? That med can cause wierd visual side effects- I was on it for 2 weeks post o.p. and I had ocular migraines etc for 2 months. They seem to have resolved. Good luck!

Debbie Chatzky I was dosed down from amiodorabe from twice a day to once a day. Visuals are better but still happeni ... Read more

Debbie Chatzky I was dosed down from amiodorabe from twice a day to once a day. Visuals are better but still happening. Very hard med.

Debbie Chatzkyposted a journal

2714 days ago

Carolyn Newell, Mark Wilbur, Kelly Stoll and 2 others reacted to this

Surgery was successful. ICU 2 nights. Then step down floor. Irregular heart beat so added metrprol and amiodone. Blood volume was low at 7 so added unit of ...Read more

Surgery was successful. ICU 2 nights. Then step down floor. Irregular heart beat so added metrprol and amiodone. Blood volume was low at 7 so added unit of blood. All along breathing difficulties. Found much fluid in lungs. Aspirated a liter in each lung! Belly very distentended. If belly gets better and fluid stays out of lungs can I go home tomorrow? Upside getting stronger and being waited on! Hope everyone is doing well!

Gina Fiorentino Thanks for the update Debbie. Keeping you in my thoughts for continued good recovery... and that you ... Read more

Gina Fiorentino Thanks for the update Debbie. Keeping you in my thoughts for continued good recovery... and that you get to go home tomorrow!

Adam Boyadjis Hang in there Debbie! Sounds like you’re through the toughest parts for sure.

Rita Savelis Hello Debbie. All your OHS after effects sound normal to me. Better to stay in hospital a bit longer ... Read more

Rita Savelis Hello Debbie. All your OHS after effects sound normal to me. Better to stay in hospital a bit longer than to go home and have to come back. (I had lung aspirations 4 times!) It's still very early for you. I wish you a smooth recovery from now on.

Judy Shaw Continued prayers for your recovery Debbie and you get to go home soon.

Rose Madura Hopefully things will settle down. I agree with Rita. Best if they keep you so you dkknt have to be ... Read more

Rose Madura Hopefully things will settle down. I agree with Rita. Best if they keep you so you dkknt have to be readmitted. But sometimes these decisions are left to insurance comoany - as unforthhnate as it is. Take recovery slow and give your body time to heal. I wish you the best.

Kelly Stoll Continue to look for the upside and hang in there. Hoping your turn the corner soon and get to break ... Read more

Kelly Stoll Continue to look for the upside and hang in there. Hoping your turn the corner soon and get to break out when things are all straightened out. Best wishes and thinking of you.

Bonnie Stone-Hope Good to hear from you.
Hope you feel better very soon.

Debbie Chatzkyposted a journal

2718 days ago

Judy Shaw, Kelly Stoll, Mark Wilbur reacted to this

The pain has been better today. Haven’t needed narcotics since yesterday. Have been breathless. Heart rate is not in sinus and higher rate. 80s 90s. Giving ...Read more

The pain has been better today. Haven’t needed narcotics since yesterday. Have been breathless. Heart rate is not in sinus and higher rate. 80s 90s. Giving me meds to try to bring sinus rythym back. Don’t like every nurse tell me it’s anxiety. I know anxiety for me this is not it.

Anna Jones That would drive me crazy too. Glad your pain is tolerable. Sending prayers that your heart rate sl ... Read more

Anna Jones That would drive me crazy too. Glad your pain is tolerable. Sending prayers that your heart rate slows to normal.

Mark Wilbur Stick to your guns, Debbie. At some point they have to listen and respect what you are telling them. ... Read more

Mark Wilbur Stick to your guns, Debbie. At some point they have to listen and respect what you are telling them. Prayers for your complete recovery.

Marie Myers I felt breathless for the first couple weeks. My heart rate was a little up, also. As my blood count ... Read more

Marie Myers I felt breathless for the first couple weeks. My heart rate was a little up, also. As my blood count came up, and residual fluid on my lungs absorbed, I lost those short of breath feelings. I also had to sit down in the shower for a week or so due to exhaustion. Hope things start improving for you!

Debbie Chatzkyposted an update

2724 days ago

I will have a sternotomy when they replace my mitral valve. My sternom has an elevated bone protruding across just under collar bone. I am conerned that this ...Read more

I will have a sternotomy when they replace my mitral valve. My sternom has an elevated bone protruding across just under collar bone. I am conerned that this will be harder for recovery. Has anyone had experience with this. Hope everyone is doing well! Thank you.

Jennifer John Good luck tomorrow, Debbie. I’m right with you — 5/31!💪🏼❤️🌺

Debbie Chatzkyposted a journal

2731 days ago

Does anyone having surgery have diabetes?I have type 2 diabetes and am reading different things on how it will be handled during surgery.

Jim Harvey I do Debbie. There is a process called the Portland Protocol, which includes constant/frequent monit ... Read more

Jim Harvey I do Debbie. There is a process called the Portland Protocol, which includes constant/frequent monitoring of glucose. During my week in the hospital they checked my glucose so many times I felt like the proverbial pin cushion. I was not given any of my regular pills or LT insulin, they managed it through Humalog.

Debbie Chatzky Thank you for the info Jim. I will as my surgeons nurse about this. Was you recovery complicated or l ... Read more

Debbie Chatzky Thank you for the info Jim. I will as my surgeons nurse about this. Was you recovery complicated or longer because of the diabetes?

Susan Roberts Hi Debbie. While I am not a diabetic, my blood sugar went a bit crazy during the surgery. Thankfully ... Read more

Susan Roberts Hi Debbie. While I am not a diabetic, my blood sugar went a bit crazy during the surgery. Thankfully they put in a port during surgery to do the blood draws, sugar checks,etc. Best wishes with your surgery and a speedy recovery.

Debbie Chatzkyposted an update

2735 days ago

I just read an article about heart surgery and cognitive decline afterwards. Has anyone been affected by this?

Kelly Stoll Hi Debbie. I did not have any issues with this. Though there are articles here about "pumphead" if th ... Read more

Kelly Stoll Hi Debbie. I did not have any issues with this. Though there are articles here about "pumphead" if that is what you are talking about. A few of the other members have posted articles about it and mentioned the effect before. Hope this is of some help.

Wanda Mroz It’s generally a temporary condition. I did feel fuzzy and was more forgetful, but it Has gotten b ... Read more

Wanda Mroz It’s generally a temporary condition. I did feel fuzzy and was more forgetful, but it Has gotten better with time. I refer to it as pumphead also! I had some weird vision floaters that looked like gold specks... they had me checked out and said it was prob something like occular migraines although I’ve always gotten those. I had frequent occular migraines and sporadic double vision occur... but the migraines have always gotten frequent after other surgeries also. And I believe that’s more due to the anesthesia. All of it is temporary and does eventually go away. And I’m less forgetful!

Willie Radl Cognitively, I felt completely normal immediately after waking up. I was probably not as "normal" as ... Read more

Willie Radl Cognitively, I felt completely normal immediately after waking up. I was probably not as "normal" as I felt but even with breathing tube in I was writing to talk to my wife about how my surgery went. I think my surgery was under 6hrs total, and a little more than an hour on the heart lung machine.

Rose Madura For about 3 days after the surgery, I had a hard time finding the right words. Other than that, I fe ... Read more

Rose Madura For about 3 days after the surgery, I had a hard time finding the right words. Other than that, I felt fine. I always knew what was going on and even took a phone call just a couple of hours after I woke up. I still remember the call.

Rita Savelis It's always hard to tell what is the result of what. Is it meds? Is it getting older? Is it hours in ... Read more

Rita Savelis It's always hard to tell what is the result of what. Is it meds? Is it getting older? Is it hours in anasthesia? Cognitive decline occurs naturally and because of so many variables... I would say that for me OHS was an acceleration of certain things. My eye sight went drastically down and I do have more trouble remembering things. But again that could just be a convergence with old age decline (I had OHS at 54).

Barbara Wood I felt like my short term memory took a hit for a couple months after surgery, but it's back to norma ... Read more

Barbara Wood I felt like my short term memory took a hit for a couple months after surgery, but it's back to normal now.

Lilly Black With OHS #2, no decline. My surgeon recommended strict diet especially no sugar for quicker healing, ... Read more

Lilly Black With OHS #2, no decline. My surgeon recommended strict diet especially no sugar for quicker healing, and no pain meds. I only took pain meds on 1st day post surgery. There was no cognitive decline for me. It was not difficult because I hardly eat sugar or sugary foods and I’m not the kind of person that pops pills when I’m not feeling well or in pain. He gave excellent care and advice before and after OHS. Good luck!✌️

Susan Lynn I just spoke to my cardiologist about pumphead. I felt like I was struggling for names and some word ... Read more

Susan Lynn I just spoke to my cardiologist about pumphead. I felt like I was struggling for names and some words for several months after surgery. According to my doctor, it is real, but usually temporary. He studied pumphead as a Fellow 20 years ago and said that the bypass machines and approaches in cardiac surgery have greatly reduced this side effect. It's a valid concern and I also mentioned it to my surgeon during my initial consultation. I wanted bypass time kept to a minimum. That's another reason I opted to forego full robotic surgery since it can take hours longer.

Wanda Mroz Yes robotic or minimally invasive does take longer.. same reason I opted for OHS as well.

Carmel Robertson I had a robotic mitral valve repair that took three hours overall which I think is the same as a ster ... Read more

Carmel Robertson I had a robotic mitral valve repair that took three hours overall which I think is the same as a sternotomy? My repair was 100% ie no leak at this stage! I think choosing the right surgeon is really important. I spent 4 months finding who I wanted to repair my valve. As for after effects, I had some short term memory issues and difficulty concentrating but this is resolving as I get better.

Debbie Chatzkyposted a journal

2737 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

Did anyone find that they needed additional help in the hospital or was the nursing staff timely in answering call Button?

Susan Killian My experience with nursing staff was very positive! Always got help promptly! They anticipated my ... Read more

Susan Killian My experience with nursing staff was very positive! Always got help promptly! They anticipated my needs and made sure I was comfortable!

Nancy Surprenant Takahashi I can't say enough about the staff at Cedars in Los Angeles, they were amazing.

Willie Radl When I was in ICU there was a nurse in the room with me at all times. in the step down they were ther ... Read more

Willie Radl When I was in ICU there was a nurse in the room with me at all times. in the step down they were there within 20-30 seconds of pushing the button.

Susan Lynn My nursing staff was lightening fast, but I think I only pressed the call button twice throughout my ... Read more

Susan Lynn My nursing staff was lightening fast, but I think I only pressed the call button twice throughout my stay. I slept most of the first day and was up and around on my own on day 2. I didn't need the help I thought I would after surgery. Good luck - I'm sure your nurses will be attentive to your every need.

Lilly Black I was at St John’s in Santa Monica and the nurses were amazing! My surgeon visited me every day, an ... Read more

Lilly Black I was at St John’s in Santa Monica and the nurses were amazing! My surgeon visited me every day, and many different doctors came to visit and to check on me. I hardly had to use the button. The care I received was top notch. 😊

Rose Madura I have great nursing care while in the hospital. They came quickly when I buzzed.

Catie B There was always a response and usually very prompt!