Gail's Journal

Sara Latina  I am in the same boat Gail! I've changed from Metoprolol to Propranolol and there was a very small improvement, but overall I am still super exhausted. I am told by some people it was 6 to 12 months before the fatigue was gone. Just have to try to focus on the little improvements you have made and try to do things in small chunks. You'll find the holiday spirit don't worry. You are a heart warrior now. you got this!

Susan Lynn  I've been there, too, Gail. The fatigue lasted a long time. Might want to see if your hemoglobin is back to normal. Three months may seem like awhile since many other post-op symptoms are long gone, but you're still recovering and will be for awhile. I had surgery in December 2017 and was pretty wiped out for the holidays - I had so much to be grateful for, I didn't worry about the celebrating with the traditional trimmings. You can celebrate for many years to come because you took the steps to take care of your heart. Enjoy the holidays in whatever way you decide to spend them! ❤💚

Mathew Johnson  I am now 5 months post mitral valve repair, fatigue had gone away but came back due to underlying ventricle wall damage, steroids had masked, my case is unusual, it does take up to a year to fully recover permanently brother who has just gotten past a year.

Rita Savelis  It is normal to be tired for a long time after surgery. My surgeons did not give me a number of months - they just said a LONG time. Recovery can be very slow, your body needs time to heal. You can't see your heart but it is central and affects everything. It's been through trauma. Sometimes reading other peoples stories makes one feel like one should be running a marathon a week after OHS. Betablockers can make one tired as well. I felt so much better when I finally got off of betablockers (at my insistance). There was much I had planned to do 6 months after OHS that I didn't do until a year later. Of course I was doing things, but with a lot less energy. Take it easy. Take it slow. There will be other holidays in the future. This is such a tiring time of year anyway. Take care.

  As I read all these comments I’m reminded of how tired I was after my surgery two years ago November 26. Yes,I did miss Thanksgiving celebration too. But, day by day it got better and I did walk inside the house every time I would think about what I was told “walk as often as you can even if it it is a few steps”. I had a few hiccups along the way but little by little I got stronger and walked more. Like Rita says reading other people’s stories I should have been running a marathon after OHS but not in my case. We have to realized we are all different and our recovery is individual. Take it easy and one day at a time and be patient with your body, it will respond in its own time. I wish for you Sara and Gail that your energy level will improve soon and Mathew that your recovery will get better. God bless you all.

Richard Munson  I never had any fatigue after surgery. Maybe cuz my faithful loving companion (cassie) was always pushing me for her first walk. After my initial p. t. Visit to the house and she said walking a 120 pound dog was not smart, i immediately did it of course with wife close behind with her thumb on the 911 button telling me i’m off my rocker. Never took directions well. We started slowly and increased our range every week. Now after 11 months i tire her out.