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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: November 12, 2018

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Karrie Irby-Williams posted an update

7 years ago (January 2, 2019)

We are 4 weeks out from Justin's surgery and overall things are going very well. Spent New Years Eve at ER due to irregular heart beat from not taking his metoprolol. I had to hold it from low BP when upper number was going below 100 and pulse was going... Read more.

Jill Mullikin

Ah heck. I was hoping you were quiet because you were busy celebrating the holidays with your family! Crazy how Justin and Bash's hospital stays were so similar but they are definitely having different recoveries. Guess there is no one size fits all to this is there? Hang in there... Read more.

Karrie Irby-Williams

Thank you !!!

Debbie Kelly

My mother lost blood during her surgery, had to have transfusions, and was re-admitted a month later to have more transfusions. Granted she was much older than your son, I understand it is something that is not uncommon. My mother ended up having to have shots for about a year... Read more.

Karrie Irby-Williams

Thank you Debbie!

Debbie Kelly

You are welcome, Karrie. I forgot to mention that one of the symptoms of a low hemoglobin count is shortness of breath. I had never heard of anything like that before. I thought my mom was, either, having an asthma attack or her new valve had failed.

Marie Myers

Has he seen a gastrointestinal doc? Sometimes we can develope stomach ulcers from the stress of the surgery, which can lead to anemia afterwards. Especially if you say his stomach has been bothering him. I would at least ask about that.

Thomas Brusstar

The blood thinners can cause gastro-intestinal bleeding. The hemoglobin shouldn't be going down, I wouldn't think, unless there's some internal bleeding. I would guess ulcers or other gastro bleeding is the most likely culprit, assuming blood thinners are being used. But my hemo after surgery was 9 and I felt... Read more.

Karrie Irby-Williams

Thank you all so much for responding!!! The nurse at the ER asked him about this stool being black and he thought it was but not sure and his stomach hurting was very minimal but became more of a concern to me after seeing his hemoglobin went down. He was... Read more.

Karrie Irby-Williams

Update: called the surgeon on call and not goIng back to ER just yet... starting him on acid reducer tonIght

Dan Baltazor

Good to hear. Hopefully this will resolve soon.

Karrie Irby-Williams posted an update

7 years ago (December 11, 2018)

Justin is doing really well and we are at 8 Days post surgery! Only issue seems to be his Heart rate. He was sent home with BP meds Metoprolol 25mg (1/2 in am and 1/2 in pm) and once a day Lisinopril-5mg. His Bp has been too low twice and... Read more.

Lisa Guinan

My HR was in the low 100s when I first got home from the hospital. I'm now in the low 90s. Im not currently on a beta blocker. I know it takes awhile for your heart to settle down after surgery, it doesn't realize it doesn't have to work as... Read more.

Dan Baltazor

Lisa said it. Also, I'm on the Metoprolol, beta blocker, and that helps your heart have some control post op. For 4 weeks post op I was on 25mg but twice a day. Looks like they are also having you do twice a day, but halving the pill. I had... Read more.

Jill Mullikin

I hope things have calmed down today. Thinking of you both!!

Catie B

Hope things are going better, Karrie!

Karrie Irby-Williams

Heart seems to be fine today. Low bp this morning so no AM med given just gave PM dose. Only issue now seem to be he is VERY VERY irritable 😢

Karrie Irby-Williams

Thanks for the kind words, feeling pretty emotional, the stress of it all seems to be getting to us both

Bob Santospago

Most everyone who had valve replacement has told me the same ... high heart rate in the beginning, but under control in no time at all.

Adam Pick

That was my experience too! High heart rate to start. Then, it slowed down.

Mark Bower

As many have already stated, I too had the same experience. It took awhile to fine tune my meds and pacemaker to get my heart rate to a slower and more comfortable rate. Now, even when exercising, my heart rate is more appropriate to whatever I'm doing at the time.... Read more.

Mark Bower

Another quick thought, there have been articles on whether or not iPhone HR monitor is accurate or not. Their new version even states it's not for patients with heart conditions. Having a blood pressure monitor that also records his HR is the best at home. He's still early in this... Read more.

Julie Gerard

My metoprolol was increased a couple different times because of high heart rate after surgery. Lots of people have said their's starts to go down pretty quickly. I'm 8 months post surgery, and my heart rate still is higher than before.

Richard King

Hi Karrie, my resting was in the 100s initially, and stayed up in the 90s for several months. Did not go completely to normal for an entire year. I was on 100 mg metaprolol to help with it until about 9 months, and the lowered to 50. My cardiologist still... Read more.

Betty Atwater

After the repair of my mitral and tricuspid valves and a MAZE procedure for AFib, I was on a pretty high dose of metoprolol (100mg 2x/day - then reduced to 50mg 2x/day). My heart rate was a pretty constant 115-125 for almost 2 months, even though I had a pacemaker/defibrillator... Read more.

Don Faust

it takes time for everything to get back to normal, My heart rate was low 50's before surgery after surgery in the 80's each month it dropped in three months in the low 60's bpm. also had the low bp problem metoprolol 25mg x 2 a day after first month... Read more.

Rosie Craig

I am 7 months post op with aortic valve replacement and aortic aneurysm repair. I went through the same thing. My heart rate would go to 120 when I was sitting on the couch watching tv. I was taking my blood pressure way too much and then would get nervous.... Read more.

Karrie Irby-Williams posted a photo

7 years ago (December 6, 2018)

Doing much better !

👍 Catie B, Susan Lynn and reacted to this

Catie B

Good to hear, Karrie!

Jill McDonald

He looks great! Smooth sailing ahead!

Karen Warren

Looking great, Justin. You will be home before you know it.

Susan Lynn

Looking great!!! ❤

Dan Baltazor

Great news!!

Barbara Wood

Justin's looking great!

Rob Sparling

Way to go Justin! Thumbs up for you and your superhero mom!

Jennifer McInerney

Looking good

Karrie Irby-Williams

Thanks y'all .. we came home yesterday and had a goodnight sleeping in our own beds😴😴😴 Thanks again , we couldn't name it through without all the wonderful support we've received! So thankful for Adam and this website...

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