Kevin Crain - Heart Valve Journal

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1558 days ago

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Mitral valve robotic repair surgery last week, Wednesday April 21. Home on Sunday April 25. First three days at home have walked 4000-6000 steps a day. But ...Read more

Mitral valve robotic repair surgery last week, Wednesday April 21. Home on Sunday April 25. First three days at home have walked 4000-6000 steps a day. But still feeling discomfort, ache, swelling feeling under armpit where incision made. Have only been taking tylenol for it. Almost feels like nerves waking up Other issue have been lightheaded when getting up from chair. At times where I have to stop and steady myself or feel like would feint. Have been on metoprolol for years 25 mg/1x day. Post surgery on it 12.5mg/2x day. Plus this week other short term meds, lasix, phosphate, magnesium

Cheryl Mann Wow Kevin! You are doing great! I had the same surgery - same day too! I am not walking anywhere c ... Read more

Cheryl Mann Wow Kevin! You are doing great! I had the same surgery - same day too! I am not walking anywhere close to that. I’m wondering if either you are doing too much or maybe not drinking enough water? I have been trying to add only one new thing per day (new activity or mew increase in something I was already doing). Sounds like your pain control is actually pretty good. Have you tried using an ice pack?

Richard Munson Welcome to the club man. All those post surgery symptoms are part of the game. They fade as time goes ... Read more

Richard Munson Welcome to the club man. All those post surgery symptoms are part of the game. They fade as time goes by. I still have occasional bouts of lightheadedness even after 3 months but i just got off the treadmill after a 1/2 hour at 2.6 mph and i am 79 so hang in there. After lunch another 1/2 hour, then walk the dog outside. Yahoo.

Joseph Heinzmann Kevin, this is pretty consistent with my experience as well, though I did not walk that much until ab ... Read more

Joseph Heinzmann Kevin, this is pretty consistent with my experience as well, though I did not walk that much until about 9 days after surgery. Maybe slow down just a bit and take a day off. A couple of days off will do wonders for you. When I started walking I did too much too soon and it set me back. If you're feeling weak, pain, or lightheaded, listen to the feedback and take it easy. It gets better but you have to respect that it takes time.

Yes, I had pain at incision sites but it was manageable for me with Tylenol. I had the most pain if I reached for something like the light switch on my bedroom lamp. Solution: don't reach for things (which was difficult for me but I tried hard). To be honest, I had tenderness in my right chest muscles for weeks, well over a month, after surgery. It was more annoying than painful, but that's gone now and I don't even remember when it stopped. Early on, sleeping positions were touch and go but the group solution for that is PILLOW FORT.

Beta blockers after surgery did exactly the same thing to me; had a couple of whoa moments when I thought I was gong to stumble.. Had to get up slowly, first a sit up, then a supported stand at first, not for strength, but for balance and steadiness. Gotta go slow here until your body gets acclimated to things. It gets better.

I'm three months out now and I'm hiking a few times a week, walking a couple of others, and still taking a day here and there.

Kevin Crain Thank you all! Your advice is so helpful. I was someone who exercised vigorously for 40 years before ... Read more

Kevin Crain Thank you all! Your advice is so helpful. I was someone who exercised vigorously for 40 years before this. No surgeries. This is all so new to me. I am sure I have pushed a bit too hard at first. And most of my issues is a matter of time to resolve. Every day I do feel incrementally better. It is so nice to have this community to be able to talk to. Glad you are all doing well. Gives me hope for the future