Michael's Journal

Does somebody have good info on chances of getting valve infection? I was told that when I go to dentist I ought to have antibiotics. What about normal life? Things like flossing your teeth, toothbrushing. Can a bit of blood there be a problem? Thanks.

Well, time helps. Went back to work 2.5 weeks ago. Very busy schedule but helps as time goes faster. Pain is almost gone, mostly pressure in chest. Did not have to take Tylenol for at least 3 weeks. I have been going to gym for 2.5 weeks. I have tried running but found that it is a bit too much jolt for the chest. Thus stationary bike is a better option for now. Heart rate went down a bit ( still not my usual 64 ). But with metoprolol stays in 80s. This is encouraging as it was 100 four weeks ago. Also, found that what I thought was 'no symptoms' more than likely were symptoms. Going up the stairs even now seems easier.

Hello, I was reading quite a few reviews that people ran 4 miles or 5k about 6 months after surgery. This is a question to people who resumed running after surgery. How soon you started to do it? What was your system at the beginning? Thanks in advance.

I went to cardiologist today and he referred me to Cardiac Rehab. Starting one tomorrow. Really looking forward. I was always at the gym before surgery and miss this part of my life. I hope they will help me out to get back on track. Returning back to work next Monday. While I still feel pain in my chest bone and at the surgery spot it is not as bad as before. I stopped using Tylenol last week. Now the evenings are more of a challenge as Tylenol was helping me out. But I remember long time ago one of the doctors told me that pain gives your brain a signal to heal the body. I hope it is true statement :). My heart rate went down a bit. Now it is around 95-100 ( it was above 100-107 first few weeks ). And I take metoprolol. My cardiologist told me today that during the surgery they had to cut a few nerves around to get to the spot they needed to repair. Thus the heart rate can be up. He said it would take time for the nerves to grow back ( unfortunately takes long time :) ). Still, once it happens ( can take up to a year ), I should be able to go back to my normal 60-70 HR. In a meantime I will need to take more metoprolol ( 50 mg twice a day ) to keep my heart rate lower. Nevertheless, it should not preclude me from doing anything.

It has been two weeks. I stopped using Vicodin a week ago. Cut down Tylenol to only once a day, but so far I can not go through the evening without it. I feel better in the morning and during the day, but evening is a challenge. I have been walking since day 2. The first walk was probably 20 steps :). I covered 1 mile today. Pain does not go away. Also, that causes my heart rate to go up. When I was on Vicodin it was in mid 80s, now it is about 100. It goes down a bit after I take Tylenol. I checked with the doctor. He said it was normal response to the shock the surgery brought on my body. He said it would go away over time. I hope so :).