Just wondering if anyone has had problems down the track after AVR surgery with regards to “foggy brain,muscle loss,etc. My surgery was successful but find ...Read more
Just wondering if anyone has had problems down the track after AVR surgery with regards to “foggy brain,muscle loss,etc. My surgery was successful but find there are some “weird” things happining.
Rose Madura I didn't have foggy brain except the for few days. I did lose up upper body muscle strength which I'm ... Read more
Rose Madura I didn't have foggy brain except the for few days. I did lose up upper body muscle strength which I'm trying to build back up. Some of that could simply be age related as well.
Ana Brusso Hi Noel, the foggy brain has been discussed here several times. I had it but eventually has gone away ... Read more
Ana Brusso Hi Noel, the foggy brain has been discussed here several times. I had it but eventually has gone away. As far as muscle strength I don’t try to lift more than 10 pounds so not so sure on that. As Rose said it can be caused by aging. Hope you find some answers. Glad your surgery went well. Keep us posted and God bless you
Andrew Dial I’m almost a year out of surgery, and am still on beta blockers, which cause me some brain fog. I a ... Read more
Andrew Dial I’m almost a year out of surgery, and am still on beta blockers, which cause me some brain fog. I am also not fully back to the stamina i should have, but am working my way there. I have little things here and there too. Like PVCs at times.
Rita Savelis I hear you Noel. It's hard to know what causes what. Is it meds? Is it ageing? Is it short and/or lon ... Read more
Rita Savelis I hear you Noel. It's hard to know what causes what. Is it meds? Is it ageing? Is it short and/or long term effects? I wonder whether my symptoms stem long term effects of cancer treatment or from anesthesia. You are not the only one wondering about this. I'd be vocal with my doctors to let them know what you are experiencing. Take care.
Pamela Gregory I agree its hard to tell weather its meds, surgery, trauma, etc.with brain and emotions. My upper bo... Read more
Pamela Gregory I agree its hard to tell weather its meds, surgery, trauma, etc.with brain and emotions. My upper body is still very weak but getting better 7 months out. I could lift more but if I do the front of my body lets me know not to. I do feel like my arms and chest looked like I was in my 90's after surgery (weight loss and total muscle loss). Now I think just from doing life and very, very light weights I have entered the 60's . I am 55 and hope by the begging of July to look like it HaHa!!!
STEPHEN MORRIS I still have foggy brain..often wonder if it was from heart lung machine. My surgery took 6 hours lon ... Read more
STEPHEN MORRIS I still have foggy brain..often wonder if it was from heart lung machine. My surgery took 6 hours longer than expected...it was 13 hours.
Any one had issues with poor cognition and memory loss.Also very low iron and muscle loss🤯
Klara Čičić Dear Noel, there was mention of poorer cognition after hvs here (the "pump head"), but very low iron ... Read more
Klara Čičić Dear Noel, there was mention of poorer cognition after hvs here (the "pump head"), but very low iron and weight loss at your age and being male demands for some more diagnostic as it could be serious, please contact your PCP if you already haven't. Hope it is just postsurgery thing, but better be safe :) Postsurgery anemia resolves in about 3-4 months after the surgery, and muscle atrophy should get better as you excersize... Keep us updated.
Rose Madura Noel, I didn't have low iron but did experience muscle loss. Gradually, I've gotten stronger and at ... Read more
Rose Madura Noel, I didn't have low iron but did experience muscle loss. Gradually, I've gotten stronger and at my age, we lose muscle mass anyway so I'm doing some small weight lifting exercises to help with that.
Marie Myers I would get a check up regarding cognition from either your primary provider or neurologist if you ca ... Read more
Marie Myers I would get a check up regarding cognition from either your primary provider or neurologist if you can do that. There are many causes of altered cognition, including low thyroid, low B12, depression, ect. Hopefully you can Get a diagnosis, and then you can deal with whatever the cause. Keep us posted!
sincerest regrets.I have been very slack and not letting you know “where I’m at “after my surgery.It has been five weeks now and I have been given the ...Read more
sincerest regrets.I have been very slack and not letting you know “where I’m at “after my surgery.It has been five weeks now and I have been given the “all clear”by my surgeon and cardiologist .My heart is spot on and I am off all the meds.except for some Panadol for the pain from my septum which looks like it could take a while to go back to normal.Lucky Irish right .Once again sorry for not keeping you updated on my situation but I will keep you updated.
Marie Myers No need to apologize! You were busy recovering and healing… Glad to hear things are going well for ... Read more
Marie Myers No need to apologize! You were busy recovering and healing… Glad to hear things are going well for you!
Susan Lynn Noel - Good to hear from you! Glad all is well. Wishing you continued success with the remainder ... Read more
Susan Lynn Noel - Good to hear from you! Glad all is well. Wishing you continued success with the remainder of your recovery!
Klara Čičić I am happy for you, Noel! This is great news. Off all the meds? Wow! Now relax and enjoy life :)
Rose Madura Wonderful news! Thanks for the update.
Ana Brusso Noel, you Irish you……..so good to hear you are doing so well. No need to apologize as we all unde ... Read more
Ana Brusso Noel, you Irish you……..so good to hear you are doing so well. No need to apologize as we all understand recovery. Keep up the good work. Continued good health and God bless you 🙏❤️🎄🎅🏼☘️
Hello every body and I truely hope you are all well.It has now been 4 weeks since my Aortic valve replacement and and quite honestly I don’t know if I am ...Read more
Hello every body and I truely hope you are all well.It has now been 4 weeks since my Aortic valve replacement and and quite honestly I don’t know if I am Arthur or Martha.Besides all the stuff we all went through in the way of weird feelings and pains (I’m sure) I have got this “foggy brain” thing going on and was wondering has anyone else had a similar problem.Please don’t get me wrong but my op. went really well and the feelings and strange pains are what’s to be expected right.In fact I was very lucky to have one of only two collage of surgeons instructors .Saw him last week and he said to go away.So all things considered I am very lucky.What I do have to watch out for now is “over doing things” as I start to get back to normal.Opps,sorry ,did not intend to make this so long winded”( pun) .Just to make this a bit longer,I would sincerely like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart( worse pun)for all your encouragement and kind and supportive words.If anyone else has had “foggy brain” issues I would love to hear about it.Please take care .
Marie Myers Welcome to the recovery side, Noel. I felt like my thinking speed was slow for a couple weeks after m ... Read more
Marie Myers Welcome to the recovery side, Noel. I felt like my thinking speed was slow for a couple weeks after my surgery. Things continued to improve over the next few weeks. I know some people have mentioned prolonged brain fog, and hopefully they will chime in. Hope things continue on a good path for you!
Rose Madura Hi Noel. Welcome to recovery. Thankfully, I was "foggy" for just a few days, I think 🤔. Which was ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi Noel. Welcome to recovery. Thankfully, I was "foggy" for just a few days, I think 🤔. Which was a blessing because I had about 3 months of physical complications. I guess it is different for each person but every real. Four weeks is still early. God bless you.
Noel Cullen Thank you Rose and Marie for your kind words and advice.My good wife says it’s probably something t ... Read more
Noel Cullen Thank you Rose and Marie for your kind words and advice.My good wife says it’s probably something to do with being Irish😵💫🥴
Greg Lewis Hey Noel! My guess it is the anasthetic. It should wear off. I had a ton of it, and was out for a ... Read more
Greg Lewis Hey Noel! My guess it is the anasthetic. It should wear off. I had a ton of it, and was out for a long time. They were not sure i would know my wife even! So, it did something to my memories. I describe it as..now i have like a life before surgery, and one after. It was like i didnt fit at home, or something..Its very strange. People i know, i could not remember their names. Everything is still sort of strange. They told me it should wear off. I had very bad anxiety, after. I could only stand family, for awhile. Lots of emotional problems, and very foggy for awhile. But...it is all getting better. The "time break" remains, but getting used to it. May you become less foggy!! Cheers!
Susan Lynn The brain fog is real. Like Greg, I lost my memory for names. I mentioned it at a follow-up appoin... Read more
Susan Lynn The brain fog is real. Like Greg, I lost my memory for names. I mentioned it at a follow-up appointment with my cardiologist, but it was quickly dismissed as unrelated. There's a controversial condition called 'pump head' and most medical professionals deny its existence, but whatever the cause, there definitely is something after surgery that feels off. The good news is, it will resolve over time. Just one more reason this site is so valuable - there are plenty of people who have been in the same position and can relate. Please keep us posted on your progress and keep looking ahead!
Ed Eller It's great to be in the recovery phase, so good for you! I did not have foggy brain but I keep keep o ... Read more
Ed Eller It's great to be in the recovery phase, so good for you! I did not have foggy brain but I keep keep overdoing things when I feel good and that sets me back a few days. I'm at 8 weeks post op now.
Klara Čičić I have a prolonged brain fog from having three kids in 4 and a half years, so heart valve surgery was ... Read more
Klara Čičić I have a prolonged brain fog from having three kids in 4 and a half years, so heart valve surgery wasn't a problem, didn't notice any change 😂😂😂
Richard Munson I’ve had brain fog for the last 3 years , i’m thinking old age.
Greg Lewis This is a great topic! Noel, thanks for bringing it up! Susan, thanks, now i know i am not the only one! Ed, cool it, or you"ll be back more than a few days. Klara, could be from wackin your head on the wall too many times. 😁 Richard, wack your head on the wall a few times, might clear it up! 😆 ... Read more
Greg Lewis This is a great topic! Noel, thanks for bringing it up! Susan, thanks, now i know i am not the only one! Ed, cool it, or you"ll be back more than a few days. Klara, could be from wackin your head on the wall too many times. 😁 Richard, wack your head on the wall a few times, might clear it up! 😆 Just kiddin gang, but i think we have established brain fog is real. And...i just love the term brain fog! Plus, great excuse, Klara..."well i would have picked up the kids, but heh heh...brain fog." 😁😶🌫️
Ana Brusso I have had it too and it comes back once ina while. Could be the anesthesia or the heart/lung machine ... Read more
Ana Brusso I have had it too and it comes back once ina while. Could be the anesthesia or the heart/lung machine who knows, but it’s real. Luckily it goes away. Noel, maybe is the Irish ☘️ 😍
Patsy Stewart Same! I had spells where I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I knew something was going on, but ... Read more
Patsy Stewart Same! I had spells where I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I knew something was going on, but I just couldn’t get it together. My mom has dementia, and I thought I was in the beginning of developing it myself. My family really noticed it. I am better, but I still have days where I’m clueless.
Donna Casaletto Love your humor! Laughter is the best medicine😂😉‼️
Brady Busch Maybe next time talking to my cardiologist and he asks me a question,I'll just answer,"I haven't the ... Read more
Brady Busch Maybe next time talking to my cardiologist and he asks me a question,I'll just answer,"I haven't the foggiest".
Greg Lewis I guess i laugh about it, because it was very scary. I am getting more used to the feeling, but at fi ... Read more
Greg Lewis I guess i laugh about it, because it was very scary. I am getting more used to the feeling, but at first, i didnt know where it was going. Very scary!
My Doctor asked if I had any strange turns and I said yes and described them to him. I also have hypothyroidism and I am having some problems with cognition ...Read more
My Doctor asked if I had any strange turns and I said yes and described them to him. I also have hypothyroidism and I am having some problems with cognition and memory which is some of the symptoms of being hypo.My Doctor then told me they are also the same symptoms of carotid artery stenosis and I must get it checked prior to valve surgery.Watch this space,I will keep you posted.Thank you for listening .Regards Noel.
Hello everyone.I was born with a murmur which has now developed into Aortic stenosis.( I am 76) I was booked in for a TAVI op.but my Doctor informed me it is ...Read more
Hello everyone.I was born with a murmur which has now developed into Aortic stenosis.( I am 76) I was booked in for a TAVI op.but my Doctor informed me it is not feasible as there is a big build up of calcium around my valve which will not give safe “purchase”for my new valve and I must have open heart surgery as the only option.At least they can remove the calcium and stitch in a new valve in but the thoughts of it is leaving me quite anxious and traumatised but hopefully I will get over it and focus on the positives. (like staying alive and lowering my golf handicap).I was really impressed and grateful to find this wonderfull web site .Thank you for listening and stay safe and well to all.
Susan Jones Hello Noel. I am finding the anxiety the worst to deal with also. You're at the right place for supp... Read more
Susan Jones Hello Noel. I am finding the anxiety the worst to deal with also. You're at the right place for support, advice and love. We're all here for you.
Marie Myers I was also very anxious when I learned I needed open heart surgery. Take one doctor visit at a time ... Read more
Marie Myers I was also very anxious when I learned I needed open heart surgery. Take one doctor visit at a time , and you will get through this . Many of us have been down this path, and you will get through it all as well.
Noel Cullen Thank you from the bottom of my heart (really bad pun) I cherish your kind words.
Rose Madura Noel, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and had my surgery at age 59. The odds are in your favo ... Read more
Rose Madura Noel, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and had my surgery at age 59. The odds are in your favor. I know it's a shock but in time you'll adjust to the idea. Let us know if you have any questions. Godspeed.
Jay Heagerty Welcome Noel. I also had my surgery at 59, same as Rose Maduras, bicuspid aortic valve just over a ye ... Read more
Jay Heagerty Welcome Noel. I also had my surgery at 59, same as Rose Maduras, bicuspid aortic valve just over a year ago. While the pre surgery doubts can be intimidating, try to focus on the positives and your recovery. Best of luck to you!
Pamela Gregory I just had a bicuspid valve replaced 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I am actually still in the hospital becau... Read more
Pamela Gregory I just had a bicuspid valve replaced 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I am actually still in the hospital because of some fluid that formed after surgery around my heart. I am 55 years old and at the Cleveland Clinic. Hopefully pulling the drain tomorrow and I will be discharged again. As I am still going through this process I can tell you I was never more terrified of anything in my life. The support on this site is invaluable because everyone is going through exactly what you are. They have experience and are truthful. I have a terrible pain threshold but have somehow survived this thanks to nurses, my family, and faith playing major roles. They keep you more comfortable than I thought could be possible although certain things aren't wonderful. All in all I am pleasantly surprised at how I am getting better every day. I hope this is somewhat helpful
Ana Brusso Noel, knowing that you will need open heart surgery is anxiety causing. We all have felt that anxiety ... Read more
Ana Brusso Noel, knowing that you will need open heart surgery is anxiety causing. We all have felt that anxiety but also knew it will be needed in order to be healed. You will do well and soon will be here encouraging others. God bless you
Earl Brigham Hey Noel... Imma newbie here as well... This is a great educational resource... Grab this heart th ... Read more
Earl Brigham Hey Noel... Imma newbie here as well... This is a great educational resource... Grab this heart thing by the horns and make it your bitch!!!
Noel Cullen Many thanks to everyone for there encouraging words of wisdom and compassion they have been a great h ... Read more
Noel Cullen Many thanks to everyone for there encouraging words of wisdom and compassion they have been a great help.
I am from: Mandurah., Australia
Rhodie Jacobson, Kimberly Eisenhut, Susan Eckermann and 1 other reacted to this
. I am 55 and hope by the begging of July to look like it HaHa!!!
