Phil's Journal

Brenda Miller  Totally understand the ups and downs post AVR ...glad that your one year appointment showed good results!

Cathleen Weed  I know that amiodarone can affect the thyroid (underactive thyroid will cause cold hands and feet). I would mention it to the doctor. Most of the time it's a benign side effect and will go away when you discontinue the med.

Sophia Ridley  Yes, i had cold hands and feet, and would shudder. I was very low in iron. (there's two types blood iron and stored iron) Simple blood test will confirm if the case, I took supplements for 3 months and ate iron rich food.

Rita Savelis  I was FREEZING for months after OHS. Your body's temperature regulation is really thrown off and it takes a while to stabilize. I covered myself with blankets and wore sweaters all summer.

Denise Campbell  Same here. It hasn't lasted as long as Rita's but of course I had a hysterectomy two months before my ohs so I'm getting hot flashes now. Oy getting old isn't for sissies. And I'm only 50. Lol. But alive and thankful to God

Gail Magnus  I was told my temperature gage was off due to the heart and lung machine. I was told the sweating at night and the temp changes would go away...and they did. I'm 3 1/2 months post op and those things went away after about 4-6 weeks.

Michael Carbone  Yes i experienced the same thing. My first surgery was 17 years ago. I used to just hate the heat but now it does not bother me at all. But am really cold in the winter. Seems to have changed body temp a lot.

Rita Savelis  If you're on betablockers, Phil, they can also make your hands and feet cold...
I don't take them anymore, but still feel
cold so easily.....

Linda Yaff  Are you going with mechanical or biological? I have to have mine done too - and haven't made the decision yet

Jennifer Hart  Hi. My aortic valve was repaired at birth, but has been replaced with a mechanical valve 3 times now. Each time has been due to age, normal wear and tear. :) I will have to have it done again. My current valve is already 7yo. The mechanical requires meds and blood tests the tissue valve doesn't, but I am so used to the "ticking" sound it makes, I could never choose the biological now. My fingers are crossed for you. 10-15yrs is a long time. They will come up with something new and improved long before then! You'll see. Good Luck!!!

Billy G  Phil, I'm 34, and I had my aortic valve repaired about 4.5 months ago. The surgeon told me he would not repair it unless he felt the repair would last at least 10 years. My Plan B was an On-X valve.

The day after surgery, they told me that they repaired my valve but were not happy with the initial repair after testing it. They then spent more time (during the same surgery) to further repair it and were satisfied with the repair. I now have mild regurgitation (instead of severe regurgitation), but the surgeon said he felt it was better to have mild regurgitation than a prosthetic valve. I fully trust his judgment on that matter. And based on the reaction and body language of both the surgeon and my cardiologist when viewing my echo and comparing it to my old echo, I can tell they are thrilled with the results.

While it would be awesome for the repaired valve to last the rest of my life, I am hoping it lasts at least long enough for advancements in the medical field that may include alternatives to open heart surgery and, even better, better valve options. If the repair fails before there are significant medical advances, I do not think I'll have any regrets having at least given the repair a shot.

It also looks like you have a great surgeon with a great reputation. When I was searching for surgeons, I knew that a "great surgeon" could not guarantee outcomes, but it helped me going into surgery knowing I did as much as possible to find the right guy for me that gave me a chance of repair. My biggest fear was having the valve replaced, for example, and then finding out that somebody else could have repaired it. Once I chose my surgeon, I was comfortable that if he could not repair my valve, it was unlikely anyone else could. When you have a surgeon that has procedures named after him like your surgeon, that should help you have some confidence you are doing everything in your control to work towards a great outcome.

Best wishes with everything!

Phil Gerber  Thanks Jennifer and Billy for your input, it is great to hear from someone who was in a similar situation. I am just over 1 month post op and find myself 2nd guessing a lot if having the repair was the best decision....time will tell i guess.

Billy G  Phil, I know this is easier said than done, but as a person that has also gone through surgery as well, I feel like it has at least a little more meaning to say what I'm about to say. This definitely is my own way of dealing with things and may not work for others, but I really try not to think about "what ifs" and whatnot. All of us wish we did not have to be in this situation at all, and it is annoying that I have taken very good care of myself health-wise yet had such a major issue arise. I do not like that my repaired valve is still mildly leaking, but I know that I have done nearly everything possible to prevent health problems and have done as much research as possible leading into surgery to make a relatively good decision. I am thankful that modern medicine is able to address such problems with such great levels of success and can only hope that medicine will have significant advances by the time I may need further medical attention for the leaking valve (if ever).

I think everyone has various ups and downs post-surgery, but do the best you can to stay positive. There are a lot of us in a similar situation and many that have traveled further down this journey than you and I have at this point that are doing great.