Hi everyone!
I found out thru stress echo that the myocardial bridge un-roofing repair in 2/13 either did not hold up, or has developed scar tissue. Im not ...Read more
Hi everyone!
I found out thru stress echo that the myocardial bridge un-roofing repair in 2/13 either did not hold up, or has developed scar tissue. Im not exactly sure? This was one of the many issues that I had repaired over two years ago. My doctor has put me on a beta blocker to see if that helps the pain I endure during stress and exercise. So far, I still feel the pain. Next step will be Cath and then possibly surgery. Wondering if anyone has experience with Myocardial Bridge Repair? Fortunately, Im at Stanford and they have a great research program with MB. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!
shannon
Ellen Leng Don't know anything about myocardial bridge , but hoping you get some answers!
Hmmm… almost 7 months post op now. It feels like yesterday. I came out of the gates strong mentally and physically but seem to have taken a few steps backward ...Read more
Hmmm… almost 7 months post op now. It feels like yesterday. I came out of the gates strong mentally and physically but seem to have taken a few steps backward due to pericarditis and life stresses. I think over the last few weeks I finally actually realized what I went through. I watched a few episodes of the TV show NY Med and they showed very similar surgeries to mine and it made me quite emotional. Up until then I almost tricked my mind into believing that the surgeries were as complex as the knee surgeries I have had….coping mechanism? Maybe. Anyhow, hoping that my continual activity and riding my bike will help get my head back into the game of life! I thought that maybe writing my thoughts in this journal would further help my recovery too.
Adam Pick Hey Shannon, I can relate to and remember the emotional ups-and-downs you mention above. So you know, ... Read more
Adam Pick Hey Shannon, I can relate to and remember the emotional ups-and-downs you mention above. So you know, that is one of the reasons I started this website. To help people connect and relate to each other. Your idea about staying busy is a great one. I know that helps me as well. This an extraordinary game of life. Let's stay on the court and play it. Keep on tickin! Adam Pick
shannon parratto Thank you Adam, your story and website have been an invaluable resource throughout this crazy journey ... Read more
shannon parratto Thank you Adam, your story and website have been an invaluable resource throughout this crazy journey!
Hi heart friends!
I am now 5 months post op and was diagnosed with pericarditis a few weeks ago. I have been taking ibuprofen and Colchisine but my symptoms ...Read more
Hi heart friends!
I am now 5 months post op and was diagnosed with pericarditis a few weeks ago. I have been taking ibuprofen and Colchisine but my symptoms re-appeared this weekend. I'm uncomfortable and it's not easy to breathe deeply. I will be in touch with my doctors tomorrow morning but wondering if anyone has has experience with this or had to have a pericardiocentesis to remove the fluid build up around the heart?
I have been super active and riding my bike a lot. I hope this was not aggravated by my own doing.
Thanks for any advice!
Tammi Gunwall Hi Shannon. I just noticed your post about Pericarditis now. I have also been battling it on and off ... Read more
Tammi Gunwall Hi Shannon. I just noticed your post about Pericarditis now. I have also been battling it on and off since 2 wks post op. I am now 9 months out and have (hopefully) seen my last flare-up of pain. I have been on a regimen of anti-inflammatories and Colchicine until just las month. They did try a fluid tap (pericardialcentesis) in the beginning and my fluid build-up has since decreased. Anyways, I just wanted to share to let you know you are not alone going through this. I'm finding this (set back) is more common than I initially thought. I will also add that I've had recent bouts of emotional highs and lows. I often wonder if others find this to be a struggle as well in the later months post-op? I almost feel like it's a form of PTSD...when all the dust finally settles is when your body & mind allow you to really feel the full extent of it all. I'd love to see a section on this site dedicated to discussing more about this - as well as Pericarditis. I pray you are doing and healing well heart sister. You look great on your bike! :) ♡
This is the start of my journal. I guess I thought I would breeze through this surgery and get back going at life with vengeance! I am hoping I get to that ...Read more
This is the start of my journal. I guess I thought I would breeze through this surgery and get back going at life with vengeance! I am hoping I get to that point soon.
I underwent my first surgery on February 4th for valve sparing aortic aneurysm repair and also a myocardial bridge unroofing. I had a stroke within 12 hours of being released from ICU and it was discovered that I had a PFO opening which allowed the clot to pass. My surgeon at Stanford went head to head with the Neurology team because he wanted to re-operate and fix the PFO. Neurology said it was treatable with a blood thinner for the rest of my life. Given that I am only 38, athletic and still wanting to have a family we decided to go back in for another surgery and fix the PFO. All of the surgeries were successful. I thank god every day for my docs at Stanford ; Dr. Scott Mitchell, Dr. David Liang and for my anesthesiologist Dr. Charles Hill.
I unfortunately spent too much time in the ICU ( 8 days) and given my curios nature and discomfort I did not sleep much, if at all. This caused ICU psychosis and I literally went crazy with hallucinations. I was very happy to finally get to the step down unit from the ICU where I was able to finally sleep. My husband stayed with me until 3 in the morning to make sure I was sleeping. He has been my hero thru this entire ordeal.
I have been home and slowly getting back to work and also exercising. I have been hiking and going on long walks every day. I am very happy with the physical recovery. My incision is healed beautifully and I only get slight discomfort when I'm sitting in a hunched position. I believe I am feeling the sternal wires.
The big obstacle has been my own head. I think I was expecting to come out of this with more energy and a renewed energy for my life and career. I have been struggling to get back into a routine. I am self employed sales rep and while my company has been amazingly supportive it's been hard to get back into things. I keep telling myself it has only been 8 weeks since surgeries and that I need to give myself a break….Maybe I need to take it a little slower and just do a few hours a day. I think it is hard in general recovering from OHS and knowing when it's time to be running on all cylinders. Everything seems to be a bit overwhelming, but I hope that gets easier??