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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: September 9, 2015

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Susan Kotansky posted an update

7 years ago (May 6, 2019)

Hi All, It's been 3 and 1/2 years since my mitral valve replacement and mostly I'm fine, at least my heart is. I'm wondering if any of you "old timers" have experienced continued tightness around the scar, muscle tightness in the upper body, and high levels of anxiety and fear.... Read more.

👍 Elaine Cutri and Shannon Gray reacted to this

Michael Bronshteyn

Hey Susan. I had my surgery about few months after yours. I liked your posts a lot when I was recovering after mine, so I set a notification when you post again. To answer your question. I do feel my scar often. Especially when I do pull ups ( I... Read more.

Catie B

Hi Susan! I'm sorry you're experiencing these struggles. I don't have scar tightness that I know of, but there are a lot of positions where I experience my sternal wires poking me inside. At least, that's what I attribute the sharp pangs to. It's nothing I can't cope with but... Read more.

Shannon Gray

Yes to both... not so much on my main scar, but I had a second surgery with a pericardial window ( about a one inch length scare underneath my initial scar) that is really uncomfortable. It can feel tight, itchy, sore... nothing to do about it. As for medical related... Read more.

Marie Myers

Yes, I still experience a little fear/anxiety at 2 years post op. I find myself worrying a bit over routine doctor visits, even though I feel fine. I guess it is just the fact that this whole surgery was so unexpected for me, I find myself wondering what is next?... Read more.

Susan Kotansky

It is very comforting knowing that you are all out there. The medical world does its amazing job for us but then we;re out there with no explanation for some weird symptoms. When you think of the trauma our bodies have undergone it seems logical that there would be residual... Read more.

Civita Fahey

Gee Marie we are so alike.. I feel the same thing. I find myself not wanting to make routine appts because of the anxiety of hearing something is wrong.. and not only heart issues. So, Susan it is normal I guess. I am much more anxious than before my surgery.... Read more.

Rita Savelis

Oh yeah 4 yrs later the tightness comes and goes. As does the anxiety. Our bodies let us down and it's hard to trust again. I hear and I feel for you. But after 2 yrs I started to be a bit more relaxed about what I was physically feeling... Read more.

Susan Kotansky posted an update

8 years ago (January 8, 2018)

Here I am two years later, with this surgery pretty much in the background of my life. I am writing again to ask if there is anyone who has dealt with the flu while having a prosthetic valve. I seem to have caught it from my husband and am concerned... Read more.

👍 Michael Bronshteyn and Bonnie Stone-Hope reacted to this

Lilly Black

Hi, Susan. I have had colds and I have had the flu, and none of it has caused any unwanted infections surrounding my heart. I agree with you, we must weigh our options and make wise decisions for ourselves. I tend to freak out over everything, but once I calm... Read more.

Susan Kotansky

Dear Lily, I so appreciate your reply. No one understands these questions better than those of us on this list. I do prefer natural remedies but I will take drugs when necessary. Reading about Tamiflu made me wonder what's the point. They claim it shortens symptoms by one day but... Read more.

Sophia Ridley

Hi Susan, Here in the UK I'm entitled to a flu jab, which seems to have worked this year. It's sore throats that panic me more and I gargle diluted TCP the moment I sense one which, frankly, would scare anything away! Can you take paracetamol which will help with... Read more.

Bonnie Stone-Hope

Hi Susan, Good idea to speak with your family physician about your concerns. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Anna Jones

Hi Susan, I have the flu. I haven't had surgery yet. My PCP put me on the TamiFlu. This is rough stuff. It is making me very ill. I'm not sure I will continue taking it if I continue to feel this nauseous. My PCP also put me on Mucinex... Read more.

Michael Bronshteyn

Susan. The only precaution I am aware of is having antibiotic for dental work. Flu is a virus. I don't think it will affect the valve as bacteria would.

Michael Bronshteyn

Susan. I just checked with cardiologist. He said that it was no evidence that flu virus could affect the prosthetic heart valve. It can cause heart muscle inflammation, myocarditis, but it is a different story.

Susan Kotansky

Thanks everyone! It appears thus far that all the immune building remedies I've been taking have lessened the severity of whatever it is that I have. I didn't take Tamiflu cause of the possibility of nausea (I don't deal with it very well) and of all things "dangerous arrythmias"!...as if... Read more.

Sophia Ridley

Hope you're feeling better!

Susan Kotansky

Thanks for asking Sophia. I'm feeling almost better. Fortunately it was milder than I thought it might be, given how sick my husband was. In fact, if I didn't have a cow's valve in my heart I would not have thought twice about the flu. I guess staying healthy is... Read more.

Susan Kotansky posted an update

9 years ago (October 8, 2016)

First anniversary mitral valve replacement! On October 1st, 2015 I went into surgery hoping for minimally invasive repair of my mitral valve, defective from early childhood. When I woke up it was with a replaced valve (bovine) through the sternum. My surgeon (Dr. Argenziano, Columbia Presby. the best!) had told... Read more.

👍 Emily Rowley, Chris Vereb and reacted to this

Ellen Leng

thanks so much for checking in and bringing such good news from the far side of OHS. Congratulations!

Carmen P

Wow, that was something I needed to hear. Thank you Susan.

Emily Rowley

Happy Year Valve-Anniversary 😃 Great to hear you recovery has went well and you are back to enjoying things you love. 💖

Nancy Lewis

This was inspiring. I'm 17 days post op and feeling a little blue under the "homebound" clause. Looking towards a time when I can get out and walk some more and get the strength back. Your story is great and good to hear. It will pick up a lot of... Read more.