Vicki Hake - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3309 days ago

Hi fellow heart patients. I have a question. I had my 2nd mitral valve repair in 18 month, 3 months ago today. I have been feeling out of breath and asked ...Read more

Hi fellow heart patients. I have a question. I had my 2nd mitral valve repair in 18 month, 3 months ago today. I have been feeling out of breath and asked my doc to run a bnp on me to check for congestive heart failure. My level came back at 246 and normal level is below 100. Have any of you experienced this? What caused it and how was it fixed? I'm already taking 2 diuretics. Thanks for sharing!

Cathleen Weed That's high but numbers can actually increase on some of the diuretics. It's a catch 22. BNP can get ... Read more

Cathleen Weed That's high but numbers can actually increase on some of the diuretics. It's a catch 22. BNP can get into the 1000's but 400 is the cutoff normally to start a CHF diagnosis. What did your doctor say?

Vicki Hake He's suppose to get in touch tomorrow 😔

Cathleen Weed Ok 😕 I'll check back tomorrow. Sorry you're going through this 💛

Vicki Hake I'm very frustrated😰 After 2 mitral valve repairs within the last 18 months, NOW why am I having C ... Read more

Vicki Hake I'm very frustrated😰 After 2 mitral valve repairs within the last 18 months, NOW why am I having CHF???? Boo.....

Cathleen Weed Did you hear back yet? Must be so frustrating, so sorry 😕

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3340 days ago

I need help. I am still breathless when I do anything but sit. I had my second OHS 8 weeks ago. I start cardio rehab tomorrow. I did not have this after the ...Read more

I need help. I am still breathless when I do anything but sit. I had my second OHS 8 weeks ago. I start cardio rehab tomorrow. I did not have this after the 1st surgery. Any body have any ideas as to what I can do?

Patricia Garcia Hi Vicki and I am sorry that you had to go through this a second time, let alone so soon. I have bee ... Read more

Patricia Garcia Hi Vicki and I am sorry that you had to go through this a second time, let alone so soon. I have been through 3 mitral valve surgeries and my last was January 2015. I hope that you have contacted your doctor. Some breathless is normal after surgery, but to the degree of pain and discomfort you need to have it checked out. Your heart has been through so much that getting it checked out immediately will put you at ease. Best Wishes for a speedy recovery.

Phyllis Petersen Patricia is right. If it is that severe, you should speak with your doctor. I had some pleural effusi ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Patricia is right. If it is that severe, you should speak with your doctor. I had some pleural effusion after surgery, but it seemed to resolve. Others have not been so lucky. Normal breathlessness will probably improve with cardiac rehab. Good luck!

Cathleen Weed Yes I agree that it's worth looking into. Better safe than sorry ❤️

Peggy Whitecotton I also was very short of breath, even talking made me short of breath. I couldn't raise arms to comb ... Read more

Peggy Whitecotton I also was very short of breath, even talking made me short of breath. I couldn't raise arms to comb my hair.. I called my surgeon and he ordered a chest X-ray which show I had some pleural infusion and He increased Lasix. I too, was to start cardiac rehab and my doctor said it would help the breathlessness. It's not uncommon but you do need to call your doctor. I was told to weigh myself everyday if I had an increase of 2-3 pounds to call him or if my breathlessness got worse. The Lasix and exercise did wonders for me. Also he was very strict that I followed my low sodium and low fat diet as well

Jane Welp I am at day 15 recovery from AVR and taking Lasix. I really didn't like it at first but my body is ad ... Read more

Jane Welp I am at day 15 recovery from AVR and taking Lasix. I really didn't like it at first but my body is adjusting so it feels less out of control with frequency of urination. The doctor asked me to weigh daily and watch for an increase of 2-3 lbs just like Peggy said. I was told to follow low sodium and low fat too. As much as I love popcorn at the movies, I didn't want the side effects so I made other choices on Sunday and feel proud of myself.

Vicki Hake Thank you all for responding. I saw the doc. He did an echo and it showed the same as when he did the ... Read more

Vicki Hake Thank you all for responding. I saw the doc. He did an echo and it showed the same as when he did the surgery. He felt that it was just going to take longer to heal, this second time around. I still have a small amount of leakage. Just hope that's not what's causing the breathlessness.
I'm on lasix too but you know he never mentioned a low sodium diet. Strange.
I have felt better after exercising and my heart rate doesn't go above 90, but I'm still breathless. Will keep working at rehab❤ Thank you again❤

Phyllis Petersen Hopefully, you'll move past this and start seeing the kind of improvement you'd like.

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3404 days ago

Cathleen Weed, Phyllis Petersen, Barbara Laurie and 1 other reacted to this

It is so encouraging to read these posts. Even though I had the maze procedure and a mitral valve repair, 16 months ago, I continue to have anxiety with my ...Read more

It is so encouraging to read these posts. Even though I had the maze procedure and a mitral valve repair, 16 months ago, I continue to have anxiety with my upcoming surgery that is this Friday, the 27. I already know about the procedure and recovery from last time, but I am dreading going through it all again. It is encouraging to know that I'm not alone. That lots of people have all types of heart issues. I find comfort in hearing your stories.

Cathleen Weed ❤️

Ron Broadhead Best wishes Vicki. You will do fine. My prayers are with you.

Steven A Husted i think it does make a clicking sound you can hear if that does not bother you or taking coumadin the ... Read more

Steven A Husted i think it does make a clicking sound you can hear if that does not bother you or taking coumadin the rest of your life a mechanical valve will work but a tissue valve will work just as well without the clicking sound or taking coumadin the rest of your life i chose a bovine tissue valve and glad i did what ever you are comfortable with

Terrie Syvertsen Hi Vicki. Sent a note to your Guest Book!

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3424 days ago

I have a question for anyone who has had a mitral valve replacement. My doc has given me the choice of mechanical or tissue valve. I just read something about ...Read more

I have a question for anyone who has had a mitral valve replacement. My doc has given me the choice of mechanical or tissue valve. I just read something about a On-X valve that isn't suppose to be heard clicking. Does anyone know about any of this. I have surgery a week from tomorrow 😳

Clare Auten I have an On-X valve in my aortic position. Yes, I can hear it but not all the time. It is most noti ... Read more

Clare Auten I have an On-X valve in my aortic position. Yes, I can hear it but not all the time. It is most noticeable when everything is quiet like first thing in the morning or when I am laying in bed at night.

Nancy Roberts So Vicki, what did you choose? I have the same "choice".... 65 years old...
One would think, Clare, t ... Read more

Nancy Roberts So Vicki, what did you choose? I have the same "choice".... 65 years old...
One would think, Clare, that one gets used to the clicking ...? Thx :)

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3457 days ago

Another question..... when I had OHS last year my surgeon insisted I be put on amiodorome. He said that it works the best. Unfortunately it also makes me deathly ...Read more

Another question..... when I had OHS last year my surgeon insisted I be put on amiodorome. He said that it works the best. Unfortunately it also makes me deathly sick.after being on it for 6 days and not eating anything and looking green, he switched it. Does anyone know if it REALLY has to be amiodorome? Thanks!

Phyllis Petersen I hope your questions are getting answered. How is your prep for your next surgery going? Are you hav ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I hope your questions are getting answered. How is your prep for your next surgery going? Are you having the same surgeon do your new surgery? Although I was able to have my mitral valve repaired, I had to make a decision just in case. Since I have issues with internal bleeding from NSAIDs (I can take Celebrex, but not others). I would have chosen a pig valve, even though I'm only 62. My surgeon had no problem with this. This is such a difficult decision for you! You've already been on the wrong side of the statistics, so are probably even more leery than most. Thoughts and prayers personal peace, a confident decision, and especially for a successful surgery and easy recovery.

Catie B Vicki, I see you had a Maze. Were you taking the Amiodarone for afib? My electrophysiologist said it ... Read more

Catie B Vicki, I see you had a Maze. Were you taking the Amiodarone for afib? My electrophysiologist said it is the best rhythm medication for afib. I don't know about for other purposes. If it makes you sick, I don't know how you'd continue taking it.

Clare Auten I had amioderone temporarily for afib. It made me nauseous but not sick. I took pepcid with it to c ... Read more

Clare Auten I had amioderone temporarily for afib. It made me nauseous but not sick. I took pepcid with it to combat the nausea. Luckily, my afib was temporary and I don't have to take a rhythm med.

Vicki Hake They tried me on the amiodorome to stop the afib and I couldn't take more than a week before I got so ... Read more

Vicki Hake They tried me on the amiodorome to stop the afib and I couldn't take more than a week before I got so sick. I told the surgeon it made me sick so I needed to stop it, but he continued with it until the head nurse told him how sick it made me. I will sign something with this surgery that says I won't take it. Did all of you have it after your surgery?

Catie B I'm still on it, but the dose has been lowered twice and in a few weeks, I'm supposed to try going of ... Read more

Catie B I'm still on it, but the dose has been lowered twice and in a few weeks, I'm supposed to try going off of it with prayers that the afib doesn't return. I had a lot of nausea in the hospital and would get very nauseated for weeks every time I felt too warm. May have been the amio. Dunno.

Phyllis Petersen I've only had metoprolol on a continued basis. I don't remember that one in the hospital, just hepari ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I've only had metoprolol on a continued basis. I don't remember that one in the hospital, just heparin (painful!), lasix, and the stomach one I can't remember now, as well as pain meds.

Vicki Hakeposted a journal

3457 days ago

I have to make a decision whether to have a mechanical valve or cow valve used in my replacement. I have really bad veins to get blood drawn and someone said ...Read more

I have to make a decision whether to have a mechanical valve or cow valve used in my replacement. I have really bad veins to get blood drawn and someone said you had to have blood drawn every week, the rest of your life, if you used the mechanical. Anyone have thoughts on this. Also have any of you used a sternum shied to protect it from rubbing angainst your clothes?

Craig Gay In the hospital, they can draw blood thru your port. Once home. the inhome nurse can use a INR tester ... Read more

Craig Gay In the hospital, they can draw blood thru your port. Once home. the inhome nurse can use a INR tester which is a finger poked like taking your sugar. Once regulated, you go longer between blood checks. If they have to draw your blood because they don't have an inhome test kit, If they use a butterfly needle to begin with, they have better luck and it's gentler on your veins for the long haul since it's a smaller needle. Hope this helps! Yvonne (Craig's wife)

Vicki Hake Does Craig have to go weekly?

I have a home tester, I only test twice a month when my INR is stable (2.8 to 3.0). I've been on bloo ... Read more

I have a home tester, I only test twice a month when my INR is stable (2.8 to 3.0). I've been on blood thinners due to a stroke and heart attach for 18 years and its not that difficult to maintain if you can stick to a steady diet. You will need your cardio to prescribe and make arrangements for a home tester and it may be covered by insurance, mine was.

Darlene Smith Vicki, most of the ladies have reported no need for the shield since we have a built in shield. I di ... Read more

Darlene Smith Vicki, most of the ladies have reported no need for the shield since we have a built in shield. I didn't need one. My sports bra didn't touch the incision at all and I have small breasts.

Steven A Husted this is one of the reasons i chose a cow valve i did not want to mess with blood thinners the rest of ... Read more

Steven A Husted this is one of the reasons i chose a cow valve i did not want to mess with blood thinners the rest of my life even with a redo ohs it would be my choice

Catie B I get a finger stick when I get my INR tested. Whether eventually at home or in a doctor's office, yo ... Read more

Catie B I get a finger stick when I get my INR tested. Whether eventually at home or in a doctor's office, you shouldn't need to have blood drawn from a vein.
I didn't use a shield, but my incision was very sensitive to touch, including from clothes. V-necks were helpful. I am small and went braless for several weeks.

Vicki Hake Steven, how long ago did you get the cow valve?

Clare Auten I am almost 3 years post op. On warfarin due to mechanical valve. Dosage had been stable 90% of the t ... Read more

Clare Auten I am almost 3 years post op. On warfarin due to mechanical valve. Dosage had been stable 90% of the time. I get tested about every 4 weeks.

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3457 days ago

Hi fellow heart patients. Just have a few questions for you. I contacted the stomach flu 2 days ago and still feeling very weak. Was wondering if you feel there ...Read more

Hi fellow heart patients. Just have a few questions for you. I contacted the stomach flu 2 days ago and still feeling very weak. Was wondering if you feel there is something else I can do to get back on my feet. I've missed 2 days of work this week and will miss tomorrow as well. I've stayed in bed, drank the Gatorade and other liquids and taken Tylenol. I don't think I have felt this bad with the flu. I had OHS last September for a mitral valve repair and mace procedure. I've found out that I have to have the valve replaceced in January. I was wondering if the new issue is making it harder to get over the flu. Thanks for listening.

Catie B I don't have any suggestions, Vicki, but I sure hope you feel better soon. Drinking lots of liquid an ... Read more

Catie B I don't have any suggestions, Vicki, but I sure hope you feel better soon. Drinking lots of liquid and resting sounds like the way to go.

Vicki Hake Thank Catie!

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3503 days ago

Have any of you with mitral valve problems, heard of a mitral clip? It is used instead of OHS?

Darlene Smith I have heard of it, and I understand it is mostly used for folks who might have difficulty surviving ... Read more

Darlene Smith I have heard of it, and I understand it is mostly used for folks who might have difficulty surviving OHS.

Phyllis Petersen At this point, I believe it's only approved for severe medical risk patients.

Ben Hyman I asked about it and was told it's obly for elderly or frail patients that could not tolerate OHS. I ... Read more

Ben Hyman I asked about it and was told it's obly for elderly or frail patients that could not tolerate OHS. It does not have a good track record for a long term reliability or for anything but the smallest leak.

Corey Sines Yep, all TMVR options, including the Mitraclip,is reserved for high risk patients. http://my.clevela ... Read more

Corey Sines Yep, all TMVR options, including the Mitraclip,is reserved for high risk patients. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/services/valve-treatment/mitral-valve-disease-percutaneous-interventions

Mitral Valve Disease - Percutaneous Interventions | Cleveland Clinic

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/services/valve-treatment/mitral-valve-disease-percutaneous-interventions

Mitral Valve Disease - Percutaneous Interventions - Heart and Vascular Institute heart doctors and heart surgeons are experts in treatment of valve disease, including non-surgical options

Vicki Hake Rats! I sooooooo not want to have this 2nd OHS after only a year ago having the first. The mitral va ... Read more

Vicki Hake Rats! I sooooooo not want to have this 2nd OHS after only a year ago having the first. The mitral valve repair did not work and now have to have it replaced. Has anyone had this issue?

Corey Sines I am with you Vicki, Failed MV repair, 2nd OHS surgery coming up. Mine just took a little longer in ... Read more

Corey Sines I am with you Vicki, Failed MV repair, 2nd OHS surgery coming up. Mine just took a little longer in between ( 7 years). Its hard to accept for sure. Praying for you..

Phyllis Petersen This is not encouraging! I've just had my first (and I hope only) mitral repair.

Corey Sines Odds are very good it will be lasting Phyllis, Vicki and I are in the minority. I think I remember h ... Read more

Corey Sines Odds are very good it will be lasting Phyllis, Vicki and I are in the minority. I think I remember hearing repairs at major heart centers typically have a 90 %+ 10 year repair rate (meaning no 2nd operation in like 9 out 10 people, sucks being the 10th person however, lol).

Phyllis Petersen Hopefully, this time is the charm for you Corey. I'd hate going through this again, and I've had an e ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Hopefully, this time is the charm for you Corey. I'd hate going through this again, and I've had an easier time than many on here.

Vicki Hakeposted an update

3508 days ago

Well, I got bad news today. When I went back for my check up after having open heart surgery 1 year ago, for a repair on my mitral valve and maze procedure, ...Read more

Well, I got bad news today. When I went back for my check up after having open heart surgery 1 year ago, for a repair on my mitral valve and maze procedure, the doc says the surgery has failed. He believes I now need to have the valve replaced with another open heart surgery. When I left the hospital after the surgery there was a measurement of 5 and now it has closed up around the ring they used and I'm now at a measurement of 10. Has anyone experienced this?

Roseline Rosario Sorry to hear that but your on the right track asking here. Hope you get clarity and maybe go to a Bi ... Read more

Roseline Rosario Sorry to hear that but your on the right track asking here. Hope you get clarity and maybe go to a Big heart center for 2nd opinion. Prayer for clarity.

Phyllis Petersen How awful and frightening for you! There are a few repeats on here. How soon does he want this done? ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen How awful and frightening for you! There are a few repeats on here. How soon does he want this done? Roseline is right about getting a second opinion if you can.

Vicki Hake Thanks so much ladies. I hope one who has had a repair and then a replacement, checks in.
I'm shocke ... Read more

Vicki Hake Thanks so much ladies. I hope one who has had a repair and then a replacement, checks in.
I'm shocked and feel so frustrated that the repair only lasted 1 year.
Doc says as soon as the diuretic stops working and it's more difficult for me to breathe, we will have to do it .

Susan Lyons So sorry! I am having the same procedures this Friday. I do not know the meaning of the 5 and 10 me ... Read more

Susan Lyons So sorry! I am having the same procedures this Friday. I do not know the meaning of the 5 and 10 measurements. Could you tell right away it was failing? Wish you well on the next surgery.

Vicki Hake Susan, I began to breath heavier and was out of breath a lot. My bnp levels that shows levels of cong ... Read more

Vicki Hake Susan, I began to breath heavier and was out of breath a lot. My bnp levels that shows levels of congestive heart failure. Continued to go up.
Are you having a repair or replacement? Is your open heart surgery?

Corey Sines Vicki, So sorry for you! My MV Repair failed, but not nearly as quick as yours (7 years). I go in f ... Read more

Corey Sines Vicki, So sorry for you! My MV Repair failed, but not nearly as quick as yours (7 years). I go in for a likely MV replacement next month. Sounds like your description is of Pannus overgrowth? (Scar tissue around the ring affecting the valve).

Susan Lyons Surgeon is hoping it will be a repair and it will be open. He said if he decides that it needs to be ... Read more

Susan Lyons Surgeon is hoping it will be a repair and it will be open. He said if he decides that it needs to be a replacement he will use a mechanical so I won't have to have another surgery in my 80's ( I am 63). I did not know about the Maze Procedure until I met him a week ago. I believe he said that he wouldn't have opened if it was just going to be a valve repair but since he also has to do the Maze, he will open.

Wanda Mroz Oh my gosh I'm so sorry. I had a repair a little over a year ago. Hoping that won't happen down the ... Read more

Wanda Mroz Oh my gosh I'm so sorry. I had a repair a little over a year ago. Hoping that won't happen down the road. Wishing you all the best. I had a maze as well but still had atrial flutter a year out.