Had mitral valve replace 3 yrs ago, now being short of breath, Any one else had this?

[mharris]

I had 2 ohs 3 yrs ago, 5 wks apart. The first one they tried to repair the mitral valve and that lasted 3 wks, so 5wks to the date I was back in there getting a mechanical valve put in. All of this took place right after we had our 4th baby, she was 5 days old when I went into the hospital the first time. Everything has been going great, Coumadin for most part is fine but I am very active with 4 kids ages 12, 10, 7, & 3. Until the last 2 weeks I have been noticeing being short of breath when I am doing stuff or when I get stressed or upset with kids since there all home for summer break. I saw my cardiologist and she had me have a echo so now I am waiting for results. But I wanted to see if anyone else has went thru the same thing and maybe nothing is wrong and this could be just something that is normal. So if anyone has info about this pleas share and maybe it will help calm my nerves, because I do not want to go thru a 3rd ohs!!

 

[Ross]

Hello and welcome to the forum

I think we all go through this at some time or another. The reasons are various and broad. It can be as simple as fluid build up or as complex as valve failure. It's just too broad to say. Best to wait on the results. Please be sure that you get a copy of the results for your own records.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

MVP three years ago

MVP three years ago

I had my first OHS and my mitral valve replaced in May, 2005. I had a lot of other problems at the time so my recovery was very slow, however in November, 2005 I started being VERY SOB with very little exertion. I found out that my valve was not working and I would have to have another OHS, which I did this last January.

I was terrified at the prospect of another surgery, but the difference has been night and day between the first and the last. I hope you're not facing that, but remember if you need it the alternative is slow decline.

Keep us up to date. You will find the best and most knowledgeable people anywhere on this website.

Barbara

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Ps

Ps

I'm sorry I didn't welcome you to the forum. I'm afraid I miss that kindness. so welcome to VR.com and stick around.

Barbara

 

[dkapuscik]

Hey Barbra:

What type of valves did they use on #1 and #2

 

[Georgia]

Welcome to the forum! Sorry you're having trouble - but I think 4 kids would make me sob.

Hope you find answers - and stay with us.

 

[mharris]

Thanks Barbara

Thanks Barbara

Barbara thank you for your knowledge. After you had ohs and then became sob, was your only symptom being sob or did you go into congestive heart failure like I had done after my first surgery 3 years ago? Because right now my only symptom is sob.

 

[catwoman]

Welcome to our group!

What type of mechanical valve did you get?

When I overdo things, I become very fatigued, not quite SOB. By "overdo," I mean that I may get 4-5 hours' sleep a couple of nights in a row, then go through a stressful event (helping put on a cat show, traveling on little energy). At those times, it's like a deja vu from immediately pre-op & post-op.
At other times, I feel great. I've mentioned this to my PCP & cardio, but nothing shows on echo, etc.

You are taking care of 4 children -- 12, 10, 7 & 3 -- Wow!!!!!!!! Many people would be wiped out doing what you do. Let's hope that's what's going on with you, and not something cardiac.

Do get a copy of all your echoes, not just the most recent, and any written report by the cardiologist who read the echoes and sent the findings to your doctor. I keep all my paperwork in a ringbinder notebook.

Please let us know what your doctor says.

 

[mharris]

I had a St. Jude Mitral Valve put in. Everyone is right 4 kids at these ages does wear me out, especially right now our 2 boys are in baseball and of course both with different schedules. It's only been the last couple weeks when things have changed. I will let everyone know what I find out at my follow up appt. It's interesting that more than one person is saying to get copies of everything because I have never done that or told that or even knew I could do that. Thanks for the info.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Mitral valve 3 yrs. ago

Mitral valve 3 yrs. ago

dkapsclk,
I had a porcine valve put in for the first surgery and for the second one, the surgeon just restiched the first one. So, I still have the original porcine valve.

mharris,
I wasn't in CHF, thank God, but I did have pulmonary hypertension from the regurgitation from the replaced valve. The surgeon who repaired it the second time just restiched it, but I still have a bit of pulmonary hypertension, but it has improved since the surgery.
Please do keep us up to date. I wish I'd been able to have 4 kids and they will certainly give you a good reason to do what you have to do to be there for them. I'm a new grandmother and you don't want to miss that!

Barbara

 

[mharris]

Echo Results

Echo Results

I got my echo results and it shows everything is working perfect!! So my cardiologist is having me go to my regular doctor and going to have a chest xray and take a look at my lungs and if need be do lung function testing. I was very relieved to hear that the valve and the rest of my heart was functioning just fine because a prospect of a 3rd ohs was not appealing what so ever. Thanks to everyone who has given words of encourgement!! I will keep you posted about the other testing.

 

[catwoman]

mharris:

Glad to hear your echo was fine. Let us know about the rest of your tests.

My guess is you're suffering from DTM -- Doing Too Much. It's common with parents. Much better diagnosis than something cardiac.

Perhaps if you carve out more time for yourself, get additional rest, do something fun, without feeling so rushed, you'll find yourself feeling much better.

 

[Janea]

Hi M Harris! Welcome to Vr.com! Congrats on your good looking echo. What a relief for you and your family. What was your Ejection fraction as of the last echo. Has it stayed the same since your last surgery?