Question 8/11/07

[Carolyn Russo]

I am 4 weeks plus out of surgery and I've been running a low grade fever, 99 degrees but not 100 degrees, for a few days. I'm getting nervous.
My Echo I had on the 8th told them the AVR was sitting fine and there were no leaks but, there was a small amount of fluid (I am guessing in my lungs) that they said the doctor would need to keep an eye on.
I just don't feel well - is this normal?
I do take my walks in the AM - I have no fever in the AM. I really don't have too much staminia unless I take two tylenol that rids me of the minor aches that come with the low grade fever. I do get very cold - I would guess that's because of the warfarin. My pulse has been (I think) high when resting 86 - 96. The blood pressure has been beautiful - except for one time it was 97/56 which is a tad low - it did go back up again to a reasonable level.
I don't want to continue to take the tylenol daily or twice daily - I get nervous plus, I'm told you shouldn't take it with a low grade fever - it prevents the body from repairing itself.
Can anyone shed some light on this - I know it's minor - but it has me upset.
I will call the doctor on Monday the 13th. I really don't want to go to the ER unless it's necessary.
Your kind information is appreciated.

Carolyn

 

[Bina]

Hi there,
At 4 weeks post op, I also was borderline feverish, but when I lay down I would be cold....for me it was the body adjusting to the BP meds.
I liked the BP to be in the 95/75 range to keep the HR around 80.
this changed over the next few months, the HR comes down.
Your body has been through alot and the heart is trying to find a new rate.
I did not take Tylenol, I prefered to know what my body was doing on its own. And the aches were very annoying
I also had a little "rattle" in one lung, and some pain on lying down.
My Doc listened to it and said to keep moving around, rest, and drink fluids.
Try not to worry too much over the weekend, and talk to your doc on Monday.

 

[Lynlw]

I would call your doctor and ask. What meds are you on?When Justin has had fluid post op his is usually pericardial fluid which is in the sca around his heart, alot of people also get plueral fluid, which is in thesac around (not in0 your lungs, So I would ask where your fluid is. When Justin's was caught early (low grade fever didn't feel great,BUT it usually happens closer to surery like a week post op) They put him on I believe motrin.

 

[Lynlw]

Did you ask about the low grade fevers when you had your appt Wed?

 

[Carolyn Russo]

Low Grade Fever

Low Grade Fever

I was taking tylenol and didn't realize I had a low grade fever. I stopped taking it because I wanted to be aware of what my body was going thru. I won't take it again until I speak with my cardio on Monday. I will try not to worry too too much.
The medications I take are:12.5 mg fluid pill, Benicar, 100 mg of Troprol XL, Zocor and Warfarin.
I have a post nasel drip but no discolor when I cough. I just want to feel well.......I'm sure things could be a lot worse
Carolyn

 

[Cooker]

Carolyn,

4 weeks is not a long time. I had a low grade fever from time to time for 6 weeks. The fluid may be around the heart. I developed that and had to get on some lasix and that cleared it up.

You sound normal to me your body has been through a lot. It will take time. But on the other time if you are unsure or worried about something call the doctor. Break his/her door down if need be. I hope you get to feeling better real soon

Tom

 

[dlangton]

normal?

normal?

Since the results of information provided here can be fatal, I always preface my remarks on this forum by the disclaimer that I am not an expert -- nowhere near it.

Having said that, I can tell you that I had fluid backing up into my lungs for I think as much as two months post-surgery, and I was as concerned about it as you now are. I remember wondering if this was the way I was going to be forever. I think -- though I am not sure -- that it happens because the diameter of the new prosthetic valve is smaller than the natural valve it replaced, and the heart has not yet "learned" to pump precisely into that new orifice, which creates a bit of backpressure to the atrium and all the way back to the lungs. Maybe that is not the correct analysis, but in any case, getting rid of the fluid by coughing it out and using the breathing apparatus to dry out the lungs is the main focus of the first part of the recovery period. It gets better, and a mild temperature of 99 doesn't sound too serious to me. (Repeat disclaimer.)

 

[Ross]

Since the results of information provided here can be fatal, I always preface my remarks on this forum by the disclaimer that I am not an expert -- nowhere near it.

That's nice and all, but the front page has you covered:

"All information, advice and views expressed on this site, including but not limited to medical advice and product suitability, are the opinion of the author and should not be interpreted or construed as legitimate medical advice. In all cases, information contained on this board should be checked and confirmed by competent, suitably qualified members of the medical profession. As such, Valvereplacement.com and/or its members are in no way responsible for the accuracy of the information, advice and views contained on this board."

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Another of our Famous Sayings is "When in Doubt, Check it Out!"

That said, and ditto on the disclaimers, I don't see anything 'alarming' so waiting until Monday 'should' be OK. If your symptoms get worse, call the Surgeon's answering service, or your Cardio's answering service, or your PCP's answering service, or go to the ER if you feel it is SERIOUS.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[VikiVix]

Temp

Temp

Hi
I had the same thing every night for two months or more after surgery. Doctors and visiting nurses weren't concerned but said if the temp went to 101 to call the doctor.
Viki

 

[Carolyn Russo]

Worry Wart I am

Worry Wart I am

Thank you all for your kind responses and I do understand you are not all experts in this field - but, your experiences do help.
Carolyn

 

[hensylee]

yep, the disclaimer covers all.

upon leaving the hospital, orders were if there was any question, be sure to call the doctor's office. I had occasion to call within the first couple weeks and they were johnny on the spot with me.