At what point will I know it's time for a mechanical valve?

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Hot Rod Harry

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
214
Location
Michigan
It's 2 years sice I had my valve "repaired". I'm already getting tired throughout the day. Sleeping off & on through the night.. I'm awaitng results of the echo from last week.
I'm wondering at what point is enough enough, symptom wise, and face the fact that it's time for a replacement? I already live each day with the fear of death. I'm just ready to live a normal life..
 
Valve repair only 2 years

Valve repair only 2 years

Why did it last only 2 years would be the key question. How often have you gone for f/u visits to your cardiologist? If gone often when was it notices that the repair was failing? Did your echo show it? Where you doing any exercise that overworked your heart and made the repair fail? WHo did your surgery and where?
 
When is the right time?

When is the right time?

Hi Hot Rod,

Sorry to hear your repair seems to be failing.

The test results should tell you about the actual existing condition and provide both your doctor and you information about how soon surgery should be scheduled. Opinions will probably vary, but I suspect you'll be looking at surgery pretty soon. The symptoms you are experiencing are a good indication that you'll need to get the problem fixed.

-Philip
 
Sorry that your repair as not lasted long, hope that you get the answers you need from the echo. Best of luck.
 
Unfortunately you'll have to wait until the test results indicate it's time. Unless someones found a way to make these Doctors do it sooner, you can't simply just have it done to get it over with.
 
I think we all get worried like that, Harry. I certainly empathize with you and I don't really have an answer for you but I did recently read here that one of the members decided it was time for a CT scan (whether in addition to or instead of her regular echo--I don't recall) and it gave her some more precise information. Maybe more precise testing would put your mind at ease? If so, I have read here that a 64-slice CT scan is supposed to be an excellent test.
 
SYMPTOMS are one of the KEY factors in deciding to proceed with surgery. It sounds like you are already there and if your Echo confirms deterioration, it is time to go Surgeon Shopping. Actually, you would be wise to go Surgeon shopping NOW, so that you will know who to call when the time comes. You certainly DO NOT want to be selecting a Surgeon from a Gurney in an ER somewhere!

Since it is your Mitral Valve that is failing and the MV is noted for a higher incidence of Clot Formation my recommendation is to find a surgeon who has experience placing On-X valves which have the Lowest incidence of Clot Formation of the Mechanical Valves in the MV position. See www.onxvalves.com and www.heartvalvechoice.com for further information.

'AL Capshaw'
 
Shortly after the surgery, the Dr told me that once he got in there, he realized that the valve was in worse shape than he originaly thought. That's why the opperation took so long, he spent more time repairing as best as he could.

The cardiologist said, 4-5 months after surgery, that it was leaking, but not as bad as before, but that I would need surgery to replace in 2-3 years. Well, it's almost 2 years..

I am scheduled to go for an echo every year, but my general Dr refered me for one 6 months early because of my getting tired.

Thus far the only symptoms I see are getting tired, and not being able to sleep soundly at night (which I dont even know if its related). I dont have the shortness of breath like I did before..

Are those the only symtoms, shortness of breath and getting tired alot? I have an occasional chest pain, which the cardiologist insist is not related to my condition, yet I have no other explaination for this symptom..
surgeon

I appreciate everyones insight.. I guess the search begins for a surgeon. I'm not far from Cleveland, so I'm thinking I would go there.. Anyone know a good surgeon in Cleveland?

Still no word from my last echo...
 
I was asymptomatic (i.e. no symptoms) when I had my MV repair two years ago. However, the echo and cath showed I had severe regurg and enlarging heart chambers. Today my echo shows trace regurg and normal heart chambers yet I sleep much more than than I ever did pre-op and not as soundly as I used to. That said, if you have confirmed leakage (more than just trace), I'd be seeking opinions from Cardiac Surgeons. Best wishes and good luck.
 
My Husband's only symptoms prior to him going into afib was not sleeping well at night....no shortness of breath, nothing, just not sleeping well. That lasted for about 2 weeks. One day I thought his color was off and the next night he was in the hospital in afib. Less than 3 weeks later his valve was replaced. Soooo, you really don't have to have any symptoms. When we went to the hospital his heart rate was 196. Our cardio immediately said, "That's your sign, Now's the time!" That was almost 6 years ago.

Good luck and if it were me, I'd press that cardio for results.

Evelyn
 
Well, I've not been sleeping well for at least a few months.. I'll press the cardio tomorrow for more info on the echo. Thanks
 
Update:

The Cardio's nurse called me and we went over the details from the echo. She says that the valve looks good, and while there is leaking, it is not near the range needed to require replacement. There is regurge. I dont have all the specific measurements..

She says that she thinks that my being tired all the time has more to do with the lack of un-interupted sleep that I have been getting.. I just cant sleep for more than 1.5 to 2 hrs without waking up, and my nights are awake, speep, awake, sleep, all night long.

I'm happy to know that I dont need replacement right now. I'll keep up with my walking every day, and push ups, etc..

I'm going to keep up on the latest info from you guys & gals, so when the time does come, I'll be informed.. Now to figure out the sleep problem...
 
not sure if this will help you or not but once I was off all medications including Tylenol during the day I started taking two Tylenol PMs along with a Xanax and blammo, I would sleep 6 solid hours, wake up for a few minutes and then right back out for an hour or two. Tylenol PMs alone didn't seem to faze me. I've only been doing this for a few nights now but it has helped me tremendously. Im going to ditch this approach in a few days and see if the sleep pattern holds but I know for at least the last 3 nights or so I've been MUCH more rested, prior to that I was the same as you, hour here, hour there, lots of awake time and flopping around. Sleeping 6 to 8 hours has definitely helped my recovery.

Good luck !
 
Harry,
I hope you can keep going for awhile before facing replacement.
You sure can't go wrong with the cleveland Clinic(Cleveland is my 'homeland').
But these days we live in S.E. Michigan about 30 mile north of Detroit.
My surgery was done at Beaumont hospital in Royal Oak Michigan. For heart surgery they rank in the top six in this country.
Don't know where you are located but just a thought.
Rich
 
Thanks. I have tried the Xanax, in the smallest dose .25. It seemed to help for the beginning of the sleep, but not so much at the end. I'll have to try the T-pM in addition, on a night I dont have to work in the morning. How do you feel in the morning, after taking this combo?

That's exactly what I do at the moment, alot of flopping around...


On a side note... I just started taking the Xanax a month ago, for moments of stress and anxiety... It's totally changed my comfort level, and takes the edge right off when I feel stressed, pressured.. I should of had this years ago!!

I'm starting another thread about sleep..
 
I just posted to the other thread. In regards to next day I've felt fine because I had some sleep finally ! I have my cup of decaf and Im pretty well ready to go ! No grogginess or anything along those lines.
 
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