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R

Rie

Hello,

My name is Rie, I am 35 and live in the UK with my daughter, hubby, 3 dogs and one foster dog.

I was born with Pulmonary atresia intact septum.

I recieved a phone call from my liason nurse Tuesday to say that they were booking me into have a double valve replacement and something else to do with my irregular heart beat :eek:. This wont be happening until after Xmas but can anyone be kind enough to explain what to expect or what drugs I am likely to be on? How long will recovery be?
It will be my Pulmonary and Tricuspid valves replaced.

I originally thought I was only going to have the Pulmonary valve replaced, using a mechanical valve but I have been told they will be done using homograft valves. Does this make sense?

I apologise for the questions, it's just been bit of a shock.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

Love
Rie
XXX
 
Thank you so much for the welcome and replying.
I posted more or less the same questions on the UK heart forums on Tuesday and I didn't get one reply.

Love
Rie
XXX
 
Hi. Most of us here have been in your shoes and understand completely what you are feeling right now. I had my tricuspid valve replaced in April with a porcine valve. Mechanical valves are typically not used on the right side of the heart due to a greater risk of clot formation. If you are indeed getting tissue or homograft valves, you will have to have reop's again ...they simply don't last a lifetime at your age. For the rhythm issues, depending on what problem you are having, they could either be planning to do an ablation or a maze procedure. It's hard for anyone to say what medication you will need after your surgery. Typically, you won't have to take coumadin for a tissue valve, however, some people with rhythm issues have to take it, so it really just depends on your situation and how your heart responds to all of this.

You will find alot of people on here with alot of knowledge. Feel free to ask any questions and usually, someone will be along to answer it. Good luck to you.

Kim
 
Welcome to the site Rie (what a cool name). The weekends can be a little slow, but your questions will be answered in time.

As for myself, I can only answer a couple of your questions: it will take about 6 weeks for your sternum to heal, and lifting 5 to 10lbs (kilograms - I think) might be your maximum for about 3 months.
I was on Morphine in the beginning of recovery (ICU) then was only on Extra Strength Tylenol while in the hospital.

Keep in mind that everyone one is different during recovery.

Oh, you not alone on feeling shocked.
I was SO shocked and dumbfounded that I was totally in denial.

Keep posting, your among friends here.
 
Thank you Kim and Freddie, just communicating is helping already (oh and googling bits I don't understand :D)

Love
Rie
XXX
 
Hi Rie, and welcome!
The pulmonary and tricuspid valves don't have the higher velocity of blood volume going through them as the aortic and mitral so there's a greater risk of clotting. I believe that's why they will replace with a homograft rather than a mechanical valve to reduce the risk.
It's slow around here right now but more members will trickle in and be able to answer more of your questions. In the meantime, if you read the numerous threads you'll be able to get an idea of what you're facing.
I had my aortic valve replaced in 2005 and the worst part was the waiting so I hope you find that at least mildly reassuring!:)
 
Hi Rie!! Wecome. First of all, you are going to be fine!! Honestly!!

We have so many members here and are a very active (if sometimes, also, very silly) bunch so you will be reading a lot on this forum.

Every time you have a specific question, please start a new thread and that way your title will be seen by many in "New Posts" or in the specific "forum" and you will get more answers. Also. Use the search button and type in your valves, or homograft or any other word you may not have enough information on and you will get a list of threads to look through.

This is a very survivable operation. Even with 2 valves at once. Your surgeon will probably tell you how long the surgery is going to be. They usually, still, use a "full sternotomy" to get to the heart, so please start accepting the fact that you will have a period of 4-6 weeks of recovery to allow the sawed apart and wired back together sternum to heal. That is the most annoying part. And, of course, you will be tired at first from the surgery. The pain meds are ususally very very very good at controlling pain, so you shouldn't look forward to very much pain.

Stay with us. We have members from all around the globe.

Best wishes.

Marguerite
 
Hello Rie

I am in the UK and had my double valve replacement at St George's in Tooting. Mine were mitral and aortic and I have mechanical valves.

My stay in hospital was eleven days, it should have been ten days but my daughter and her fiance couldn't collect me until the following day. I think we tend to stay in hospital longer in the UK than our friends the other side of the Atlantic who are mostly out in less than a week.

Drugwise you will soon be on paracetamol, after the first few days and that is fine.
 
Hello and welcome!
We do have members with PV and TV replacements, and I'm sure they will respond soon enough.
As far as post op meds, we are all different, buy many of us spend a few months on BP meds to give our hearts a chance to recover.
Hopefully you will have help with your dogs, I just had to let mine out into a fenced in area, since pulling on a leash is not recommended for awhile.
Also, if your daughter is old enough to be a "helper" that would be super.
 
A big hello and welcome Rie,

I can't answer your questions but wanted to say hi:)

zipper2 (DEB)
 
Hi Rie ~ I don't have any answers for you either as i'm waiting to get a percutaneous aortic valve (if it becomes available for bicuspid aortic valves). I, too, just wanted to extend a warm welcome to VR.

There should be plenty of people here who can give you the answers you need.

Best wishes,

Dawn-Marie
 
Hi Rie,
Happy you found us but sorry for the reason.

You are young and will do fine. This surgery is very frightening to all of us and we all get a bad case of the 'jitters' when we first learn we have to endure this. It is hugely survivable and while monumental to us, it is routine to the doctors and nurses who take care of us.

Pain management is a priority so don't fear a lot of pain. It is surprising how many here report having little to no pain from their sternum. I had two OHS in the last four years and did experience sternum pain but it was well managed by the nurses. They kept me comfortable and sent me home with appropriate meds.

As to what medications you will take, that is individual to your particular case and doctors.

Some come home and take only a daily aspirin after their initial healing. Others have a regimen of needed meds.

Please ask all your questions. There is most likely someone here among this very informed group who can help.

Most of us agree, the waiting for the surgery is the worst part. For almost all of us, the reality is far easier than our anticipation.
 
Hi Rie

Welcome to VR .Com

The No 1 Valvereplacement Information Site

Here you will find answers to your questions and more importantly support for you and your family as you start on your journey.

Here in the UK we do not seem to be as informed as our American and Canadian friends but with the help of the members you will learn a lot about you condition and be able to make informed choices about your surgery.
As Sue said we in the UK seem to be in hospital a bit longer
I had my AVR at the Cardiothoraciac Centre in Broadgreen Liverpool in Jan 2002 were are you located and were will you have your surgery ?

On Sunday evening at 10 pm UK time we have a chat session, if you can join us drop in and say Hi it will give you a chance to meet some of us

keep smiling and remember "The Waiting is the Worst "

cheers

Jan
 
Hi Rie, just wanted to say hi and welcome. I'm still waiting for my surgery, but as you've already seen, there's lots of folks here who've been there done that and will be a great help to you.

good luck!
 
Hello Rie From Cornwall ! This is a happy and helpful place you've happened across, I cant help with anything specific cos like you I've not had the op yet and like you I quietly very nervous about it, though I seem to be more nervous about not knowing when it will happen !
Either way, I hope you've got the answers you're after and I'm sure you'll be fine...
 
Hello Rie,

I had my pulmonary valve replaced with a homograft valve and my tricuspid valve repaired 18 years ago. So far everything is ok. Most tissue valves do not last 18 years. I have been very lucky. I was in the hospital 8 days. For my next replacement I expect to be in the hospital no more than 5 days if everything goes well. A homograft is a human cadavar valve. I am on a ace inhibitor and a beta blocker to prevent further damage to my ventricles. I am also on 81mg of aspirin per day. Everyone is different.

Debbie
 
Welcome Rie, Im from the UK too, and yes the uk forum is a bit slow to respond, when I was in the waiting room I hada few questions that were driving me crazy and they got answered here very quick, its a top place.

As for drugs - im not sure, but if youre not going mechanical it wont be that much, you will be on pain killers, but I have recently had surgery and the pain is no where near what I was expecting, Its 10 days after surgery for me now and the pain is minimal, ive been told to cut the painkillers out alltogether within the week, shouldnt be a problem.

Anyways, welcome, youll definitely get answers to your questions here!
 
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