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Hi folks, it's been a long time since I was back in this community. I had my original aortic valve replaced in 2008. Now, due to severe regurgitation caused by the deterioration of the replacement valve, I'm scheduled for another replacement surgery on 14 November. Since I've been through...

"Celebrated" my one year anniversary yesterday from AVR on 10 Dec 2008. Today, I got the results of my blood, x-ray, and echo tests. All is normal with no regurgitation through the new aortic valve. That's the good (great?) news! The disappointing news is that my x-ray showed likely...

Hey guys, I'm eleven months post surgery and I'm still feeling like I have rubber bands around my chest when I take a very deep breath or when I'm running especially hard. It's not chest pain, and I'm getting enough air, but it just feels like my chest constricts my lungs' ability to fully...

Hello all. Earlier (in the summer) I had posted a note asking whether other people were having a problem with “wooden legs” while beginning running again. I had speculated it might have been one of my meds, especially amlodipine (generic for Norvasc), a BP med. Unfortunately no one had a...

Hi Folks, I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences with athletic performance and BP medication. I had AVR on 10 Dec 2008, and have been jogging (about 11 minute pace from 3-6 miles per run about 3-4 times a week) since mid-February (with Cardio's permission, of course). By now, my...

Hi, anyone experience pleural rub? I'm recovering from AVR on 10 Dec. 08 and have been recovering from a bout of Dressler's. I'm experiencing plural rub off and on. Today is a particularly bad day. How long does the rub typically last (assuming the Dressler's is being successfully treated)...

Hi folks, a little update: looks like (per my cardiologist) I have developed Dressler's Syndrome, a relatively rare autoimmune response to the heart surgery that cause inflammation of the sac that covers the heart and the lungs (in my case). That explains why I've been having extended cough...

Hi All, everything seems to be going well, breathing is OK, walking is progressing, etc. Then, over the weekend, I develop this spasm like need to cough from deep in my chest. Seems to get better during the day, but is really bad at night and I use pain killers to numb-up enough to sleep. My...

I got home on Saturday 13 Dec mid-day after my AVR on 10 Dec. Still on constant pain meds, but am walking three times a day for about 5-10 minutes each around the house. I'm faithfully doing my breathing exercises ever hour, despite the pain (when I cough). I have to say the hospital...

This is DaveEM's daughter posting to let everyone know that he is in recovery now and is doing very well. He should be out of the hospital in a few days.

Hi All, as I wait for my AVR surgery on 10 December, I'm finding it very difficult to remain focused at work because of the distraction of anticipating the surgery. I wish I could just take off between now and the surgery so I wouldn't have to struggle at work to remain focused and calm. Has...

Hi All, as I wait for my AVR on 10 December I'm finding my nervousness increasing. One thing I seem to be obsessing on is the pain I'll feel from the incision and sternum healing. I know it fades fairly quickly, but thinking about those first few days and week or so has me scared. So, folks...

Hi All, thank you for all your good advice on getting the surgery done sooner rather than later. I am now scheduled for AVR on 10 December 2008. I'll have a heart catheterization to check whether I need any bypasses (I'd be shocked, but ya never know) on the 8th of Dec. Regarding the issue...

Hi All, Well, after the noteworthy episode of having to stop running and feeling tightness in my chest, I made an appointment with my cardio. He said that I should get the AVR "before the New Year". I immediately got a second opinion from a cardio in a different practice. The second cardio...

Hi All, As I prepare for aortic valve replacement surgery in December, I need to choose a surgeon. There are two surgeons in my health plan at the hospital where I'll be having the surgery. I'm trying to locate good research information on them. So far I've used the "HealthGrades" website to...

Hi Folks, I started a thread a short time ago asking about what symptoms would feel like. I got some excellent advise to see my cardio soonest to address some chest tightness I'd felt. Well, looks like that was sufficient for my cardio to advise surgery. He said my condition was severe enough...

Greetings, I'm new to the forum so forgive me if I'm asking a dumb question. I've searched the forum for information on this and haven't found anything. I was just told a couple of weeks ago my aortic valve (bicuspid) stenosis has reached "severe" stage with a blood flow of 4.13 mps through...