What now

[atydev]

Well guys hello I know it has been awhile but I have had alot of changes in my life lately. My stepdaughter has moved in with me and my health has not been as good as expected after my double valve replacement. Anyway my question is I am now 15 months post op and had my first echo since before the surgery and found out that my aortic valve is leaking again my ejection fraction is at 50% and was 30% when it was originally replaced. I had been telling my doctor I was short of breath upon exhursting any energy and I sweat really bad just by doing the slightest thing, I still have to take a nap during the day or I will not make it. I get chest pains and palpatations oh and the night sweats are getting really bad again. I have been have problems with swelling mostly in my legs and feet and hands but some days my belly looks like I am pregnant it is so swollen. Has anyone had this to happen after surgery and what was the outcome. Thanks, missed you all.

[Gemma]

Hi April,

Nice to hear from you again :) .

Firstly, your ejection fraction has actually improved - the normal range is around 55%-65% I think, give or take a bit. It's the amount of blood that's pumped out of your heart with each beat (a bit is always left behind which is why it isn't 100%). So that sounds like your heart is working better now than 15 months ago :) .

Have you spoken to your cardiologist about the swollen ankles etc? Sounds like you may need something to help get rid of the extra fluid. I don't really know much about this but I'd guess that once you get the excess fluid under control, you'll feel much better.

Take care,

Gemma.

[Mary]

Long time, no hear from, April!
Do you have your echo report so you could post the results?
50% is an improvement over what you had before replacement, but I'm sure it's not as high as you would expect it to be.
It sounds as though you are retaining alot of fluid. If you have much retention, it could contribute to your SOB. You might be anemic; low iron would cause you to be tired and also make your heart pound with exertion. Can you get your cardio to address these issues? I remember that you had trouble with your doctors before.
Glad you're back, but I wish it wasn't due to having post surgery issues. :(

[PJmomrunner]

Hi April:

Sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. How long have these symptoms been going on? Have you been feverish at all? Do you have an upcoming appointment to discuss the echo results with your cardio? As a waiting room occupant I don't have any experience with post-op issues, so maybe I'm easily disturbed by reports like yours, but it just sounds like your doctor should be paying you some pretty close attention.

All the best,

[atydev]

You are right it is better than before surgery, but what concerned me besides my symptoms was that the valve was leaking again. Is this commen? I have an appointment with my cardio in Feb, So I still have a little of a wait. I tried to tell him all of this when I saw him in Aug but of course he sent me on my way with no answers. I will be finding a new cardio come Dec. that is when my medicare kicks in. So maybe I will find some decent care. Thanks everyone.

[catwoman]

April:

I have thought of you since the hurricanes. Did you have to evacuate?

[atydev]

Katrina just passed us by we did not even get one drop of rain off it, but Rita gave us some rain and winds. My neighbor had some roof damage but we were blessed with no damage at all. God was very good to us, we only lost power for 30 min when everyone else was out for at least 24 hours.

[Nancy]

Do you have a primary care physician? If your cardiologist is ignoring things, it is not a good situation.

I think you should call your primary care physician and explain about the obvious fluid gain symptoms, and have him check out your lungs, and check out your belly area for ascites (which is fluid retention in the abdominal area).

Shortness of breath and edema are one of the first symptoms of congestive heart failure, along with difficulty sleeping due to being short of breath lying down. Edema in the abdominal area can be a symptom as well.

The sweating might mean something also.

And I sure don't like the pains and palpitations.

It is not something that should wait, in my opinion. If you are retaining fluid, you need to get rid of it asap, with meds from a doctor.

A good primary care physician can prescribe them as well.

So please call the most responsive doctor you have and get a diagnosis and some help for yourself. February is way too long for these kinds of things.

[twinmaker]

It definitely sounds to me like you're retaining fluid. That will make you SOB and fatigued. I've always been on a diuretic (Dyazide) but a few months ago, it just wasn't doing the trick. I was swelling in my hands and feet and stomach and just felt awful. My cardio immediately stopped the Dyazide and put me on Lasix and Aldactone. I take them both every day. They helped quite a bit. Also when you're retaining fluid and SOB it makes it nearly impossible to lay down to go to sleep. I would certainly call your Primary doctor if your Cardiologist won't see you. Your irratic heart beat needs to be checked. Keep us informed on how you are doing. Linda

[atydev]

I do have a fluid pill I dont like to take it on a daily bases because it causes muscle cramps which I did get some potassium for but my diet is so bad that it did not help the cramps. I like to taste food I just dont like to eat really it makes me feel bloated and sluggish. I know this is another issue that needs to be resolved but I have been this way since I was 15.

[OldManEmu]

I agree with what has already been said in regards to shortness of breath and oedema being one of the first symptoms of congestive heart failure, along with difficulty sleeping due to being short of breath lying down.
The night sweats and profuse sweating with only slight exertion are the exact same symptoms I had with Endocarditis. I never had a greatly elevated temperature. :confused: Since you have already had Endocarditis once you are now more susceptible to it in the future. Have you raise the possibility of reinfection of Endocarditis with the doctor? :(

[maiae]

Wow. So sorry you're feeling badly. I hope you go visit your pcp/cardio very soon. I have swelling in my feet and hands; had this problem since mitral valve repair 6/30/04--the major swelling in the abdomen was post-op and took about two weeks to go away. I have the tummy bloat, but haven't figured out if it's due to exercise intolerance or a symptom of stenosis/regurg. I'm about six days pre-op for valve replacement this time--have experienced the palpitations and fatigue, but no night sweats. Sounds like your cardio and pcp need to keep a close eye on you and give you any meds that may help your symptoms.

Good luck to you,
Maia

Well guys hello I know it has been awhile but I have had alot of changes in my life lately. My stepdaughter has moved in with me and my health has not been as good as expected after my double valve replacement. Anyway my question is I am now 15 months post op and had my first echo since before the surgery and found out that my aortic valve is leaking again my ejection fraction is at 50% and was 30% when it was originally replaced. I had been telling my doctor I was short of breath upon exhursting any energy and I sweat really bad just by doing the slightest thing, I still have to take a nap during the day or I will not make it. I get chest pains and palpatations oh and the night sweats are getting really bad again. I have been have problems with swelling mostly in my legs and feet and hands but some days my belly looks like I am pregnant it is so swollen. Has anyone had this to happen after surgery and what was the outcome. Thanks, missed you all.

[mielkep]

I am 4 weeks post-op, at two weeks post-op I started to have bad swelling in my feet,ankles, legs and mid-section. It turned out I had a great deal of fluid around my heart. I had to go back to the hospital for 2-1/2 days, they drained it and everything looks good now. I hope everything gets resolved quickly for you.

Paul