Pre-Op Fatigue

[vkernus]

My bicuspid aortic valve has become symptomatic. I get short of breath doing normal every day tasks. Is is normal to be tired almost all the time. I mean I wake up in the morning tired. I feel like I can take naps all day. After I eat a meal I become bone tired. My surgery is about a month off and being this tired is effecting my ability to work.

Victor

[Marguerite53]

If you feel like this is a dramatic change, please call your surgeon or cardiologist and get some advice. It may be that your valve has worsened more significantly than expected. This is definitely worth a phone call!

It could also possibly be depression and anxiety as the whole prospect of such a huge event in our lives can alter our chemistry enough to cause symptoms of tiredness. It doesn't sound like it in your brief description, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

Get back to us and let us know what the doctor says. Yeah. Please call them today!! :)

Best wishes.

Marguerite

[vkernus]

Thanks Marguerite.

I called my Cardiologist's office and am waiting to hear whether they want to push up my Cardiac Catheterization that was scheduled for September 10.

Victor

[skeptic49]

Thanks Marguerite.

I called my Cardiologist's office and am waiting to hear whether they want to push up my Cardiac Catheterization that was scheduled for September 10.

Victor

Good move, Victor. Let us know what the cardio says.

Best wishes,

Jim

[Alistair]

I mean I wake up in the morning tired. I feel like I can take naps all day. After I eat a meal I become bone tired.

Victor

This was pretty much the way I felt. Prior to surgery and after my Heart Cath, the Surgeon told me if I did nothing, I would live only two years more however, after surgery the same Surgeon told me my valve was so severely calcified it was nothing short of a miracle that I even walk in the hospital.

Don't mean to scare you but timing is everything in these situations. In fact, I wanted to postpone when given my date but decided to run with it. Glad I did.

-Alistair

[netmiff]

Victor, you don't say how well you are sleeping, and that, too can be a factor. Many of us here have felt edgy and anxious enough about surgery to take something to help us sleep in the weeks leading up to surgery - and the first few after, as getting comfortable can be a bit of a problem, then, too. Just thought I would throw that one into the mix :D

[vkernus]

For now I do sleep fairly well, or at least as well as I usually sleep. I don't take anything to get to sleep, nor would I want to at the moment. I don't know how much of what I am feeling is Physiological or Psychological. My symptoms convinced me to see the Cardiologist. I had worked outside in some intense heat for 5 hours cutting up trees with a chain saw. Found myself sweating more than usual and very short of breath. I atributed that to dehydration. Couple of days later while working outside, I got short of breath very quickly and went to the hospital. That is how this whole Oddesy started.

Two weeks ago I helped my daughter move into her condo at school, lifting only one box (helping her boyfriend carry up part of a desk) and became very short of breath. At that point, I ceased ALL strenous and even marginally strenuous activity. Now, I feel short of breath going up and down stairs, I getting tired sitting at the computer working for prolonged periods (2 hours) and feel a need to take naps during the day.

I am getting very antsy. I hate not being able to do and act normal for me.

[perrypiratesdad]

Glad to hear you called your Doc. I do remember feeling tired ALL THE TIME when mine started to become a problem.

[Dawn-Marie]

Hi Victor ~

I'm still waiting to get my bicuspid aortic valve taken care of. I told my surgeon that i'll sleep all night, but by 11:30 A.M. i'm falling asleep while sitting in front of my computer. He just shrugged and said that it is a normal symptom to expect when you have a bad aortic valve and didn't seem worried about it.

[vkernus]

Cardiologist's Office just called. My Doctor does not want to take chances with my symptoms and has re-arranged his schedule to get me in for the Cath next wednesday. Depending upon the results of the cath, my appointment with the surgeon may or may not shift forward.

[Ross]

Sounds like a sound idea to me!

[vkernus]

Sounds like a sound idea to me!


Good idea yes. That said, I am very nervous. I am not looking forward to this at all. Logically, I realize there is a serious need for the test and the surgery. Emotionally, I don't feel prepared. Not sure why but I don't. I don't think I will ever be emotionally ready for the surgery.

If I may, a couple of post op questions:

Are you awake when the breathing tube is in? Are you awake when it is removed?

How many drains are left in and how long are they left in for? Is it uncomfortable when they are removed?

[marie]

Good idea yes. That said, I am very nervous. I am not looking forward to this at all. Logically, I realize there is a serious need for the test and the surgery. Emotionally, I don't feel prepared. Not sure why but I don't. I don't think I will ever be emotionally ready for the surgery.

If I may, a couple of post op questions:

Are you awake when the breathing tube is in? Are you awake when it is removed?

How many drains are left in and how long are they left in for? Is it uncomfortable when they are removed?

My experience with the breathing tube was I was not awake when it went in and I WAS when it came out. Not everyone is awake when it comes out from what I've read on this forum. My surgeon had told me to expect to be awake when it came out.

I had only one drainage tube and it was uncomfortable coming out but not painfull.

[Alistair]

Are you awake when the breathing tube is in? Are you awake when it is removed?

How many drains are left in and how long are they left in for? Is it uncomfortable when they are removed?

I was not awake when the breathing tubes went in. There were two tubes that came together to one outlet similar to a horseshoe. I was awake when they took them out. They were not really uncomfortable of course by then so much is going on that your focus is somewhat divided. When they did remove them days later; it was a quick discomfort but I would hardly call it pain.

Stay on top of all this as time is of the essence. I went into this with a peaceful soul either way the outcome. If I was the slightest bit nervous, it was more for my wife and parents. I would be asleep...they are the ones waiting for hours. Now, just over a week and I feel so much better; having it behind me is the greatest relief.

-Alistair

[ejonbry]

The breathing tube was bad, but I was in and out so much, I only noticed it for a short time. I don't remember any particular thought about the breathing tube coming out. The drainage tubes and pacemaker wires were uncomfortable but painless when coming out. The worst part for me was the catheter, and the feeling of going to the bathroom 1st time afterwards. What you have to remember however is that all of these things are temporary and very worthwhile in the grand scheme.

Good luck with all you are going through now.

Eric

[WayneGM]

Good idea yes. That said, I am very nervous. I am not looking forward to this at all. Logically, I realize there is a serious need for the test and the surgery. Emotionally, I don't feel prepared. Not sure why but I don't. I don't think I will ever be emotionally ready for the surgery.

If I may, a couple of post op questions:

Are you awake when the breathing tube is in? Are you awake when it is removed?

How many drains are left in and how long are they left in for? Is it uncomfortable when they are removed?

I vaguely remember them removing the breathing tube as it was just at the point I was beginning to wake up. I hardly noticed I was still so out of it. I had one drain tube, the pacemaker wires, and the catheter. They were all removed in a couple of days. All were removed fairly easily and it wasn't too uncomfortable. I felt the pacemaker wires the most but as I was still on pain meds nothing was really that bad.

[vkernus]

Is a pace maker common practice? I was not aware that I would be connected to a pacemaker. Bear in mind that I have not yet met with my surgeon and have ALOT of questions for him already. This forum has been a godsend for me.

[ejonbry]

The pacemaker wires are there only in case there are some heartrate concerns. Sometimes there are and those just make it easier to address. I had no problems and mine were out in 2 days.

Eric

[Adrienne]

Is a pace maker common practice? I was not aware that I would be connected to a pacemaker. Bear in mind that I have not yet met with my surgeon and have ALOT of questions for him already. This forum has been a godsend for me.

Yes, an external pacemaker is common practice.

[Alistair]

Yeap, pacemaker wires are left in precautionary. You really are going to worry yourself sick. After meeting with my Surgeon; I left with a good feeling and a great impression of him. From that point on, I just sort of left it up to him. I was offered all kinds of information but at that point I felt ignorance was bliss...and it was. I had a very short wait time (less than two weeks). I am more curious now that it is over.

[skeptic49]

I am more curious now that it is over.

WOW! I dodn't know about the pacemaker hookup. Lots of good information in this thread. Victor, I hope you're feeling better about things because at least you're armed with a lot more information.

Hang in there!

Best wishes,

Jim

[netmiff]

Victor :

the last thing the doctors or nurses want is to have you in pain, you will be given lots of pain meds the first few days. We have said it before, those of us on this side of the mountain, the waiting is the worst!

pacemaker wires are only placed "in case" - after heart surgeries, it is not uncommon for the heart to start beating erratically, or even not at all. The staff are aware of this and watch for it. They leave pacemaker wires in basically for easy access - nurses on the floor (where mine were removed) called them "jumper cables". They never needed to use mine.

As for the breathing tubes, I was kept sedated for 2 full days after surgery, due to pneumonia or some such. I remember drifting awake, being annoyed by them (but not in pain), trying to get my hand up to get them out, and someone making, "no, no leave them" noises, and drifting off again. As I woke up on day 2,removing them was the first thing they did. I don't remember pain, but I do remember releif.

The worst part for me was my surgeon liked his women patients to have their breasts bound; apparently it keeps some pressure off the nice new incicion and helps it to scar nicely. The only thing they could find in ICU was a rib brace. So there I was, all this little metal bumpy things attached to wires, a wired sternum and a whole bunch of what looked like Scotch tape from throat to belly-button, and this rib brace biting in to the whole bunch. I swear I had more pain from that thing than anything else! My mother, who had been at my surgeon's appointment with me as part of my post-op care team had insisted to the ICU staff that I be bound - thanks, mom:( At least, you won't have to suffer that indignity!

[vkernus]

This is all great information. Sometimes I think the more I learn the more I have to be worried about, but I am an information junkie and like to know all that I can. I can't thank you all enough for your input.

[brd]

Victor, I too was very fatigued prior to surgery. I am now two weeks post-op and though I have not regained full strength I feel less of that pre-op fatigue already. Re the breathing tube and chest tubes......I was awake when both were removed. In retrospect I wish I had not wasted time worrying about them. In the scheme of things they were really non-issues. At least for me. I would have been better served by focusing on how well I was going to do and how deliriously happy I was going to be to have it all behind me. I wish you well. Barbara

[skeptic49]

So there I was, all this little metal bumpy things attached to wires, a wired sternum and a whole bunch of what looked like Scotch tape from throat to belly-button, and this rib brace biting in to the whole bunch. I swear I had more pain from that thing than anything else!

Gawd, Jeanette, that rib brace sounds like a medieval torture device!

Sheesh!

Jim

[Susan BAV]

Good idea yes. That said, I am very nervous. I am not looking forward to this at all. Logically, I realize there is a serious need for the test and the surgery. Emotionally, I don't feel prepared. Not sure why but I don't. I don't think I will ever be emotionally ready for the surgery.

If I may, a couple of post op questions:

Are you awake when the breathing tube is in? Are you awake when it is removed?

How many drains are left in and how long are they left in for? Is it uncomfortable when they are removed?I suffered from a strange kind of overwhelming tiredness before my deteriorating bicuspid valve was replaced.

Emotionally you say you don't feel prepared and I wonder if this is because you feel so lousy. Before surgery, I had a very strong feeling that I was slowly dying but that feeling completely went away for me with the new valve.

I've woken up on the vent twice and this last time was much worse for me and I don't ever want to go through that experience again. But there is a particular commonly administered med, called either Verced or Versed, that can disallow you to remember some things like the vent, which you can ask your doctor about.

I asked for extra pain medication right before my two drain tubes were going to be removed this time.

I don't think I had the external pacer wires, but only because I don't recall them being removed or clipped.

Hope all goes well for you.

[vkernus]

[QUOTE=Susan BAV;322824]I suffered from a strange kind of overwhelming tiredness before my deteriorating bicuspid valve was replaced.
[QUOTE]

Susan. That is how I feel. Overwhelmingly tired at times. Not as if I am moving toward the white light :), but after working for awhile, or doing any physical activity, I simply feel bone tired. This is so unlike how I normally feel. I hope and fully expect this feeling to go away after the valve repalcement.

Victor

[DebbyA]

Victor,
Waking up tired was my main pre-surgery symptom, and 6 months later, it's gone.

I was at Fairfax, not Alexandria hospital, but just wanted you to know I was never aware of the breathing tube before or after. I dimly remember waking up and being aware that I couldn't speak, but not bothered by it. Removal of the pacer wires and drainage were likewise done painlessly. They cut one of the wires rather than keep pulling when it resisted--said it would dissolve in 30 days. I had been apprehensive about having the tubes out, but the PA just said "Take a deep breath", then "ok", and I said "That's IT???" and it was. I was not on any painkillers at that point, either.

Also, it's an external pacemaker, and the wires in your chest are temporary. The really good thing about getting all these out is that then you can take a SHOWER!