Paulette Azon - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2137 days ago

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I have just found this very valuable site to answer some questions in my recovery. I had Mitral valve and Tricuspid valve repair 2 months ago (Dec. 10,2018) ...Read more

I have just found this very valuable site to answer some questions in my recovery. I had Mitral valve and Tricuspid valve repair 2 months ago (Dec. 10,2018) . The repair was successful but I did have some set-backs which kept me in the hospital for 11 days. I had low blood pressure, needed a blood transfusion, and in and out of Afib. When I was discharged I was extremely week, especially since I had not walked in 10 days. Two weeks after being home I felt something was wrong with my breathing. I was back in the hospital with a fluid around my lung . Fluid was aspirated and I was discharged from hospital. I continued to not being able to walk without being out of breath and having to sit down every few feet. My cardiologist then prescribed Predisone to help with inflammation and a water pill. While on Predisone I felt better and was able to walk a longer distance without being exhausted and out of breath. To complicate my issue, I have Scoliosis and have had Spinal reconstructive surgery 20 years ago. The metal instruments wired on my spine affect almost every vertebrae. It has just been 2 months since my surgery and I am still having difficulty walking. I have seen my cardiologist and a pulmonologist who do not see any concern. My question to others that have gone through this is: Did you experience breathing issues and when were you able to walk without difficulty?

Steve Farthing Paulette, Congratulions on getting those two valves repaired. Wow! As far as difficulty walking af ... Read more

Steve Farthing Paulette, Congratulions on getting those two valves repaired. Wow! As far as difficulty walking afterwards, in my case I could 'walk' the next day. But to walk without any sense of leg weakness for me was not until 1-2 months later and I only had one valve repaired. There are many roads to recovery but no specific roadmap. So it can be difficult to compare anyone to anyone else on that road. Working with your cardiologist and pulmonologist sounds like a very solid plan.

Louanna Miller I agree with Steve. I, too, had mitro valve repair and was in the hospital for 11 days due to pain, ... Read more

Louanna Miller I agree with Steve. I, too, had mitro valve repair and was in the hospital for 11 days due to pain, low oxygen levels, fluid around my lungs and some AFib. I had a thoracentesis and lung function improved. I was weak for a good month. Due to the oxygen, lung and breathing issues, my walking pace increased slower than expected.