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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: February 10, 2026

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David Martin posted an update

2 months ago (March 11, 2026)

Thought I would share the latest on my progression with all my symptoms and struggles with ANS recalibration. I hit 20 weeks post op yesterday. I am still struggling through migraines, nausea and heavy head all accompanied by some stomach discomfort. Iâ€™ve read and being told that valve patients can... Read more.

Robert Miller

Yes, they tell you nada about the recovery. Maybe they don't want to scare patients too much. Maybe some patients prefer it this way. I would have appreciated knowing a bit more, just the basic/obvious things, but I guess everyone's situation is different. And they get sued because they didn't... Read more.

David Martin

â€œAutonomic Nervous Systemâ€ , something I now know way too much about. The vagus nerve is struggling to recalibrate but thatâ€™s where Iâ€™m told 5-7 months and that complete recovery is a year

Geoff Curtis

For the first 6-8 months I would get ocular migraines every day. I still get them occasionally, but not as often. I am 17 months post mini-sternotomy

Robert Miller

@David Martin, thank you for the clarification. I have never heard of "Autonomic Nervous System" and had to google it. It seems pretty common but not for the duration you mentioned. However, you seem to do fine in regards to heart rate and I assume blood pressure, heart rhythm, etc.... Read more.

Richard Munson

If you read about the vagus nerve it is an eye opener. One diagnosis we got for shadows seizures always after vomiting was that it affected his vagus nerve causing the seizure. It was one of a few diagnoses, the other being epilepsy.

Rose Madura

I've mentioned this before I think but my Dad had this and would pass out whenever he vomited and my Richard has the same thing last time he got sick. Several things can trigger it, I think.

J Alexander Lassally

I'm curious if a TCA will help or add side effects / impacts. I do think it will improve with time, and I also do think your surgeon hit "something" in there while manipulating. You're one of the unlucky few.

Fidel Martãnez Ruiz

Hey Alexander I donÂ´t understand which means "TCA" , Can you tell me, please?

Grace Mason

I think TCA is a drug classification Fidel. Hope it helps you David.

David Martin posted an update

3 months ago (February 10, 2026)

I am 16 weeks post thoracotomy mitral valve repair struggling mightily through autonomic nervous system recalibration and Iâ€™m wondering if anyone has experienced this

😂 Grace Mason reacted to this

David Martin

Nausea, dizziness, GI issues, headaches to migraines and Iâ€™m told itâ€™s common through a thoracotomy and can take up to 6 months to stabilize. Itâ€™s honestly been the worse part of recovery and certainly was under discussed. Thanks for any feedback to anyone who can share.

J Alexander Lassally

Hey David - so sorry (really, I am) for your outcome so far. I am 24 months... The thoracotomy surgery is difficult in its own right because they literally "sneak" into your heart and a lesser skilled surgeon can "f-up" and hit critical nervous system architecture. I will say that... Read more.

J Alexander Lassally

P.S. Your surgeon looks young? Was he any good?

David Martin

Surgeon is renown actually. Bedside manner not the best but from everyone and everything he is one of the best when it comes to mitral valves. I am lucky to live in Ottawa as the Ottawa Heart Institute is where you want to be in Canada. I keep getting told... Read more.

Kathy Blank

Howâ€™s your heart rate and BP? I had more issues with that and some fainting and heart rhythm issues- I donâ€™t think we realize how much stress our body goes through- hope you feel better soon!

David Martin

HR and BP great, my cardiac rehab is going well, well into zone 2 and 3, I feel best when exercising itâ€™s the in between that is brutal. I am a 52 year old fitness fanatic so I went into this hoping to get back in a realistic time frame... Read more.

J Alexander Lassally

David, it takes a long time to recover. Realistically, 6 months minimum to be sort of back to self. I was 51 when I had it. Just for reference, I think at 1 year I felt about 80% of my old self.

David Martin

Alexander, did you have those symptoms also? Hearing from someone who lived through this i feel might help!

Kathy Blank

I never had any ans issues but just read about them in an online search. Does your cardiologist offer any insight? I wonder if an electrophysiologist would be the specialist to help you manage this? I had some heart rhythm issues and my electrophysiologists helped me manage the exact diagnosis... Read more.

David Martin

I have also read a lot about ANS instability for up to 6 months after thoracotomy. I struggle with the lack of help or guidance on the matter. I did inquire this week with my cardiologist and waiting on feedback on who would be best suited for support in this... Read more.

Kathy Blank

Keep searching- think of how many others you will help once you get this and managed!!!!

David Martin

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Geoff Curtis

I was 54 when I had a mini, replaced my bicuspid aortic valve. It took almost a year for a full recovery.