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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: June 29, 2023

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James Holcomb posted an update

2 years ago (August 13, 2023)

Hi All, Iâ€™m 2 weeks (and a couple of days) post-op. Recovery is going well, regaining strength and energy a little each day. Iâ€™ve had no issues with the heart block situation, i.e. no passing out, fainting, or significant dizziness ( just my normal dizziness ðŸ˜€). All that is a... Read more.

Marie Myers

Glad you are recovering well. I did not experience the type of arm pain that you have, but hopefully someone who has had a similar experience will respond to your post. My biggest complaint was fatigue and upper back aches.

Rose Madura

I'm happy your recovery is coming along. It's a process. I had shoulder pain but it didn't run down my arms as you described. Wishing you continued progressive recovery.

Cathleen Weed

Shoulder stretches ( and neck stretches) are so important after such a major surgery. Of course, always (always) tell your doctor about any new pain. Hopefully, since it is sounds like bilateral pain, it is nerve pain originating from one site and good stretching plus massage could help with that... Read more.

Robert Miller

I haven't heard of that before, at least not as far away as an arm (I sometimes felt some 'needle' pain in the chest area away from the incision). The fact that it comes suddenly suggests it's not related to how you sleep, stiffness, etc. Maybe it's something similar to... Read more.

James Holcomb posted an update

2 years ago (August 3, 2023)

8/3 Update - Sorry itâ€™s been a couple of days between updates. Came home on 8/1 with no pacemaker or monitor. Dr. Link (cardiologist) was very thoughtful, examining the data, and feels my heart block issues are due to the trauma from surgery and the swelling. Iâ€™m not opposed to... Read more.

❤️ 🥰 Carol Jackson, Rose Madura and reacted to this

Ana Brusso

Thank you for your update and glad you didnâ€™t need a pacemaker or anything else and your doctor was very proactive. James, itâ€™s not unusual to be tired when you get tired donâ€™t fight it take a nap. This too shall pass. Continue good health and recovery ðŸ™â¤ï¸

Rose Madura

Wonderful update James. So glad you have a caring cardiologist. Take all the naps you want. Time to listen to your body. Godspeed.

Marie Myers

It is normal to be extremely fatigued while recovering from heart surgery. As your blood count comes up, you will regain stamina bit by bit. Continue to walk and deep breathe as much as you can, and nap when you need to. Things will improve!

Rita Savelis

Glad to hear you didn't need a pacemaker. It's always nice when doctors wait to see how things evolve. Post surgery is a tiring time. Coming home is tiring. Your body has been through a lot. Your system needs time to recover. Take it easy. Recovery is not a race.... Read more.

Grace Mason

Thanks for sharing about the pacemaker decision. Hope you are feeling better everyday x2

James Holcomb posted an update

2 years ago (July 31, 2023)

Curious if anyone had heart block complications after valve repair surgery? My heart rate is occasionally dropping down below 40 even 30 bpm for just a second then returns to normal. Doctors are considering a pacemaker which Iâ€™m not thrilled about yet. Appreciate any thoughts or experiences to share with... Read more.

Carol Jackson

Yes! I had heart block with TAVR in Feb. 2022. I got a pacemaker.

Carol Jackson

My pacemaker is hardly needed but Iâ€™m glad I have it, if needed. Itâ€™s a pain going through airport security.

Rita Savelis

Yes. The need for a pacemaker is a side effect of OHS that happens to a small percentage of patients (me included). Sometimes the invisible electrical lines in your heart are damaged by surgery. I got a pacemaker about 2 weeks after double valve surgery (8 yrs ago) because my... Read more.

Rita Savelis

No problem with airport security - more and more airports have new machines that pacemakers can go through. I can also have MRIs as long as a doctor checks the pacemaker before and after.

Kathy Ozio

Yep. I ended up with a defibrillator one week after my mitral valve repair. Had issues with V fib (afraid of cardiac arrest). It was more of an insurance policy because it got a lot better in that week, but didn't go entirely away. I'm 5 months out from my... Read more.

Jill Porter

I have a pacemaker and I never think about it. Had it after I experienced a cardiac arrest in 2020. I am awaiting valve surgery in September so I guess I've got that part covered already. LOL.