Home > Community > Patient News Feed > Karrie Irby-Williams

Karrie's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: November 12, 2018

Send Karrie a Note

My Posts

Karrie Irby-Williams posted an update

7 years ago (January 2, 2019)

We are 4 weeks out from Justinâ€™s surgery and overall things are going very well. Spent New Years Eve at ER due to irregular heart beat from not taking his metoprolol. I had to hold it from low BP when upper number was going below 100 and pulse was going... Read more.

Jill Mullikin

Ah heck. I was hoping you were quiet because you were busy celebrating the holidays with your family! Crazy how Justin and Bashâ€™s hospital stays were so similar but they are definitely having different recoveries. Guess there is no one size fits all to this is there? Hang in there... Read more.

Karrie Irby-Williams

Thank you !!!

Debbie Kelly

My mother lost blood during her surgery, had to have transfusions, and was re-admitted a month later to have more transfusions. Granted she was much older than your son, I understand it is something that is not uncommon. My mother ended up having to have shots for about a year... Read more.

Debbie Kelly

You are welcome, Karrie. I forgot to mention that one of the symptoms of a low hemoglobin count is shortness of breath. I had never heard of anything like that before. I thought my mom was, either, having an asthma attack or her new valve had failed.

Marie Myers

Has he seen a gastrointestinal doc? Sometimes we can develope stomach ulcers from the stress of the surgery, which can lead to anemia afterwards. Especially if you say his stomach has been bothering him. I would at least ask about that.

Thomas Brusstar

The blood thinners can cause gastro-intestinal bleeding. The hemoglobin shouldn't be going down, I wouldn't think, unless there's some internal bleeding. I would guess ulcers or other gastro bleeding is the most likely culprit, assuming blood thinners are being used. But my hemo after surgery was 9 and I felt... Read more.

Dan Baltazor

Good to hear. Hopefully this will resolve soon.

Karrie Irby-Williams posted an update

7 years ago (December 11, 2018)

Justin is doing really well and we are at 8 Days post surgery! Only issue seems to be his Heart rate. He was sent home with BP meds Metoprolol 25mg (1/2 in am and 1/2 in pm) and once a day Lisinopril-5mg. His Bp has been too low twice and... Read more.

👍 Someone reacted to this

Lisa Guinan

My HR was in the low 100s when I first got home from the hospital. Iâ€™m now in the low 90s. Im not currently on a beta blocker. I know it takes awhile for your heart to settle down after surgery, it doesnâ€™t realize it doesnâ€™t have to work as... Read more.

Jill Mullikin

I hope things have calmed down today. Thinking of you both!!

Catie B

Hope things are going better, Karrie!

Bob Santospago

Most everyone who had valve replacement has told me the same ... high heart rate in the beginning, but under control in no time at all.

Rosie Craig

I am 7 months post op with aortic valve replacement and aortic aneurysm repair. I went through the same thing. My heart rate would go to 120 when I was sitting on the couch watching tv. I was taking my blood pressure way too much and then would get nervous.... Read more.