Mitral valve operation

I am 25 years old girl. Before 15 years i had rheumatic fever and it has affected to my mitral valve. But it was not in a dangerous situation. So i am getting penisiulin injection per once a month. But  my last month echo report says the blood leakage of my mitral valve has increased and i have to face a valve replacement operation if it increase more. So i have no idea about this operation. And im afraid that after this operation what will happen to my noraml life style.. Is there any possibility to can not work hard after this operation?  now i dont feel any trouble in my chest only my echo report says that there is a trouble..
Can u please tell me about this operation.. Is this a kind of bypass operation?

[kitcurious]

Try to post your question on the doctor-to-patient forum in either the heart or interventional cardiology
sections.  I am sorry your MR has progressed. I hope it remains stable from here out and you don't need replacement.

valvereplacement.com

[njean]

Dear Iro,
Your story sounds too much like my story when I was about your age.  I too had rheumatic fever when I turned 21 years of age back in 1971.   It began with a sore throat & then escalated to rheumatic fever.    I was in total bed rest for almost 3 months.  I was so weak that the doctor had to come to my house to give me the penicillin shots because I was so weak I couldn't even get out of bed!   I had to be helped to go to the bathroom & had to eat all my meals in bed!   I thought I was going to die.  But I got over the rheumatic fever but it destroyed my aortic & mitral valves.    I underwent Open Heart Surgery in 1975 in Houston to have mechanical aortic & mitral valves implanted.   Six months later, I had to go back to Houston for my 2nd OHS because the mitral valve had come loose from the sutures & it had to be re-sewn in place.   That was 33 years ago!
I have lived with artificial valves all these years & I lived a very active and unrestricted type of life.  I have had to be on coumadin all these years but that has never been a problem or something you need to be afraid of.  It just becomes a part of your life & there is no reason why you cannot resume a normal, active life again.   I did it; you can do it too.  

I had to have my 3rd OHS (open-heart surgery) in Mar/2006 because the artificial aortic valve was not functioning well & I started getting sick again.   So I went to Houston & they implanted another artificial aortic valve but they did not replace the old mitral valve that's in there & unfortunately now, it has started to malfunction too & it looks like I will have to have a 4th OHS soon.   So, life hasn't been easy for me but I keep on fighting & I will keep on fighting until the end!      You must fight too; you are too young & with today's technology you will be just fine; I know that!   Just think of the advantage you have today versus the advantage I had 33 years ago & I made it!  

Please let me know how you are & if you have had your surgery or are still thinking about having it but not sure.  Take care & hope to hear from you,

Norma

[Smiley2000]

Hi there.  I am female, 32 years old.  I discovered that I had Mitral valve prolapse, in Dec. 2006.  I September 2007 I still had mild MV regurg but 2 weeks ago Echo showed that I now have severe Mitral Regurg and I am scheduled for a Mitral valve replacement/repair op, 31 March 2008.

I live in South Africa and around here they only use the open-heart surgery method.  I believe in the States there are Institutions, like the Cleveland centre that uses the "minimally invasive" or even Robotic method.

Do some research on this and go for a follow-up with your Cardiologist in 3/6 months time.  If you develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, muscle weakness, tiredness - please go to Cardiologist sooner.

All the best!

[wrapper]

I also had rheumatic fever at age 12. I was in bed for 1 yr. Had to learn to walk all over again. It was Hell on my mom. She was there for me. I was told I had MVP> and in about 20 yrs would have to have surgery. Well I don't have MVP, it is my aortic valve. Went to the doc with a "ice cream" headache. By this time I was very tired, and shoet of breath. I guess you should not blow off severe headaches because it is a sign of heart problems. Good luck to you.

[Meg1976]

Dear Norma and all,

I felt happy with Norma's comment. It made me quite comfortable. I have been suffering from Rheumatic fever. I am in 2nd stage and still in penicillin medication. I used to take inj but since I am study in aboard now I take in tablets form penicillin 'G'.

I am now 30 years old Male and I got Rheumatic fever before 8 years. I just noticed through heart pain.

Doctor says I do not need to get surgery procedure but they also say if the condition will remain the same as I have. I take Tablet Enalapril and Penicillin 'G' 400,000 I.U. twice a day.

I am very worry all the time about my heart and health. I am anxious kind of person.

Can anybody suggest me what should I do? Do I need to get open heart surgery.

Please share your experiences and suggest me.