Dear Lemony,
There can be neurological symptoms following open heart surgery but it sounds as if you have been well evaluated for this and nothing has turned up. I have never heard of coumadin causing these types of side effects. Migranes can cause visual field changes (and I can attest to this from personal experience as well). There are good medications for migranes now and I would suggest discussing this with your neurologist.
I had mitral valve surgery done in May, 1999. After the surgery I experienced numerous bouts of double vision. I also developed optical migraines, which I never had before the surgery. Now, two years later, the instances of double vision are rare but I still will have optical migraines every 4 weeks or so. I have discussed this at length with my cardiologist and he has offered one possible explanation. He feels my problems may be the result of a micro-embolism which occurred during the bypass phase of the surgery. Visual disturbances after bypass surgery have been reported and are documented. The hope is that, with time, these distubances will subside.
Thank you for the responses to date. I do take medications for migraines and they do help, but the visual disturbances are scary at times. I never had them before. Regarding Stan's comments, again thank you. It is good to know that someone else experienced this. I will also discuss this with my cardiologist.
I had a mitral valve repair & single bypass in Feb 2000 and also noticed random blurriness in my vision. I went to the eye doctor & he said he would not even bother to examine me. He said that it is common for patients to have these vision problems after open heart surgery and that it is caused by the drugs given during and after surgery. These problems can last up to one year. At this point I am still having some problems & now it seems that I have developed a cataract in my right eye - a "side effect" from my arrythmia drugs. I guess they can remove the cataract but I have to take the arrythmia drugs to keep my heart under control.
Hi,
Have you tried valvereplacement.com forum? I know you didn't have a replacement, but the symptoms you describe - migraines and vision problems - have been discussed at length on that forum. I would recommend it, though there is no archive at vr.com unfortunately. It's a very friendly site though, and people will jump to answer any questions you might have. Good luck! Emma
Thank you Emma and thank you Slye for the info. They have been very useful. It's goopd to know someone else experienced this and also good to know there is a sight that I have not tried yet. I will visit it.
Thank you Slye and thank you Emmaj. The info has been very useful. Its good to know someone else experienced the same symptoms. I will visit the site you mentioned Emmaj. Thank you both.
My husband had extensive hand surgery. He was on the operating table for 8 hours and came out of recovery w/a headache. His headache was located in the back of his head, there was a large bump there.Since then he has developed a bald spot in that same area w/ severe frequent cluster headaches. I have since discovered that the bald spot is from pressure alopcia.This could have been prevented by moving the head during surgery. I have not linked the headaches with the pressure alopcia as of yet but wondered if some of those w/headaches also had a bald spot develope on the back of thier head during a lengthy surgey.
My husband had extensive hand surgery. He was on the operating table for 8 hours and came out of recovery w/a headache. His headache was located in the back of his head, there was a large bump there.Since then he has developed a bald spot in that same area w/ severe frequent cluster headaches. I have since discovered that the bald spot is from pressure alopcia.This could have been prevented by moving the head during surgery. I have not linked the headaches with the pressure alopcia as of yet but wondered if some of those w/headaches also had a bald spot develope on the back of thier head during a lengthy surgey.