I'm so grateful to have found this group online. I recently had my ASD closed w/ amplatzer device on 3/27/12. I really believed my cardiologist when he said I would feel like "new" in 4-5 days; and I really did not. I went back to work on last week; only to take a few more days off- I felt dull aches in my right leg and started getting headaches. I do suffer from migraine headaches, but had not experienced many in the last year- had 2 in the past 6 days. I also feel emotionally and physically tired- like my stamina is not all back yet. I am a social worker at a hospital and was eager to get back to work; eager to feel "normal" and engage in "normal" activities... Have you all felt this way? any advice? I'm usually very active so this has been very challenging for me. I am glad I found this site for support. I hope everyone is doing well and appreciate any feedback in advance.. thanks!
I think a piece of the puzzle is how old you are. I had mine closed at 39; doctors told me a LOT about how much better I would feel, etc. Truth is, it never happened. I'm 5 years out now, and while I'm sure I'm better than I would have been if it hadn't been repaired, the feeling of being 18 just never came :) Expectations can be tricky. I would never discourage someone from having a repair, but I think the docs are stuck with trying to encourage somebody to do something that really doesn't yield immediate results. I think both the damage from and the victory over ASDs is very slow.
I feel your pain Rose, I had mine closed earlier this year and was told I can start working out 3 days after, well that didn’t happen and I was also given a wk off from work. I noticed I couldn’t function at work so I took some extra weeks off. I still have issues here and there but it gets better. My heart seems to be in a better shape but I’m having back pains that doesn’t want to let up. Hang in there with time things does improve.
Rose, I’m so happy you posted… your story could be mine (just a few weeks later, as I had mine done 2 weeks ago.) I’m honestly starting to get depressed and very anxious… I think it might have to do with the fact that I was a gym rat and I don’t have my daily endorphins anymore. I went back to work this Monday and even though I’ve been tired, I’m so happy to be out of the house! But I do get a little irritated when everyone tells me how great I look and that I’m all better now…
Everyone here is super cool and has great words of advice. I’m located in Anaheim… You?
Thanks! I can't wait to feel the full "effect" of the repair :)
bernardshuford said:
I think a piece of the puzzle is how old you are. I had mine closed at 39; doctors told me a LOT about how much better I would feel, etc. Truth is, it never happened. I'm 5 years out now, and while I'm sure I'm better than I would have been if it hadn't been repaired, the feeling of being 18 just never came :) Expectations can be tricky. I would never discourage someone from having a repair, but I think the docs are stuck with trying to encourage somebody to do something that really doesn't yield immediate results. I think both the damage from and the victory over ASDs is very slow.
I actually just asked for some modifications at work.. it's too much and while I have good days- I think we deserve to take care of ourselves..I mean it is our HEART! :)
Imoisie said:
I feel your pain Rose, I had mine closed earlier this year and was told I can start working out 3 days after, well that didn't happen and I was also given a wk off from work. I noticed I couldn't function at work so I took some extra weeks off. I still have issues here and there but it gets better. My heart seems to be in a better shape but I'm having back pains that doesn't want to let up. Hang in there with time things does improve.
I felt the same way! re: work and leaving the house, I was getting cabin fever! but I have felt is that my leg ached after sitting or standing for too long. Not sure how you are feeling, but just take it easy at work if you can.. I actually ended up having to take some extra days.. I felt anxious and depressed too, and I understand you when you say people say " you look great"... but deep inside know you've just been through something pretty major.. I'm in West LA.
Magda said:
Rose, I'm so happy you posted.. your story could be mine (just a few weeks later, as I had mine done 2 weeks ago.) I'm honestly starting to get depressed and very anxious... I think it might have to do with the fact that I was a gym rat and I don't have my daily endorphins anymore. I went back to work this Monday and even though I've been tired, I'm so happy to be out of the house! But I do get a little irritated when everyone tells me how great I look and that I'm all better now..
Everyone here is super cool and has great words of advice. I'm located in Anaheim... You? :) :)
I think because the procedure seems so "simple" compared to open heart that we tend to downplay the fact that it is our heart! The insertion of this device is an invasive procedure, no matter how it is done and I am sure the heart is going to be alittle shocked to have this "inner bling" installed in it.
Yup yup… I’m still nervous about going back to my old workouts after a few weeks… Don’t wanna jiggle the little bugger. Did you guys’ docs tell you how long until the tissue grows over the device and you can back to normal life? My doc told me 3 weeks till I can do my workout except for soccer… he said maybe a couple of months for that. I read in a website that one of the docs recommended 3 months before any hardcore activities… Any thoughts?
Welcome and thanks for posting. It is so helpful to hear other people's stories. I had my ASD closed on December 2011. I was too told by my doctor that I would be like new in a week. I only had two weeks off until I had to go back to my crazy rutine. It took me a week to just walk short distances and leave my house. I didn't feel like doing anything for that week. Then I started going out, running errands and driving. I started walking as a form of exercise (very short distances though).
I got back to my crazy life two weeks post closesure and started having palpitations. I got worried and called my doctor who ordered a Holter for 48 hrs. It just showed PAC's, thank goodnes! I haven't felt them anymore.
I really started to feel myself again, with my full energy about 6-8 weeks post closure. I think doctors should stop telling people that they will be like new in a couple of days! I haven't met the first person to have felt this way.
Oh well, hang in there! It does get better. I am back to my running routine although I haven't tried doing the insanity workouts. Something tells me I am not ready for that
Taking a few days or weeks off is a good idea :) Hope you feel better and better every day :D
Keep us posted!!
@Magda: my doctor told me that 1 month post closure I could do whatever I wanted (minus high risk sports due to being on plavix and aspirin). I didn't feel great at 1 month though so I didn't run then until like another month later. I was told that it takes 3-6 months for the tissue to grow over the device and close it.
cant agree anymore!! I have my surgery performed 5 months ago. I was told that I could go back to run just ONE week after, and I started to have severe migraine. Migraine is horrible and it really affect my daily life activities. I then stopped running and just walk instead for five months, and today I start running again and it goes fine~~~ so DO NOT EVER listen to your doctor if he said you can run a month or few weeks after surgery!!
Jessi said:
Hi Rose!
Welcome and thanks for posting. It is so helpful to hear other people's stories. I had my ASD closed on December 2011. I was too told by my doctor that I would be like new in a week. I only had two weeks off until I had to go back to my crazy rutine. It took me a week to just walk short distances and leave my house. I didn't feel like doing anything for that week. Then I started going out, running errands and driving. I started walking as a form of exercise (very short distances though).
I got back to my crazy life two weeks post closesure and started having palpitations. I got worried and called my doctor who ordered a Holter for 48 hrs. It just showed PAC's, thank goodnes! I haven't felt them anymore.
I really started to feel myself again, with my full energy about 6-8 weeks post closure. I think doctors should stop telling people that they will be like new in a couple of days! I haven't met the first person to have felt this way.
Oh well, hang in there! It does get better. I am back to my running routine although I haven't tried doing the insanity workouts. Something tells me I am not ready for that
Taking a few days or weeks off is a good idea :) Hope you feel better and better every day :D
Keep us posted!!
@Magda: my doctor told me that 1 month post closure I could do whatever I wanted (minus high risk sports due to being on plavix and aspirin). I didn't feel great at 1 month though so I didn't run then until like another month later. I was told that it takes 3-6 months for the tissue to grow over the device and close it.
