Triscupid regurgitation

I have just recently turned 16 years old and it marks the 12th year of my pacemaker powering me (regency pacemakers can last 14 years)!
I was noticing how I had a very reduce exercise tolerance and was getting tired a lot quicker than usual so booked an appointment to see my paediatric cardiologist. I had several tests done and the conlusion was that I have moderate-severe triscupid regurgitation! I also need to have my pacemaker replaced to a dual chamber one withing the next few months!
I'm not normally one to worry but this really shocked me as I am very spotty and otherwise fit and well! The though of open heart surgery to repair the valve is so scary! Just wondering if anyone has had it or can offer any advice for me for surgery?
Thank you!

7 Comments

Hi Katie

by Jax - 2013-07-02 11:07:49

Sometimes even when you have moderate-Severe reguritaton they just watch it and no surgery is required. I don't what other issues you have so that will play into that. Value replacement is scary, but I understand that there's a new procedure that is less risky and has an easier recovery. I don't know too much about it...but I understand that they don't open the chest...they do it laposcopically (I'm sure I spelled that wrong)....the time in the hospital is cut down to 2/3 days and the recovery time is also shorter. It's also a safer procedure. I know people who had this procedure ...

Keep us posted.

Hi Katie...........

by Tattoo Man - 2013-07-03 08:07:30


....................I had a new valve in 2007..out in 5 days..running at 7weeks...1/2 marathon at 24 weeks. I am 63 now and still running.

The fear is very real..I had 6 months to worry before my Op. As Sue uk says ..its not painful as such, I was very surprised that all in all my biggest pain was in my spine because of the rib-retraction and I must say that coughing was a drag for about a week.

Because the heart has no pain nerves it amazed me that I had absolutely no discomfort there and next to no pain from the sternum wound. Eight Paracetamol a day for about a week.

You will feel pretty tired for a week or so...plan your initial few days...books to catch up on..friends to have round (on YOUR terms re time )..there is no reason why you cannot go for walks or go out to lunch.

One little trick that I adopted was, when in busy places, link your hands together in front of you to make your own 'bull bars', this puts you in control re protection.

Oh and , just like with a new PM..NO reaching up to cupboards.

Keep a diary and record your progress.

If you Private Message me with your address I can send you a great little book published by the British Heart Association that tells you all you really need to know.

Good luck and keep us up to date

Tattoo Man UK

Hi Katie

by sue uk - 2013-07-03 08:07:54

l had a mitral valve replacement nearly 25yrs ago & it was not a "Painful" operation as such, l have had a lot worse & the fact that you feel so much better from having the procedure makes it well worth a bit of discomfort :-)
l had an echo' done last week & the last time l had one done it showed l had "mild" triscupid regurg' this time it was "moderate" not sure what that means but l am due to see my cardio' next month so hopefully they will explain a bit more to me then.
Try not to worry if you do need an op' as things have changed a huge amount since l had mine done so it should be even easier than when l went through it !!!
Good luck,
Sue X

Hi Katie

by sunny@heart - 2013-07-03 12:07:24

I had my mitral valve replaced in 2011. Before hand I read a very helpful book THE PATIENT'S GUIDE TO HEART VALVE SURGERY, by Adam Pick.
Adam had 2 valve surgeries & found little info so decided to write a book with what he did find out. This is full of factual info by Surgeons, Caridologsits, patients & his experience. Extremely helpful.He also started www.HeartValveBlog.com. You can interact with other patients and start a journal that others can view & write to you on... I got lots of practical advice. I also have moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation. The surgeon ran out of time during my procedure to fix that one, but like Jax said, often they watch & evaluate..... plus there are new procedures that don't involve the open heart process.
Deep breath & keep asking questions! Glad you found us!!

I heard about the book

by Jax - 2013-07-03 12:07:27

That Sunnyheart recommended. I heard good things about it.

Thank you!

by KatieMiller97 - 2013-07-04 10:07:05

Thanks for all your comments they have all really helped! The leak is at the moment being ministered and they have decided to operate next match when my pacemaker is changed, I'm going from a single chamber pacemaker to a dual chamber one so along with a valve repair I should feel a lot better!

Spellcheck..

by KatieMiller97 - 2013-07-04 10:07:18

Monitored*

You know you're wired when...

Your signature looks like an EKG.

Member Quotes

Pacemakers are very reliable devices.