the wires are bugging me

[pellicle]

Hi

not sure if 10 months post op is too far out to be applicable, but lately the wires have been bugging me. For most of this week they have been causing significant swelling under the skin (I would say at least 8mm swelling thickness).

I discussed this with my GP (in Australia its the General Practitioner, a doctor who is not a specialist) and he ordered an X-ray to see how the sternum was healing.

Personally I can't even see the sternum on this x-ray. Here is a quick view of it


things are settling down, but I still have some pain and the ability to do some exersize is almost impossible (for example my morning training where I do bench press). Now before anyone goes ballistic on me, I only began bench press after my surgeon suggested mild exersize was permissible, I only press 20Kg and I DO NOT bounce it off my chest (or even touch my chest)

Now pain begins while its still 5 or 8cm from my chest (and so I don't go lower).

Other things such as riding my bicycle are OK, but looking over my shoulder when driving is 'pinched' at the chest.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Guyswell]

I've had open heart two times and never had any issues with the wires. There are muscles and scar tissue under the skin in the area of your incision. Perhaps you've injured or inflamed some soft tissues. Another possibility is that your body encapsulated the foreign bodies (wires) with scar tissue and you have now disturbed that with exercise and your body will once again have to create some fresh scar tissue around some of the wires. On the other hand, it is possible that your sternum did not heal 100% along the entire length. An experienced radiologist should be able to properly interpret your x-ray.

 

[Bina]

We have had several members go back and get their wires removed. It seems to be worse for those of us who are thin....there
just isn't much in the way of fat padding that area.
My wires are so annoying, almost breaking the skin when I move around and try to stretch. Hate it.
You can try doing a "search" of the forums (probably Heart Talk also) using the term "sternum wires" or something similar.

 

[Fundy]

If its the wires that are causing you problems one, more, all of them can be removed. I had top 4 removed almost two weeks ago.

as far as bench pressing 10 months after op, I can't see any reason you can't lift as much as you can, and bounce the bar off your chest just as you would pre-op. Unless your sternum is slow healing.

I wouldn't say I had any swelling. Are the wires definitely causing the swelling?

 

[ski girl]

I don't notice my wires at all, other than I can see a lump where one obviously is. You have a lot of wires though, I only had three. I agree with what has been said, this is not right and you should be able to bench more than 20kg - I'm doing 30kg and I'm a 59kg girl.

Back to the surgeon I reckon! Where in AUS are you?

 

[pellicle]

thanks everyone for the input.

My next meeting with the surgeon is in Jan. Between now and then I'm hoping to acquire basic information for decision making so that we can reduce time delays

Back to the surgeon I reckon! Where in AUS are you?

Southport (I hate calling this place the Gold Coast) right now, hope to head back to Finland again next year. I do miss skiing (but more cross country stuff http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com.au/search/label/ski boot ).

 

[pellicle]

Are the wires definitely causing the swelling?

well I can't be 100% certain, but the swelling is exactly where the top two are ...

 

[ramjet]

don't leave it until January pellicle, honestly.

If I look at my xray (and I'll post a copy if I can work out how to do that) my wires a single wires that don't do a double wrap or ziz zag like yours seem to, (and theremay have been a very good reason for the super duper twisty technique) but fortunately I have not had one second of problem with the wires, honestly. I am doing push ups and I lift as much weight as I can physically lift, (not until I had the all clear). Its another reason also to do the cardiac rehab clases, and although you had the surgery in Brisbane, I would be surprised if there wasn't soem cardiac rehab classess/sessions available at Southport...the nursing and exercise physiology staff were just great, and I really got a lot out of it....and they are also great to talk about anything related, such as possible wire pain.... But anyway, I would make a trip back to Brisbane, and consult with the surgeon. Having watched some open heart surgery over the years, its not the actual surgeon who does the sternum closure most often, but rather its one of their "assistants", ie a trainee surgeon (albiet under close supervision)...maybe, just maybe, the "double zig zag with a triple twist" wire technique they used on your sternum just doesn't agree with your sternum....certainly worth asking the surgeon for sure. Give the surgeon's secretery a ring and have a chat and see what they think...but I would b inclined not to wait till January, honestly.

 

[TAB9]

Greetings! I have had 2 OHS in the past 12 months. Had the same issue with the wires, they started bugging me alot. So, had them removed last week. Pretty simple procedure--put me under anesthesia, 2 small incisions, and 4 wires removed. Was in the hospital about 4-5 hours total. I was surprisingly sore for 4-5 days afterwards, but nothing compared to what we have all endured! Good luck!

 

[pellicle]

Hi folks

currently in hospital since Thursday gone. I managed to get through to my surgeon and sent him pictures of the inflamation. He requested me to come to the hospital and upon seeing the inflamation put me into surgery for debridement and wire removal that evening.

Some images and basic detail is on my blog. Seems likely that I have had some slow growing infection since the surgery. The infection control specialist suspects a commensul skin bacteria (I think he suspects propionibacterium. This would fit the pictire as it is actually an anerobe which is aerobic tolerant. Slow growing and (from what I am told) can evade the immune system by snuggling in there.

My blog can be found at http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com

depending when you go there best navigate to the correct area via the date navigation on the left. Look for dates around 22nd of November 2012

 

[Lynlw]

Wow Sorry to hear this. The other post w/ the picture of the bump that just started this far out didnt look good so Im glad you contacted your surgeon and he had you come in. Hopefully all gets cleared up soon. Is it in the bone? I guess i should read your blog before asking other questions..These bacteria can be amazing, how they can hide for so long and then come out. Justin had a problem with an infection that came back about 2 years later, but luckily knock on wood no problems since. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers, that anything the surgery didnt get the antibiotics take care of

 

[pellicle]

Hi Lyn

currently people are saying that its not looking like it was in the sternum. However the surgeon said that the wires (twisted together) were in the middle of a puddle of 'material' and remains concerned that the pull through of the wire removal may have transferred it to behind the sternum.

Time will reveal the answers.

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Lyn

currently people are saying that its not looking like it was in the sternum. However the surgeon said that the wires (twisted together) were in the middle of a puddle of 'material' and remains concerned that the pull through of the wire removal may have transferred it to behind the sternum.

Time will reveal the answers.

I don't know If it helps, but Justin's infection was in quite a bit of sternum and the tissue around it. It was quite scarey at least for me the Mom,google isnt always your friend, I learned not to look things up in the middle of them. BUT after his surgery and weeks of antibiotics, Justin did great with a full recovery.
If there is anything we can help with even just to vent, just pm me since I get notified when I get pm's. On another note Ive been reading about your past year and even tho there are no words, I hope it helps to know 1 more person has you in their thoughts and prayers.

 

[JiFaire]

Pellicle, I am really hoping that your issues have found solutions - or that solutions have found your issues! Know that you are also in my thoughts and prayers; we Canadians are hardy folk, and we admire others who are walking the hard road, as you have been. I'm sure there are better days ahead for you, sir... hang in there, OK?

Jim

 

[pellicle]

thanks for the kind messages.

I can only put one foot infront of the other. Done a lot of lying down and crying too, but I pick up and do what has to be done. Small things every day.

I only hope that some of my answers here to offer advice and support to those going through things like valve choice and aversion to anti-coagulation therapy are not too laden with my personal circumstances.

I still see good things and enjoy the sunshine. Its probably just another opportunity to come to terms with her absence in my life that is making being in this same hospital again difficult.

Please feel free to PM me if my posts seem unhelpful or bleak.

 

[TomG]

Hello there,

I had open heart surgery exact;y three months ago to this date 12/13/12 as I had a Class 4 Barlow's Diease Mitral Valve and U have a ten inch incision and I also have ten wires and so far at this point I have had no issues with the wires as yet. Only thing that mainly bothers me is some pain near the top of the inision. I was surprised at the length of my incision when I saw it and when I found out I had ten wires I thought wow but I was told cause I am so thin and my heart is shifted over to the left more then an average person. I would just keep a close eye on it and see what happens. Keep us adivised!

 

[pellicle]

TomG

Results so far:
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/another-surgery.html

http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/results-stage-1.html

http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/vac-pack.html