5 Weeks Post-Op; Minor Breathing Issue

[John A.]

I am a little over 5 weeks post-op. Things have been going very well. I saw my cardiologist last Friday and he recommended that I begin cardio rehab and encouraged me to walk to my tolerance. At that point, I was up to about 50 minutes per walk, but am now up to 1hr. 15 minutes on a track (a little over 5 miles). However, the past couple evenings, I've noticed that I've been a little short of breath before going to bed. It is actually somewhat similar to the feeling that I had from time to time pre-surgery. It is like yawning, but not quite feeling like you brought in enough oxygen. Once I fall asleep, I'm fine and when I wake up in the morning, I don't have any problems until 8 or 9 at night. I spoke with my cardiologist about it this afternoon and he said he was a bit perplexed. I was already scheduled to have an echo on Saturday and he has told me to get an x-ray as well and he will get back to me next week. It's not that big of a deal, but it is frustrating and I want to make sure that it isn't an indication that there is a bigger problem lurking. Has anyone had a similar issue?

Thanks,
John

 

[catwoman]

If you're having trouble getting a deep breath, talking very long without having to take a break (I constantly felt like I was having to "come up for air"), you need to have it checked out ASAP.
Some people do have lung issues or fluid building up around the heart post-op.
A former member here had surgery at the same hospital as me, with the same surgeon who did my MVR. Several weeks post-op, she called me complaining about lack of appetite (not uncommon). A couple of days later, her sister called me with additional complaints. I said to call the surgeon or cardio. The woman went to the ER, where she was diagnosed with fluid buildup and was admitted to the hosital. At least 1/2 liter of fluid was drained, and she began to feel better.
Moral of the story: When in doubt, check it out. Better to 'waste" money on a hospital ER co-pay or doctor visit than to ignore something, thinking it will get better.

 

[epstns]

John,
Catwoman has several valid points. Another possibility is one that I ran into. When they do valve surgery, they actually deflate and collapse our lungs. Sometimes after surgery, it can take a while - weeks, even - for the lungs to fully unfold and re-inflate. After surgery I had just a bit of fluid around my left lung, and the lower tip of that lung took several weeks to fully inflate. Sometimes it would be fully inflated, others not. It was strange, like having randomly variable lung capacity. It turned out to be benign and resolved itself as I began to exercise more. Now at 6 months post-op, I'm a graduate of cardio rehab and have begun building up my jogging distance again. Stick with it. Have that shortness of breath checked out, and then stay active. It gets even better!

 

[John A.]

Thank you for the responses. I will follow through. I mentioned Steve's point to my cardiologist yesterday and he agreed that could be a possibility, which is why he wanted to check the x-ray. My weight has been very consistent since I've gotten out of the hospital, so I am hopeful that I don't have excess fluid buildup, but I'll let the experts tell me!

 

[Julian]

Cool to get it checked out John! I'm just 6 weeks post op and have noticed some "SOB" off and on after surgery. It's getting better overall but sometimes its similar to pre op "SOB" as I stated before, it has gotten way better been since surgery! I completely understand the yawning thing, and being unable to get a full satisfying breath. I experienced that for 2 years before surgery but especially bad 6 months before surgery.

 

[jake]

Well this is a subject I am very familiar with, even now, almost 10 months post aneurism repair I get just a little SOB climbing a flight of stairs, just a deep breath or two and I am right back to normal. Than I go out to the park, inline skate about 10 or 15 miles no problem with no SOB. It's the damdist thing!

I tell the cardio, he just says, hmmmmm 15 miles ay? LOL~!~