Air hunger

[Christina L]

Hi everyone,

I have a question and please do not tell me to go to the doctor, because I AM, just saw a cardiologist on Friday and he didn't know what was causing the SOB, but am having an echo done on Monday morning and seeing my regular cardiologist.

For the last week, I have noticed sort of an "air hunger" or shortness of breath even at rest where I have to really suck in the air to get my lungs to fill.

I am five weeks post mitral valve repair and wondering if this is a common thing after surgery. I never noticed it before a week ago.

I was so looking forward to having the valve fixed or replaced, so I wouldn't have shortness of breath any more.

Needless to say, I am worried that I have sprung a leak or something in the repaired valve.

Please try to remember what you all were like at five weeks postop - is this common? I also still have a very fast heart rate - would this cause shortness of breath?

Thanks for your help.

Christina L
Colorado

 

[Ross]

This far out from surgery, no, it's not normal. I think it's caused by the fast heart rate and possibly afib. When you do go for your echo, ask them to hook you up to a pulse oximeter and have you take a good walk around to see what your sats stay at.

It's really hard to say Chris. You may even have some fluid build up around the heart or lungs. There are so many things it can be that only the dreaded Doc is going to know for sure.

 

[Karlynn]

Hi Christine,
I've nothing anecdotal to add, just wanted to say "relax", from one big worrier to another. Try to expect the easiest solution/answer. Stress is famous for causing a feeling of not being able to get a good breath, and if you are already experiencing SOB for some other reason, stress will definately increase it. (I speak of this first hand )

And of course, let us know what you find out.

Karlynn

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Chris,
I am with Ross, this far out from surgery it isn't normal. I had a rapid heart rate before surgery and they thought that it would slow down with the new aortic valve, well it didn't slow down and they had to put me on a lopressor (Metoprolol) even though I have a low blood pressure. I take 12.5mg 2 times a day and it has slowed my rate down and I don't have any SOB so far. One thing I would do is take slow deep breaths because I felt I was starting to hyperventilate and this seemed to help me out.

I hope they are able to find out what is causing this on Monday when you have your tests.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take Care

Dave
___________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical

 

[tiggerangelgirl]

Hello Chris so sorry that you have to be worryingmabout this after such an awesome repair job.Speaking by expierence a fast heart rate does cause extreme shortnes of breath and it sometimes takes on the feeling like if you were to try to take a deep breath after eating a large meal and you just couldnt,this might sound like a strange analogy but this best described my sob,also the more I got anxious about the fast heart rate the more short of breathe and chest pain,which I also got with the fast rythems.I would say what the others have try to stay calm let the drs do the testing and look for the small stuff first.I pray that you will have a answer and be feeling better soon.

 

[JimChicago]

Right after surgery I had SOB due to excess fluid - surgeon said during operation they pump in a lot of fluid in and it took my body a long time to get rid of it - I was on a little oxygen when I came home from the hospital after about 6 weeks after surgery I was all the way off the oxygen.

Did they give you an Airlife breathing exerciser? That helped me a lot to gradually build up my air volume.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Chris-

I am sorry to hear of the SOB. But rest assured that that your doc will get to the bottom of it, and it will be taken care of.

I know you are scheduled for an echo tomorrow, but in the meantime, if you are in respiratory distress and it is scaring you, go the ER without hesitation. They can always do an echo from the ER, if need be. Just keep yourself safe.

Joe has had many. many spells of SOB. His is caused by CHF. But it is well controlled now, and for the most part now, it can be handled at home with some minor adjustments in meds, directed by the card., and by keeping him very, very low sodium.

Please let us know how things go.

I'll be thinking of you.

Take care.

 

[Christina L]

Thank you so much to all of you for responding to my question. I got on the web site first thing this morning as I was anxious to read your responses. That is when I found out we had captured Saddam!! YES!! We didn't have the TV on either!

Anyway, to give you some more details of this SOB (not Saddam I am talking about - hee), I do not have it at night - I do not wake up short of breath and do not have it ALL the time.

I do wonder if it is anxiety related.

Nicole, you described it perfectly - like I just cannot take in a deep full breath at times - yes, like I have just eaten a big meal and I have to slowly "suck in" the air to get my lungs expanded.

I am trying to do some yoga type breathing - through my nose and out my mouth - this does help, although I end up yawning a lot while doing this.

The echo and talking to Dr. Larson tomorrow morning should tell me a lot.

By the way, Dave, my heart rate has been in the 80s and 90s - last week at the doc's it was 97 (white coat syndrome there, probably).

And Ross, during cardiac rehab I walked on the treadmill there on Friday for 15 minutes at 1.5 mph and my oxygen sats stayed at 95%. It is unusual in that I was not short of breath while exercising and also am not SOB when up and about - UNTIL I think about it all.

I think it could be a mix of things - the fast heart rate, maybe (certainly hope not) fluid buildup and anxiety. Ross knows how anxious a person I am and post heart surgery I guess I have a right to be, but I have been snapping at Wayne and don't like that - he tries to reassure me and tells me to think positive about things, but that is easier said than done. I also wonder if I am entering the "depression" phase of all of this and am very reluctant to go on antidepressants, but I know that my state of mind will affect my physical health.

Thank you all for your kind responses. You are dear people to me. I appreciate my new friends on this board VERY much.

God bless and have a great day everyone!

Christina L.
Colorado

 

[Ross]

It could just be anxiety. I live that breathing scenario you describe 24/7 now, so I know what it's like. At times, I don't feel like I'm going to be around too much longer. I have to fight that feeling continually.

Don't bite Wayne's head off. He means well. He just can't place himself into your shoes and feel what you feel. We can, we've been there, but he hasn't. Have patience with him.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Chris,

Sounds like you are getting a lot of advice and insight.
I'm a little surprised the cardio didn't do a chest XRay
to see if you have fluid build up in your lungs, in the cavity between the lungs and chest wall, or around your heart.
ALL of these are fairly common after OHS. I had a LOT of
problems with fluid in my chest cavity, between the lung
and wall which eventually worked itself out with a LOT of
work on the Incentive Spirometer. I would push until I
could actually FEEL the fluid moving out.

GROUCHINESS is also common after OHS. One of the
nurses warned us about that. When I was tired, I didn't
want to have to talk with ANYONE. Ask you husband to
give you 'a little space' and tell him you don't mean to
be a grouch.

High Resting Heart Rate is also pretty common. Mine was
in the 80's and 90's for several weeks. It will come down
as you exercise and gain strength. It just takes TIME,
but you know that

Keep On Keepin' On...

'AL'

 

[HFK]

Hi Chris,
I only had SOB when my lungs were fluid filledand I had alot of pain during inspiration, but I had a very bad case of post pericardectomy syndrome ,had L lung drained once,R drained 2x,only like 15% of pts. get this,I spent 4 weeks in hospital on and off with this. Also had high HR 90-105,which would add to SOB. It could be alot of things,it's good your getting it checked,I always say rule out the possible physical problems,then go down the mental path. I've seen too many Dr's write off pt's as stressed just to find out weeks or months later it was a medical problem . HFK

 

[Andrea]

Sorry

Sorry

Ugh, sorry Chris I just emailed before reading this... and I asked if you had talked to your doc about it lol. Sorry.

I didnt realize from the email that the SOB was this intense. It does seem a bit abornal. I said I still sometimes had SOB problems I meant more like out of shape SOB. Like walking from the parking lot into work SOB. But if you are feeling like that all the time it doesnt sound normal.

I'm sure the docs will figure out whats going on and more than likely its just a med that needs adjusting. I would try to not let it bother you too much (I know easier said than done) because worrying will only make it worse. I hope they figure out whats going on ASAP so you feel better.

My thoughts are prayers are with you Chris! Please keep us updated

Hugs and stuff
Andrea

 

[bvdr]

Hi Christina,

Sorry to hear you are having problems with SOB. Your doctor will help sort through this and as you can see, many others have had problems similar.

I hesitate to comment on some things since I did not have a sternotomy and my situation has therefore been different that most of the other members here. My resting heart rate was averaging 105-120 post-op and after about 6 weeks (after an atrial fib episode) I was put back on cardizem. At my 3 month check up, it was still around a 100 so I was also put on atenolol which has brought my heart rate into the 80's.

If you even think you need help concerning depression, don't hesitate.....go get it. Depression is not failure or weakness, it is a physical problem.

Let us know as soon as you find something out alright?

 

[joey]

Hello Christina...had a lenghthy discussion with my cardiologist today. I asked him about loss of breath . He told me that I had major surgery only five weeks ago, not to worry about it at this point in time it should go away within the next six months. However if it bothers me he will arrange for me to have various tests. I have deceided to wait the six months.I also asked if I could eventualy return to my weights , mountain climbing, etc.... etc....... His advice to me was no more weight lifting no more mountain climbing he warned me that if ever have to hold my breath to pick up or move something heavy dont do it get help. Dont strain the heart it's not worth it. He joked about women out living men , it's because they never try and pick up heavy weights . His final advice to me was .....walk....walk....walk and walk dont get caught up with those who are obsessed with weights do plenty deep breathing exercises , yoga and plenty stretching exercises. If I follow his advice I will add miles to my life expectancy.

Joey

 

[Christina L]

Thanks Betty and Joey for your responses. Betty, I wonder too if I will need to be put on some meds to bring down my heart rate eventually. I asked my cardiologist about that and he said he didn't want to put me on any more meds right now, because "you have enough problems." He can be pretty blunt at times. I didn't like that statement he made, but he has also told me that I am doing very well and everything seems to be going okay.

I am wondering if I am entering into the depression stage of things, but I am really not wanting to take antidepressants, not because of the stigma but because I just don't want any more drugs in my system - have enough already!! I am taking vitamin B complex which I know is good for my mental health.

Joey, thank you for the reassurance. That really helps. I have heard from so many people that this SOB is a normal part of the healing process. I hope so. It is just very irritating in that just when the pain was going away and I was getting around better, I get the shortness of breath and feel "worse" in a way again. Very discouraging.

Christina L.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Christina,

Sounds like you are doing much better.

Just wanted to comment on the B vitamin. Was recommended to me after surgery. You need to watch your INR very closely. It usually causes a spike hence needing adjustment.

 

[Marge]

"He joked about women out living men , it's because they never try and pick up heavy weights ."

Joey even without the "he" in that sentence--I'd know your doctor is a MAN.

The average woman probably picks up at least as much heavy stuff as the average man. It's just that for the most part she does it in the normal course of daily life, not by going to a gym. Kids, big bags of groceries, sometimes both at the same time. Until relatively recently in this country you rarely saw a man pick up a kid and carry him around for any length of time.

Nope, women live longer than men 'cause we are TOUGHER.

 

[Nancy]

For the past five or six years, I'm the one who does the heavy lifting. Joe has been so ill so often, and now with pulmonary hypertension, he really shouldn't be lifting much at all. It just adds too much pressure inside his lungs. He is trying to get back into shape with some light weights, though.

But I can only manage about a 40 pound item without a wheeled cart.

 

[joey]

Nancy,Marge you both probably correct I was once told by an elderly lady who's philosophy on both sexes were that a man is but a reed, the weakest in nature the only difference is that he is a thinking reed ...period
And yet this thinking reed will choose his wife as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear well . She is a survivor......Sorry guys I have to support the survivors.

A Merry Christmas to all and a healthy ...healthy............HEALTHY New Year

Joey

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Christina wrote:

"I get the shortness of breath and feel "worse" in a way again. Very discouraging."

Very Discouraging INDEED Christina.

Breathing / Lung problems were my most difficult and persistent obstacle in the first 12 weeks of my recovery. PUSHING the breathing exercises until I could actually feel the discomfort of fluid being squeezed out and my chest expanding, and walking every day, eventually led to my recovery. I 'believe' that my breathing was significantly improved at 12 weeks because that is when I entered Cardiac Rehab and began to push my stretching and muscle strength capacities.

Regarding anemia, that too can really hamper your energy level and takes a while to overcome. PUSH when you can, and REST when you need to.

I 'suspect' that your 7000+ ft altitude 'may' be a factor in your difficulties. And YES, an all day trip would have exhausted me early in my recovery also. Many (most?) of us experience some setbacks along the road to recovery (there are good days and not -so-good days), but the general trend was upward when examined on a week to week basis. Just Keep On Keepin' On, or as Nancy says, " NEVER Give Up and NEVER Give In". It WILL get better!

'AL'