Dhougland,
I know I'm weighing in a week late but you asked about the pain levels experienced by those that have had both a sternotomy and a thoracotomy. I'm sure there are many others here at VR.com who have had both and I am one of them. I had my thoracotomy when I was a kid about 40 years ago for coarctation of the aorta and I still remember the pain and limited mobility. I had a full sternotomy about 6 weeks ago for AVR and it was only uncomfortable for the first 3 days. No doubt there was pain, but it was manageable.
I too was worried that the sternotomy would be painful and that my sternum would be flexing at every movement but that is not what I experienced. My sternum was very stable and the pain was minimal. It was about 4 weeks before I could sleep on my side and once I was released I took Tylenol for about 2 weeks only at night.
I found that some meds worked better on me that others at controlling pain and I encourage you to talk with your RN or Dr if you don't get pain relief after taking your meds. Their job is to help you to be comfortable.
Ice cream milkshakes made from those little ice cream containers that were kept in the nurses break room helped me too.
Take care,
John
I know I'm weighing in a week late but you asked about the pain levels experienced by those that have had both a sternotomy and a thoracotomy. I'm sure there are many others here at VR.com who have had both and I am one of them. I had my thoracotomy when I was a kid about 40 years ago for coarctation of the aorta and I still remember the pain and limited mobility. I had a full sternotomy about 6 weeks ago for AVR and it was only uncomfortable for the first 3 days. No doubt there was pain, but it was manageable.
I too was worried that the sternotomy would be painful and that my sternum would be flexing at every movement but that is not what I experienced. My sternum was very stable and the pain was minimal. It was about 4 weeks before I could sleep on my side and once I was released I took Tylenol for about 2 weeks only at night.
I found that some meds worked better on me that others at controlling pain and I encourage you to talk with your RN or Dr if you don't get pain relief after taking your meds. Their job is to help you to be comfortable.
Ice cream milkshakes made from those little ice cream containers that were kept in the nurses break room helped me too.
Take care,
John
