liza
Well-known member
Hey everyone!
I've been having weird chest pain that I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced. I had OHS in May 2005, then a pericardial window surgery through my side in July 2005. Since then I've had weird episodes of chest pain that last about a week that I haven't been able to figure out.
The first one was in September 2005. I was on vacation and came home early because I was uncomfortable. I was feeling this burning sensation in my chest and felt like I couldn't take a full breath. I went to urgent care who heard "chest pain" and "recent heart surgery" and sent me in an ambulence to the ER who admitted me to my heart hospital. Anyhow, full cardio work-up came back normal, and my infectious disease doctor from my endocarditis days said my symptoms sounded like acid reflux and to take some Prilosec. It seemed to help.
The second time was in June 2006. It was the same deal, with the burning sensation, chest pain, and feeling like I couldn't take a full breath. Prilosec didn't help. I went to the health center and was diagnosed with asthma and given a bunch of inhalers that didn't help. Talked to my cardio, got a full work-up again and everything came back normal. They thought maybe it was some inflammatory reaction and to take Aleve. With the help of some leftover percaset I managed to get through that episode. (It lasted about a week.)
So now I'm having another episode that started last Thursday (11/9). It started off with a tightness in my chest (the burning sensation again) that has now progressed to muscle pain in my left chest area, down my side and my lower back. I have a scar on my side where the chest tube was after my 2nd surgery that is painful to touch, and has been since it healed close. Now I can't lay on my left side. I can't seem to localize the pain for sure, but I *think* it's muscle pain. Prilosc/Tums/Aleve aren't helping. A warm bath didn't help. Percaset took the edge off but it still hurts.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? I AM going to the doctor tomorrow, but I know it's going to be the same old thing where they focus in on my heart but my heart will be okay. I just wonder if my sternal wires are bothering me, or the area they sliced me up on my side is bothering me. It's weird that I can't touch that scar without it being painful, but I'm not sure why that is. Anyhow, I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced weird chest pain long after their surgeries, or if anyone has any ideas what this could be. I really don't think it's my heart, but I just can't seem to figure it out. Thanks!
Liza
I've been having weird chest pain that I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced. I had OHS in May 2005, then a pericardial window surgery through my side in July 2005. Since then I've had weird episodes of chest pain that last about a week that I haven't been able to figure out.
The first one was in September 2005. I was on vacation and came home early because I was uncomfortable. I was feeling this burning sensation in my chest and felt like I couldn't take a full breath. I went to urgent care who heard "chest pain" and "recent heart surgery" and sent me in an ambulence to the ER who admitted me to my heart hospital. Anyhow, full cardio work-up came back normal, and my infectious disease doctor from my endocarditis days said my symptoms sounded like acid reflux and to take some Prilosec. It seemed to help.
The second time was in June 2006. It was the same deal, with the burning sensation, chest pain, and feeling like I couldn't take a full breath. Prilosec didn't help. I went to the health center and was diagnosed with asthma and given a bunch of inhalers that didn't help. Talked to my cardio, got a full work-up again and everything came back normal. They thought maybe it was some inflammatory reaction and to take Aleve. With the help of some leftover percaset I managed to get through that episode. (It lasted about a week.)
So now I'm having another episode that started last Thursday (11/9). It started off with a tightness in my chest (the burning sensation again) that has now progressed to muscle pain in my left chest area, down my side and my lower back. I have a scar on my side where the chest tube was after my 2nd surgery that is painful to touch, and has been since it healed close. Now I can't lay on my left side. I can't seem to localize the pain for sure, but I *think* it's muscle pain. Prilosc/Tums/Aleve aren't helping. A warm bath didn't help. Percaset took the edge off but it still hurts.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? I AM going to the doctor tomorrow, but I know it's going to be the same old thing where they focus in on my heart but my heart will be okay. I just wonder if my sternal wires are bothering me, or the area they sliced me up on my side is bothering me. It's weird that I can't touch that scar without it being painful, but I'm not sure why that is. Anyhow, I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced weird chest pain long after their surgeries, or if anyone has any ideas what this could be. I really don't think it's my heart, but I just can't seem to figure it out. Thanks!
Liza
