Chest pains (not heart)

[Georgia]

Doh! Chest pains????

Doh! Chest pains????

Can't imagine why your chest hurts - looked in the mirror lately? Oh, No - it's not pretty. But with lots of Vitamin E oil it'll heal nicely .

Seriously - everyone has it right - you had a massive trauma - think of it like a car accident. You wouldn't expect to be pain free yet if you'd been damaged so badly in a collision.

Just don't forget to breathe often and deeply as possible. One of the most important things I learned on this site was that my docs and nurses UNDERemphasized the use of the spirometer. I was able to breathe very well when I got out of the hospital (1700 with goal of 2250, I believe). When I started breathing 10 times every hour (as recommended by the folks here), I got right up to goal - and it was hard and a pain, but I sure felt better and my lungs cleared out really fast.

Congrats on doing so well. It's a difficult time, but you should be really proud of yourself for coming through such a huge adventure with verve and wit.

 

[Rich]

Dave,
Like everyone has said, get it checked out.
In the meantime take it slow.
During my surgery they aggravated an old rib injury, it hurt far more than anything else from the surgery.
It did go away, just took some time.

 

[Nancy]

Just a couple of thoughts. Joe and I were talking about heart surgery recently and he mentioned that not only do they spread your chest wide, but they strap your arms close together to keep it that way. He was told this many years ago with his first heart surgery, and several other members have mentioned that as well. So it is no wonder that there are aches and pains in the shoulders, arms, and chest, not to mention the trauma of the surgery itself.

Some members have developed costochondritis which is an inflammation near the rib attachments. They called their doctors and were put on some meds to relieve the pain, and help with the healing.

Give your surgeon a call, they are used to port-surgery calls.

 

[ccrawford]

Anyone for observation

Anyone for observation

Nancy - I'm glad I don't have to observe an open heart surgery. I've heard some people say it is quite interesting, but I'm affraid I'd be lying on the floor before they got very far into the procedure. Watching the retractor work would do it to me for sure. Chris

 

[Nancy]

I guess if you think of it in the light of the amount of good that it does, the method and how it appears becomes less important. All surgeries have the potential of putting the human body in some strange positions. It's all normal OR stuff. Gotta give the surgeon a good view. We don't want them flying blindly.

 

[David by Philly]

2100 and climbing

2100 and climbing

I have used the spirometer quite a bit and hit 2100 yesterday (although, very hard to get past 2000).

Pain is there but it is not intolerable. I just have to remember as the pain goes away, to still act as if the pain is still there.

So, as the saying goes, I am napping brreathing and walking.

Constantly seeing improvement. When I got out of the hospital both of my hands were freezing. I lost a number of IV lines during my stay, and my visiting nurse said that that the veins of my hands had some rough treatment, and as they begin to regenerate, my circulation should improve. They are now almost the same temp as any other part of my body.

Seein my GP on Wed. Each time I think of something that is a concern, i add it to a list of items to bring to her. Looking forward to seeing her, she is a very caring physcian.

Perri, my daughter, will be comming up to stay with us this weekend. She lives with me half-time and her mom brought her up twice to see me in the hospital (long story behind that), and even drove my mom twice. First time Perri saw me, she was almost afraid to hug me (she is 12, and extremely sensitive)

Thanks for all your support. Here's a pic of Mom and me (wish I could show a pic of my daughter, but her Mom would never allow that-- internet security reasons for which I can agree)

 

[ccrawford]

Keep on it

Keep on it

David - Did they test your breathing before surgery? - if you religiously keep using your machine, you should start to approach your starting volume in about 6 to 8 weeks. I started out at 4000 and I'm almost back there now. You can get a little more volume when you stand, rather than sit, and using the machine while you watch TV is a pretty good practice. Chris

 

[David by Philly]

Hi Chris,

no, they didn't take a baseline test at the hospital before surgury.. didn't have time.

I arrived 5:45 AM at the hosp. for admissions

Got prepped arround 6:10, and was brought down to the surgical suite around 6:30, and don't remember anything past the warm blankets at 6:45 :-0


Working with the spirometer thruout the day, hit 2250. Each day see addtional progress. And I remember Iam only 8 days out of surgery.

 

[ccrawford]

Keep up the good work

Keep up the good work

David - at that rate, you'll have that thing pegged in a couple of weeks ! Chris

 

[Granbonny]

Spirometers

Spirometers

You male valvers are soooo macho..Those things get nasty after a month Germs, ect. Threw mine away after 6 weeks. Buy some balloons and blow them up instead.. Bonnie

 

[ccrawford]

Bonnie - I cleaned mine out with sour mash bourbon. That way I'm motivated to use it more often. Chris

 

[lemdonuts]

Sour mash Bourbon

Sour mash Bourbon

I like that!!! Hey I can only get the spirometer up to 1200 once in a blue moom!!!! My mother got it up to 2000!!! When I first stsrted out it was 500 and ocassional 750!! So hey i tried for 2 years to get my lungs in shape -- Just keep practicing!!!

I almost had my surgery done at U of P by Br. Woo! Instead I had it done at HMC (Hershey Medical Center)! From my understanding walking is the BEST way to get healthy again -- As soon as I got out of the hospital and by the way I was tlaking 3 long walks a day there -- When i first started my legs where like jelly and i used a wheel chair to push untill the phycsial thearpist gave me hell == in fact one day when I was resting the docotr came in and gave me hell for "lying about" Now i had taken my first shower that day a walk plus I had seen a few hospital personnal and I was tired -- and knew it -- your body will tell you it is time to rest of course i was pissed at the doctor and told him so later that day I took my additional 2 walks!!!

Even when i had my reputured appendix which was misdiagoased I set little goals for my self and tired to increase it by say a minute or more -- You will get tired by next day or two tou will be able to go pass the envelop!

As to pain my worst tiem of day seems to be between 5 and 10 at night -- I try not to take the pain pill till 7:15 trying to wait till 8pm.

Yes it is good to be at your mom's BUT the problem I encounter and also with my better half though I kinda have him convienvec is that moving a walking is good for you. My mom would have me just walk around the house!!! You got to do what you have to do!!!

In the ICU I had a sign hanging up that said " any idiot can face a crisis --- but it's day to day living that WEARS you out!!!

When i got down to a room I had that sign and another sign EAT, WALK, NAP REPEAT AS NEEDED!!!

sO THAT IS MY LIFE RIGHT NOW

bEFORE YOU KNOW IT IT WILL BE sEPTEMBER THE 11TH --- yOUR 3 MONTHE PERIOD AND YOU WILL BE A SERVOR!!! AND BACK TO LIFE AS USUALL!!!

i'M LOOKING FOR A JOB AND A MEANING FOR MYSELF I.E. i MIGHT DO SOME VOLUTEER WORK WITH UNWED MOTHERS! gOD HAS SPARED US AND IT WILL BE PAY ACK TIME!!! i USE TO DO VOLUTERR WORK I.E. DRIVING SHUT INS TO DOCOTORS ETC BUT RIGHT NOW i HAD TO QUITE BECAUSE MONEY IS REALLY TIGHT!

aNYWAY YOU KNOW THE OLD AXIOM slow and easY! Remember the rabbit snd the turtle -- before you know it it you will have this as a memory!!

 

[shana23]

Well David me too.I've been out since April but have had many comlications and one is this pain in the heart area which they say has nothing to do with the heart.Matter of fact I just got back from a week inthe hospital because of these pains but all is well got another check up eheheh....You real should take it a bit easier don't go over board doing too much... things will surely work themselves out all my best, shana

 

[David by Philly]

Going overboard

Going overboard

Well, I already did the overbaord thing, and my chest hurt so much the codeine did almost nothing for it the next day. Now (4 days later of rest and walking), I am only taking codeine at night, and cut my motrin down by a third during the day.

Pain is interesting, I notice that if my chest starts throbbing, it cordinates with a pain in my elbow. And, the which elbow depends on which side of the chest that hurts. Must be some nerve linkage going on.

Hardest thing, is doing so little, and asking my Mom to do so much. (Actually, she said I am not asking her to do as much as she thought I would). But, 9 days post, I am feeling good, gradually building up time on the treadmill and healling.

Lem... I met Dr. Woo 2nd day after surgery, during his rounds. He asked me "When would you like to go home?", shooting for a 4 day stay in the hosp. Then the ubiquitous "A-Fib" set in with HR over 140, bp below 80/55 and temp over 102. Set me back another 1.5 days in the hospital.

Again, thanks for allyour support

 

[lemdonuts]

Welcome to the club!!

Welcome to the club!!

I had that too!!! But that was after I was throwing up for 3 days on the pain meds!!! Green!!!! YUK!!!! The fib started after my first week in the hospital!!! i thpugh i was going to be home in 4 or 5 days!!! What part of Philly are you from? My mom lives in Springfiled and I was in the ER of Del MEM on the 16th -- 4 days after i got out of hospital! I was in hosptital 8 days! Am now home in NY BUT......
I usually go for 2 walks a day but today am too tired think rain has a lot to do with it. I beleive you had your surgery week after me on eth 11th right!!! mine was the 4th!


i know what you mean about being dependent BUT you must TAKE IT SLOW!!! I do not lift anything!!! I walk mainly and I get soooooo much static from people but the doctors have assured me it is the thing to do sooooo I puch that Am up to an hour 2 times a day -- today only went 47 mins I might get on my skier -- I took an 2 hour nap and it is hard to get statred again -- see i have water on lungs that is why I walk!! I just woke up dreaming of the sour mash bourboran and what do I get????? A glass of grape juice!!!!!

I am right handed and for about a week after surgery my right arm was sooooo painful it was hard to use. They said that that is probably how then tied me down.!!

What did you think of Dr. woo!!! Why didn't you go for the mimal cut??? What did you think of U of P? Where there two patients in ICU/room?? That fact didn't turn me on!

I liked HMC one person/room all rooms! but as usual I was waiting for the this surgeron thang i.e. on Monday 6/9 i get the surgery was fine but you are not doing your thang -- well they don't EXCATLY say that BUT been there done that so know and it came across. They never tell you before hand.

I truly beleive if and I mean IF you continue to walk and increase it a little each day you will start to feel better!!! and stronger!! I don't take pain pills in the morning just at night now but that is not saying I am not hurting. I'm on oxycontin last one tomorrow night BUT been ther done that I've alredy got some for Monday!!!!
I went through this with knee surgery -- not enough pain pills NEVER AGAIN WHEN I THINK I DON't need them I'll stop!!!

What kind of medical ins do you have that pays for home nursing? I have Inpendents Blue Cross Blue shield
ta ta for now

 

[DANIEL]

Countdown is on

Countdown is on

David,

I have 9 days until my aortic valve replacement....planning on CE Bovine as yours. Got the recliner and lots of sleeping tips from your other postings.
Two weeks ago I bought a bunch of oversized t-shirts, but just read (and it makes sense) that button front is easier as lifting my arms might be too much an effort for the next few weeks. Yup, my Mom is coming out to stay. She is 75 and very very active - I liked Rain's comments re now is the time to relax and appreciate Mom's presence ......promise and will make my best effort.....daughter off to camp in 8 days...the time is ticking by quicker and quicker. I am doing my best embrace the whole process and procedure so my attitude is as positive as can be ........I am kind of meandering with this email.....David anything else to add ?

Thanks
Daniel

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Daniel, good luck with your surgery. You will be in our prayers and thoughts. I had by surgery on 4/21/03 and have been wearing t-shirts since the surgery and have not had a problem getting them on. Remember to take it easy. Lots of naps and walking. Take Care and Good Luck!

Dave
______________________________________
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude Mechanical with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies