How common is S.O.B. post-op?

[LA_Cruiser]

Is it sometimes serious?

What normally causes it?

It's funny how trying to get questions answered by doctors get side-tracked.

The search feature doesn't help much in locating specific info (NOT complating, just acknowledging a new discovery).

THX & god Bless

 

[Ross]

Word has it that we are water logged and lungs haven't gotten rid of all the water yet. I don't know that I buy that, but it does seem feasible. I don't have a solid answer Marco, I'm on oxygen myself 24/7/365 since my surgery, but I have an underlying lung disease too.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Marco-

Ross is right that after surgery you can have a lot of fluid on board. I've forgotten how far out you are from your surgical date. It seems that you must be at least a couple of months, right (I've been dealing with some pretty intense problems with Joe and I've lost track of time). That seems a little long to still have fluid retention. Do they have you on a diuretic (Lasix, furosemide, Aldactone, spironolactone, etc.).

I wouldn't wait on this problem. Get on the phone with your cardiologist and if you are short of breath and cannot get the doctor, go to the ER. The thing you will want to rule out is congestive heart failure, which sounds terrible, but is treatable. If you have fluid in your lungs that can cause the SOB. There is a new blood test which can determine if you have congestive heart failure, also they can do a chest x-ray. If you do, they can give you IV diuretic and get the fluid off fast. Joe has had to go and have this done a few times. If it is fluid, once you get rid of it, you will feel a lot better, then your card. can give you meds and a diet plan (low sodium) to keep the fluid off.

Just don't wait on it, though, Marco. Because it can start to accumulate more and more, and it can go into other organs, plus give you edema in your legs.

Joe's been dealing with congestive heart failure for many, many years. There is always something the doctors can do to make you feel better.

Take care, and God bless.

 

[Rain]

S.O.B.

S.O.B.

I better keep my comments about the SOB after heart surgery to myself......

 

[Ms. Ramsey]

S.O.B. after surgery

S.O.B. after surgery

I'm about seven months out and still experience shortness of breath. They keep telling me I need to do more conditioning. So I walk up and down the stairs and do some "iron pumping" with 5 lb. weights. I sure hope they're right. So far I haven't noticed a big difference, but I'll keep working at it.

Do you experience S.O.B. all the time?

Mary

 

[LA_Cruiser]

Hi 'yall,

Returned to 'delete' this thread 'cause I was here earlier and noticed someone had placed a porno link.

If I weren't a 'pumphead' I'd done it at that time (I FORGOT that the thread starter can DELETE it).

Thank God it's GONE.

------------------------------------------------------------------->>

Ms. Ramsey,

How long do you figure you'll continue having this condition?

Is it the same as post-op or is your S.O.B. getting better with time?

....I 'bring-it-on' with light excercise (walking) and most of the time when I lay down flat.

I got an additional medicine and another was doubled but after about ten days it started to gradually return.

Post-op I was so-so, this thing started gradually within one week after leaving hospital.

Thank God I have a card appointment this Friday (I don't think it merits ER).

God Bless 'The Gang'

 

[Ms. Ramsey]

Short of breath

Short of breath

That porno message is posted all over this site. Somebody must have been having fun. So the person who started the thread can delete it? Sure can tell I'm new.
_______________
The S.O.B. actually started a couple months after surgery. I felt great for a few months anyway. So it actually got worse with time. When I was in rehab they actually stopped my session once and brought me to the ER in a wheel chair! They just monitored me for a while and let my heart rate go back down then let me go.

I have no idea how long this will last. The cardiologist says this is not a normal occurence after surgery.

They've changed my meds so many times I can hardly remember what I've been on and when. It's really not much better with exercise. Plus I just started a new (lower)dose of Tiazac on Friday. We'll see how that goes.

Mine comes on with light activity as well. I'm tired of having trouble walking up strairs or inclines. But I'll keep walking and exercising. I don't know what else to do.

I'll be interested to hear what they tell you at your appointment. Maybe you'll get a good answer.

Mary

 

[Sunshine susan]

Good queston...

Good queston...

Hi! I'm glad to see someone ask this question, and am finding the replies interesting. My aortic valve was replaced 4 years ago (4 yr anniversary 2/24!!), and I still have some shortness of breath. It isn't brought on by exertion though, it turns up on its own. Repeated discussions & exams with both cardio and internist rule out any direct heart issues. They suspect a slight case of asthma. I notice that when I walk or exercise, it will usully break up a good bit, and I will cough and feel better. But that's not always the case. I have always had nasal allergies, but never asthma before surgery (that I know of). It's not a bad problem, but annoying. I am considering consulting an allergist as maybe what I need is an inhaler. Otherwise, I feel great and have more stamina and energy for sure than before. Susan

 

[Ms. Ramsey]

Hmmm, could be asthma.

Hmmm, could be asthma.

I guess I never considered asthma being a culprit. Interesting thought. I've never had any allergies or anything like that before so that didn't occur to me. I'll have to see about that when I have my next physical. Thanks for the thought.

My S.O.B. isn't horrible, either. Just annoying. I'll sort of forget about it and take off to do something at the pace I did before surgery and then have to sit down to catch my breath. Maybe it's just a sign that I need to slow my life down a bit!

Oh, well, live and learn.

Mary

 

[Nancy]

It's important to take shortness of breath seriously and make sure your doctor tracks down the source of the problem. Heart patients have to be vigilant about this. There have been too mant times that doctors have fluffed off these symptoms as a virus, asthma, bronchitis, etc. I could very well be these things, but it can also be fluid in your lungs.

There is a new blood test which can rule out congestive heart failure, and I think every heart patient who has breathing problems should ask about it. It is called BNP.

Asthma needs to be treated as well. It can get serious suddenly. There are very good treatments for that, if that is what it is.

Please go and get it checked out.