Pain 2 weeks out?

[donnamarie]

Two weeks ago today I had my AVR and aortic wrap surgery. Things were going great...till today. my back is killing me; when I lean forward or go to get up out of a chair or sitdown, just to the left of my incision - it brings me to tears. Everyday felt like I was getting better and better - went to church on Sunday (thought I could handle going out to breakfast, and thought better of it). This weekend I increased my walking to 10 min walks. I haven't done a thing around the house like cook or clean. I was gonna call the doc, but I figured first thing he'd ask is if I took any pain meds, so I did that and slept all afternoon. Still having some pain. Tomorrow morning is my appt with the cardio, so I thought I can wait till then. My husband gave me a back rub the minute he walked in the door and that did feel better, but I'm concerned why I would have pain when I lean forward. Any ideas? I almost feel as bad as I did on day 3 in the hospital.

 

[Magic8Ball]

Two weeks and you are already out and about and up to 10 minute walks.

I was still housebound.

Perhaps you need to take it a little easier, you get no prizes for pushing yourself.

It sounds like you are not taking pain meds regularly, i can't recall exactly how long i took mine for but i took them 3-4 times a day religiously even if i didn't feel i needed them which most of the time was how i felt.

however, i figured that they were not doing me any harm and if they just made things 1% better that was ok.

To compensate for the possible constipation i took 'lactulose' to soften the 'output'.

I too had some back pain between the shoulder blades and it was very painful, seemed to be more related to posture than anything else but i guess the trigger was being opened up like a clam for 6 hours.

Your body is healing and it will hurt in new places as it does so.

It will pass, take your meds, take it easy...two weeks is too early not to expect pain, i recall still hugging my pillow at 5 weeks when i coughed as it hurt like hell.....& don't mention the first sneeze after surgery....

Regards

 

[Lynlw]

I'm glad you are going to the doctor tomorrow morning. It may be just normal healing, but since it seems to be new pain it is possible you have fluid around your heart or lungs, so it's good you are getting checked. I hope it feels better, let us know how things go tomorrow, Lyn

 

[marie]

Good luck and please keep us posted

 

[geebee]

Definitely have it checked. There are a number of things it could be but it could also just be one of those glitches - pinched nerve, etc.

I am a bit concerned about the postural change in the pain tho - that could indicate pericarditis.

Hope things go well and it is just "one of those things".

 

[Isis]

I was also feeling good until about 2 weeks post surgery when I developed pain in my ribs on the right side. I went back to the surgeons office to get a stronger pain med prescription and they took an x-ray. Turns out I had fluid build-up around the bottom of my left lung; covered about 30%.
I got a weeks supply of lasix pills and that clear it up.

I'd get it checked out.

 

[Lynlw]

Definitely have it checked. There are a number of things it could be but it could also just be one of those glitches - pinched nerve, etc.

I am a bit concerned about the postural change in the pain tho - that could indicate pericarditis.

Hope things go well and it is just "one of those things".

When Justin had his pericardial effusions post op when he was 18 months old, he couldn't tell us much helpful things, but when he would point to something on the floor instead of picking things up, that's usually how we knew he had to go back in to get an echo.

 

[kman]

Sorry to hear about your setback that must be frustrating.
One thing that I have experienced is muscle spasms in my chest and back, hurts like heck and is a little scary but goes away in about fifteen minutes or so, could that be it? Keep us posted, wishing you a speedy solution to your problem.

 

[WayneGM]

Two weeks out, I was still taking pain meds, although weaning myself off them. I had aches and pains for months post-op. I'd take Tylonol ES or Tylonol Arthristis Formula when it got bad. The aches and pains got worse with either weather changes or if I over did it. Two weeks isn't a long time so pace yourself. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[donnamarie]

Two weeks and you are already out and about and up to 10 minute walks.

I was still housebound.

Perhaps you need to take it a little easier, you get no prizes for pushing yourself.

It sounds like you are not taking pain meds regularly, i can't recall exactly how long i took mine for but i took them 3-4 times a day religiously even if i didn't feel i needed them which most of the time was how i felt.

I too had some back pain between the shoulder blades and it was very painful, seemed to be more related to posture than anything else but i guess the trigger was being opened up like a clam for 6 hours.

Your body is healing and it will hurt in new places as it does so.

It will pass, take your meds, take it easy...two weeks is too early not to expect pain, i recall still hugging my pillow at 5 weeks when i coughed as it hurt like hell.....& don't mention the first sneeze after surgery....

Regards

The PT guy in the hospital gave me a schedule for walking...first week 5 min a day - he said distance didn't matter, the time does. So, we set the timer for 2.5 min, walk a ways, and turn around and come back. I always feel good when I do that. Every week I am to add 3 to 5 min to the walk, so for a few days we did 8 min, then went to 10. The 4 walls of my house are starting to close in on me, so it felt good to go for a short walk. The pain meds just knock me out! even a half a pill - and I hate the dryness in my mouth. I was taking some tylenol instead and that did the trick till yesterday that is.
My heart pillow is by my side at all times! I think you might be right about the posture...I feel like I'm holding my shoulders pretty tense. Anyhow, I go to the doc in a few hours...can't wait to hear what he has to say. I'm feeling pretty good right now, but yesterday it didn't start till about noon.

 

[donnamarie]

I'm glad you are going to the doctor tomorrow morning. It may be just normal healing, but since it seems to be new pain it is possible you have fluid around your heart or lungs, so it's good you are getting checked. I hope it feels better, let us know how things go tomorrow, Lyn

I am taking lasix in the morning and have noticed that I'm not using the bathroom as much as I did in the beginning...hmmm.

 

[Mary]

I'm glad you are going to the doctor tomorrow morning. It may be just normal healing, but since it seems to be new pain it is possible you have fluid around your heart or lungs, so it's good you are getting checked. I hope it feels better, let us know how things go tomorrow, Lyn

Donna,
I agree with what the others have written.
If you aren't weighing yourself every morning, perhaps you should start. A gain in weight often signals trouble, and you should watch for it.
Good luck!

 

[Lynlw]

Donna How did the appt go? you know we worry. Lyn

 

[donnamarie]

Two weeks ago today I had my AVR and aortic wrap surgery. Things were going great...till today. my back is killing me; when I lean forward or go to get up out of a chair or sitdown, just to the left of my incision - it brings me to tears. Everyday felt like I was getting better and better - went to church on Sunday (thought I could handle going out to breakfast, and thought better of it). This weekend I increased my walking to 10 min walks. I haven't done a thing around the house like cook or clean. I was gonna call the doc, but I figured first thing he'd ask is if I took any pain meds, so I did that and slept all afternoon. Still having some pain. Tomorrow morning is my appt with the cardio, so I thought I can wait till then. My husband gave me a back rub the minute he walked in the door and that did feel better, but I'm concerned why I would have pain when I lean forward. Any ideas? I almost feel as bad as I did on day 3 in the hospital.

Went to the doctor yesterday - he basically said it was normal healing. He told me that I had major surgery and nerves and all that are healing and there will be some pain every now and then. Yesterday I felt fine. I just hope I don't have one of those days when I get back to work!

 

[WayneGM]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear you got it checked out and it's nothing unusual.

 

[Kandice]

Glad your OK

Glad your OK

I'm 4 weeks out and I still need a pain pill in the evenings. The first 2 to 3 weeks I would wake with severe pain in my back and mainly in my right shoulder blade. I would have to walk around at night trying to get my back better, sometimes it helped to sit up to sleep. My pain has improved so much. But when I get active by evening it is difficult. The daytimes I now use tylenol. Heat seems to help my back as well.



So , hang in there it does get better. I'm glad its nothing serious just your normal Open Heart Surgery pain HA!!


kandice

 

[temp69]

give yourself time

give yourself time

Two weeks ago today I had my AVR and aortic wrap surgery. Things were going great...till today. my back is killing me; when I lean forward or go to get up out of a chair or sitdown, just to the left of my incision - it brings me to tears. Everyday felt like I was getting better and better - went to church on Sunday (thought I could handle going out to breakfast, and thought better of it). This weekend I increased my walking to 10 min walks. I haven't done a thing around the house like cook or clean. I was gonna call the doc, but I figured first thing he'd ask is if I took any pain meds, so I did that and slept all afternoon. Still having some pain. Tomorrow morning is my appt with the cardio, so I thought I can wait till then. My husband gave me a back rub the minute he walked in the door and that did feel better, but I'm concerned why I would have pain when I lean forward. Any ideas? I almost feel as bad as I did on day 3 in the hospital.

Just lay back and enjoy your rehab, give yourself time. i doubt it's anything serious, but they opened you up, now your body has to heal. breathe deep and relax. you will be okay