soreness

[Marny]

Hi, I had heart surgery about 4 months ago. I was wondering how long I will have soreness. I have started rehab and all they have me do is walk and bike. That is helping my heart get stronger but not helping my soreness. What I can do to help with the soreness? I feel that rehad is not helping me in the way I need it to. I can walk at home, I don't need someone to tell me how to walk. Any suggestion are welcome.

Thanks, Marny

 

[BDMc]

Marny, Where is the soreness? I wasn't sore at 4 mos. out, but I was only 29 when I had OHS, and guess if I had to do it again, recovery would take longer. It did take weeks of massage to get rid of my post op back pain. Wishing you relief, Brian

 

[Marny]

brian, my soreness is still in my chest. My back pain has finally gone away. I am just ready to get back to normal. I am not much order than you, i am 33 recovery form my 3 ohs, the other 2 were when I was a baby. thanks for all your help....

 

[Adrienne]

It took six months for the soreness of my chest to totally go away. However, the soreness was very slight towards the last few months.

 

[Cris N]

I'm not sure which kind of chest soreness you're talking about - muscular or skin? My dr had me do some chest stretching exercises to 'loosen' up the chest. Things like shoulders back, chest out, hands behind the head and extend elbows backward, arms at sides and rotate them toward middle of your back. Take it slow - you want to stretch, not snap

If it's skin soreness, there are some good suggestions too - let us know which it is.

 

[Bina]

My ribcage was sore for several months. No joke.

 

[Jkm7]

After my first surgery, I never lost the soreness. It improved but I was never totally without some especially with rain or snow or high humidity.

When I needed a second surgery, four years later, same surgeon, I spoke with him about never having been able to lay on my stomach in the four years since and he paid close attention to what I was saying. He said he'd see what they could do this time to hopefully make it better.

He did fabulous for me as though I still get some mild soreness from time to time (I'm 18 months post op), it is a world better.

Long way of saying, we are all different and we all heal differently and some of us (sadly) will always 'feel our chest' has been cracked.

 

[Kathy McCain]

Hi, I have to agree with Jkm7. I still have chest wall discomfort, on and off. Had surgery Feb 2008. My cardio says everyone heals differently. He also said "some people never get rid of ALL their aches and pains entirely". They are benign pains, that are annoying at times. I have been exercsing at the gym three times per wk.(light weights) Also, I have always been a serious walker, but have extended my walk three miles per day. ( got hubby walking too!)

 

[geebee]

I still have some discomfort now and then. I find that it is mostly when I am not being good about my posture so you might make sure you are not slumping. Also, massage will help with soreness. If you work with a chiropractor that has a masseuse on staff, you could probably get it covered by insurance.

 

[harleysandguitars]

Hi, Marny. I had my surgery about when you did (4 mos. ago), and I still have chest soreness, too. Not bad (or maybe I am just used to it), but I am frequently reminded that I was "cracked open". That said, I do feel it is improving ever so slowly. As has been posted by others, everyone is different. Some get rid of the bone pain quickly, others take up to a year, and some will probably always be able to predict the weather by how our chest feels!

Hang in there.

Mark

 

[Cooker]

It takes time ... everyone is diff .... It took about eight months before my chest felt “normal” ... It just takes time...