Still tender at six weeks !?

[vprnet]

Justin,

I'm right behind you at 4 1/2 weeks. I've noticed the tenderness changes over time and as I've reduced the use of the Percecet. Its tender to the touch and itchy were the chest is growing in a new lawn.

If I may ask a question here. I noticed that when I take a deep breath I can feel and hear the pounding of my heart up in my collarbone, It is very pronounced. My cardio said not to worry its just a change in the anatomy! Have you noticed anything similar?

Vincent
BAVR with 27mm ON-X NYP Weill Cornell Dec 19, 2008.



PS. I am not a medical professional or a doctor. My comments in this forum are my own opinion and are not intended to be given as medical or professional advise or a recommendation of any valve choice. Decisions that affect your health and wellbeing are ultimately yours and your doctors. vprnet

 

[LeakyValve]

Justin,

I'm 8 weeks out today and even though my incision is likely different (mini incision through the right rib cage), both the scar and it's chest tube companion are itchy and sore on occasion. But honestly, I've never worried about it. The area around the incision is completely numb; an odd sensation that I was told would occur, but nonetheless I think is pretty cool. My entire right pectoral muscle will hurt or ache at times if I overdo it in my daily routine. If you think about it, we've all be invaded and stuff moved around. The "hit by a Mack truck" analogy may be overused, but appropriate.

If you're nervous about it, mention it to your doctor. Both otherwise, if you feel fine otherwise (no shortness of breath, real chest pain), it's likely just your innards trying to rearrange the furniture after uninvited guests came an ransacked the place.

Mike

 

[geckley]

I'm 10 weeks out and I feel alot better. Still alittle sore when I sneeze. It could be some of the muscles repairing themselves. Also as you get more active you start to stretch things out more. The body has a weird way of getting even with us doesn't it.

 

[abbanabba]

Hi Justin, you described how I'm feeling to a T!! I've been feeling very tender and bruised either side of the top of my scar - have been since day one - and numb either side at the lower end above the drainage scars. I don't know if you're a glutton for punishment like me and watched any docos showing OHS, but when you see how they push all your ribs and muscles back and pin them in place with those metal things, it's hardly surprising things feel a bit tender for a while.

Also, now that we're getting a bit more active and cutting back the pain meds it's probably a bit more noticable - after all, we'll be moving and stretching in ways we haven't done for a while. I had even mentioned to my rehab physio on Monday that I had been using a product to help the scar heal (an oil to rub on to it), but felt very tender the next day and she confirmed that the nerve endings would still be a bit sensitive but to persevere.

Guess it's just one of those things that's going to take time.


A : )

 

[Woodbutcher]

You've all been very helpful...
Dr Bina, please find all my naked photos in your inbox...... I coudn't ?
Hall, sounds like I just have to wait then, and wait some more.
Thanks Bob, it's encouraging to here that nerves can heal and it's a good point you make about adhesions, I think I've been guilty of not moving my upper body around or stretching for fear of making things worse, but you're right some gentle exercise could help? I dont have cardio rehab or anything like that here, I dont think so anyway, so I'm just winging it really!
Vincent, Lucky you with your chest lawn, sorry it's itchy though! I wasn't gifted with natures own scar camouflage ! I did go to an Army surplus store the other day to buy a camouflage coat though...Couldn't find one anywhere !?
A bit like you, if I take a deep breath in my heart seems to pound against the inside of my rib cage, very strange? Maybe it always did?
Mike.. I've got no shortness of breath or real chest pain so i think you maybe right, "it's likely just your innards trying to rearrange the furniture after uninvited guests came an ransacked the place."
Geckley, I'm glad to see you're on the mend, ten weeks hey, maybe I'll feel different in a month then?
Anna... I'm sorry you feel the same because it's pretty uncomfortable isn't it?
Persevere, that's the trick isn't it, sounds like you've got a pretty good physio there. I have peeped through my fingers at one or two of those ohs films, mostly on youtube and yes you're right they do really wrench us about when they're in there, is it any wonder our insides dont knit back together over night?
I've been trying to read all these great responses from all around the globe in your respective accents !! It's been quite funny.... Lucky there's nobody else home.. I think it's cabin fever setting in, better go for a walk !

 

[AndyChas]

I have peeped through my fingers at one or two of those ohs films, mostly on youtube and yes you're right they do really wrench us about when they're in there, is it any wonder our insides dont knit back together over night?
I've been trying to read all these great responses from all around the globe in your respective accents !! It's been quite funny.... Lucky there's nobody else home.. I think it's cabin fever setting in, better go for a walk !

Strewth, maaaaate, you’ve got some guts for a flamin’ Pom. Do they have any newsreels of wakin’ up during the operation on this ‘youtube’? Hooroo!

 

[Woodbutcher]

Andy, I did well with yours, I was absolutely bang on !

 

[sparklette77]

Hi I am six weeks out and have the same issue. My doc told me that it is normal and that your nerves in that area get very irritated which can take sometime to heal. Also some nerves are irritated or damaged to a point where they never heal completely but that is not in the majority of cases. Probably you and I just have to wait and see but mention it in the event it gets worse.

 

[Woodbutcher]

Thanks Sparklette,
Seems we're inthe same boat, so to speak. I've found myself walking about kind of scrunched up and holding a hand against my chest...
I had lunch today with some friends, one of them is a nurse and acupuncturist, she was surprised I hadn't seen a physio, and pointed out that carrying myself so rigidly really wasn't helping and i needed to keep flexing gently.. Common sense really but it does hurt !

 

[abbanabba]

My physio has been very reluctant for me to do much in the way of stretching over the head at all, but I went to my first rehab session Wednesday and she had me doing gentle pushups against the wall (hands below shoulder level and feet fairly close to the wall so I wasn't putting too much strain on the pectoral muscles). Another exercise was to sit sideways on a chair, hold on to the back and very gently twist toward the back of the chair. Again, she told me to stop as soon as I started feeling too much strain. Yet another involved some low tension exercise bands tied to a door knob.. with arms locked straight I had to pull the ends of the band to my hips (she wouldn't let me go further).

Anyway, these were all quite achievable and with some other stretches have helped things loosed up a bit. Has your hospital got a rehab class or physio available? I think it's great to make sure you're doing the right kind of exercises the right way and not over-doing it. Since seeing her on Monday, I'm already beginning to limber up and look less like the Hunchback of Notre Dame!!

The worst time I have now is in the mornings when I first get out of bed. The very top of my sternum feels like it's pulling and is a most uncomfortable sensation, but a bit of movement and massage seems to sort it out pretty quickly. I'm just hanging for the day I can sleep comfortably on my side again... (sigh!).

Meanwhile, how are you going with those sneezes?


A : )