Two Questions

[fisher6476]

As most of you know I had AVR and Aortic Anuerism surgery on Dec.5. I feel I am most fortunate as I have had NO "events" or any other problems or complications as far as I know. Saw Cardiologist and although she just ask me questions, checked my BP and gave me a pretty good "going over" with her stethescope, she said evrything looked and sounded very good. I even was fortunate enough to get the warfarin levels dialed in very soon after surgery and am on 5mg/day and have reamained consistent at 2.3 to 2.5.
Question 1: I have some discomfort still where the sternotomy is healing. I have never been able to sleep on my back. Have tried the bed a few times lately but still too uncomfortable for me to go to sleep. Therfore still sleeping in the chair 5 weeks out. Anyone have experience to share?
Question 2:I am now"VERY AWARE" of my heart beating especially if I take in a breath and hold it. I have biological valve. Cardiologist said a lot of post valvers become very aware of heartbeats and it is nothing to be worried about? Any Thoughts,
Steve

 

[hensylee]

your sternum can take up to a year to totally heal, tho it isn't sore for that long. It's going to be awhile before the soreness is gone so unless it is really painful you are probably ok there. Just gotta wait. It just refuses to be hurried, much as we'd like to.

 

[Marge]

<< Cardiologist said a lot of post valvers become very aware of heartbeats and it is nothing to be worried about? Any Thoughts, >>

Not just post-valvers, I think, Steve, but ANY heart patients.

I haven't even had the surgery yet, but since I was diagnosed (in October last year), and especially since December when I was told I need the surgery, I have found myself becoming "very aware" of heartbeats! I notice any rapid heartbeats and skipped beats. I wake up sometimes at night and listen to my heart; even count the beats. I asked my cardio about this. He says I have "benign PVCS and PAC's," nothing to be concerned about and to stop counting.

About sleeping: you have my sympathy. I've never been able to sleep on my back either. Unless I can figure out a way to sleep on my side, it's the recliner for me too. But several people on this board have said they have been able to sleep on their side after their surgery so I am hopeful.

 

[Ross]

Steve on my last round on July 22, 2002, I could not roll on my side when I was in rehab around September 7th. Give it 8 to 12 weeks before you can actually lay on your side and be somewhat comfortable.

 

[Kenny F]

Steve,

I actually am more sore at the top of my sternum now than a few weeks ago - because I insist on sleeping on my side! The back thing just doesn't work for me. I think hennsylee is right - it takes a long time to really heal.

I can feel my pulse if I am laying or reclining against something, sometimes strong enough to count the pulse in my neck or back. My BP has been unusually high since surgery, and my rate is high (but coming down). I am going to wait and see. The difference is pre-op I felt a faint pulsing in my face - now it is a resounding pulse. I like to think that is a good thing!

My cardio says it sounds like I have new heart - maybe my 45 yo arteries need to get used to all the pressure!

 

[fisher6476]

Hi Kenny, Ross, Hensylee and all.
Thanks for the replies. Kenny, it is interesting but I was just sitting here thinking to myslef that my chest is a little more sore now than it was last week. I was beginning to worry that something was not right. Sounds like I am not alone. And I saw my cardio on Thursday and she said my bloodpressure was boderline on being high. I told her that i had low blood pressure pre-op and she said " sure, your valve was so bad there was not enough bood getting through." So maybe your right...maybe the rest of our plumbing has to adapt to our wonderfully strong new hearts.

 

[Granbonny]

Sternum

Sternum

I am coming up 2 years post-op March 25th. I have a runny nose and about every few hours. a coughing fit. Guess where it hurts..Right smack in my sternum Only lasts a few minutes..but old sternum can STILL feel it. Funny, never had any pain there before.. First cold.. Guess, we are doomed to live with sternum healing for a long, long, time Bonnie

 

[medtronic of borg]

hmmm?

hmmm?

Some may say I'm too blunt ,but relax would ya.

Med

 

[dwfreck]

Steve,

Aware of your heartbeat? How could you not be? You know intellectually that you've got "new parts" in there, you've been FORCED to learn more about cardiology than most people learn in a lifetime, and you've got full-time access to a living, breathing open heart surgery patient in recovery. I wouldn't be surprised if curiosity is partially responsible for keeping you awake.

I've been "aware" of my heartbeat for as long as I can remember. Of course, I've known about my bicuspid aortic valve for as long as I can remember too.

My recomendation: be aware, it's better than being ignorant, but DON'T WORRY NEEDLESSLY. Think what it will be like to be aware of how well your heart really is working while you're tackling some physical task that was just too strenuous before your surgery (not this week, of course...).

On a semi-related subject: I've had three lower-GI endoscopies and have found I'm more "aware" of my colon. It actually helps me stay more "regular" .

 

[Christina L]

When I was first out of surgery (mitral valve repair) my heartbeat was so strong and loud. I think it was Melissa who said this (?) to me, but she said her heartbeat was so strong, she felt like it was moving furniture and I identified right away with that statement!!

Sometimes at night while lying in bed, it felt like the bed was moving because of my heart beating so strongly.

My heartbeat has totally calmed down now - don't even notice it.

It will be the same with you - just that at first the heart is working "right" for once and has to get itself adjusted.

Of course, heart patients are very attuned to their heartbeat and rate - I can feel every PAC. In time, I hope that will lessen also - the PACs AND my focus on them.

Christina L.

 

[Kenny F]

Dale,

Not sure I want to go there, but can't help it.. "aware of my colon"???

 

[Tom F.]

Your sleeping comfort is really a very individual thing. I started sleeping on my side 7 days post-op, a friend of mine slept on his side 3 days post op. But we both know someone that was still in the chair 6 weeks post op. So we are all different. As to being aware of your heartbeat, I think that is very natural. I was that way for a good 6 months post op, then relaxed. My surgeon even arned me that most people become focused on their heartbeat for a time, so its natural.

 

[dwfreck]

Kenny,

You asked for it ...

It sounds strange, but, yes, I'm more "aware" of my colon. I know when it's filling up, when it's likely to empty itself, when it's getting irritated, and I can definitely feel things moving through it. Of course, everyone is probably "aware" of their colon, at least a little bit, since it can cause a surprising number of sensations. Perhaps I'm just paying more specific attention to it, now that I know EXACTLY where it is in my body.

Warning: mildly graphic descriptions of colonoscopy ahead!

I've had a "sigmoidoscopy." That's essentially a mini-colonoscopy where they only insert the scope up to the first major "bend" in your colon. It's often performed without anesthesia, sedatives or any other funky medecines. It sounds awfull, but mine wasn't bad at all; only a little uncomfortable. But having a probe in your colon up to your left kidney without anesthesia or sedatives means you become "aware" of your colon's location because someone is poking you there from the inside.

I've also had two full colonoscopies, the first with a polypectomy. I did get funky medications for those: a sedative and/or Versed. I'm told I was fully concious during both procedures, just very "relaxed," thanks to the sedative, but I can't remember a thing about either one, thanks to the Versed. Still, it seems to me that I am more "aware" of the location of my entire colon (perhaps sub-conciously?), again because I've had a probe poking me there from the inside.