Whining at 3 1/2 months...

[Guest]

I am now 3 1/2 mos. post OHS. Am more uncomfortable than I have been for a couple of months. Collarbone aches, neck issues, upper left of my chest is very tender, deep breaths feel like they are pushing the top of my sternum....I felt very fortunate to have minimal pain post-surgery....but I don't understand all these aches now. Got a massage last week....helped some, but muscles around shoulder and neck are very tender. Rehab is going fine....walked on my treadmill for 30 min. this a.m. at 3 mph....pushed it up to 3.6 mph and 6% grade for a short time....no problem....in fact my HR maxed at 115. Don't know why all these aches are starting up now! Anyone else experience this?

Pat

 

[Freddie]

Your healing, and doing more. Your going to discover more aches and pains.

In regards of your neck and shoulders, I had the same problem and it was pointed out to me that I was walking and holding myself while sitting wrong. I was slouching over. Perhaps your doing the same without realizing it. In proper body posture will create soreness.

 

[Kathy McCain]

Everyone heals differently. I had minimally invasive AVR at 56. I was healthy, fit (or so I thought) so I could not believe how long it took me to recouperate! I also had effusion and a pericardial window. I do believe at 3 1/2 months you just need to give your body more time. Be patient don't push yourself quiet so hard. If you feel that something isn't quiet right, don't hesitate to check it out with your cardio though.

Take care

 

[tobagotwo]

Well, everyone is different, and nothing works for everyone. But for post-OHS upper body, there are four basic things that seem to help most people...

People tend to get stiff in their upper body. Right after surgery it hurts, and they don't stretch enough, because they want to avoid pain. It doesn't go back to how it felt by iteself: you have to bring it back ("move it or lose it"). That means stretching exercises. Not maniac exercises, just gentle, but expanding stretching exercises that move your torso in a variety of ways and directions. All the directions in fact, that you want it to move without pain.

The other three are Posture! Posture! Posture! While walking, standing, and sitting.

Best wishes,

 

[Dale 1]

You're not alone. Around the three month post-op mark, I had new aches and pains too. I think part of it has to do with healing, and part with the formation of scar tissue. I have a lot of tightness in my chest from scar tissue. Hopefully it will get softer over time.

 

[nngbwh]

Give it some time. You are still in recovery mode. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[dick0236]

....but I don't understand all these aches now. Got a massage last week....helped some, but muscles around shoulder and neck are very tender. Rehab is going fine....walked on my treadmill for 30 min. this a.m. at 3 mph....pushed it up to 3.6 mph and 6% grade for a short time....no problem....in fact my HR maxed at 115. Don't know why all these aches are starting up now! Anyone else experience this?

Pat

WOW, I am impressed.....3.6mph @6/% incline and only 3 1/2 months after surgery at 66. The muscle aches and pains probably are because you are recovering and doing things that your muscles are not used to. Keep on keepin' on.....but remember that your body has to catch up to the new you.

 

[njean]

Don't feel bad about whining! You've earned the right to whine!!!! I was still whining after a year after my 3rd surgery! We all recover differently so don't panic & think that something is not going right! Everything comes back eventually....you just have to be patient!

Take care & stay well!

 

[Yvonne]

I'm 4 months post-op and I'm still feeling the tightness in my chest and some aches/pains. I mentioned it to my cardiologist the last time I went (last month) and he said it was all part of the healing process. He said my scar looks to be healing well. My PCP said the tightness can also be from the scar tissue. Also, my left side is still numb. Not as bad as it used to be, but still numb. I tend to get scared about these things and then I come here and find others experiencing the same thing. So, I know none of this is unusual.

 

[james]

I had a flux of pain at 3 months and now at 4.5 I feel no pain........FWIW

 

[Guest]

UPDATE!!
Today I celebrate 4 mos. post-op and there has been amazing improvement. My energy is back, the discomfort lessened, I am back to volunteering several days a week in school libraries and have been on several walks of over 2 miles. Thanks for all of your concern and comments.
Pat