wire troubles?!

rocksoldier · Jul 22, 2008

hi everyone!

i really hate to be whining again..but-damn-i'm just soooo good at it....

on the day i started driving was bad. i was backing out of a spot and suddenly,it felt like my sternum was being ripped in 2!!

days went by and i went to see my primary doc. told her about it and that i was saving 3 percocets for when i have BAD pain and it's coming to time for me to take them. anyway-she wrote me a script for more percocet. i drive w/my heart pillow-put it between me and the seatbelt.even with my doc just placing her stethoscope on my incision-it hurt. ALOT !!!!!so-saw my cardiologist this past week. told here everything.she said it's the wires used to keep the sternum together.....according to her-10 % of patients end up having the wire removed. so-guess who gets to have A 3RD SURGERY?! i'm doing my pre cardiac rehab stress test thursday and we will discuss it further. i envy those who have a NORMAL recovery!!!!! trish

Phyllis · Jul 22, 2008

Maybe this thread will help: http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19872&highlight=wires+removed also put in a search for "wires removed" and you will find many others.

hensylee · Jul 22, 2008

there have been quite a few who needed a/some/all wires removed and it has been done successfully. One of them that I recall was in the hospital overnight. Others were not. Apparently it isn'ta difficult procedure. I hope you can get it done so you can get on with healing. Pain can't be helping in that. Blessins...........

p.s. if you want to find them, go up to search above and type in wires and a bunch oughta pop up.

WayneGM · Jul 22, 2008

Sorry to hear about your wire troubles. Although I have not experienced this myself, I recall reading that removing the wires is not that invasive...certainly not as invasive as OHS. Hopefully this can be resolved without too much difficulty. Best wishes and good luck.

Lisa in Katy · Jul 23, 2008

I don't know when you had your surgery, but it sounds quite recent. I had my wires removed, but it was 7 years after my surgery. I doubt they would remove your wires until your sternum has had time to heal, which takes 6 weeks to 3 months. If you are past that point, I think that something is definitely wrong and you need an xray at the very least. The amount of pain that you are having is unusual. I had a spot that hurt when light pressure was applied, but it wasn't unbearable. I'm surprised your doctor gave you another prescription of Percocet. Many doctors would have stuck the red "Drug Seeking Individual" sticker on your folder and told you to use Tylenol for the pain. The reason I had mine removed is because a couple of the wires had shifted and were scratching me beneath my skin, the sensitive one in particular was causing bruising.

I hope this resolves soon.