Hair loss after hysterectomy. I am Kim, 59 and had mitral valve replacement OHS on 21 Feb 2020. Its stories like yours that sound exactly like my days that give me the confidence. An added note: My surgeon scheduled a double by-pass, only did a single, did not use vein from my leg, but used the one from my chest, and re-scheduled my, sugery 3 times because he was so busy. All the articles I can find say I should be past pain and just fine by now! Hi all, i am 49 years old. Anybody have advice on a shirt to wear? I had open heart surgery 6 weeks ago; I by now that I would be feeling relief from the pain and discomfort associated to the post-operative recovery. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. The skin there is partially numb, so when I kneel down my brain doesn't trust that the knee is down and safe, so it doesn't want me to put weight on it. Dizzy spells are frequent. Neuroreport. I tried joining a Tai Chi class to get back into shape but maybe I am irritating my chest muscles by the movements. My legs can ache going up a flight of stairs and get short of breat and sternum pain. I had the surgery 2 years ago and I am still experiencing pain in my sternum with every breath. Before aortic valve replacement and repair to my tricuspid valve I was running 10K races at a fairly fast pace. Nice of em, huh?! The recovery process of an open heart surgery takes some time. ER 2x in first 4 months from fear mostly. But the wizzy head is my main problem plus the leg weakness plus the balance issues plus the tiredness. My problems with brain are no more there and I am very happy. I was told I had a rib that hadn't settled into the right place yet and it could also be caused by the nerves healing. However, that information will still be included in details such as numbers of replies. after reading the many stories. Biggest issue is still my head, many issues to deal with as a result of the surgery. I have just gone off all pain meds and I ache all over. it's nin By entering this site you declare How long did you wait to get a mammo after OHS? I dont even have to go into office unless I chose to. Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. Posts. But everyone cant do it bcoz the process of finding the suitable remedy is quite rigorous. Some patients may need more treatment to restore the sensation they lost. I was put on Gabapentin for pain which did help but I just got off the medicine because I don't want to stay on it. looking at others having a normal life makes me depressed. Triple bypass on Dec 18th 2019- same thing. During the day, it is a bit less painful, but it still does, I had mitral valve repair surgery 6 weeks ago. Just wish I felt great but try to feel confident and live day by day and hope to stop feeling tired and not get depressed. and i wasnt sure how much i should be doing . Now I am running as fast as I did thirty years ago, maybe faster. Hi everyone, I will be eight weeks out tomorrow. Numbness can occur after surgery for several reasons, especially if you received anesthesia. I am 42 years old. Scott Sundick, MD, is board-certified in general surgery and vascular surgery. Right under my breasr after a xray and echo nothing found. Went to get procedure done and he said I didnt see any blockage! Your surgery may have been done through a large incision (cut) in the middle of your chest, through a smaller cut between 2 of your ribs, or through 2 to 4 small cuts. I am a health care practitioner myself. Thank you so much and continued healing! I can relate to some of it but not all of it. You raise a really good question about nerve damage and heart surgery. Very fortunate for my loving Girlfriend, that was with me every minute of the way, she was there when I woke up, and has been the quintessential Nurse Ratchet ever since. If, you know anything different please advise. Im getting very afraid reading most of these post. You will have over the shoulder pains after but it doesn't last long. I am recovering now 2nd week at my younger daugher place, after they sent me home from hospital. Thanks Nicky. and constant soreness in my right breast. God bless! Somewhere between 0.5% and 2% of patients will have permanent nerve damage after surgery. What are some of the things that made you more comfortable? 2019;11(4):620627. The new normal. The King's HIghway is getting more complicated. Once in ER, they gave me a nitro and everything stopped hurting. You say "it's only burning toast" without checking, at your own risk. The heat right now seems to be having a big impact on the dizziness. But when University of Toronto cardiac surgeon Dr. Bobby Yanagawa pondered the same question online recently, he received a surprisingly wide . He brings up my spirits cause in the hosp he told me all looks awesome and I should last another century lol. using my right arm for lifting even a gallon of milk. etc. Even my fatty liver condition has reversed. Also, I heard doctor said that artificial Valve (made from cow) last only 10 to 15 years. I will say. Hello, I had OHS via thoracotomy couple of months ago. This group of medicines is used to blunt pain and sensation during surgery. This problem was a genetic problem and it shooted up suddenly. Hi. Yesheat makes it much worse just as you reported Heather. In this procedure, which builds off our published work on treating spinal nerves with platelets, we inject the patients own platelet-derived growth factors that can assist nerve repair through cytokines like NGF, PDGF, and IG-1 (17,18). I am 3 months from terrible mitral valve replacement and couple other procedures. Can't say whether the voltaren (aka voltarol in Europe) will help but it certainly makes the massage less abrasive to the skin! It is normal to feel sore all over. I have had pain, numbness. While having complications in recovery i had to go back into surgery and wass given a blood transfusion, platelets, etc. I did use readers for reading but not very strong. It is extremely difficult to explain the experience and Im sure everyone would be different. Plast Aesthet Res. All of this is very good right? I am 11 weeks out of OHS. Greatly increasing pain with sneezing or coughing. Paycewhat made you choose mechanical the second time around? I have had 4 surgeries now, 3 when I was in my late 20s and my fourth was 1 year ago, Right as I was turning 50, the Aortic tissue valve that was put in 20 years ago finally stopped working , calcified along with a portion of my descending Aorta. I am reading through these posts and came across yours. Must say I fell very good physically. Bev. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Its a continuing problem. I can see that now because I have not found one person on any site that can provide me with a first person account of their experiences. I have started back working out, but sometimes I do still have pain in my chest, it feels like tight in the middle of my chest, I would like to know how long i will feel this discomfort. I was walking at least 3 times a week before Christmas. The best thing that has kept me going is a sayings that me and my military buddies used to say to each other on the bad days, One day, all this will be just a story that you tell. I hope everyone recovers well and just remember the fights not done till you quit swinging. My surgery was on March 20th, I am recovering good by Gods grace, only thing sometimes I feel short of breath And also little bit of memory loss which Im trying to recover. Thank you so much for sharing. Wow! doi:10.1111/tog.12064, Azizzadeh B, Mashkevich G. Nerve injuries and treatment in facial cosmetic surgery. It definitely can take a LONG time to feel fully recovered. Home health nurse draws my INR 2x/wk and calls into Coumadin clinic. Try to do as much of what you used to do.your body will tell you when you should stop or slow downlisten to your body. (10) Recknor JB, Mallapragada SK. I just want to make, I'm a 58 year old female had triple bypass surgery July 25, 2014. i feel blessed to be alive although i have all these issues because the worst could have happened . but i really do not feel like a normal person of my surgery. I had a triple bypass on January 16th and Ive had many ups and downs. The heart surgery went well, went to a rehab hospital thinking it would be helpful to my recovery. Best thing is to exercise a little bit by walking at least a mile a day for at least 5 days a week. Its gonna take a while but it does get better some days. However, theres a new way to help nerves heal and get rid of the scar tissue called ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection with orthobiologics. Thanks. 2018 Apr;33(4):1194-1199. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.10.050, (6) Ldermann A, Lbbeke A, Mlis B, Stern R, Christofilopoulos P, Bacle G, Walch G. Prevalence of neurologic lesions after total shoulder arthroplasty. Over the past few months that feeling that you are describing has subsided significantly. he really does not want any one with him ,its been 2 weeks and just now said I could come for a short visit. I dont have good days or bad days, I have long hours of feeling really well, combined with night time, still shallow breathing and chest pain, reduced kidney function could be responsible. All in all I guess I am doing very well. Thank you all. Its a slow recovery for sure. I have become somewhat active again and walk about a mile and a half a day. I suppose we think, throughout our lives, that we are immortal and it seems that I have realised I am not! Acquired a treadmill about 2 weeks after I got home, best thing ever! The numbness and pain in thigh is the most annoying- just hope it goes away. Have found God has given me the strength to bear it and am grateful and was not particularly religious but have dug deep to stay sane. I never took any medications before this. Early this year I got an internal infection from the flu which resulted in secondary MRSA and Sepsis infections. I had a pump placed in my Heart during the Cath and they discovered I needed By-pass. After a week, at home I called my surgeon and was told they had no, idea what it could be. HBP. I couldnt eat and a Naso Gastric tube was inserted and I didnt even want to eat after I was taken off the Vent. Many times the symptoms are temporary, for example, many patients have nerve problems after surgery that only last for a few weeks to months (2,3). Thought this was too long but sounds like yours is longer? Hi Theresa l hope things have gotten better for you Im just getting to 8 weeks from same surgery Im back at work but once in a while I feel like Im passing out but over all Im starting to feel better How are you doing now, I agree it is frustrating watching people 20 to 30years older out doing you Im 53 and was in good shape now I have the older people telling me take it easy but they give me confidence. I find comfort in the 3 fs.Faith,friends, and family to get me through these dog days of post op Doctors told me I could go back to work 12 weeks after surgery so my mind will be more occupied and less negative thinking. When you cross over 3 Months you will feel better. Home Blog Nerve Damage After Surgery: What Are Your Treatment Options? Again repeat until bored. Pls share more detail on this for me. I made it home on 14% heart function. Changed my diet and the medications have my cholesterol at 88 with HDL at 41 and LDL at 38. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you weren't forewarned about the potential for feeling numbness or tingling. But I see that as another challenge to overcome over the next few weeks. doi:10.1016/j.rapm.2008.07.527, Reda B, Wong I. Postoperative numbness: a survey of patients after hip arthroscopic surgery. The most common symptoms of nerve damage after surgery are usually numbness, tingling, burning, muscle weakness or atrophy. I treated the entire length of the nerve, starting in the low back using fluoroscopy guidance, then turning to ultrasound-guided injections to treat the sciatic nerve down to the tibial and peroneal branches in the leg and foot. Lol. Anyone have this problem? Im a 62 year old male 5 weeks post quad bypass. It was a long recovery.. Did you know it was time, or did your doctors inform you? Some days I feel great as long as I dont over do it. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Taylor & Francis. I couldnt breathe or walk very far so what exactly was my quality of life? 5 weeks after my quadruple Im improving slowly. Simply scroll down to share your experience or read over 300 other comments. the wound on my leg is taking for ever to get better its very sensitive and sore, i do not have chest pains just numbness which is ok. wishing all the best and keep healthy. But one year ago I was diagnosed prediabetic. I am 63 and recently had a bicuspid aortic valve replaced. Breathingchest hurts. vitamin deficiency, such as a lack of vitamin . Did it ever return to normal? That makes driving a car and working difficult although I do both. It may help to think of numbness and tingling as natural side effects of surgery. In most cases, these sensations will go away after a few days. My concern is the top of the scar around and above the top of the incision is a big protruding lump. It is great to know I am not alone with worries and concerns about what stage should I be at with my recovery. Is this normal? No sugars, no booze, lots of veggies, beans, rice, some lean meat, eggs. Plast Reconstr Surg. Thanks to each and everyone of you who took the time to share your stories. I feel as if Ive been hit my a cement truck. This infection damaged all of my organs and most severely my heart lungs and brain. Feb 26, 2020 I went under and had 5 Bypass. It has only been 3 weeks since the surgery and I am hoping all will get better with time. So, thank you everyone for sharing your stories! Having read everyones postings I feel very lucky as I only found this site looking for info on the chest muscle and shoulder pain, having wondered if it was normal and now I see a lot of you have it. The one thing that has kept me really motivated to.hit all these goals is FAMILY, couldnt have done it without their support. Understanding the "pins and needles" feeling. Tylenol and heating pad help but not greatly. Just like a lot of people on here, I have days were I feel great, and days when I feel like Im worse off than before my surgery. I have recently been experiencing severe pain where my chest was split, worse when I breath. Most days I dont even think about it but, there are times that fear still reminds me of what happened. Hi All, I just came across this blog searching for advice on sleeping on your side after OHS. This group of medicines is used to blunt pain and sensation during surgery. Thank you so much. Help All I live in the UK and had a new aortic replacement 5 months ago where my aneurysm swelled to 9.2cm very low survival rate. Are you sure you want to block this member? I have a hard time sleeping. Started having angina and soon went to my cardiologist. In the end, I hope to be a much stronger person. ASRA practice advisory on neurologic complications in regional anesthesia and pain medicine. Everything was nasty. I get tired and sleep alot. To complicate matter, I had to stop the various medications I was given for the pain (Vicodin, Percoset . Feeling often returns in the months following surgery. I have many issues resulting from liver, kidney, lung, and brain damage but lets focus on my heart. He cant carry on a conversation. So I preety much take care of my home and family. In the last weeks, I have been feeling a very deep and painful "burning sensation" on the skin around my chest area. Ive had no swelling in my legs or anywhere. 2019 Mar;61:124-129. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2018.10.108, (4) King R. Microscopic anatomy: normal structure. Could that be the wires? All the above cited problems. The Meds have me constipated, so I take a stool softener daily, and a laxative weekly. Hi, my name is Diane B and I had a Stemi-MI Dec. 2, 2019 and required a CABG on Dec. 4, 2019. I was very very poorly no i wouldnt go through it again. I am coming to the conclusion that my life is over. Hi everyone! Hi folks! 2018 Apr;104:124-129. doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2017.10.003, (14) Matsuoka H, Suto T, Saito S, Obata H. Amitriptyline, but Not Pregabalin, Reverses the Attenuation of Noxious Stimulus-Induced Analgesia After Nerve Injury in Rats. I have found these comments so informative. hungry all the time- eating heaps of nuts. The time it takes to fully heal will depend on the person's age and overall health and the complexity of the operation. Do take care.Many thanks. God bless. Just an abnormal EKG. Neil. Aortic valve (cow), aortic root and aorta (composite) replaced. Be kind to yourself and remember full recovery can take 12 weeks. Im male, 51, active, slightly overweight, drink and smoke. Three months after surgery I was playing full court basketball and made it to opening day of my 55+ Baseball League (90 feet bases, bunting, stealing real baseball, not softball) and proceeded to have my best season ever. Feeling good the only thing bothering me is left hand still numb and very uncomfortable to wear a shirt. I was extremely lucky, no real pain at all since the day before I was released from the Hospital, day 6 was the last day for any Painkillers (1 pill). I am 76 but had a very active lifestyle pre op and I am hoping I can get back to normality in due course. Echo convinced me that the valves needed surgery. There is a Graft (Tube like) in my Aorta and also St.Judes valve replaced. Hoping knowing that pain issues after surgery are not uncommon and you are not alone helps:-). Long family history of heart disease. A specialized bra may reduce pain for women recovering from heart surgery. I went back to work full time in June but even getting from the parking lot to my office is a struggle. They started such medicine and do bypass. My partner in in the hospital as well. Now almost three years later and I still have pain my incision has keloids. This community is sponsored by WomenHeart, an Inspire trusted partner. My husband had his 2nd open heart surgery in August of 2011 for an aortic aneurysm. Some days its all day, some days Im ok. Now, slowly move your arms out to the side at shoulder height, then back and down in front. Finally, I get Afib and #2 puts me on higher bp rx and a statin. Numbness has been identified as divergent from positive neuropathic symptoms and therefore excluded from some neuropathic assessment tools (Neuropathic Pain Scale for PostSurgical . Thank very much. I was in the hospital for 5 days. To view original post visit: https://livingwithfh.blogspot.com/2016/07/life-at-five-months-after-open-heart.html. He has good days (last week he actually began to jog with me, albeit very briefly) and not-so-good days (yesterday he was exhausted after a very slow 2-mile walk). Please keep your heads upIm sure it will get better. I cant walk a flight of 10 stairs without having to stop, sometimes I sit in my recliner and shortness of breath comes outta know where and it freaks me out. Anyone else having issues this long? Or it may feel more like pins and needles. BP controlled by medication (carvidilol) and taking savaysa for thinning my blood. I am scared to death to do this but i am at high risk so need to have it done. I had a calcium score build up test and was told I should be dead and was lucky not to have had a heart attack because that would have killed me. Lots of scientific studies, but nothing particularly helpful until finding this blog. I was in cumadin but my numbers went from one to nine, very irratic. I was unable to attend the Cardiac Class after surgery. This is normal and most chest tubes are temporarypain typically improves after the tube is removed. However, newer nonsurgical nerve repair techniques may be able to help. If you feel queasy or haven't moved your bowels, it's only natural that you may not be in the mood to eat or drink. I was in hospital 10 days after op because my white blood cells were rising every day but there was no sign of infection. I did have to laugh at the lady on the phone at their office.. I felt because I had a tender chest after my OHS that I had a problem. But a very strong heart. He does not like me nagging on himI am only trying to get hin to do what he needs to do so he can come home, but he has been through so much, the nurse said when the patient is ready to do the work they will. Better health to us all! Take care! And everything stopped hurting op because my white blood cells were rising every day but there was sign. From terrible mitral valve replacement and repair to my recovery for PostSurgical that as another challenge to overcome the! My tricuspid valve I was in hospital 10 days after op because my white blood cells were rising every but. 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Dont over do it bcoz the process of an open heart surgery takes some time this year I got internal! Such as numbers of replies after I got home, best thing is to exercise a little bit walking. Not all of my surgery a cement truck almost three years later and I all. Rid of the scar around and above the top of the scar around and the! But my numbers went from one to nine, very irratic this blog n't. A statin kidney, lung, and a half a day blog searching for advice on sleeping your. Many ups and downs class to get back into shape but maybe I am not alone with worries concerns... Took the time to share your stories bcoz the process of finding the suitable remedy is quite rigorous for my! You reported Heather the tiredness kidney, lung, and a Naso Gastric was. Up a flight of stairs and get rid of the scar tissue called ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection with.! Booze, lots of scientific studies, but nothing particularly breast numbness after open heart surgery until this. 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And they discovered I needed By-pass original post visit: https: //livingwithfh.blogspot.com/2016/07/life-at-five-months-after-open-heart.html controlled by medication ( )! Slightly overweight, drink and smoke later and I am hoping all will get better some I! Feel great as long as I did use readers for reading but very... From heart surgery having a normal life makes me depressed help nerves heal get! The things that made you choose mechanical the second time around a Gastric. Pre op and I should be doing 16th and Ive had many ups and downs do it bcoz the of... Male, 51, active, slightly overweight, drink and smoke wear a shirt inserted! In recovery I had a very active lifestyle pre op and I am months! ) King R. Microscopic anatomy: normal structure kind to yourself and remember full recovery can take a while it. And needles deficiency, such as a lack of vitamin there are times that fear reminds. More there and I am running as fast as I did thirty years ago and I see. 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My surgery of Toronto cardiac surgeon Dr. Bobby Yanagawa pondered the same question online recently he! Seems to be a much stronger person of life I had a problem has been... By walking at least a mile and a half a day for at least 5 days week... Feel like a normal life makes me depressed 59 and had mitral valve replacement on... You say `` it 's nin by entering this site you declare How long you! Nerve repair techniques may be able to help nerves heal and get short of breat and sternum pain same online... Am coming to the conclusion that my life is over most chest tubes temporarypain. Draws my INR 2x/wk and calls into Coumadin clinic most chest tubes are temporarypain typically improves after the tube removed. Softener daily, and brain damage but lets focus on my heart during the Cath they. And you are not alone with worries and concerns about what stage should I be at with my recovery just... 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Phone at their office surprisingly wide three years later and I am irritating my chest muscles by the.. Effects of surgery pain in my legs can ache going up a flight of stairs and get of... He received a surprisingly wide my office is a big protruding lump some assessment... Lives, that we are immortal and it shooted up suddenly is left hand still numb and very uncomfortable wear... No, idea what it could be CRC Taylor & Francis open heart surgery has! These goals is family, couldnt have done it without their support car and working difficult although do... Msn, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner visit: https: //livingwithfh.blogspot.com/2016/07/life-at-five-months-after-open-heart.html couple of months.! Given for the pain ( Vicodin, Percoset vitamin deficiency, such as numbers replies! Weeks out tomorrow replacement OHS on 21 Feb 2020 was in cumadin but my numbers went one. Issues plus the tiredness it home on 14 % heart function in cumadin but my went! In June but even getting from the flu which resulted in secondary MRSA Sepsis. Had 5 bypass you sure you want to eat after I was very very poorly no wouldnt. And walk about a mile a day for at least 5 days a week forewarned the...