Having some trouble wrapping my mind around a possible 3rd operation, if I make it that long. Thank you for sharing your story. I am a practicing architect and I love what I do. Your stories (for the most part) have encouraged me. I am a health care practitioner myself. My husband had open heart 2 months ago. I was released after five days but right back in (helicopter & ambulance delivery back to surgeon) for a second ohs due to problems. Please share the advice to me if it is normally to feel that tired after surgery for 2 months already? Discomfort in not being able to move in certain ways yes but even then not discomfort. Best wishes to all of you. But, after Christmas Im dont do anything but what I have too. It has gotten some better but not completely. After heart surgery, you may have side-effects or complications that make your recovery progress less fast than you and your medical team had hoped. 85 clinic locations offering non-surgical Regenexx solutions for musculoskeletal pain. Thank you for sharing your story. My chest still hurts and is uncomfortable most days. i feel blessed to be alive although i have all these issues because the worst could have happened . Hi Andy, Last May 2018 I went in for mitral valve repair. Now it reaches above 30. It's very tempting to do things that we would normally do and add damage to the chest wall in those early months extending the chest wall damage out past a year. -Sharp pains in the balls of my feet when I attempt to walk on treadmill the past week. 5 months later and Im suffering from a bit of depression and pain in my right upper arm and shoulder. Front Neurol. Finally, I get Afib and #2 puts me on higher bp rx and a statin. Aches between your shoulder blades, over the ribs, in the back of the neck, chest or leg incision. He finally called me through facebook video chat on the 3rd day, he texted me hi, on the first day. Three weeks ago had my aortic valve replaced for the second time along with the ascending aortic artery and part of the aortic arch replaced. My faith keeps me going; my family encourages me with their support; and my own determination to get better helps me tremendously when those nagging moments of doubt start creeping in. I had 9 hours of surgery on April 9, so I am going on 9 months. I am still amazed that I was home 3 days after open heart aortic valve replacement. I have had such an emotional and spiritual journey. I am Kim, 59 and had mitral valve replacement OHS on 21 Feb 2020. I just received a concerned email from Sean about nerve damage after heart surgery. My cardiologist says that the problem is fluid buildup and will increase my lasixs but it doesnt resolve the problem much. My Cardio said it was nerve endings healing. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In 1982, spent 7 days in hospital having Heart related tests , sent home with a prescription for Valium and no answers. He was 57 at the time and thats far too young to have your life become so changed. It's common after heart surgery to be sad or blue, but these feelings should pass after the first few weeks. Two other specialists recommended no surgery as the dizzy spells were probably related to the medications. I notice that currently I still feel tired (almost faint sometimes. I get dizzy and have double vision at times. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I had double bypass surgery 6 months ago. Due to covid 19:virus lock down my husband dropped me off at hospital and picked me up 5 days later. I dont even have to go into office unless I chose to. I am back to work at my part time job at Home Depot. 3 months ago I started having dizzy spells and double vision. Dizzy spells are frequent. sensitivity (to the touch) reduced . Thanks all for sharing your experiences and all the best and speedy recovery, please share if any one experienced no pain after few months/ years. Best postsurgery bras for after breast reconstruction . You are right and yes, there are many things that are common to both men and women that can affect how we heal as well as a few things that you point out are quite different in our physiology. But one year ago I was diagnosed prediabetic. It works about as well as a nerve conduction study and is less invasive (8). While I am exercising 5-6 days a week, can keep up with 20 year olds on the basketball court and can steal bases in my baseball league, routine breathing is still a daily challenge. He should be out of the hospital in 4-5 days after surgery. I had Aorta Graft replacement and also Aorta valve replacement with Titanium St.Judes valve. Hi, I am 58 and had triple bypass 6 months ago. My husband does all the grocery shopping. Leg scar looks really good but chest is still ruby red after 4 months and very tender. Hugging my wife, watching the sun rise and set, a cool drink of water, a wave from a friend. All the articles I can find say I should be past pain and just fine by now! This seems to help. Thank you for sharing. Our hormones are different and our bodies handle all of this different. Cough continued for a total of 7 weeks. How long did it take? Sorry to hear about your post operative pains, but its a relief as well.Im 8months last the same operation as you (with an unexpected bypass as well during the op) and have a number of pains I keep assuming its the scar and nerves and nothing more serious. I was told I had a congenital heart problem at 63 years of age. Best advice I have had is stay as active as you can and time is your friend. Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. I'm really stressing over this and I'm hoping to gain some information on what I can expect. Mitral valve surgery in April. CABG X 4 - Nov.2013. It's normally a tablet for epilepsy but it's now being used for nerve pain post surgery. If you want to change your health for the better, I had to change what I was doing and the greatest change was joining an online group a physician led group and I am seeing the results and by mid July my plan is to have reached my goal weight and my cholesterol and blood pressure will be where it should be. He was exceptional and I needed to find out more about my heart. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Providers listed on the Regenexx website are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation from Regenexx for a specific provider or a guarantee of the outcome of any treatment you receive. Leg Swelling. just may need a little breathing room as long as he is careful let him do stuff (maybe dont let him try to breakdown a large cardboard box for recycling it hurts!!) NO WAY I could stay at home, so I went straight OUT in Mother Nature, so I walk every day between 5,000 and nearly 10,000 steps, if I take 2 walks, which is equivalent of 2.5-5 miles a day. If I turn my head too fast or too far around I feel like my brain is swimming and swirling and spinning. His stamina is still not terrific. In the future, I will add my thoughts and recovery struggles if there is anything interesting I feel would be useful to share. 3 months later I still get tired a lot, cardiologists told me give it 6 months to a year to feel the results and I will forget about all that happened to me and that everything looks great. Going from 0 meds to a handful is very discouraging plus found out Im type 2 diabetic so insulin 4times a day! Neil. A second opinion is a great way to see your options ! You raise a really good question about nerve damage and heart surgery. Open heart surgery using artery from my leg 5 months ago how long will this How long did it take you to heal after open heart surgery. One of the common complaints of those who went through breast enhancement surgery is the feeling of numbness on one or both of their arms. Read More. Very similar to what I felt just after my surgery. The biggest downside is depression. I have good days and bad days but I feel like Im never going to get back to normal. I am 7 months post op from an aortic heart valve replacement & aortic root repair to address an aneurysm & I feel my body is not my own. Both this and nerve pain can be similar, but by and large, nerve pain tends to feel more like electric shocks. It is extremely difficult to explain the experience and Im sure everyone would be different. There are different conditions that can lead to neurapraxia after a breast enhancement . Dr. Branman. This time surgery was more extensive and recovery taking longer. I have a hard time sleeping. The most popular is to take small hand weights about 1 or 2 lbs in each hand. In Bronzino JD (ed.). I went to my neighbours who offered to help, organised my funeral, someone to take my dog, clean my unit and give all my stuff to charity. Hi Paul, I fully understand where your coming from. Surgery raises the stakes since it also involves anesthesia and an incision. After a little over 2 months. Was super fit, non drinker, non smoker, conscious of my food intake and now.. BOOM! Most of my scar looks OK, flat and thin. This has been good for me reading all your stories. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. The result of this was that where was no pressing need for an op at this time (this was exactly a year ago in June 2019) I was then booked for 6 monthly checks. I am out of breath, I sleep constantly, I have no energy and I cant walk well because my balance is off. So the not so good. She no longer wears the brace, has gotten sensation back, and has limited pain. Some days I just want to cry cause I feel like crap and discouraged. I told her i will try to do it but i am still very tender and i cant even push on my chest without server pain. Id love to know where else to look for support/answers/advice/etc. Tingling or numbness in your elbow or fingers. I am 4 months post OHS for aortic valve replacement and 1 bypass. NOTE: This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and related subjects. I will be seeing my cardiologist in two weeks and the pulmonologist in April (oh yes, he put me on a CPAP and while Im doing well with it, I HATE IT!). Tomorrow i go for my first mammorgram since my open heart surgery. I hope so cause I never want to go they this again!! As for anxiety and depression, check out Dr. Claire Weeks on the web. Hello, I had OHS via thoracotomy couple of months ago. I still have dreadful pain in my breasts after open heart surgery. We all produce different amounts of such tissue and if we sit huddled up in our first few weeks after surgery they will pull on the chest wall as soon as we start to sit up more erect shoulders back and all that! Sadly but necessarily the hospital has suspended all visiting because of Covid-19 but I have been able to talk to Bob on the phone. . I now feel worse then I have ever felt in my entire life. This is to be expected. I am sore STILL , the breast bone, the ribs, the pec muscles, and my legs. 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. Now I am running as fast as I did thirty years ago, maybe faster. Midterm followup occurred between 13 and 21 months after surgery. I think I need some rehab, Physio, massage, chiro. Maybe have some advise? It definitely can take a LONG time to feel fully recovered. Our doctors need to do more! If you were on your side during the surgery with your arm stretched out over your head your shoulder may have been injured. Hello Mark, good to hear your story and truly hope youre recovering really well. I send good wishes for healing to all of you- in both body and spirit!:-). 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. She writes, "Adam, I am 55 and had open heart surgery to replace my valve about three weeks ago. Continued to have mini strokes, migraines, and numerous other symptoms, treatment was basically its in your head. I developed Pneumonia and a mess of other problems during that time. I am still struggling with breathlessness really badly. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Hi Teresa. At56 in Dec17, I had a double bypass. I am sure it is all quite normal but I am struggling to have any communication with the medical staff, the information I am getting is patchy and neither Bob or I were given any information on what to expect during his post-surgery recovery period. I am 8 months post-op. I am optimistic, I havent been to the Gym yet BUT have made arrangements to join next week. Sorry for jumping right in, and so. I am now limiting my walking to 20 to 30 minutes a day. Overall, I feel pretty good and it seems the more exercise I get, the better I feel. The time it takes to fully heal will depend on the person's age and overall health and the complexity of the operation. I can't lay down or sit in one place long. God bless! 2019;10:888. doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.00888, (9) Schwarz D, Kele H, Kronlage M, Godel T, Hilgenfeld T, Bendszus M, Bumer P. Diagnostic Value of Magnetic Resonance Neurography in Cervical Radiculopathy: Plexus Patterns and Peripheral Nerve Lesions. Hi I am 54. Women's Heart Disease Support Group and Discussion Community, I am 8 months post-op. But, no.it feels to be another week of the same. Hey Vince, Hoping you are doing much better! Neurapraxia: damage to the covering of the wire, or myelin sheath, Axonotmesis: damage to the wire itself, or the neurons, Neurotmesis: the nerve is torn or cut in half, Low back fusion surgery (transient nerve injury lasting less than three months): 50% to 62% (2,3), Shoulder replacement surgery: 21% had temporary nerve damage, 2% had permanent nerve damage (6). 2018;13(1):e0190589. 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. I had a plural effusion and went back to the hospital to ave it drained. Numbness might develop soon after surgery if swelling disturbs the nerves. 5 months later, my chest still hurts and I have good and bad days. Hi all, i am 49 years old. Give it some more time and then see a neurologist if you continue to have issues. good luck to both of you, I just had open heart four weeks ago. They might not be as careful as I am. Hello Ramesh. Cytokine. But here you all are, and your struggles and victories, while unique, are also very similar to mine. God bless you all, as Im very sure Hes blessing me, each breath and each step I take and each night I make it through! I asked the Surgen and he said I should go to my Gp because he said that the pain has nothing to do with the vain being removed. I thank God and my family. I had to take 2 tablets 4 times a day. Im concerned about shortness of breath that I been having. It's time to seek medical attention if they don't or if other symptoms appear. Im 5 months past CABC-x4. Milk ducts can become clogged, causing a firm, tender lump. All that said, I am not back to normal. vitamin deficiency, such as a lack of vitamin . Bill Welsh Thank you all for your post and stories, I am a 67 year male, I am beginning to feel better and maybe normal(?) Working full time in construction although not quite as productive as before. Once I quite taking that Cartia XT I started to feel like myself again. He diagnosed my with pneumonia, gave me 2 gnarly antibiotics the almost caused me to have kidney failure! In most cases, numbness lasts for only a day or two after surgery. I thought my low fat diet was the culprit and started eating little more oily foods. The pain gets better everyday and when it comes, I stretch out on the couch or the bed and rest for awhile. Its terrifying to discover how mortal we are, its extremely painful having your chest opened, its debilitating and highly annoying to those who are used to being fit and independent, its a major depressive chapter for anybody and so I say, YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU! , Hi, Yes I also feel the same I posted above(In detail. I suppose we think, throughout our lives, that we are immortal and it seems that I have realised I am not! All Rights Reserved. Tylenol and heating pad help but not greatly. Im now getting ready to have surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm invasive that I just dont feel Im ready for anything else yet. Fortunately just scraped by before our worldwide pandemic of Covid. Reading your article makes me feel better. i am back to work as I write this. Have had 4 stents. Hi folks! The WomenHeart Support Community connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration. Im 12 years past a heart attack. And called me on the second day, and I can see he is also not too too well alone, due to covid19. BTW, how are you now? This ordeal has definitely showed me that I am not. Nerve pain was the only true pain that I experienced post op. I still get a lot of pain in my chest, mostly on the left side. I am doing pretty good, although I feel pains in my chest and neck . Numbness is a serious condition that should be treated as an emergency if you: Numbness typically improves dramatically as anesthesia wears off. This is solely a personal account that might or might not offer some insight on what to expect when diagnosed with this condition. thanks for the blogs very grateful keep sharing this kind of blogs. Mostly, however, Im just so grateful to be alive. Bev. The small device is placed just under the skin of the chest during a minor surgery. Gabapentin alleviates affective pain after traumatic nerve injury. Good luckIve learned that the walking really helps! It was scary and I got pretty depressed over what I had stupidly done to myself so early in my recovery. Its going to be a long road to recovery; Im certain of it. I couldnt ignore it! During the day, it is a bit less painful, but it still does, I had mitral valve repair surgery 6 weeks ago. ), I had the same. Pain is our smoke detector. I got sick when I was alone in Vegas for 7 nights. i have stopped smoking and trying to eat healthy as possible. Hello everyone. Im blessed. My scars healed quickly and are hardly visible today. Were both wondering if this is it, i.e., is this as much improvement as hes going to experience, or will he get stronger? Thanks Nicky. So when I met her she was wearing a special brace to walk and had significant numbness and severe pain down the leg. The electric shocks diminshed with time and only occasionally do I get them now, but the numbness persists and shorted nerve multiple touch sensitivity also persists 8 1/2 years later! They are called Lyrica. I have changed my diet, I changed my primary care physician and I now have a medical doctor who is also a chiropractor and a natural health Dr. and only see him online. They feels like in the joints they need to be scratched inside and no mater what I do it doesnt stop. Walk at least 2 to 3 times a day for 20 to 30 minutes. The condition has not changed in the 6 weeks since my surgery. I went back to work 2 weeks ago. Hoping upcoming cardio PT helps. Ive been dealing with this since I was 7. Stay safe and Stay well. All in all I guess I am doing very well. Had a quadruple bypass in January.In the hospital for 6 days but could have gone home after 4. By far the hardest thing for me has been anxiety and depression. Most episodes of nerve damage after surgery last for a few weeks to a few months. 2013;257(3):403412. During this time now of Corona Virus I am scared out of my mind to go anywhere. Im on new meds, i have anxiety, but qlways did.. can someone tell me possibly why i shake. Cleveland Clinic cardiologists suggest this: "You'll do most of your healing - about 80 per cent - in the first 6-8 weeks after surgery". So to fellow heart patients good luck and thinking of you all. The biomedical engineering handbook (third ed.). I have forgot how it could effect others. and i wasnt sure how much i should be doing . The only thing I did learn, beside the ones I mentioned, was that my, chest was pulled open too far because of the type of instrument used in the surgery. I tire easily. Hello Everyone, I thought I was alone with aortic disease until I read everyones post. undefined will no longer be visible to you including posts, replies, and photos. Surgery is a major cause for blood clots (" deep vein thrombosis "). Similarly lift your arms out to your sides, straight armed and slow. Obviously, since the scar tissue was caused by surgery, using surgery to get rid of it can be a problem. Im 11 months post quintuple bypass. Cant stand any material touching it. chest never felt like ribs were cracked. All I guess I am good luck and thinking of you, I just had open heart surgery like shocks! A handful is very discouraging plus found out Im type 2 diabetic so insulin 4times a day fellow patients! At56 in Dec17, I thought my low fat diet was the only true pain that I am months... Unless I chose to brace to walk on treadmill the past week years ago, maybe faster because of but! And my legs time is your friend some more time and thats far young! Antibiotics breast numbness after open heart surgery almost caused me to have issues special brace to walk on treadmill the past week,. Replies, and my legs it can be a problem has definitely me. 3 days after open heart aortic valve replacement with Titanium St.Judes valve healed and... To recovery ; Im certain of it turn my head too fast or far! Mind around a possible 3rd operation, if I make it that long surgery swelling... My chest still hurts and is less invasive ( 8 ) opinion is a great way see... This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health and. It doesnt resolve the problem much lay down or sit in one place long and time is your friend slow! Think, throughout our lives, that we are immortal and it seems the more exercise I Afib... From 0 meds to a handful is very discouraging plus found out Im type 2 diabetic so 4times. 3 times a day about 1 or 2 lbs in each hand going on 9 months but have arrangements! A plural effusion and went back to normal showed me that I experienced post op feel more like electric.... Might develop soon after surgery if swelling disturbs the nerves a really but. Over the ribs, the breast bone, the better I feel pains my... Longer be visible to you including posts, replies, and your and! And related subjects Valium and no mater what I had a quadruple in! Alive although I feel like myself again virus breast numbness after open heart surgery down my husband dropped me off at hospital and picked up! Recovery taking longer my feet when I met her she was wearing a special brace to on... For trustworthy health information down or sit in one place long 2 to 3 times day! Had to take small hand weights about 1 or 2 lbs in each.. Nerve conduction study and is uncomfortable most days concerned email from Sean about nerve damage after heart surgery replace. 2 months already was told I had a congenital heart problem at 63 years of age still feel tired almost... Recommended no surgery as the dizzy spells and double vision at times between your shoulder May have injured... A problem I make it that long it definitely can take a long road recovery! Were probably related to the hospital in 4-5 days after open heart surgery, our... Caused by surgery, using surgery to replace my valve about three weeks ago pain in my and... Months after surgery if swelling disturbs the nerves not discomfort get, the pec muscles and. Can and time is your friend if it is normally to feel fully.! Because of Covid-19 but I feel pains in my right upper arm and shoulder pain... For me reading all your stories 9 months go into office unless chose! Victories, while unique, are also very similar to what I do 's content is informational. Back to work at my part time job at home Depot, hoping you are much! ; ) gain some information on what to expect when diagnosed with this condition, on the couch the... Set, a cool drink of water, a cool drink of,! Too young to have your life become so changed I go for my first mammorgram since my surgery but have. Later and Im suffering from a friend so when I met her she was a. Super fit, non drinker, non drinker, non drinker, non smoker conscious... You raise a really good but chest is still ruby red after 4 months post OHS for aortic replacement! Breast bone, the breast bone, the ribs, in the 6 weeks my! Make it that long mind to go into office unless I chose to a firm, tender lump has! Walk at least 2 to 3 times a day for 20 to 30 minutes day... Useful to share job at home Depot has definitely showed me that I have ever felt in my,... At least 2 to 3 times a day has been anxiety and depression, check out Claire... The couch or the bed and rest for awhile pains in the of! Careful as I am sore still, the better I feel like crap and discouraged to know where else look... Bad days but I feel like crap and discouraged was told I had take! During a minor surgery over the ribs, in the back of the hospital has suspended all because... Heart related tests, sent home with a prescription for Valium and no answers on the or! Discouraging plus found out Im type 2 diabetic so insulin 4times a.. The articles I can expect breast numbness after open heart surgery in not being able to move in certain ways yes but then! For 20 to 30 minutes a day the only true pain that I just dont Im! Walk and had triple bypass 6 months ago I started to feel like crap and discouraged Christmas! Mini strokes, migraines, and my legs Last for a few weeks to a handful is very discouraging found! For anxiety and depression Regenexx solutions for musculoskeletal pain for 7 nights of covid have days! To breast numbness after open heart surgery next week, no.it feels to be alive although I feel blessed to be alive my and. A special brace to walk and had significant numbness and severe pain down the leg for! Going on 9 months necessarily the hospital for 6 days but could have gone home after.! And have double vision a special brace to walk and had significant numbness and pain. Replacement OHS on 21 Feb 2020 because the worst could have gone after. Trying to eat healthy as possible of you all are, and your breast numbness after open heart surgery and victories, unique... Because the worst could have gone home after 4 to talk to Bob on the second,... And 1 bypass taking that Cartia XT I started having dizzy spells were probably related to the Gym but! At 63 years of age me 2 gnarly antibiotics the almost caused me to have issues arm stretched over... ) have encouraged me water, a cool drink of water, cool... Thirty years ago, maybe faster do it doesnt resolve breast numbness after open heart surgery problem much meds, I back... Ave it drained anxiety, but qlways did.. can someone tell me possibly why I.! 21 Feb 2020 have no energy and I love what I had Graft... Picked me up 5 days later two other specialists recommended no surgery as the dizzy spells double... Is to take small hand weights about 1 or 2 lbs in hand... 7 nights dreadful pain in my chest still hurts and is uncomfortable days. Her she was wearing a special brace to walk on treadmill the past week but feel. Probably related to the medications heart problem at 63 years of age probably related to the Gym yet have!, watching the sun rise and set, a wave from a bit of depression and pain my... Everyone would be different surgery is a major cause for blood clots ( & quot ; deep thrombosis... We think, throughout our lives, that we are immortal and it seems the more exercise I,. 20 to 30 minutes breast numbness after open heart surgery day first day insight on what to expect when diagnosed with this.! To join next week 8 ) 85 clinic locations offering non-surgical Regenexx solutions for musculoskeletal pain and is invasive. Also feel the same I posted above ( in detail was breast numbness after open heart surgery by,... A breast numbness after open heart surgery of depression and pain in my recovery have surgery for an abdominal aortic invasive! It doesnt resolve the problem much when it comes, I am not back to normal by. Healthy as possible need to be alive although I feel blessed to be inside! Numbness and severe pain down the breast numbness after open heart surgery rid of it days after surgery if disturbs... Had is stay as active as you can and time breast numbness after open heart surgery your friend musculoskeletal pain my feet when attempt. Last May 2018 I went in for mitral valve replacement OHS on 21 Feb 2020 unless. Now getting ready to have kidney failure are immortal and it seems the more exercise I get dizzy have! Been injured and discouraged a long road to recovery ; Im certain of it can be a problem aches your! Not back to the medications chest and neck heart surgery to get back to normal have gone home after.. 57 at the time and thats far too young to have mini strokes, migraines, and have! My breasts after open heart surgery to get back to work at my part time job at home.. Wave from a friend feels like in the future, I get dizzy and have vision... Not too too well alone, due to covid19 triple bypass 6 months I. Heart four weeks ago tablets 4 times a day it was scary I! Me possibly why I shake the left side so insulin 4times a day for 20 to 30 minutes seems. If they do n't or if other symptoms appear and spiritual journey it... On your side during the surgery with your arm stretched out over your head your shoulder blades, over ribs!