Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-04-2023 08:16
    I went in for a Arota dissection and when they got in they said it was fine . I'm 42 and I'm thankful everything was ok since it was emergency surgery . However my anxiety is through the roof . Every day I have pains in my chest area . I'm not sure if it's just my sternum healing or what all my X-rays show good and my ekgs .

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    Lacy ] Hoover ]
    manager
    ard
    Stevenson AL
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  • 2.  RE: How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-04-2023 09:26
    Hi Lacy,

    Yes, it is normal to have chest pain and discomfort for up to 8-12 weeks due to all of the nerve endings finding their way back into place after the sternotomy. I'm coming up on 12 weeks and I am practically 99% pain free. You should notice slight improvements with each passing week. 

    With warm regards,
    -Terry T. (mitral valve and tri-cuspid repair)  





  • 3.  RE: How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-04-2023 13:35
    Thank you for the response , did you have anxiety ? I'm so scared like they missed something . They are wanting to do a heart catheter to be sure nothing is wrong to be 100 percent sure but the cardiologist don't feel the need for it just my heart surgeon. Maybe I just worry way to much . Glad to know you're feeling 109 percent better .

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    Lacy ] Hoover ]
    manager
    ard
    Stevenson AL
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  • 4.  RE: How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-04-2023 14:54
    No. Listen to your cardiologist. There's nothing to worry about. 

    Terry






  • 5.  RE: How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-05-2023 00:56
    Hello Lacy, 

    I am glad the results of your procedure came out well. The pain of the surgery will take some time to heal, it is one of the most traumatic surgeries our body's may ever endure. You will get plenty of advice both from the medical community and from others. Some of the advise will be good and useful, but I find most is the status quo or text book response for heart patients. You make a very reasonable request to discuss your anxiety or worry, however, not enough is said or spoken about when it comes to the heart patients mental health (pre-or post-Op). Your fear is valid, and likewise your anxiety and so I suggest you reach out to your general practitioner for a mental health referral. Left untreated, the fear or anxiety can take control and leave one feeling like a cardiac cripple; this happen to me after my first surgery. Likewise, there is lots research these days the discuss heart patients and mental health and the need to address it on a much deeper level than a short consultation. The good news is, I have a learned to live a reasonably happy, useful, and purposeful life in spite of my heart disease. Since 24 I have had three aortic valve surgeries, aortic stym re-sizing and meshing, not too mention 6 pacemakers, and gang load of wire replacements. I am now 59 and I live long enough I will need a 4th surgery and new wires because one of my wires is over 35 years old and is having issues. I have learned to live one-heartbeat-at-a-time but is important is what I do with each heartbeat. I have good days and have not so good days and it has taken lots of mental health work to live peacefully as a heart patients. 

    David

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    David Apilado Sr.
    Retired
    Vallejo California
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  • 6.  RE: How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-05-2023 03:14
    Lacy and Terry,

    It can take a whole lot longer than 8-12 weeks to fully recover from open heart surgery.  They literally sawed your sternum in half and then put it back together with basically baling wire.  Some people don't feel fully recovered for up to a year post surgery.  I had off an on discomfort in surrounding chest muscles, similar to muscle pulls, for months afterwards.  I'm fairly lean and I have a very visible lump by my solar plexus for the 5 years since my surgery that I would scare the devil out of most people but that my cardiologist said from the beginning was nothing.  Personally, I think its part of the baling wire they used to put my chest back together. Still can't lie on my stomach without feeling it but it has absolutely no impact on my life, including when weightlifting, enjoying bodyweight exercises, running and cycling.  I am still afraid of getting hit in the chest so I don't fool around with boxing or martial arts anymore.

    Give it time and realize that you have just gone through enormous physical trauma.  If you have issues or concerns about the healing process and pains, speak to your cardiologist about them.

    Give it time and go live your life without fear.  Consider psychotherapy and meditation if your anxiety is getting the better of you.

    Best of luck and keep us posted.

    Ira

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    Ira Reid
    Hoboken NJ
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  • 7.  RE: How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-05-2023 10:05
    Thank you for the uplifting words ! It is definitely a huge change in my life that I don't think anyone would be ready for . Everyday I wake up I am truly thankful ! I go to the heart doctor today so hopefully all will be well . I just always worry that I maybe having a heart attack ! My pain was always usually on my right side the last three days it's only on my left . My shoulder to my left is sometimes unbearable . I do notice the pains are mostly at night time . I am so glad I got on this site . Thank you

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    Lacy ] Hoover ]
    manager
    ard
    Stevenson AL
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  • 8.  RE: How long is sternum Pain

    Posted 01-09-2023 08:13
    Hi,

    I've never written before but this topic is high on my priority list.  I had a quadruple bypass on July 20th and my recovery is considered normal. There was a non-heart complication but once that was taken care of I was able to focus on CABG recovery. I am still dealing with sternum pain, which has limited my exercise routine but after visiting my cardiologist yesterday, I am much less concerned about the pain.  It has diminished quite a bit but still enough to be annoying. I don't give it a thought during certain times of the day and even during the most annoying times, it isn't too bad. I'm frustrated that the pain has limited my exercise routine but I've found the most important thing is to do something physical every day. Another important point is to keep the negativity out of my head. 

    One last thought - I had been on pain killers (closely monitored by a pain management specialist) for about 3 months after surgery. The pain has decreased to the point where I have stopped them completely.  Small steps, right?!

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    Jeff Salat
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