Post OHS 2 1/2 years and started feeling pain again in sternum

[sheridan07]

I'm very sorry if this has been talked about before but I started getting pains in my sternum again a month and a half ago and they are very bad when I lay on my chest. I don't sleep on my chest but in the middle of the night I roll onto it and it hurts bad. I feel a popping sound when I roll around on it and my surgery was 2 and a half years ago.

My thing is I went in to see my Doctor (Cardio) yesterday and he said it is normal. I didn't have these pains 3 months ago or a year ago, I started them a month and a half ago and he is telling me they are normal for having open heart surgery. I ask if I could get and x ray to make sure everything was ok and he told me I didn't need one right now and that if the pain gets worse to let him know. I told him the pain can't get much worse now. I don't feel alot of pain sitting or standing but when I roll on my chest it feels like I had a 18 wheeler run me over.

I would like to know if any one else went through the same thing? What I should do? I moved away from my surgeon so I would go back to him, but should I call him anyways? Any thoughts, please help!!

Brian

 

[Scott]

Hi Brian. I have not had my ohs yet, but I have lost a lot of weight this past year since I found out that I will need surgery. I know get a small pain in my lower ribcage. It pops when I take in a deep breath and expand my ribcage. It used to pop when I exhaled. I dont think that it's heart related. I am wondering if maybe you have lost some weight too and now your ribcage has shrunk? Sorry if that was a stupid comment. I hope you are feeling better soon, Scott

 

[Jkm7]

Have you consulted your primary care? If your cardio isn't very responsive to your issue, perhaps your Primary Doc may be more helpful. If you get no relief from him/her, I would return to cardio and be a bit assertive that you want this issue addressed. If there is pain, there is a reason.

Sorry you are experiencing this.

 

[Greg a]

You may want to ask about a pectoral flap procedure ....here in Canada I would need a referal from my Primary or General Practitioner (GP) top a plastic surgeon for a cunsultation ....as I have no sternum I do have a double pectoral flap with a bit of diaphram as well all to protect my heart