Mechanical valvers - contractions?

[sue943]

This one is a question for those who have mechanical mitral or/and aortic valves. I think I asked something similar quite a while back but don't recall getting any response.

I am now 20-21 months post surgery. From time to time I get what I can only describe as a contraction in the area of my mechanical valves which appear (from the x-rays that I have) to be more of less dead centre behind my sternum. They do not hurt, it is a painless squeezing sensation, almost like a nervous twitch inside. Sometimes it is one after another, sometimes there can be days between or else I am not noticing.

What concerns me more than a little is that many years ago, when I attempted to have a contraception device inserted, my body pushed out several before I finally gave up the thought of that method of contraception. It worries me that my body might be trying to push out my mechanical valves.

So those of you with mechanical valves, do you get any sensation such as I described?

When I last saw a cardiologist I mentioned it and he didn't comment at all.

Also, and this is for anyone who has had a sternotomy, after this amount of time did/do you sometimes get some discomfort, not pain as such, when you pull such as when you roll over in bed?

I am asking now as in a week or so I will be due to see my GP and he is great, I can talk to him. If no one else gets these sensations then I want to raise it with him, if it quite normal then obviously I won't bother. I am getting to feel like hypochrondriac.

Many thanks.

 

[geebee]

Sue,

I sometimes get what I describe as a twitch in the same area you mention. Almost as if my heart gets "grabbed" for a second. I rarely have more than one and sometimes go weeks or months without another one. I have never thought anything of them. I guess contraction would not be an inaccurate term although not strong. It is a very odd sensation almost like a heart hiccup.

As far as the sternum pain, I do occasionally get a discomfort or "jab" from moving in certain positions. I particularly have problems if I try to do things overhead such as lifting or reaching for things high. I have always thought it was the wires moving.

If you get any answers, I would love to hear about them.

 

[Kaasmom]

I haven't felt the "contraction" in the sternum area but I have been getting a contraction like pain across my lower back several times a day for the last few days. It has to be related to this surgery because it hasn't ever happened to me before (except in real live childbirth).
At least your sternum pain doesn't hurt!!

 

[cherbam]

I sometimes get what feels like a cramp in my heart. I explained this to my cardio and he said it is probably a muscle spasm. When it happens. it is kind of scary My sternum only feels weird if I move the wrong way too fast, but it is not painful.

 

[Bina]

I'm glad to see this topic.....I 've been thinking I was just weird

I am 17 months postop, and yes, I have the contraction thing too.
My first thoughts were that it was related to my stomach/digestion, which gave me some problems for about 5 months post op.
But when I am lying on my back and I get the spasm it really feels more like it is heart related. I agree with the heart hiccup theory.

I try to avoid reaching overhead, and I don't bend over very well.
I'm not rolling around in bed....I just lay there flat on my back.....alone!
Hubby sleeps with the dog in the next room; they can snore, roll around, and fart all they want

 

[blessed1416]

Odd pains

Odd pains

Sue, my cardiologist told me that I shouldn't worry about pains that occur and then go away and occur spontaneously. It's the pain that lasts that we should be concerned with. Kim: my unusual pains are also in my back- upper back. These are stabbing pains that litterally make me moan and often scream. But, they happen and then they go away. So, I really think that a lot of the pain I experience is from being pulled apart with the surgical tool that they use to spread the sternum.??? I don't know, just assuming. However, Sue most definately do mention this to your cardio when you have your next appointment. Best of luck!!!!!

 

[sue943]

It isn't pain, in fact it is totally painfree, it is like an internal nervous twitch but slightly longer, about a second I would guess.

I am glad that some of you have the same sensation, that makes it less worrying. It would be considerable less worrying if virtually all of you mechanical valvers had something similar.

 

[greg]

Sue,
I've had no sensation from the heart/valve area. Only the clicking.
It sounds like most of us are still, in some way, senstive to the sternum.
I still hold my rib cage when I cough to avoid discomfort, and get pulling sensations when I move certain ways. Nothing serious, just curious feelings.

 

[OldManEmu]

Chest sensation

Chest sensation

Sue I can't comment on the mechanical valve sensations as I don't have one. On the question of the incision, I would say it was 10 months before I would say that I couldn't feel anything different in the chest area than before surgery, this was when I felt I was ready to return to the gym with my cardio?s OK, I had been lap swimming earlier . Now 28 months on from surgery I am only aware of the VR when I look at the scar. My chest doesn't feel like it has ever been split.

 

[Sandy SHields]

I Had My Valve Replaced 25 Years Ago. I Do Have Some Strange Sensation Behind My Sternum.i Am Not Sure What It Is. It Isn't Painfull Just Feels Like It Tightens Up And Then Goes Away.

 

[sue943]

That sounds the same Sandy. Has it been doing it the whole 25 years?

 

[Sandy SHields]

Yes It Has Happened For As Long As I Can Remember. I Have Ask The Doctor What Causes It And He Really Didn't Have An Answer.hope Things Go Great For You

 

[Bugsy]

I am one year and 3 weeks out from my mitral valve replacement surgery and recently I have experienced the same sensation. I've only noticed it the last couple of month's though. For me it seems to happen a few times a day and as has been mentioned it doesn't hurt. I will be going in soon for my 1 year echo and checkup and plan on asking about it then. I walk around a lake here at lunch everyday and hit the gym 4 days a week on my way home from work and it never happens when I'm exercising. I have to say, it made me feel a little better to see this post and know I'm not the only one.

 

[sue943]

I certainly didn't notice it happening immediately after surgery, it started quite some months later.

This thread has certainly helped me, I thougth I might be having a problem but if a number of you have the same sensation, and some for many years then I won't need to worry about it.

Thank you. I guess this is part of what this site is about, finding out that you are not alone and also being able to speak to people who have had similar medical problems. Most doctors probably won't understand what I mean, they don't experience it and possibly most people don't mention it to them.