3 months post surgery--issues

[dlangton]

I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced with a tissue valve (Medtronic Mosaic Ultra) in December. While they were in there, the surgeons also repaired the aortic root and did one bypass.

The recovery seemed smooth until about three weeks ago. I now have some pain in there that is clearly not from the incision, though I can't tell if it is in the lungs or heart. I had what felt like fibrillations just once, about a month ago, after I'd been running around in the extremely cold air here (NYC). My BP is all over the map, but basically under control with medicines. I have some bad days where I have no energy and I can feel the aforementioned pain. The bad days seem to be increasing, which is maybe not the right direction, but I don't know what a normal recovery is like. Last week I had a run of four or five bad days together, accompanied by some other symptoms.

I'm afraid this is somewhat vague, but I can't seem to pinpoint the issues more precisely and some sensations are difficult to describe. What I am wondering is whether this kind of thing is a normal part of the recovery experience or not. Also, the surgeons left a small wire sticking out of my chest. Shouldn't that have come out by now or been used for jump-starting something?

My doctors are a bit hard to get ahold of and I won't see the cardiologist again until late in May. The surgical team was excellent but this hospital seems a bit lax on followup. I know there are others on this forum who have more serious post-surgical issues and I'm a little hesitant to post what seems a minor issue comparatively, but maybe someone who has been through this can take a few moments to respond. Thanks in advance.

 

[Superbob]

I'm sure you will get many good, well-informed responses to your post. I'm almost hesitant to be first. All I can do is pass along my own experiences, for whatever they are worth.

First, I was very fortunate to have a surgeon who had a team of nurses and physicians assistants whom I could call with questions at any time. However, if you are now three months post-op, I believe that usually the post-op care has been handed off to the cariologist by now. You ought to be able to call his office, and get some feedback on whether you need to be seen sooner than May. If you have any distinct, ongoing pain, I would venture you do.

That said, we all have ups and downs in recovery (though we all differ in various ways). If you are just experiencing vague twinges, that could be part of normal recovery. As for the sternum wires, you could do a search on here and find some previous discussions. Some months after my surgery, I was aware of a wire, but now I no longer feel it. However, some find it a problem and go back and have the wires removed. I would think it's too early to be doing that in your case, unless it is causing painful problems.

As I say, am sure you will get many good responses. I hope you feel better soon. Welcome to the forum!

Cheers,

 

[WayneGM]

In the first six months, I had lots of ups and downs. They seem to go in bursts. I'd get tired, have aches and pains, experience sensations like being stick with little pins, etc. In fact, one year out these have not gone completely away, they are just less frequent. For example, when I'm walking out in the cold, I still get these "tingling" sensations around the incision area.

My advice is when it doubt, call the doctor.

I hope your feeling better soon. Good luck.

 

[Karlynn]

I think the theme of your replies is going to be "call the doctor". This doesn't mean we're thinking you have something horrible. It just means that anytime you are experiencing things on a regular basis and/or they are increasing in frequency or intensity you should always contact your doctor. I'm sure if you called they'd want to get you in. With a surgery in December, you are still firmly planted in the recovery process.

Best wishes.

 

[Phyllis]

I agree with Karlynn- late May is too long to wait to have your symptoms and quesions addressed. I would make a strong effort to contact either your surgical team or the cardiologist that will be treating you in recovery.

 

[Nan]

Another "call your doctor " response here! Yes, there are certainly ups and downs, but to ease your concerns, you need a medical opinion as to what might be going on - if anything. Are you sure that it is a wire that was left sticking out of your chest? I ask, because they left one stitch in my chest that was so rigid that I thought it was a wire...but it was a stitch. My PCP cut it as she couldn't pull it out. Usually they would send you back to your surgeon for either issue.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Marguerite53]

Okay. I will not be vague.....call your doctor!!! Put all timidity aside...you just had open heart surgery and you have every right to have your questions and concerns addressed! Do not put up with a hospital that doesn't do well with follow up. Be a nag! Keep calling! Same thing with the surgeon. Does he want it known that you are walking around with a wire poking out of your body for no reason and you have no idea what it's for?? Did he leave something in there as well??? These guys have standards and egos...they must have. I honestly think that they will want you to have everything going right during your recovery. THeir reputations are at stake!

Now. That said. My suspicion is that you are experiencing the somewhat normal ins and outs of recovery. Twisting and turning can be quite an experience for the first few months. Any stimulant (cold, spicy foods, intense movies) can make your heart start dancing around. It is important to report these things to the cardio. If it gets way too uncomfortable (it did in my case) you can have an event monitor loaned to you to determine what kind of irregularities are happening.

There is no need for you to be feeling unsettled about anything. You have the right and the obligation to yourself to call and get some attention. Perhaps you just need to befriend someone in the surgeon's office. If you find someone who is particularly helpful, ask them their name....write their name down. Then the next time you need something, go right to that person.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Marguerite

 

[tobagotwo]

It's not typical to have increasing bad days three months after surgery.

First, go to your surgeon , if your cardiologist won't take the time. Go to your GP, if they both won't talk to you. But go to someone right away. Your GP should be able to raise enough of a stink to get the cardio or surgeon to see you. The surgeon left a wire sticking out of you (I could understand two wires, but not one). That can get infected.

Do you have a fever? If you're running a fever and don't have the flu, get to your GP immediately or go to the emergency room if you can't get in to him.

The palpitations can be checked with an overnight Holter monitor, to see if they're anything of consequence. Usually, they're not, but it's not worth worrying about unchecked.

It's hard to say whether you're actually having a problem that is concerning, or rib pain. Rib pain from spasming intercostal muscles can feel like it's crushing your chest, and pinning you down, even making it so you can't draw a full breath without incurring blinding agony. I had one or two brief sessions of that during recovery. Of course, that doesn't mean you should assume that kind of pain is always from your rib muscles. You should react to it as you feel is appropriate.

You did say you were running around in the cold air, but I feel I should ask if you've been stretching and moving about. You should be. Things will remain cramped and nasty if they aren't used. You must loosen your rib cage up after this surgery. Your body is ready by now. If you had your surgery in December, you should be doing many of the things you were doing before the surgery. If you're under seventy and otherwise relatively normal in health, you should be be doing about 90% of what you were doing before surgery.

Best wishes,

 

[dlangton]

Thanks a lot folks, especially for the specific information.

I am very physically active, at least to 90% of pre-surgery levels and probably more. I'm 56, and currently an outpatient at Bellevue. Contrary to what you may have heard, it's an excellent hospital, but it's also a city hospital and the staff is overwhelmed---which is why it's hard for me to get an appointment with the cardiologist or GP on short notice.

 

[Susan BAV]

Bad pains? Where? How bad?

Bad pains? Where? How bad?

I guess I'm not exactly clear on how your pain is...

HOWEVER, I got some really bad, as in EXTREMELY AWFUL, pains several weeks after AVR that were from inflamed cartilage where my lower ribs should attach to my sternum. It got worse, much worse, before it got better. It still hurts some, though not nearly like it did.

Several things contributed to it I believe, including when I was sawing some lower branches from a tree on our land several weeks post-op. Not the brightest thing to do but I thought I was being careful and I was feeling really good.

Anyway or also, really bad pain can make your bp go wild too.

Is it possible your pain could be like what I described?

 

[ruth]

I would try to go to my primary care dr. who I know would contact the cardiologist if something were wrong with my heart. Just because you had AVR doesn't mean you can't have normal stuff too, I've had both the flu and bronchitis since my operation. Obviously I can't tell what's up with you, heart or not, but I hope you don't wait until May. Call the Dr.

 

[catwoman]

When in doubt, check it out.

Demand to see a cardiologist ASAP.

 

[Granbonny]

Your b/p meds could be the source of no energy..they can drag one down..My hubby has a hard time taking them..His Cardio has adjusted them over/over. still the same..(no energy). he has come off them for a week or so and feels better..but knows he needs to take them..He is age 76..and wants to work like a horse everyday. He does not have valve problems..just a low EF ..His b/p is the same ..when he is not taking them? In the normal range......Hope you can see someone soon for that pain...Bonnie

 

[kbheart]

wires & pain

wires & pain

Hi DLangton,
It's been almost 8 months since my AVR surgery and I still have problems with vague pain now and then. It's very frustrating. My family doctor keeps telling me to be patient and my cardiologist keeps insisting it's not my heart since he can't find anything wrong. I think I did something to aggravate my recovery during cardiac rehab (too much rowing). Who knows, each recovery is different but the important thing is to rule out anything serious. I can deal with the pain a lot better knowing that it isn't anything serious.
I had 2 pacemaker wires after the surgery. They clipped them 2 days after the surgery and pushed them back under the skin. It may be that one of your wires pushed back out of the skin. I'd get it checked out so you don't get an infection. Good luck! I hope your recovery starts to go better!