Just got home today

[Joecb]

I had my surgery on the 18th and made it home today so it took me about a full week complete the hospital process. I had an AVR with conduit to replace the ascending aorta and the previous mechanical valve (8 hour surgery). This was the second go round, but the two things that I learned from my stay in the hospital after OHS is that:

1. Take back support pillows to use in your hospital bed. OHS surgery apparently causes as much or more back pain than chest pain in the initial stages.

2. Despite fatigue, attempt to be proactive and ask lots of questions. What are you drawing that blood? What were the results of that test? etc. It seems that some times things are duplicated or results are overlooked and tests are ordered again. No one cares about your body as much as you do.

There's a couple of of questions that I have too. I cant seem to find a comfortable position to sleep because of the upper back pain (no history). What position do you find works best after surgery to get a good night sleep?

My resting heart rate is about 20 beats faster and seem much stronger. My whole neck shakes after walking around the house for a few minutes. Is this the hearts reaction to having been tampered with, medications or what?

Thanks all. Have a good evening.

Joe

 

[Guest]

Welcome home Joe, and welcome to the other side. My husband and I bought a recliner before my surgery, it was my best friend for about 4 weeks. At night, my husband would lift the leg rest so that I would be at a slight recline, I still used a couple pillows but was more comfortable than lying on my back. I could not sleep on either side until about 4 weeks also, didn't matter if I had a pillow between my knees for added support. I'm a tummy sleeper so sleeping in a recliner worked best for me.

For your back pain, use a heating pad but don't fall asleep on it. The heat helped my muscles to relax.

Your heart has been through a lot, my heart rate post op was in the 90s, and I was on a beta blocker, metoprolol. My strong beat may have been because my heart didn't have to deal with regurgitation any longer, everything was working more efficiently.

I had atrial flutter at 2 1/2 weeks or so, an electrophyiologist(sp) cardiologist put me on fleconaide along with my beta blocker.

If you heart races off and on and your doc did not put you on a beta blocker post op, you should call him/her and let them know.

Don't even think you may be a bother, you need them to answer any and all questions and concerns you have. That's what you pay them for.

Here's wishing you a smooth and uneventful recovery.

 

[Cozycat]

Joe, I just got home from my AVR on the 22nd. Was in the hospital for 9 days and did not notice it while in the hospital but once at home, I agree with "feeling" your heart beat. Some when I exert myself a little much for this stage, but mostly when I lay down to sleep..I can feel my heartbeat in various places around my body. I got a mechanical valve and do not have the "clicking" that many people experience so maybe a good tradeoff. I, too, was put on a beta blocker for at least 14 days and then will see what happens. I go in for my last checkup with the surgeon tomorrow and then after that my cardiologist takes over, which will be great because he has a better personality. My surgeon is a good guy but is dedicated to surgery and not prone to chat much. I will post more later when I feel more rested, but am doing great and wanted to let you know about the heartbeat "shakes".
Cozycat "alias Midge"

 

[Buffy41]

It has been 5 weeks since my surgery and I still feel the beat in my chest, feels like it is pounding against the outside of my chest. During my first few weeks home when I'd lay in bed and tilt my head to the left I could feel my whole body move with the beats. I don't feel this as strongly anymore. I'm thankful for that as it is easier to fall asleep now. As time goes by you won't be laying there listen to every beat...and every missed one.

As for comfortable sleeping positions, my husband took the cushions from our couch and put them between the box spring and mattress at the head of the bed so it was bent more like the hospital bed. It made it a lot easier to get in and out of, and less strain on my chest.

 

[Curtsmum]

Cant answer your question, just wanted to say glad you are home and doing well.

 

[BDMc]

Joe, Welcome home! It is interesting to me reading your post that back pain, and hospital incompetence are 2 points you make. Your post could've been mine when I got out,( if only this technology was around then) If you can, get a good massage therapist to work on your back. The heart beating so hard is I think due to the meds, and will likely subside over time. About 3 weeks for me I think. All the best, Brian

 

[AgilityDog]

Were you hiding in my ICU room? I kvetched about every blood draw. And yes, I had back pain for a good 8 weeks or more, especially in a regular chair, or standing or in the car. And slept in the recliner, or with a wedge pillow.

Welcome home!

 

[Mary]

Glad you're home, Joe.

I could feel the strengthened heart beat in my head for two+ years . . . felt like a metronome in there. I asked the cardio about it, and he had no answer. It eventually disappeared.

A higher heartrate is common post-op. As your heart heals and remodels it should decrease. Mine has been higher since surgery but it has lowered with a consistent exercise program.

 

[Bina]

Joe, you are doing fine.
Most of us have the heart in the throat feeling, the back pain, the higher HR, etc.
I opted for Metoprolol to ease the force of the heart.
Take it easy, especially for the first few weeks.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome home. I slepp proped up with lots of pillows the first few weeks. It was very hard to get comfortable, but it gets better. It takes a while for your buddy to adjust. best wishes for a smooth recovery.

 

[DebbyA]

Glad you're home, and doing so well.

For the back pain, I had a wedge pillow and also propped my arms on pillows. My back pain got a little better when I stopped clutching my heart pillow so tightly--I think the clutching tightened my shoulder muscles. I also had to use Ambien to sleep for a long time.

 

[Snoopy]

Joe,

First, let me say glad to hear from you. Congratulations!

2nd, thanks for the tips.

Best of luck to you for a continued smooth and speedy recovery.

Randy

 

[Joecb]

Thanks all. Sounds like I have a common post surgical condition. I knew you guys would know. I actually was able to take some pillows from the couch and get a few broken hours of sleep. That's the best so far without Ambien. I don't want anymore of that - terrible headaches in the morning.