slipkid
Well-known member
I am about 6-7 weeks post op (double bypass + new aortic valve).
Starting about a week ago I have started having what I can only describe as "strange breathing events". I have attempted to explain these & ask about them with both my cardiologist & GP (also a nurse at cardiac rehab) but have no answers so far. Actually I have not even been able to discuss this with my cardiologist (I left a message with his office, they returned my call when I was not home, I called them back, but they have not called again).
What happens is that during inhalation something spazzes out in my chest (heart? lungs? a muscle? I have no idea) and my intake abruptly stops & turns into an exhale instead, after which I can draw breath normally.
There is no pain when this happens. It doesn't make me cough. It happens randomly, when sitting, lying down, walking, anything, so does not seem to be related to my heart rate, being taxed/tired, or positional. I've had these about maybe 5 to 10 a day.
Until last Friday I have never felt anything like this in my life, including the previous 6 weeks while I've been recovering post-op.
Regardless of these events my lungs do still feel weird though, that is if trying to draw a very deep breath they reach a point where I have pain and I have to stop inhaling (never had this sensation prior to surgery). And I still do have a cough sometimes. I have made progress on that inhalation therapy thing they gave me in the hospital btw, in the hospital I could not get over about 500, but now at home I can get to around 1700 to 2300, so I think my lungs are improving.
Something else to mention is that I was switched from metoprolol to atenolol and this started happening about 4 days after that. Could be a coincidence (or not)?
Anyone else experience something like this post-op, or have clues to suggest what this is?
Starting about a week ago I have started having what I can only describe as "strange breathing events". I have attempted to explain these & ask about them with both my cardiologist & GP (also a nurse at cardiac rehab) but have no answers so far. Actually I have not even been able to discuss this with my cardiologist (I left a message with his office, they returned my call when I was not home, I called them back, but they have not called again).
What happens is that during inhalation something spazzes out in my chest (heart? lungs? a muscle? I have no idea) and my intake abruptly stops & turns into an exhale instead, after which I can draw breath normally.
There is no pain when this happens. It doesn't make me cough. It happens randomly, when sitting, lying down, walking, anything, so does not seem to be related to my heart rate, being taxed/tired, or positional. I've had these about maybe 5 to 10 a day.
Until last Friday I have never felt anything like this in my life, including the previous 6 weeks while I've been recovering post-op.
Regardless of these events my lungs do still feel weird though, that is if trying to draw a very deep breath they reach a point where I have pain and I have to stop inhaling (never had this sensation prior to surgery). And I still do have a cough sometimes. I have made progress on that inhalation therapy thing they gave me in the hospital btw, in the hospital I could not get over about 500, but now at home I can get to around 1700 to 2300, so I think my lungs are improving.
Something else to mention is that I was switched from metoprolol to atenolol and this started happening about 4 days after that. Could be a coincidence (or not)?
Anyone else experience something like this post-op, or have clues to suggest what this is?