I am new to this group and would like to ask if anyone has experienced intense chest pain for as long as 9 months or more after open heart surgery. I am 75 years old and had valve repair surgery in July of 2008. The pain in my chest is centered around the area of the incision but I feel it across the entire chest, such that I have difficulty rotating my upper body, driving a car, picking up something as heavy as a gallon of milk, and opening the refrigerator door. It's both a feeling or sense of tightness (like my chest was stitched back too tightly) but, also, like a block of wood inside my chest that, at some time, could fall out or collapse. The pain has not been relieved by either Aleve, Naprosyn, or Lidoderm patches (all prescribed by my cardiologist) or 12 weeks of cardio rehab and 6 sessions of pain management therapy. In fact, it feels like the pain has been getting worse over the past few weeks. My cardiologist says there is nothing he can do for me. But something feels terribly wrong inside of me, and I am struggling to come to grips with the prospect of having to live with this overwhelming pain for the rest of my life. Has anyone experienced this? Do you have any ideas based on your own experience or someone else's what might be causing this?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
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Chest Pain 9 Months After Heart Surgery
- By Willa2008
- Posted April 29, 2009 at 5:58 pm · 10 replies
- In Experiences with medical treatments
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Exercise Naprosyn Surgery Arthritis Aleve Back pain Bypass surgery Pain Heart attack Stress
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- By gracie62
- Posted April 29, 2009 at 8:55 pm
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Please ask your cardiologist to order a CT scan of your sternum. I had triple bypass surgery 12/30/08. 18 days later I had a heart caused by a blood clot and spasm in one of my new bypasses. I felt great at first and the soreness didn't bother me much. I expected it. Then about March I realized the pain and discomfort was not getting better. In fact, the more active I was, the more pain and soreness I had. My cardiologist said it was because of the heart attack - it would take me longer to heal. My family doctor said it was arthritis in my sternum and would get better over time. It didn't. I couldn't do anything with my upper body without quite a bit of pain and discomfort.
I finally went back to my surgeon in April in tears. I told him I could not bear the pain anymore. He patted my hand and said it was probably just mental stress from all I had been through. He did a CT scan "just to put my mind at ease". When I went back for the results we sat in front of the computer and the image of my sternum came up. He scratched his chin and said "Huh". I asked what that meant. He pointed to a black gap at the top of my sternum. It turns out the top 1/2 inch of my sternum never fused completely. There was a callous in the gap that was rubbing every time I moved. Turned out my pain had been very real indeed.
The only option to correct it was to go back in, cut the sternum back open, file down the edges and rewire it. Too risky and I was not about to do that. He admitted that it would take months for the sternum to complete fusing. He estimated between 6 and 9 months post op. It took almost a full year. I ended up going to a legitamate pain mangement clinic. They were able to put me on a synthetic narcotic that allowed me to get my life back without becoming addicted.
My pain had a real cause behind it. X-rays did not show the gap for some reason - probably, the surgeon said, because of the callous in the gap. You don't have to live in pain. Keep pushing until you find out what is causing it.
Take care -
Dianna
- By Kennarina
- Posted April 30, 2009 at 8:54 am
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Hello Willa and welcome!
I'm so sorry to read of this ongoing pain and distress.
<<"..But something feels terribly wrong inside of me, and I am struggling to come to grips with the prospect of having to live with this overwhelming pain for the rest of my life. .." >>
When a patient says 'something feels terribly wrong inside of me', the condition needs immediate attention. This much pain is not normal. Nobody, especially a heart patient, should be expected to endure this kind of 'overwhelming pain', not in this day and age. It might even be something relatively minor, but the stress alone of not knowing what the heck's going on inside there can be devastating.
You may have to call 911 and go into the E.R. in order to be taken seriously, as much as you may not want to do this. But you know your body. You have to be your own best advocate here.
Please go today, without delay, and then keep us posted.
XOXOXOXO
http://myheartsisters.org
- By goingstrong
- Posted April 30, 2009 at 10:00 am
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Yes, Yes! My friend who had a valve replaced had pain for a long long time. It wasn't her sternum, but it often is. Please do get them to check it out!
- By Willa2008
- Posted April 30, 2009 at 1:34 pm
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Thanks very much for the advice, perspectives, and words of support and encouragement. I have recently had a chest CT scan done. The radiologist's written report was inconclusive, but I am planning to go back to my cardiologist with the actual scan/images shortly and will bring up the ideas you've mentioned--especially the sternum concern.
- By mamaellie
- Posted April 30, 2009 at 11:32 pm
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It was been 2 1/2 years since my open heart. I still get tightnesss or a drawing feeling when I exercise, rake the lawn, vaccuum, etc. Get it checked out, but for me it is nothing but one of the many side effects from the surgery.
- By BarbaraGale
- Posted May 1, 2009 at 6:10 am
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Willa, a very good friend of mine went through this and something WAS wrong. For a cardiologist to say there is nothing I can do for you is a red flag to me-for another opinion. Good luck.
- By pclipper
- Posted May 1, 2009 at 9:05 am
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I had unbelieveable pain which was along the arthritis lines, relieved by masseur at a pain clinic, probably due to shifting body mechanics as the scar tissue pulled in.. it kept coming back every few months or so and seems to have subsided finally (it's been two years since surgery). I had a lot of left arm pain (probably referred) and that is not that unusual after chest surgery.
Your pain sounds different to me, though. Mine was in several places, varied from time to time and really did seem to be related to inflammation. I also knew it wasn't my heart somehow.
I would agree with the others that you need to persue further medical assistance.
Best, Penny
- By sandra63
- Posted May 18, 2009 at 12:41 pm
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Hello
I had mitril valve repair done 2 years ago at 42. I had on going pain in the same region, at the incision site and radiating out. After a year of my Dr. trying to figure out that I wasn't crazy, I went back to my surgeon and he determined that the wire they put your sternum back together was causing the pain and irritation. He removed the bottem 3 wires and the pain was greatly reduced. I still have pain but nothing like it was. I have pain in my shoulders and back also that wasn't there pre surgery. I had the same feeling as willa, "that something is not right". I was sent to a therapist who asked me in a very condescending manner if I thought maybe they left a sponge in me or maybe left a clamp. I left there in tears. Dont give up trying to find out what is wrong.You have to put your foot down with the Dr's and make them keep looking for the source of your pain. I have found most open heart patients that I have met and know have ongoing pain of some degree. Good Luck and know that there is a large group of us out here in the "zipper club"
- By Willa2008
- Posted May 19, 2009 at 6:11 pm
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Sandra,
Thanks for sharing. I did go back to my surgeon and he advised to have the wires removed, since they are bent-up and close to the surface of the skin. I have also sought an independent opinion from a different cardiac surgeon. Both heart surgeons concur that based on the chest CT scan the sternum has indeed healed. But, the second surgeon differs on whether removing the wires would help with the pain. Does anyone have any idea why or if the sternum wires might cause pain not just at the surface near the incision, but also this sinking, shifting sensation inside the chest?
Thanks again very much.
- By TSL
- Posted May 29, 2009 at 4:02 am
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Sandra and Willa~
I had valve replacement surgery in Nov., 2007 at age 54. I had worse back pain than chest pain right after surgery, and was finally told that was quite common due to the torque on the spine and ribs when the sternum is cut and forced open for the hours the surgery takes to complete. In addition, I had 5 cracked ribs, which is also common due to the torque and pressure. I still have back and chest pains, and was told by several doctors that it is not that uncommon to have to have the wires removed due to ongoing irritation. There is a constant sense of soreness, rubbing and irritation right under the incision site, with a sense of deep soreness all across my chest area. When I bend over, it feels like muscles or tissues are pulling away from the sternum. I have been contemplating going forward with removal of the wires. I kept hoping the condition would eventually improve. I'm usually a very fast healer, so this was a real suprise for me; one for which the cardiologists don't seem to be preparing their patients.
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