New here and need advice on breast bone healing.

[Astromeria]

Hi, I am 6weeks post AVR surgery. My scar is very neat but the top of my breast bone still feels sore and swollen with tightness going across the top of my right boob. I've been trying to wean myself off of paracetamol but this last area has me reaching for the packet. I'm suppose to start re-habb next week but because of this am a bit worried wether to start. I would be grateful for any advice from others in my situation. C

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hi and welcome! You mention tightness. Have you been doing your breathing exercises. In through nose for 5 seconds, hold for 6 and out through mouth for 7 (expel totally).

Go to rehab and mention it to the nurses. They will have plenty of experience and can adjust exercises to suit.

[Astromeria in reply to MichaelJH]

No, didn't get that one but I shall certainly give it a go. Thank you.

[IanGordon]

Hi, Astromeria. 6 weeks, post op, is still relatively soon. It may be that your perception of healing is a little ahead of healing reality. Athough bone may be fused and stabilised, muscle may take longer to heal and adjust to new demands.

I'm just over 4 months, post AVR, yet still experience some minor discomfort across the top of my rib cage which passes as I get mobile. I was also surprised how long the incision wound took to fully heal with small eruptions appearing until recently,indicating that healing was still in process.

On a positive, I'm fully restored now, with regular walking, cycling and tennis and constantly amazed at how far I've come. It does take time and regular committment; your cardio nurse will be looking for 5 x 30 min exercise sessions from you once your capacity/capability has been discussed with you. As Michael stated, breathing exercises will help along with posture. But hang on in there - things will get better and easier and ultimately, pain free.

[Astromeria in reply to IanGordon]

Thank you for your response. I think I am being a little impatient after reading other people's stories. My cardiac nurse rang this morning and I'm actually looking forward to the re-habb. Which never having been a gym bunny is saying something.

[IanGordon in reply to Astromeria]

Wildly exaggerated recovery claims do appear here from time to time but if you have open heart surgery, any claims of athletic prowess such as running half marathons or ballroom dancing within twelve weeks of surgery should be treated with scepticism.

The experts say at least 12 weak to get to a comfortable 'normal'. Seldom quicker, often longer if you are dealing with comorbidities or have a difficult surgery or post op complications.

You have to relinquish control of the time line to your body, working with it.

Work against it and you get a time penalty!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to IanGordon]

I am just on three months and only now feel that things are coming together.

[Wigg2]

Hi Astromeria

Yes like the others have said it’s very early days on your recovery I’m 5 months post AVR and still get twinges every now and then but it will be quite sore for a few months yet and I found the rehab was brilliant as it gave me confidence on how much I should be doing and don’t worry when you start if you feel that your not moving forward very quickly it will come and you’ll be surprised how far you have come when it finishes and what you’ve achieved

Take it steady and you’ll get there

[Hidden]

As the others hace said, six weeks is very early in the healing process and much to early to think of binning the pain killers. I am now at week 14 and am only now able and confident to stop taking the lunch time pain killers. Morning and night areneeded because of the ache that is still there. Now remember that we all heal differently, so some can get better sooner than others. However, it is documented fact that the sternum takes 12 weeks to heal properly, so it is early days. Have you sneezed or coughed or done a stretch in bed with no pain? That I would be interested to hear about. As for rehab, I did not start mine till ten weeks had passed and given the light weights used, I would think you may struggle a bit. Undoubtedly you will receive a informal interview before you begin rehab, so please ask them whether it is apropriate to begin so early. I am assuming that some hospitals might do things differently and break you in slowly, however the plans appear to be a national one, so I think it wise to clarify. Just remember it is your AVR and you are unique so important not to try and force yourself into a mould. Rehab will be fun, painful at times, very tiring during the first weeks, but it is surprising how well one adapts to change and also that there are enough nurses on hand in the gym so never any worries. Hope this helps

[Astromeria in reply to Hidden]

I spent a week in hospital between weeks 4-5 with pnumonia and post op anemia. I think this might have helped my recovery from the op as I was resting the whole week. This week I feel I'm ready to move forward. My cardiac nurse seems to think I'll cope even with this sore breast bone. So ,can but give it a go and if it's too soon I'll sit some exercises out until I feel ready .I'm sure I won't be the only one.

Yes, sneezing, coughing and stretching are mostly ok. Unless one catches me out unexpectantly. !