Hi Everyone hope your all doing great as I’ve not posted for a while
I’m coming to the end of my cardiac rehab sessions they finish on Monday but I’m currently getting aches in the muscles down each side of my sternum , I can’t really call it pain ( not after what we’ve all been through ) it’s more an ache I’m hoping it’s the muscles and not a problem with the knitting of the sturnum or the wires that were used to pull it together. Obviously the work in the gym is to strengthen the muscles in your arms and chest and I’m wondering whether any of you experienced a similar reaction during your rehab. Things have been going fantastic and I just wonder if I’m getting concerned over nothing !!! So I thought I’d draw on your experiences as I was pleased how my chest and scar had settled down really nice
Just a quick update on “Skye “ my new pup. We went to “Ring Craft” classes on Monday for practice for showing her but it ended up being a match night which is the equivalent of a dog show with a guest judge. I said I’d just watch but they convinced me to enter and in the puppy class there were 9 puppies and she trotted round really well and the judge went over her body and said she’s a beautiful example of a Springer and ended up giving her first prize and her first red rosette ......can’t believe it we were only going to watch. So proud of her ❤️
This is “Skye” in the kitchen now she’s grown a little 😀
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Great to see you post again. I suspect your aches maybe because of the exercise. However be mindful of how it develops as whilst I haven’t had surgery I have had something called costochondritis which is inflamed rib joints. It probably isn’t but Just a thought. Oh how adorable is Skye. She is gorgeous she absolutely deserves to take first prize in my opinion! Sending lots of big big hugs and kisses to you and Skye. Zxx
Thank you I will I’ve booked a GP appointment for 14 th feb just to discuss it and I also need to get referrered to a cardiologist in Sheffield so I can have an annual review
Skye is a little sweetheart but full of life and I’d forgot how demanding it is to have a pup but the live and affection she gives me makes it all worthwhile
Interesting you should ask this as I was wondering a similar thing. I am 3 months post-op and the muscles at the top of my chest are a bit sore on each side. My one shoulder also aches a bit. I don't feel anything when sitting but feel it when walking. I thought the muscles were possibly just a bit strained and was planning to take it easy for a few days. We also have dogs and 1 is a puppy and I think it might be him pulling on the leash a bit. All had been going really well until using my arms a lot more.
I don’t get shoulder pain just aches down each side of my sternum and it does feel muscular but you never know so I’ve booked an appointment with the GP which is not while 14th feb
Hope yours settles down soon as like me you were doing so well
Hi Pete, I can't help you with the discomfort you are getting but I'm sure there are lots of people on this great site that can. I would like to say that Skye looks gorgeous and well done on coming first in the puppy class. Hope all goes well with your appointment in February.
I've had exactly what you describe. Once after I carried some heavy compost sacks and then another time after exercising a bit too vigorously.
I'm convinced it's a muscle issue, and that time (and a more sensible approach to exercise!) will fix it. Apparently bones heal a lot faster than severed or damaged muscles and tendons, so it can be 12 months before we'll be 100% back to normal.
Hey Pete. Can't advise on the pain I'm afraid but Skye definitely deserves her rosette! Hope it sorts out soon for you. I'm now due to be starting cardiac rehab in a week or so as, remarkably, two parts of the NHS managed to speak to each other! So looking forward to that. Otherwise all seems to be going ok if still tired easily. Keep us posted how things go Nic x
Sternum was fine but had aches in right ribs. They had been broken before and I suspect a few cracked/broke during surgery (it is fairly brutal). I also had issues with right hand that recovered with self devised physio (predictive text wanted to change it to physics) as everybody wanted me to query someone else!
How do you post pictures? I walk girlfriend's hound Harry most days and usually her older cat joins us (they are colour co-ordinated) so I have to be careful selecting route.
Many years ago we had a cocker spaniel and a tabby cat and we had fields directly behind the house and when me and my dog went for a walk the cat came too just like describe ........ wonderful 😀😀
You add a photo by pressing 5he add photo tab at the bottom of the page just to the left of the post button
Everyone pretty much said it all - I am seven months past CABG and have had exactly the same issues as you have. Mine not so much exercise based but trying to do somethings I used to do without thinking. Trying to clamp some mole grips onto metal too tightly and squeezing hands together. Trying to unscrew the lid of a jar etc etc. Even doing a few press ups - so am quite sure it is muscle based. I love the dog and so pleased for you he won a first - gives you so much hope for even more!
Hi there Pete good to see your post again.. congrats on Skye's rosette.. she's a beaut.
Re the aches in the sternum etc. Well it's now 17months next week to be precise that I had my bypass etc and I still experience the aches.. especially if I forget to 'warm up' before using the Dyson vacuum cleaner or going for a fast walk...or if I get emotionally upset...yes I know that does sound a bit crazy but it's the same ache.
Consultant says it can take up to 2years for full recovery for some folk.. guess I'm one of those then. Ha.
Thank you glad it’s not just me then all part of the healing process better to be safe than sorry I’ll just crack on and hopefully it will rectify itself in the coming months
As for the sternum, (not sure I can remember that far back!) It does just sound like the muscles, they've been through the mill with the surgery, and I guess as with everything slow and steady is the answer.
Keep up the exercise, be careful if she does pull on the lead. ( A useful tip is to put the lead around your back and hold it in your right hand, assuming she's walking on your left)
Keep that rosette. It will mean more to you than any other she may win. I've been showing dogs for 53 years, judged and bred them. My best ever rosette wasn't for a CC or BIS. It was one that said "The dog with the most soulful eyes" won by my heart dog. She will do more for you than any cardiac rehab!
Oh I’m so sorry I’ve been there a few times unfortunately mainly cocker spaniels but I rescued a 15 month old border collie / German shepherd cross who I called Molly she stole my heart when I met her and broke it when I lost her when she was 16 . Skye reminds mo so much of her she has such a sweet gentle nature and those intelligent eyes. If she’s half the dog molly was I’ll have chosen well
IT's ok, I've been losing dogs since 1967; they just don't live long enough. You have to accept that if you ever get a dog. My heart dog left two years ago at 16. I'm still not over her.
Glad to see you back and congrats on the puppy rosette, she is a gorgeous girl. I remember still having soreness around the sternum area and think it may be the rehab that has made you use this area. 10 months on from my bypass it is still sore to lift heavy things and stretch up high o reach things, also sometime if I take my weight on my arms. I have been told that it can take up to 2 years for things to fully settle. Its frustrating but if you do have pain then you should still get it checked out from your GP. Best of luck xxx
Most people are saying the same thing so I think it’s a waiting game and I’m gonna just have to be patient but this is not one of my best virtues !!! Lol 😂😂
Hello Pete. Skye's a beautiful little girl. Well done on the win!!
Hubby is three weeks into cardio rehab and used a rowing machine for the first time ever (he's never been to a gym in his life).
Muscle aches around the side of the breastbone (sternum). He had his review and mentioned it at the hospital on Tuesday and it was put down to exercising and using muscles that were still mending.
Told not to worry as it will go away in time as the muscles build up again.
Good luck in February with the GP. I guess you'll probably be told the same.
Thank you that’s the beauty of this site you can draw on other people’s knowledge and experience and I know know it’s a normal part of the recovery I can stop worrying
My response is pretty much the same as everyone. My surgery was 5 months ago and my sternum and surrounding area has only just started coming back to life (numb before that) still lumpy but since my son in law who is a physio told me to massage the area with Bio or Arnica oil as it breaks down scar tissue it has helped but I think maybe I might be left with a few lumps and bumps.
My legs are still quite bruised and I have no feeling in my right ankle but like a lot of us I think I was possibly expecting too much too soon so now I’m going to accept that complete recovery may take a little more time than 6 weeks when I got my discharge letter!
In view of that we have just booked a trip to Vietnam next week as that was on my bucket list. After all, if my 4 blocked arteries had not been found I might not have ticked anything off the bucket list!
I did the blog if my journey from me being pre op line you all the way through leading up to the op then post op so I hope you’ve managed to read them all as although it is a warts and all duscription of my personal journey I did it to help people like me as there was nothing similar when I was told I needed my AVR. Everyone’s journey is different and you will have your own. You know from my blog in an honest person so I want you to know that everything your feeling is normal don’t beat yourself up and there is s new life waiting for you after the operation initially it won’t seem that way but things get easier and easier I’m now 4 months post op and I’m living a normal life and you will too. It’s scary I know but it’s definately worth it.
If you need to chat you can private message me and I’ll help you as much as I can . Keep positive do what your told and honestly you’ll be fine
Can't thank you enough for those kind words. Today is the first time I feel like ok you can get through this but you have to be really brave first.
I read every single word and I admire you so much it's unreal. I am trying to get into the mindset that this is life saving not life threatening. I will private message you over the weekend if you really don't mind x
Of course I don’t mind message me when you like but if there’s any delay in my response bear with me as I will reply it’s just sometimes when I visit family the signal is shocking
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