Sternum pain after clearing the garden yesterday

[Lisa4]

Hope you can offer some advice and whether I should book a GP appointment.

I am 2 years post Aortic Valve replacement and Aortic Root Replacement.

I’m fairly fit and well but find every time I exercise or do manual jobs my sternum, Spine, windpipe hurt and my voice becomes gravelly. The pain is so intense the next day it stops me in my tracks and I spend several days on pain killers. In addition I get chronic trapped wind causing belching.

Any suggestions home remedies would be greatly appreciated. FYI I’ve just had my annual check up with my cardiologist and all valves etc are still as they were post op and I was told I have a very strong heart. This seems to be a musculoskeletal issue.

Thank you

Lisa

[Nathan53]

Hi Lisa - Apart from musculoskeletal issues I wonder if hiatus hernia / oesophagitis is a possibility the symptoms of which can often be worse after stopping and bending. Just an idea you may wish to consider - see att link for symptoms. Hope you can establish cause. patient.info/digestive-heal...

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would suggest you see your GP. A chest X-ray is always a good starting point. He might also suggest a barium meal. As suggested a hiatus hernia is a possibility. A friend has one, and it causes occasional pain and reflux.

[Lisa4]

Thank you both for the advice. I’ve booked an appointment with GP so hopefully she will suggest further investigation.

Day 4 and I’m still in pain even drinking a cup of tea causing pain as I swallow. Deep inhalation also causes pain. No more belching and funnily I had no reflux throughout this. I’ll keep you posted as to the outcome. Certainly going to consider a Gardner next time!

[Tillymint1971 in reply to Lisa4]

This was 6 months ago, can you let us know the outcome, how are you now? I have experienced similar symptoms.

[Sasical]

Hi there,

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I have exactly the same symptoms

[Lisa4]

Yes I did, it was a medication I was on ‘Sertraline’ it’s well known for causing digestive problems and reflux oesophagitis. The doctor changed my medication and I haven’t had a problem since then.