Update- pleural effusion

[Wildmeadow]

Dear friends, quick update, am home a week from hospital and 2nd pleural drain. An absolutely horrendous procedure.

On an even keel, just finished antibiotics so hoping my own immune system kicks in here on in.

Six weeks since AVR, four weeks since clot and HA. 3 weeks since Pleural effusion 1, & 2 weeks since 2nd P/effusion.

Sternum Pain remains, wondering if the complications have extended this.

Staying positive and on even keel this week. 🤞🤞🤞

[Sunnie2day]

One pleural effusion drain was bad enough but to go through two must have felt like torture. Hopefully the antibiotics will have done the job, and the sternum pain will ease off. Were you given anything for the pain - what do the medics say about it?

[Wildmeadow in reply to Sunnie2day]

Seeing Surgeon tomorrow so hope to get some answers on pain management and expectation of what feels right and not so right.

The complications distracted focus From surgery recovery up to now.

Just on paracetamol for pain..

Xx

[Sunnie2day in reply to Wildmeadow]

Please update after you speak with the surgeon!

[Wildmeadow in reply to Sunnie2day]

I will xx

[Alisbabas]

I hope that’s the last you have to go through.

Stay strong and keep us posted x

[Wildmeadow in reply to Alisbabas]

Thank you xx

[Calliope153]

Good to hear from you and sending best wishes that things continue to improve. Paracetamol for pain was prescribed but when I told GP I couldn't sleep and was in constant pain he prescribed morphine. Also asked me why I didn't mention it earlier!!!

[StevepH2012]

Crikey - that all sounds horrible!

I'm hoping you now receive some of my apparent good fortune and have complication free recovery from now on.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Such a lot you’ve been through....and your attitude is a brilliant example to me/us! Onwards and upwards!

[AndyM69]

Hi there, it does sound like you’ve been through the mill.

I can’t comment on the procedures that you’ve had done but just wanted to comment on the pain relief you’re receiving.

Paracetamol is a very lightweight painkiller. I assume your sternum has been opened?

I had a quadruple bypass 7 weeks ago and in hospital they had me on oxycodone and discharged me with a 14 days supply. It’s good but I was a bit like a zombie. Before it ran out I spoke to my GP and she put me on co-codamol which worked much better. I’ve been gradually reducing over the weeks.

I do think you have to ask for pain relief and certainly don’t take the grin and bear it approach that we are very good at doing.

Certainly ask the surgeon about pain relief but also remember your GP has a responsibility around your continuing care and comfort once you’re discharged.

I’ve had complications with sternal wound infections and had to go back to my GP over the past few weeks and they have done their best but In the end I had to speak to the surgeons secretary to be seen - always a good idea to have a good relationship with them.

I do hope things start to go in the right direction for you now. I know our operations are different but I do feel much better, I think the first 4 weeks were the most uncomfortable.

Please push for more pain relief, you deserve to be as comfortable as you can be.

Take care

Andy

[Tessie28]

Ah no! poor you Wildmeadow. Get better soon xxx