hello,
I had surgery on my aortic valve on Tues (28th September).
I have really bad tension in neck, back and sternum which is making it impossible to sleep. Also think I’ve got some constipation too. (Appreciate maybe too much info).
I had two blood transfusions and developed arthymia post surgery. It appears to be getting better but very slowly.
Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms and found anything helpful?
very best wishes,
adam
I assume you had open heart surgery .? It does take many weeks to heal perhaps as many as twelve weeks. Possibly less for such a young person as you. But it will be weeks not days. The nurses should be able to help you get up and walking and to get your bowels moving and to give you decent nights sleep. I was walking inside the first week. Important to follow the basics such as no lifting anything heavier than a book, no arms above head height.and you will need to sit up in bed, I used five pillows to deal with the sitting up.
I do hope the physio team will come to you and explain what you should do.
And my sympathy that you had additional problems during surgery.
Best wishes
Sooty
many thanks Sooty.
Yes I did. I had open heart surgery to replace my severely leaking bicuspid aortic valve and which resulted in an enlarged heart.
Thanks for your kind words. The complications aren’t nice, mainly the fact I went into Afib for three and a half days. My sinus rythm has returned.
I don’t really understand the terminology. I’ve been put on Amiodrone for this I think but no idea what’s happening going forward.
Feeling very tired as finding it v difficult to sleep at night.
All the best to you.
Good Morning AdamJames.
When we are on the operating table we are put into some really extreme positions! Arms behind back head back!
It takes time for the body to get over this, but we do. You are very young so that’s going to help, but just remember to do all the things you have been told. No arms above your head and no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water. No pulling or pushing movements. Your sternum will take up to 12 weeks to heal remember it’s a broken bone. Do your breathing exercises I called them huffing and puffing they really do help. When we are on bypass our lungs collapse so they need a bit of help to fill all those little pockets. If your still having pain take your pain medication at regular intervals.
Do your walking exercises, and go to rehab when your offered a place being around others who have been where you have is so helpful, as much for our mental health as for our stamina.
You will get there it’s still early days, remember baby steps.
Best wishes Pauline
Dear Adamjames157
Hello to you and welcome to feeling everything that your poor body has been through for you to post on here some very interesting questions.
Most people after such an operation begin feeling like they have just done ten rounds in a boxing match { and lost } and the reason is simple, you would be shocked if you knew the positions that they move your body in to perform such a miracle on you.
We are not talking about an episode of Casualty here but quite a brutal forceful movement of the limbs and body. So when those strong painkillers are slowly stopped we begin to feel the pain such movements have given us.
You will be reminded of this for a while { take it as a survival badge } but it will go.
As for the constipation well that also is normal as your body gets rid { try } all the various drugs that have been administered to it { manly pain killers }
Take plenty of water and an approved { like Senna } laxative { Talk to Dr first }
Good luck with your recovery journey
Take care
Hi Adam
So pleased to see your post 😊.
The back and neck pain are totally normal, keep taking whatever painkillers you've been given and gradually it eases, as does the constipation. Hospital food doesn't help, but when your diet gets back to normal things should improve.
Are you still in hospital?
Joanne
Hi Joanne. Thanks for your message. Sorry for not replying sooner.
I was discharged day 6 post op. I had a few complications. I required blood transfusions due to loss of blood after operation and my heart went into Afib for three and a half days.
Apparently my sinus rythm has returned but I can very strongly feel my heart beating.
I am on a drug called Amiodrone. Not sure if you or anyone else is familiar with this drug.
Sleeping is proving very difficult. Barely got any sleep first week in hospital, but now managing a couple of hours at home. I see this as progress. Hope it continues heading in the right direction.
I'm so pleased that you are home. The strong beat if your heart is weird eh, so powerful. Did you go for mechanical valve?
I'm not on Amiodrone no, what's that for?
Things will start to improve every day now. Not massively, but baby steps. You can have another get together with friends and family soon to celebrate your recovery.
I told you you'd make it 😊😊
Thanks so much.
Yes, the heartbeat is very powerful. I am hoping it will calm down (the feeling I mean lol). I’ve read it is quite common after surgery.
I went with the inspiris resilia valve which is a tissue valve reinforced. I was told I should get 15 years with it and then re-op/TAVR procedure.
The Amiodarone I think is for Atrial Fibrillation. My heart developed Afib after surgery and would not come back into a sinus rythm. It did eventually after three and a half days.
I have no idea if the drug is working or not, or stopping my my heart from going into Afib.
I have to say that the operation was v sore. I found the drainage tubes to be the worst and was relieved when they were out.
I just hope my sleep will come back as it’s not been good .
How are you feeling and doing?
I honestly can't remember the drainage tubes being an issue. Mind you, I was a sobbing mess most of the time after day 7 in ICU 🤣.
I'm OK, back at work on a phased return but my Cardiac Rehab sessions have had to be paused as I'm getting really high HR spikes when I exercise. Fine the rest of the time, but until they are resolved they've said no 😞. GP has written to Cardiology to make them aware.
I have an appointment with pacemaker clinic in 3 weeks, I rang to see if they had anything sooner, they don't. I thought the appointment was to solve the HR spikes, but in speaking to them yesterday they said it's just a routine check up 🙁
Bi Adam, re the constipation, yes I remember that and it does improve as you start moving about more and make sure you keep taking the laxatives until you're off the stronger pain meds.
My sore neck was my throat, like I had a cold, and was sore to lift my head up. That was very slow to improve and took at least a couple of months to go completely.
I didn't have arythmia so no help there.
Take care.
Andy
Hi Adam, You post sounds exactly like my experience. Terrible back and neck pain/soreness. I put it down to them moving the ribs etc to gain access. Anyway, it did get better and my lovely wife used to gently rub my back in the night when I couldn't sleep. I too was left with an arrhythmia, which has improved, but is still a little now and then.
All the best and good luck on the mend.
Regards
Peter
Hi Adam, hopefully you are feeling a little better day by day? As others have said the tension and pains you are experiencing are normal. They will pass with time, honest. I am sure you are doing this but make sure you take your pain killers on time and I would suggest you move (walking) as much as you can - every hour for 5 mins and build it up. This will help with the toilet issues too. And of course drink plenty of water to help flush out your system. Sleeping is very difficult in the first few weeks as you are just on your back. Have you tried a "v" pillow or a wedge pillow? I found these useful to support me. I know my advice is basic and you are probably doing all of the above, hope you start to feel less pain over the coming days.
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