Difficulty swallowing when lying down -sternum repair concerns

[Beachcomber88]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this 2 weeks post open AVR surgery please?

I've been experiencing some feelings of tightness under my clavicle and last night in bed it felt even tighter and I had difficulty swallowing and taking deep breaths when lying down. The dip at the bottom of my throat seems to be getting deeper and the pidgeon chest' appearance since surgery isn't improving. It feels like the clavicle is too high and bone is pressing upwards and inwards into the bottom of my throat and last night was frightening. It feels a bit like a slowly tightening noose around the bottom of my throat under my clavicle.

It feels better sitting up and I have been able to take meds and cup of tea this morning and more normal but something feels 'off'

Many thanks for any insights as can't get my 7 day GP follow up appointment until 17 days after on Thursday.

[Shar28]

Hello. I can’t answer your question but if you can’t get a GP appointment I’d suggest you call 111.

Hope you get some help soon.

[Beachcomber88 in reply to Shar28]

Thank you Shar28 I think I'm going to contact the cardio dept at the hospital if I can get past switchboard and outpatients. It has eased a bit now thankfully now I'm more upright but definitely needs an assessment.

[Larneybuds in reply to Beachcomber88]

I would definitely phone the cardiac department or the cardiac nurse if you have been allocated one. I just think it's always best to get checked out if there's anything that you feel isn't right and especially after having a big surgery. You mentioned about lying down....if you are only a couple of weeks post op i believe the recommendation is to be propped up initially as it is difficult to lye down and it puts added pressure on your wound and rib cage. I couldn't sleep lying down for quite a while after my OHS for valve repairs. Your concerns might not be anything to worry about but I always think....if I doubt...check it out. Hope you get sorted or some answers at least. Xx

[Qualipop]

Either phone 111 who should be able to intervene and get you a GP check up or phone the hospital and ask to speak to the consultant's secretary.

[Traveldreams]

I’ve had the tightness (even now after 13 weeks it is sore and tight) but none of the other symptoms. Do you have a cardiac nurse number? I’d get in touch asap just to put your mind at rest.

[Sljp0000]

I had this for ages after my bypass surgery. I honestly think something was swelling up under my sternum at the top. 19 months on I still get the occasional feeling. I mentioned it to the medics numerous times but they didn't seem concerned. What I have got now is an unhealed sternum though.I hope you get some answers.

Take care.

[Mitchum]

I was advised NOT to lay down for about a month or more after surgery but to sleep with lots of pillows in a supportive upright position. See if that helps.

[gorillaqueen]

Definitely think needs checking and agree with what others are saying call 111 if no joy with GP or hospital. Hopefully if you explained the problem to GP surgery they would offer you an urgent appointment to be seen ? Good luck 🍀🍀😊

[Beachcomber88]

Thanks so much everyone - so kind. I am feeling much better now and thank you Mitchum being more upright did help and last night was much better. So I emailed my surgeon he replied (but is away operating back in London (NHS) ) and he didn't seem overly concerned and thought it would ease but to def call A&E if it got worse. Seeing GP tomorrow (had to fight to get that appointment 10 days late and also to get my earlier stitches removed and wound check. Appointments were closed yesterday online from opening time and not answering phone. My GP is great but practice is so badly run. slp000 that sounds very similar - why has your sternum been left unhealed that cant be acceptable - can you get a second opinion?

[davebal67]

My chest bump took an age to return back to normal. Had issues sleeping on my side until around 5months.

Unfortunately, it is a long process. I still have pain from my Sternum and I am now at 9 months.

[Beachcomber88 in reply to davebal67]

Sorry to hear that davebal67, it really is a long haul isn't it? I have heard improvement can be quite sudden so hopefully this will happen for you soon. Having had couple of OK nights I am again experiencing swallowing issues at night and muscle tension in my tongue and throat and throbbing black squares in my eyes. GP seemed to think it would ease but it's really affecting my sleep and then knocking on to my energy to exercise. Probably made worse from the anxiety it causes but feels like route cause is the pressure on my throat, maybe made worst by iron supplements or one of the cocktail of meds I'm on , Hey ho.

[davebal67 in reply to Beachcomber88]

I had some real anxiety around going back out on my road bike. I called the Cardiac Nurse from my preop assessment, and she removed my concerns around clopidigrol and my fears about crashing and bleeding out. I am now out on my bike and I even did 50KMs yesterday.