Cathy's Posts

I'm in cardiac therapy 3x a week and with a pain management orthopedic dr and in arm therapy twice a week trying to get my right arm and shoulder to work right. And in another therapy once a week for ear crystal displacement what ever that is for the dizzy and nausea . It's a bit crazy and don't understand any of it . I just keep swimming as Dory would say in Disney's finding dory . Lol !

So sorry Cathy! I had some nerve pain after surgery along my upper chest that took a few months to resolve. I've been dealing with an ulnar nerve entrapment for a few months now, not related to my previous surgery, but terribly painful so I can relate. I'm also seeing an occupational therapist, we are working to improve posture & loosen up the shoulder stiffness she attributes to my ohs 4 years ago! I'm taking gabapentin- 400 mg/ day, also a b complex vitamin. I find a product called Ted's pain cream to be pretty effective, also soaking in warm baths with epsen salts brings a little relief, as do ice packs. I hope you feel better soon, dealing with nerve pain on top of heart surgery recovery must be hellish! You are a real trooper making such good progress with your rehab through all this! I'm sending all my best wishes & good vibes ...hoping you soon feel better :)!

Hi Cathy. I'm sorry you have the nerve pain and dizziness. Last year, I had thr crystal displacement and an ENT doctor performed thr Epley Maneuver on me and that cleared it up. My equilibrium was off for about 2 weeks afterwards but the spinning has completely stopped. Stay strong. Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you all for the posts ! It really helps .. sometime feel like I'm going crazy ... I am just starting on gabopentine .. twice a day and to full dose in a week . I'm down to 1 tramadol a day but still needing Tylenol every 6 to at least breath a bit . Still doing some type of therapy a day snd just started back at work last week ... I'm so exhausted ! I will get to two miles a day in the next 2 weeks ! Thank you all again and still praying I can get this shoulder to move without injections !

Cathy - I had a mini-thoracotomy through my right side and nerves are frozen in that procedure i had numbness, as well as, pins and needles sensations for more than a year. I'm still glad I had this entry, but there can be tradeoffs for avoiding the sternum cut. Hang in there - better days are ahead! ❤

Hi! A few things to consider... something to keep your upper part of the body elevated when sleeping, like a wedge or what I always called a "husband." It's also helpful to meal prep, and then have daily things you reach for in the kitchen on your counter or at an easy level in the fridge. A chair to sit in the shower... even a plastic yard chair from Lowe's can work. Easy to put on tops... that don't have to be pulled over head and are loose. I sized up so they wouldn't be fitted. Hmmm, if I can think of anything else, I will post. You'll do great! Prayers for an easeful recovery.

Cathy - Shannon has definitely provided a solid, comprehensive list. I found that I didn't have much of a problem after minimally-invasive surgery, but sleeping options (wedge, lots of pillows, recliner) were helpful. It seemed like my preferences changed from one day to the next. Also, keep your showers warm (not hot) and short - for me, it was one of the most tiring activities. Take it one day at a time - you'll see progress in a matter of weeks.

Hi - I always take ear plus with me to the hospital for any stay, even a short one. Other than that, the lists from others sound great. But don't forget the important of slow deep breathing! This can really help with anxiety, which we all have leading up to surgery, but these deep breaths are also very effective afterwards for relieving tension and discomfort. Try to make it a practice to breathe in slow through your nose, hold breath a bit if you can, then breathe out through your mouth. Automatically relaxes entire body. Good luck!