Cynthia Rashid - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

368 days ago

I was wanting to connect with other patients of robotic valve repair. I have been having discomfort and numbness at the incision sites and around my ribs and ...Read more

I was wanting to connect with other patients of robotic valve repair. I have been having discomfort and numbness at the incision sites and around my ribs and lung area. Anyone else? And what have you found to improve the symptoms after 2.5 months?

Richard Munson Time heals all wounds. They go thru your ribs and nerves take awhile to regenerate. 2.5 months is not ... Read more

Richard Munson Time heals all wounds. They go thru your ribs and nerves take awhile to regenerate. 2.5 months is not very long. Did you ever bruise your ribs? It takes forever to heal.

Doug Moore I'm 6 weeks out from robotic mitral valve repair @ Mayo Clinic, and have exact same situation. My rig ... Read more

Doug Moore I'm 6 weeks out from robotic mitral valve repair @ Mayo Clinic, and have exact same situation. My right breast area is largely numb through the path of the probes. I have some discomfort as well, occasional shooting pains in the "tunnels" I visualize the probes went thru. My incisions are healed up and aren't painful at all. I think this is completely normal, and that the overall healing and regaining feeling will come with time. As with everything related to my surgery, my comment is "sure is a lot better than the alternative"

Susan Lynn I had numbness, pins and needles, and sudden 'shock' sensations for a year after my surgery. It t ... Read more

Susan Lynn I had numbness, pins and needles, and sudden 'shock' sensations for a year after my surgery. It takes awhile for nerves to regenerate. Be patient. Better days are ahead.

J Alexander Lassally Cynthia - You can be a trailblazer here to document your journey with the post surgery nerve/pain iss ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Cynthia - You can be a trailblazer here to document your journey with the post surgery nerve/pain issues. This is a neglected part of the robot experience at the time of patient recruitment, and I'm glad you are documenting this !!!

Kathy Ozio Ditto J Alexander and Susan. It took almost a year. And it's been two now, but i still have some numb ... Read more

Kathy Ozio Ditto J Alexander and Susan. It took almost a year. And it's been two now, but i still have some numbness/non feeling in small area.

Dawn Neal I’m 15 months out and I still have numbness in my lateral thoracic area I think from the anesthesia ... Read more

Dawn Neal I’m 15 months out and I still have numbness in my lateral thoracic area I think from the anesthesia block. It is very slowly coming back but still not back to normal. Sorry. My surgeon had warned me that it takes a long time for those nerves to heal.

Richard Munson I was attributing my numbness to old age but now i know its that darn surgery.

Dawn Neal That’s funny Richard. Never admit to old age!

Cynthia Rashid Yes, I agree with you J Alexander Lassally. Completely neglected. Nerve damage, numbness, tingling, sharp pain, lung deflation, soreness were never discussed and most definitely not expected. In fact I was lead to believe in just a few weeks I'd be back to all my regular activity. wrong! I have new heart rate issues now and am on 3 different prescriptions. I am not complaining, as I am so grateful to have had Dr. Gillinov fix my leaky valve. It is just frustrating bc the surgical staff is not acknowledging any correlation.

I am hoping to connect with others who have post surgery lung issues (tightness with deep breaths). I've needed more CT scans, Pet scan, blood work, heart monitor, EKGs, to get to the bottom of this pain around my ribcage. A nodule formed on my lung lining where a robotic tool was inserted. It is suspected inflammation. It has been 11 months. Has anyone else experienced this?

I am now starting a topical product called Mederma. Although it is mainly used to reduce scarring, it has other properties that will absorb and help renew cells and has anti-inflammatory properties. Hoping to get some relief. ( I have not had success with lidocaine patches).
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