Frence's Journal

Marie Myers  I am guessing yes, but that is a question for your doctor. I still take antibiotics for dental procedures after my aortic valve replacement in 2017. You might also need antibiotics before certain surgeries, also.

Bill Pollard  In response to your question on my post, I do feel something in my chest after I exercise. It’s not painful but more of a tightness. I’ve talked to other folks who have had open heart surgery and they told me they felt the same thing for several months after surgery. I met with my cardiologist tomorrow and I plan to ask him about it.

Kelly Stoll  Hi Frence. I had a lot of anxiety post-op and they actually added another dose of my medication to keep my heart rate lower. (We tried BP for a few weeks post-op, but I dropped too low... then anxiety kicked in. I have pre-existing anxiety so it wasn't a big leap to make). There are some great apps out there that can help with anxiety too. Personally, I meditate a lot and journal. Both are a big help. Speaking with friends, family, and/or a counselor can be helpful too. Do what feels right for you. If the people around you are an issue, consider finding a "safe place" that you can quietly get away for even a few seconds and just ground yourself again.

I would consider mentioning the BP for sure. I am guessing you are perhaps a "young heart", meaning not over 65+. One of the issues I was warned about with young hearts is they have their own sets of issues.

Sorry I can't say much about the pain. Personally Tylenol was what I took the entire post-op process. My arms didn't have pain, just no strength which I am still rebuilding. It really started to bounce back at around 10 weeks.

Hang in there. No you are not alone. Take it one step at a time, one day at a time. You will get through this. Most of all, treat yourself with kindness in the meantime.

Susan Lynn  Seven weeks is still very early. Your heart and your body are getting used to all the changes. You will make progress in your own time - healing is different for everyone. You'll get there!

Anna Jones  I am at 5 weeks and have some of the same issues still. My chest hurts. My BP is too low. My pulse is now either way too fast or way too slow. It scares me. Also at times I feel dizzy and my blood pressure cuff keeps showing that I have arrhythmia but the two times I went to the Cardiologist for testing the EKG showed it is a safe rhythm. I don't really care what the EKG shows, I find it stressful and scary.

Hang in there. Heart surgery isn't for sissies :-) We can do it.

Steve Farthing  Most people only had one valve replaced or repaired while you had one replaced and another repaired. So you can't compare yourself to everyone who comments here since you may be dealing with a more complex surgery and recovery than most. Sounds like you are making steady progress.

John Lant  Keep your faith Frence, it will get better over time. Your blood pressure 125/80 is not bad at all so do not let that bother you. Have you started your Cardiac Rehab yet? That will help you out a lot with regaining your strength back to normal and it should also help out with your shoulder issues. Do not look for daily improvement, look more to weekly improvements and I am sure you will notice a difference for the better. My prayers & thoughts are with you, but keep your spirits up and you will feel better & better as time goes by.

Jennifer John  Be gentle with yourself, France. The anxiety is normal. Stay within yourself, and avoid stressful situations. Limit visitors. Make sure you have quiet time. Listen to music. Heart surgery is a big deal.
So I’m coming up on 8 weeks and have more good days than I did at 6 weeks. Takes time. Everybody’s different. I’m starting cardiac rehab next week and am sure that will make a big difference, too.💪🏼🌺

Frence Tanque-Metoda  Hello everyone! Thank you for all your encouraging words! Thank God for all of you. Indeed I need not compare myself to the progress others are feeling. Reading all your comments makes me look at my condition on a brighter side! May everyone have a blessed week ahead😘😘😘

Meredith Bray  It gets better! It took me a long time to get in/out of bed without issues. And rolling over in bed? HA I still look like a flopping fish. Have you ever had a massage? I had my first one at about 9 weeks, and was very clear with the therapist when I booked the appointment about having had surgery. I wore gym shorts and a sports bra when I went, because I knew I would need assistance getting on/off the table and positioning myself. It was awesome! Best $30 I spent on myself during recovery!

(I still don't like to lay flat on my back in bed!)

-Meredith
Holiday, FL

Muhammad Riyaz  It maybe because of the after effect of tube inserted in your neck during surgery, however consult your surgeon or the cardiologist. I had the same pain and went away when they gave me pain medicine. Good Luck.

Rose Madura  I had shoulder pain for quite a while and it eventually went away. Propping up pillows under my arms seemed to help. But you still should check wit h your cardiologist or surgeon to make sure everything is normal. Everyone heals differently.

Jim Harvey   I had periodic shoulder pain -- I think from the reading I did I'd call it 'referred pain' -- not something that occurred gradually, but came on very suddenly, lasted about a day each time. Doctors weren't very helpful unfortunately, but yours sounds a bit different if that frequent.

Frence Tanque-Metoda  Actually it isn't frequent the one my doctor called "restricting pain" doesn't come everyday and those The pains I am referring in my shoulders and neck were due to trying ro exercise my shoulders last time which I shouldn't have done inge 1st place since I was just a month post op that time and should not stretch or use my arms above my head or far back.

John Lant  Shoulder pain is a common problem with many Median sternotomy patients. I could not lay in one position without my shoulder blades hurting. But now over 3 weeks post opt it seems to be going away and is not as bothersome as before. Maybe you should try going for Cardiac-Rehab to streach & strengthing your shoulder muscles. That could be a big benifit for you... Wishing you all the best in your recovery process.

Rose Madura  I had terrible pain in arms, shoulder, back and chest as well. At the hospital, one of the nurses told me that a lot of the pain is from the way you are positioned on the operating table and you are in that position for hours. It does get better with time - least mine did.

Catie B  It took quite a while for various physical discomforts to subside after surgery. Some pains were in places I really didn't expect. But in time it eased. I trust yours will, too.

Frence Tanque-Metoda  I guess I need to be patien with my body I really wanna go back to my normal routine and these pains make me feel bad. Thanks to your comments.

Ivana Okereke  I am 3 weeks post-op and having the same pain. I think it must be the healing going on inside, we went through a lot of trauma. Hope it goes away soon. I found an extra strength Tylenol helps with mine.

Ivana Okereke  I am now 5 weeks post-op and I had been feeling well. However, after a very long flight from NY to Dubai 2 days ago, I have been experiencing the same pain. My left shoulder hurts, and I have a strong pain in the center of my chest too. I also feel very sluggish and heavy. I was hoping that the pain would be gone by now. Thank you so much for the post, it put my mind at ease.

Marie Myers  It is scary when you find out you need heart surgery. But take it 1 step at a time, be kind with yourself, and you will make it through!