James's Posts

Shoulder stretches ( and neck stretches) are so important after such a major surgery. Of course, always (always) tell your doctor about any new pain. Hopefully, since it is sounds like bilateral pain, it is nerve pain originating from one site and good stretching plus massage could help with that :) Google 'shoulder stretches after open heart surgery'

I haven't heard of that before, at least not as far away as an arm (I sometimes felt some 'needle' pain in the chest area away from the incision). The fact that it comes suddenly suggests it's not related to how you sleep, stiffness, etc. Maybe it's something similar to 'phantom pain'. Do you feel that massaging your arm makes you feel different/pain in other areas (like your chest)? You definitely want to discuss it with your doctor.

Glad to hear you didn't need a pacemaker. It's always nice when doctors wait to see how things evolve. Post surgery is a tiring time. Coming home is tiring. Your body has been through a lot. Your system needs time to recover. Take it easy. Recovery is not a race. I was in hospital for 3 weeks after surgery (in 2015 at age 53) and then was too tired to come home straight away so I did live in rehab at a rehab hospital for another 3 weeks. There will be plenty of time in the future for you to "do everything" but maybe not this week. Take care.

Yes. The need for a pacemaker is a side effect of OHS that happens to a small percentage of patients (me included). Sometimes the invisible electrical lines in your heart are damaged by surgery. I got a pacemaker about 2 weeks after double valve surgery (8 yrs ago) because my heart rate stayed too low. I had no idea that a pacemaker was a possible occurence after OHS and was disapointed. Especially to have another surgery. However, the pacemaker installation surgery is done under a local anasthetic and is quite simple (compared to OHS!!). My pacemaker does not bother me except for that it is an unsightly bulge under my skin (I am very skinny) I don't feel it or think about it. I see a rhythmologist once a year to check its batteries (which should last 15 yrs). I'm sorry that this unexpexted thing has happened to you. Take care.

Yep. I ended up with a defibrillator one week after my mitral valve repair. Had issues with V fib (afraid of cardiac arrest). It was more of an insurance policy because it got a lot better in that week, but didn't go entirely away. I'm 5 months out from my surgery. No shocks yet. LOL You found the best site for all your questions and info. One day at a time and try not to worry. 😊