Lori's Posts

As of today, it has been one year since having OHS for mitral valve repair. I still have lingering pain in my chest on the side opposite my heart, which feels a bit like a pulled muscle. It is most noticeable when I reach above my head. I am sleeping better than I was six months ago, but I still don't have a lot of energy. I continue to have some random chest pains as well, but I don't notice the "gurgling" that I did in the past. If you are going through OHS this December or have recently gone through it, I wish you the best of luck and I hope you enjoy your holidays as much as you can. Lori

I am now just a few days short of being six months post-op. I still have soreness in my chest - not horrible pain, but a noticeable soreness. I am wondering if this pain will go away or if I will always feel it. I'm still waiting for that boost of energy that everyone told me that I would have. The claims that "You'll feel so much better" really didn't materialize for me. I feel about the same as I did prior to surgery. I still have some insomnia, but I've learned to cope with it. I no longer stare at the ceiling and feel sorry for myself, hoping for sleep. I now get up and do something until I feel sleepy. I have been able to get about six solid hours of sleep per night this way, whereas before I would wake up about every two hours and I would have trouble getting back to sleep. I have had some random chest pains as well - they come on suddenly and then go away in a few minutes. I have also noticed a "gurgling" feeling in the area of my heart at times. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this.