Mildred's Journal

Meredith Bray  Hi, I've been on warfarin since 2014 (mechanical aortic valve) and I have gained about 50 lbs. But I'm also going through menopause, don't exercise, took a new stressful job that caused a lot of emotional eating, and now have a very sedentary desk job. So there's that. but I have noticed that diet changes and moderate exercise don't seem to have the same effect they once did. I don't know if that's related to the warfarin or not.

Meredith
Clearwater, FL

Mildred Young  Good Morning Meredith, thank you for your input. I have been with weight watchers for about 9 months now. I have change my eating habits, and I do as much walking as my knees allow me to. I have lost some but just can't get pass maybe 5 or 6 pounds. I do think there is a component in Warfarin that causes weight gain. Well I hope things get better for you. Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Ellen Leng  Your post-op issues sound awful! Have you talked to a pain management physician who does nerve ablation? They can sometimes help with these issues.

Steve Farthing  You also might get some opinions whether the wires in your chest from surgery might be triggering some nerves.

Lilly Black  I have experienced the same issues with my scar. As you, my chest was cut open twice, 12 inches long. I use ice packs, and it helps a lot! I recommend the gel ice packs. They are usually blue with beads of gel in them, and they freeze nicely and are soft to the touch. I also use a couple of salonpas patches, which helps with the pain. Do this everyday: when you are sitting and relaxing or watching TV, apply the ice patch to the area where the pain is the greatest (my area was slightly below my neck but above my breasts) for 15 to 30 minutes, at least 3 times a day. Then when you remove the ice pack, and the area has warmed up again, then apply the salonpas patch. In addition, I have an infrared lamp, which stimulates the deep tissue. This helped me the most! Although the ice pack was soothing, and the salonpas patch helped with nerve pain, the infrared lamp was the catch-all. I used it several times a day for about 10 minutes at a time. After 2.5 years, I can honestly say, there are no more sudden pain surprises. I use pure coconut oil to rub on the scar. I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have any questions.

Laura Jacobs  I am so sorry Mildred....it sounds miserable. I hope Lilly's strategies work for you. I use gel ice packs for herniated discs and they are very comfortable. The temperature is perfect (nice and cold without freezing like ice) and soft as Lilly says. Good luck to you.

Lilly Black  Laura, it is miserable! I have suffered with sternum pain for years. It's getting better, but it takes a long time to heal. Ellen, I hope these solutions work for you!! The infrared lamp calms the nerve pain.....I have had success!

Mildred Young  Hello Everyone! It has been awhile since I posted anything concerning this issue. But I started last summer having shots in my keloid scar which reduce some of the scar tissue. At first it was very painful but as the series kept going it became tolerable. Finally the series ended and my scar is pretty flat. I also find out that my esophagus was inflamed and that was causing pain too. So I had a lot going on in my chest. Thank you everyone for all your concern & suggestions

Phyllis Petersen  What does your doctor say about this? You shouldn't have constant pain without relief. That's awful for you to be going through and you deserve an answer as to what is causing this.

Mildred Young  Good Morning Phyllis,
I just posted an update that I got a second opinion, to make a long story short the nerves that are in my muscles is causing the spasms in my chest and they say there is really nothing they can do about it and it will be like this for the rest of my life.

Phyllis Petersen  That's insane! They're just fine with telling you that you'll have constant pain for the rest of your life? How do they propose you deal with that?