I want to ask the community if any of you have experienced severe shoulder pain and pain under your (left ) clavicle post surgery? I have linked it to the huge tube that goes in our neck. This pain comes and goes, depending on what I have done. I am not 3 months post surgery and I was tensely driving in the rain, in the dark on a very narrow highway with lots of construction for about 45 minutes one week ago and it flared that pain up again. Curious to hear what others say. I am doing PT exercises for my left shoulder which help that pain but initially, I was really frightened by the pain. (I was placed on my left side and shoulder during my surgery due to having robotic assisted surgery through my right side of my body)
Susan Lynn Victoria - i didn't have that pain after my mini-thoracotomy, but many people on this site have reported similar discomfort. Apparently, we were placed in ... Read more
Susan Lynn Victoria - i didn't have that pain after my mini-thoracotomy, but many people on this site have reported similar discomfort. Apparently, we were placed in a rather precarious position during surgery that could result in this type of pain. It's also possible the nerves in your chest are regenerating and the tenderness is more evident than it was immediately after your procedure. Hope it subsides soon! ❤
Rose Madura I experienced terrible shoulder pain. It was where I had the most pain. They said it was from the position on the operating table. Plus, where the main line ... Read more
Rose Madura I experienced terrible shoulder pain. It was where I had the most pain. They said it was from the position on the operating table. Plus, where the main line went in. That was sore for months. But it will go away eventually. Tylenol and heating pad helped.
Ana Brusso Victoria, I have experience pain on my left shoulder and breast after surgery. It was never severe and sometimes it comes back. My PCP told me it was to be ... Read more
Ana Brusso Victoria, I have experience pain on my left shoulder and breast after surgery. It was never severe and sometimes it comes back. My PCP told me it was to be expected as we are placed with our arms extended during the surgery over five hours for me. As Susan Lynn states our nerves are regenerating and the area becomes tender. For me times has helped and as I said it comes back sometimes I assumed depending on how I slept. I do hope it goes away soon and you won’t even remember it. God bless you
Update posted on...
August 14, 2020
Got some answers today from my heart surgeon regarding my high resting heart rate. People who are athletes or who are in their 20's, 30's and 40's typically have a high resting heart rate after mitral valve surgery. This will last 6-9 months. Since I have LBP, I am not a candidate for a beta blocker, according to my surgeon and that is fine with me. I just wanted to know that I was "normal" and that my heart wouldn't suffer any damage as a result of having this high resting heart rate.
stephanie arnold I also learned, too, that the resting hr does lower in time. interesting about athletes. I'm older than 45, but have been athletic all my life. my HR was in ... Read more
stephanie arnold I also learned, too, that the resting hr does lower in time. interesting about athletes. I'm older than 45, but have been athletic all my life. my HR was in the high 90s, low 100s for the first month or so. it's now getting to the 70s and 80s. my original rate was low 60s. I'm 3.5 months post avs. I am glad it's lowering .
Jarrod Psutka Yeah this is true. I’m 27 and was athletic before my mitral valve repair. Following surgery my HR was always in the 90s, I’m about 5 months out and it’s ... Read more
Jarrod Psutka Yeah this is true. I’m 27 and was athletic before my mitral valve repair. Following surgery my HR was always in the 90s, I’m about 5 months out and it’s only finally back in the 80s and is seeming to slow down a bit. I had the same frustrations as you but just takes time!
Victoria Baker I really appreciate you both chiming in. My PCP told me on Friday that I am causing it and that I could control it. I never have felt so frustrated as I did with this comment.
On one of the many beautiful roof top decks in Pittsburgh, PA!
Update posted on...
July 30, 2020
I am just shy of being 6 weeks post mitral valve repair surgery. Prior to surgery, my resting heart rate was between 55 and 65. My new resting heart rate is about 100. I find this very annoying and am wondering if/when things will calm down. Does anyone know?
Bradley Dunn It will happen.. keep doing what you are supposed to do and you will continue to improve.
Pat Bluemel Your heart is really ticked off that it was messed with, it's just letting you know, your HR will come down once your heart is done protesting what you put it through:-).
Tracy Fallu Your heart went through major trauma and will take time to get back to it’s pre surgery heart rate. At a year, there were times I was in the mid 80s. It takes time for your heart to reacclimate.
Victoria Baker I am so appreciative of your support. I happen to be fit and always have enjoyed exercise and yoga and eating well. I cannot imagine what I might feel like ... Read more
Victoria Baker I am so appreciative of your support. I happen to be fit and always have enjoyed exercise and yoga and eating well. I cannot imagine what I might feel like had I not been in decent shape. I am glad to hear that you think it will return to it's normal .
Marie Myers Just curious why you are against taking a beta blocker. Did you have a bad experience with one? I was not on meds until my AVR 3 yrs ago. At that time, I started ... Read more
Marie Myers Just curious why you are against taking a beta blocker. Did you have a bad experience with one? I was not on meds until my AVR 3 yrs ago. At that time, I started on metoprolol twice a day. Beta blockers have some positive effects on heart rate, arrhythmias ,BP, and therefore possibly improve Biovalve lifespan. So i was perfectly happy to be on them. I never had any side effects from metoprolol, but I know some people do. My cardiologist recently switched me to bisoprolol, which is only once a day. Once again, I have no side effects, and my heart rate is a delightful 58. This is Just my experience, but was curious why you don’t want to try them?
I am from: Pittsburgh, PA
September 16, 2020