My Update, 5 weeks Post Op
During my operation my right lung collapsed, but antibiotics and hospital physiotherapy seemed to help this situation. However even though I have been out and about walking as instructed during the last 4 weeks at home, I have had a lot of chest pain recently, which eventually was diagnosed (via a chest xray) as post operation pneumonia with pleuricy and a partial collapse in my right lung. I am now on medication again, and although I am still quite mobile at home the pain has been quite bad. My physiotherapy should also start very soon, especially now with my latest diagnosis, so that should help. I have trouble with sleeping, deep breathing, and even mundane tasks like blowing my nose is very difficult. Of course coughing and sneezing are out !!! whenever possible. I try to keep positive about everything, but I am beginning to find the UK system "creaking" as it is always me that has to keep pushing my doctors to resolve issues I later feel they should diagnose first. Anyway onwards and upwards from now on. Colin Scotland PS I have also cancelled my USA Trip for mid July... :(
Colin: I am pleased to report that I am one year post op today! Yesterday I bodysurfed in the Atlantic, walked 3 miles and ran 1/2 mile. I had a collapsed lung post op which stayed with me for a while. I also developed a pericarditis about 3 mos post op ( in ER on morning of 9/11 ). Trust me, it all passes with time. Report it all to your doctor. Keep pressing until you get the answers you know are right. On my 9/11 visit I was originally told that I had another MI - which turned out to be absolute rubbish. Keep your spirits up, eat well and try to stick to an exercise regime. At my one year anniversary, I would like to thank all of you who have been so helpful - it does make a difference. Dave C.
Hello Colin, Did you receive a 'breathing machine' (incentive spirometer) from the hospital? It helps to keep your lungs inflated. Even doing the recommended level of exercises did not prevent me from developing a 'mild case of walking pneumonia' after my bypass surgery a few years ago. After recent valve surgery, my right lung did not inflate fully and I accumulated some fluid between the lung and my chest wall. The prescription was for antibiotics (Levaquin), breathing treatment, cough suppressant, and LOTS of deep breathing exercises to force the fluid out. It took about a week to clear out. In retrospect, I wish they had encouraged me to do more breathing exercises from the start. I can't help but wonder if that would not have prevented those problems from occurring. 'AL'
WOW, I'm amazed they didn't give you a plastic incentive spirometer to take home Colin. It was determined that one of my lungs had not fully inflated about 3 weeks after my valve replacement surgery. I could actually FEEL the pressure in my chest cavity when I took deep breaths and there were times I thought I could even hear it (without a stethescope). It made a crackling / raspy sound like running a pencil up and down a washboard. You could probably get the same benefit as from the spirometer simply by taking slow deep breaths. My guess is that when you feel the pressure, you are pushing the fluid out of the cavity. I'd recommend 10 to 20 deep breaths several (6-8?) times a day. You may want to get your doctor's approval first. I suspect the breathing did as much good as all the meds they gave me. Good Luck / Best Wishes, 'AL'
When I do find my lungs getting better I am scared that it may bring on frequent coughing again, which at the moment is extremely painful even for tiny coughs. I have read that people sometimes get prescribed cough suppressant. Anyone got any information/advice on this?
I am not sure about the cough suppressants. I always thought people with heart problems were not supposed to take or use cough suppressants. The ingredients contain stimulants that would cause heart palpatations, increased heart rate, etc. Similar to allegy medications. I suppose it depends on the cough and what other problems it causes and also the type of cough medication prescribed. Were you ever a smoker? I smoked for about 20 years and had quit in 1998 when I had my heart attack. They told me part of my cough was due to the fact that I had been a smoker and that it had not been long enough since I smoked that the affects were still on my lungs after surgery. They said it takes 15-20 years to get your lungs back to normal after smoking. I know, you are probably thinking, she is one of those reformed smokers. I try not to be. There are still times when I would love to draw on one. My husband smokes and it bothers the heck out of me. I am on him all the time, but partly because it would be so easy for me to start again. Well, I didn't mean to write a book. Hope you can get this figured out and feel better soon. Barb --- In BypassSurgeryRecoverySupport@y..., "colinsteele1964"
The only cough medicine or suppressant my cardiologist says I can take is Robitussin DM or the generic Tussin DM. The important thing is I am NOT to use any with Pseudoephedrine in it! Ask your doctor on this also. Chris In a message dated 6/30/02 6:35:35 AM, onebosslady@... writes: << I am not sure about the cough suppressants. I always thought people with heart problems were not supposed to take or use cough suppressants. The ingredients contain stimulants that would cause heart palpatations, increased heart rate, etc. Similar to allegy medications. I suppose it depends on the cough and what other problems it causes and also the type of cough medication prescribed. Were you ever a smoker? I smoked for about 20 years and had quit in 1998 when I had my heart attack. They told me part of my cough was due to the fact that I had been a smoker and that it had not been long enough since I smoked that the affects were still on my lungs after surgery. They said it takes 15-20 years to get your lungs back to normal after smoking. I know, you are probably thinking, she is one of those reformed smokers. I try not to be. There are still times when I would love to draw on one. My husband smokes and it bothers the heck out of me. I am on him all the time, but partly because it would be so easy for me to start again. Well, I didn't mean to write a book. Hope you can get this figured out and feel better soon. Barb<<