Myectomy - Sternem pain

[Fred]

I have a question for my fellow post myectomy friends , I'm 20 months post myectomy and for the last 4 months or so I'm having more and more sternum tightness, from the bottom of my sternum (where your 'spoon' connects to the rib case) going up about 1 - 1 1/2 inches.

It seems like the change in the weather has some play in it. But I was wondering if other people have this same issue. And what you are doing about it. I put my fist against it and apply pressure, or I hold my breath and try to expand my chest to put pressure on it from the inside out.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Fred

[shirleymahoney]

Fred

It is going on 16 months since surgery and i still have pain and forget about me trying to touch the opposite shoulder with my hand it really hurts, but i also have Osteoporosis so that may be why mine still hurts, i hope you get to feeling better soon

Shirley

[Pam Alexson]

Fred ,

I think it ; the discomfort, could be from any of several different sources. Have you discussed this discomfort with your doctor. Perhaps he / she would order an x-ray. I do still almost 2 years later still get areas of discomfort, like Shirley. I too have issues with osteoporosis. Also there could be a costrochronditis( an inflamation in the cartilage that separates the ribs). I know of some individuals that have reported such. Also I am aware of a similar sensation but more to the right of the ziphoid process( spoon to you). I too feel it at times that I am on my feet too much and my abdominal girth has swollen( measurable by tape). You made me laugh cause I push in on it too to get relief a bit. I have always told my doctor I think it is my liver as it gets engorged with blood/ fluid on days I have overdone. They tend to agree. I get off my feet and take a rest and it backs off. Try checking your girth in the am and then when it occurs , monitor your weight and fluid retention. See if when it happens , lying down for a bit, to see if it is relieved and if the girth diminishes. I wake up in the morning with one dimmension around the mid section and go to bed at night with another.

I hope this helps.

Pam