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I had ascending aortic anuerysm surgery and still have pain 2 years later

Posted , 10 users are following.

julia1961
julia1961

My aaa was discovered during an MRI. The aneurysm was 6.5 and was told that surgery was eminent. So I went through with it, 6 hours, 8 days in hospital, 3 mons off work. The surgery saved my life but I will never be the same. 2 yrs later and I still have pain. I would like to know if anyone has had this surgery and what was there experience and any advice?

2 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • Lifeisgood999
    Lifeisgood999 julia1961

    Posted

    Thanks for sharing your situation. Haven't had surgery but praying you get encouragement from others on this forum.

    I think of this group as family. You can't get through stuff like this without support.

    Keep us posted.

    🌼🌼🌼🌼

  • jennifer85396
    jennifer85396 julia1961

    Posted

    Hi Julia, my husband was just diagnosed with a aaa. His is thoracic and is about 4:3, some day I am sure he will need surgery. Where is your pain?
  • Rg_1972
    Rg_1972 julia1961

    Posted

    I'm wondering if you are one of the unlucky ones who's rib cage never healed properly, it would be a shame for the doctors not to mention that to you. But that all depends on where your pain is coming from, back or chest or whole upper body?

    • julia1961
      julia1961 Rg_1972

      Posted

      The doctors didnt say much, just that it was a big surgery.Next check up i will say more. But the pain is all along my incision starting alittle left of between my shoulder blades and ends just left of mid abdomen, 36 ".

  • Guest
    Guest julia1961

    Posted

    I had the same surgery May 2016. I still have pain. I also experience pain in my arms and dizziness.
    • julia1961
      julia1961 Guest

      Posted

      Do you have pain in your rib cage. I have it all along my incision and mid back. Did you tell your doc about the pain and dizziness. Seems like they don't say much, just that it will get better and it doesn't.

    • Guest
      Guest julia1961

      Posted

      My doctors are well aware of my pain. I tell them EVERY chance I get. They have told me it could be one of several things or a combination of things. Their diagnosis is either muscle tissue slow to heal (probably scar tissue), a fractured rib (during surgery) or the wires holding my sternum together are causing the pain. He said any of these could not be easily repaired, it would require reopening my chest. "NO THANK YOU DOCTOR", I said!! My incision still hurts and my chest hurts to the right of the incision and it goes into the right shoulder blade. Also, my arms suddenly goes numb and weak but ache at the same time... Ive been told that the dizziness is a form of vertigo brought on by the surgery.. I was told prior to surgery to expect a "new normal", I wasnt expecting this..

    • Lifeisgood999
      Lifeisgood999 Guest

      Posted

      You've been through a LOT, gigi2007! I admire your strength and courage.

      And thanks for being so open about your experience.

      Praying your pain subsides at some point and your quality of life improves. So glad you are a survivor.

    • Guest
      Guest Lifeisgood999

      Posted

      Thank you annc999! I take it all in stride and I do my best to not let it get me down. I am thankful for life and I keep looking forward..

      The best to you!

    • julia1961
      julia1961 Guest

      Posted

      Oh I see they went in through the front with you. Every surgery is different, but I wished they would have told me there's a new normal. But we're still here so I guess we gotta make the best of it. Thanks for sharing.

    • Rg_1972
      Rg_1972 Guest

      Posted

      Gigi, did you take any pain medications to to start with when you came home from the hospital?
    • Guest
      Guest Rg_1972

      Posted

      I was sent home with Oxycodone & Tylenol. Then Neurontin/gabapentin (for nerve pain) which I was allergic to, eventually Lyrica/pregabalin (also for nerve pain) which I would advise anyone to discuss thoroughly with their doctor before taking (horrid withdrawals). As the pain became tolerable, 650mg Tylenol and Lidocaine cream and warm compresses or heating pad. I went to physical therapy also.

    • Rg_1972
      Rg_1972 Guest

      Posted

      How long did you take the Oxycodone for?
    • Guest
      Guest Rg_1972

      Posted

      The first 3-4 weeks of being home. My surgery was on a Friday and I went home on Tuesday.
    • Rg_1972
      Rg_1972 Guest

      Posted

      I was wondering about that because the first few weeks in healing is the most important and Oxycodone will delay that and make it worse in the long run have you considered taking CoQ10 now?
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