ASD closure

[Katgroome]

I'm a 36 yr old female - had a non-invasive ASD closure in March 2008.  Since the surgery, I've had pressure in my upper chest and neck, with some tenderness in the area of my heart and shoulder.  I've had x-rays and echocardiogram completed a couple of weeks after the surgery and it was determined that everything was ok.  I was sent back to my primary care - she was unsure of the cause but felt it would get better with time.  The tenderness has improved but the pressure has persisted over 6 months.  If the heart tests show my heart is fine, what other options should I pursue?  This has only happened after the surgery so I'm positive it is related.   My cardiologist and primary care are not helpful, therefore I wanted to pursue other options. What could I request as something that should be checked?  It's frustrating that I feel worse after the surgery and am unable to return to the things I did before I had the ASD closed.  I don't want to let it go so long it becomes a more serious problem.

[Katgroome]

I've continued to pursue the chest pressure... my doctors are still stumped.  My primary care put me on Prilosec to see if it was GI related.  So far (3 months treatment) I haven't seen improvement.  

Thank you for your comments - I'm in the process of changing my primary care.  Hopefully, I'll get a new perspective.

Kathy

[momtofourboys]

I am wondering if you could have scar tissue damage that is causing the pain. Trust me when I say I understand your frustration. when My now 4 year old had his open heart surgery when he was 3 months old (had a VSD, ASD and a PDA repair) they said he has small issues, but now they aren't so small in my eyes but getting someone to LISTEN is the hard part. if I had the $$ to go to te cleveland clinic I would but from VT to there is too much. I would keep plugging away until you are comfrotable with what doctors are saying, even if that means get another opinion.
good lick
michelle