Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
sternum pain
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
sternum pain
by Ron__0, Aug 01, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Ron on August 01, 1999 at 10:02:32
I have had numerous procedures done since Dec. 31, 1998. It started with angioplasty and 2 stents that lasted 2 months. The doctors then put in another stent after seeing those collasped. this time it only lasted 1 month. Then my chest pain got so bad they did another angiogram t see that all the stents were failing and said I needed to have by-pass surgey done right away to avoid a heart attack. This was done in May of 1998. I have had pain every day since then. I have had 2 wires removed to see if that was the case but the pain still is there. They started checking for a problem with my heart and have found it to be fine. This week I had a angiogram that showed everything to be fine and then a dobutamime scan showed all the muscles and blood flow was fine. I was told to see if is muscular, so I made a visit to my surgeon. He said he still can feel a loose wire but does not think it would be worthwhile to remove it because it may do mor harm than good. My regular doctor has tried all kinds of inflammatory meds with no luck. The pain is right in the area where the incision is and sometimes it starts at my arm pits where it feels the same. This has been going on now foe 14 months and I am just about at the end of my rope and patience with it. It truly does hurt and it has affected my life dramatically. I do not want to do much of anything with family or friends and that is not me at all. I work hard and have no problem as long as I keep moving. But when I get relaxed that is when the pain really comes on. I mhave had all the acid reflux tests done including endoscopy, 24 hr. P.H. monitor, holter monitor,etc... All come back fine. What else could this be and if it is innercoustel muscle what can I take? I am on the Ornish diet and I take Plavix, Toporol XL, Imdur, Asprin, Asprin, Vit E, and 12 Motrin for this pain, and Pravachol. I guess I am hoping you will have some sort of answer through your expertise. I have considered making a trip up to your hospital but I don't want to come if it sounds like something that can not be fixed. Sorry about the length of this but like I said I have come to the end of my rope with this and I want to get it fixed or ... well I don't know
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 02, 1999 at 09:52:46
Dear Ron
The pain does not seem to be from the heart or gastrointestinal system. This makes it likely that is from the muscles and bones of the chest wall. However, it is surprising that physical activity does not bring on the pain. At this point, I would recommend that you see a pain specialist or go to a hospital with a center that has a chronic pain clinic. They may be able to determine the cause of the pain and prescribe medications that help.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
