Were you sent home with a spirometer? You should have been given one in the hospital and continued at home.

Thanks,


you're right, I wasn't able to find anything in any of the forums about shortness of breath side effects post-op, and was curious if it was quite common or not, or how long it lasted for most people who did have it. Yes, I was having shortness of breath since the surgery, even when in the hospital, I just figured it would resolve in a week or so. it's been 5 weeks post-op and i'm still having to walk extremely slow (having to take breaks every 10 ft or so), even when i'm just resting I still struggle to breathe sometimes, throws me off guard every time (a couple times a day). As to a spirometer, No i wasn't even given one when I was in the hospital or when I was discharged home, I never even heard of it, until I just googled it. Thanks again for the responses!!

Katie

Hi Katie,

Shortness of breath as you have described it, is pleurisy. As i mentioned in my earlier post, any messing with the lining of the lung, and it is just right there next to the rib, will cause an irritation and it will let you know. Surgery induced pleurisy, I have read, has to run its course.

Don't fuss too much about your current impairments with your arm and breathing. It is a normal part of post surgery for many. The doctors won't tell you about the nerves they tunnel through as it could scare away a patient and its money in their pocket. Have a look at images of the brachial plexus and other nerve bundles that are in your neck and shoulder. The surgery is through so many nerves that look after your arm, it will take months to get reasonable strength back but it will return.

Having 'problems' post surgery that you were not warned about in pre-op is affronting to anyone and I admit, I did not take it very well, once I realised that there were so many things I could not do. Most of it returns over time and if you are young and fit, you will bounce back no problems.

For now, don't push the boundaries too far, accept limitations and settle in for gentle recuperation.

Talk to your physician about a spirometer. It will help get you back to normal quicker. It is disappointing they did not start you on it in the hospital.

I need to add that if any imaging.....xray, etc. shows that the diaphragm is elevated into the lung space that it is an indication that the phrenic nerve has been damaged and can definitely cause breathing issues. When that occurs the phrenic nerve can take a while to heal....it is the "motor" that works the diaphragm which will be weak and possibly take a lengthy time to work as it is supposed to.
I know because my diaphragm was still elevated at 20 months post op.

Thanks everyone,

I'll check with the Dr this week and ask if the diaphragm might be elevated on imaging. I know my referring Dr never mentioned anything on my last visit, It sounds like it might be Pleurisy. I'll be double check what the imaging results are. it helps to know, it might take much longer than anticipated, but i'm glad you's are able to give me an options on the subject!

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated!!!

Katie

You would likely have a lot of chest pain if it was pleurisy....I would ask to see the imaging & have them explain what it is showing as far as the diaphragm and where it is in relation to the lung space it might be invading.