I had my third OHS in November and the recovery went great for the most part; no sternum complications.
About 24 hours ago, I noticed that my chest hurt when I took a deep breath or pressed on my sternum. I do not have shortness of breath so I honestly chalked it up to heartburn (even though I don't typically get that), took a zantac with a glass of water, and went to bed.
This morning, I woke up feeling like someone kicked me in the sternum. It hurts to breathe, hurts when I move my arms, and the left side of my chest hurts worse when I lightly press it compared to the right (though, the right a bit hurts, as well). The pain radiates mostly from the left side and I feel it radiating in my left shoulder if I take a deep breath or bend a certain way.
Again, I do NOT have any shortness of breath and all of my previous surgeries were due to CHD so I'm not concerned about anything life threatening.
I am wondering if anyone has ever experienced a broken sternum wire and if what I'm describing sounds like what they felt?
I left a message with my doctor so I'll hear back from them later but I wanted to hop onto a forum to see if anyone else could relate in the meantime.
Thanks!