kirshbaum's Journal

I've been taking low dose aspirin since my aortic valve replacement four years ago. Recently I had a screening colonoscopy and gastroscopy (because of family history). There is some evidence of ulceration/gastritis and damage to the wall of the small intestine near the stomach. It is likely that aspirin might have caused this problem combined with advancing age - I'm 61 and everything seems to thin out and weaken. Has anyone had a similar experience. Biopsies were taken and I am waiting for the results. I would be interested in hearing from other folks please. [My name is Marilynne as first name, cannot figure out to change it around)

I would love to hear about other people's experiences of ongoing pain over the sternum. It has been 6 weeks now and I am still troubled by the discomfort that I first noticed in ICU after my aortic valve replacement. The pain to the left of the incision (only sore on one side), doesn't get relieved much by painkillers and is most noticeable moving around and up out of bed. It's a dull but also sort of sharp ache and also noticeable when I take deep breathes still. Could it be internal wires that are pressing on the nerves? The thought of having to go to surgery and have the wires removed is distressing - I really want to continue to get stronger and well again. My follow up appointment with my cardiologist is still not for another 4 weeks and the clinic is very busy, I am told, so no option for an earlier appointment. If I have chest pain, I am told to go to the ER. My GP is completely non-committal about this pain - she is not sure what it could be. Is this just soreness that will settle down in the next month, 6 months...? Thanks.