Thoracic Surgery (Xiphoid Process Removal) - Can someone please say if this is normal?

[mawinter]

I had my xiphoid process removed toward the end of last month. It was knocked loose from the sternum and bent outwards. Immediately following the surgery every time I would get up from laying down I would feel a pressure pulling feeling on my sternum, this feeling would eventually go away after a few minutes of sitting up. I was informed this was normal and probably felt it also a little bit more than others due to being big chested. A few days following the surgery my wound decided to start leaking and up until two weeks ago still was. During the time being treated for the leaking wound I also developed Bronchitis (YAY!) and have been suffering for the past two weeks now with it (on antibiotics since last week). About 3 weeks ago I started to feel like I was having muscle spasms at the center of my chest and also informed this too was normal, and probably exaggerated by the fact I also have Bronchitis. In the last week the muscles directly between my breasts feel more tight and the pressure pulling feeling feels more constant. Of course again I am told this is all a normal part of healing from such a surgery, but I am left thinking one usually feels better as more and more time goes on and I am certainly not.

[mawinter]

Nobody has had any thoracic surgery in the chest area?

[HopeClearwater]

Replying as you've had no responses thus far... I had thoracic surgery this year (video assisted thoracic surgery) and have had various aches and pains since, which I've been told are the muscles and nerves knitting back together (layman's terms I'm afraid but I'm not a medic).

[mawinter]

Thanks for replying! I guess i will chalk it all up to being normal then. :)

[tomprochelo]

Hi, there can you please tell me the longterm results of this surgery? It has been over a year now.. Not sure how this site works but if you could please PM me. I am considering this surgery and really want to hear how it worked for you? Really really appreciate any input you can give me.. Thanks!

[grannotmum]

Hello, I found the earlier thread on Xiphoid surgery. I am in awful pain from my xiphoid which is affecting breathing and movement I am desperately searching for a hospital that will perform this op. and have been for several years. PLEASE could the earlier poster or anyone else who knows let me know, no-one in my local hospital believes this condition exists, I've spent 4+ years going from one department to another and in increasing pain. Please can anyone help? Thank you.

[Tullyg4]

Hi grannotmum. I really feel for you my husband had been in severe pain had all tests and kept telling all hospital and Drs it wad his xiphoid and it needed removing they dismissed this he was hospitalised 10 x in 5 months put on morphine steroid injections literally housebound aggravated on movementcoukdnt work and more or less becoming addicted to morphine We had to fight and insist we were listened to and thankfully 1 brill consultant listened and fought our corner. My husband had his op 2 weeks ago and he is a different person. It got to the point where he was suicidal with the pain. Where do you live? Please just insist and plead and show them the facts that this is a condition that goes undiagnosed and although not life threatening threatens people's lives.
Good luck.

[grannotmum]

Thank you so much! I have been told so many times that I was exaggerating or imagining this that I was almost ready to believe it myself. I live in SE London but could travel if I had to. Overjoyed to know that there may be relief out there. I have recently had a small legacy and would go private if I had to, though I only have a small pension. I have a severe allergy to morphine so I just have pain and inability to move much or wear clothes that touch my xiphoid area.

[grannotmum]

Tullyg4, forgot to ask for details and consultant's name and to say thank you for your reply. Thank you again and again..

[Quetta]

Grannotmum and Tullyg4 - have just seen your thread on getting painful xiphoid process removed on the NHS. I damaged mine in a rock climbing accident about 15 years ago. Result was that it sticks out permanently and wobbles about too. Had physio from time to time and one chap managed to get it back to normal position. What a relief to breathe properly again but short lived and it popped out again. Told number of different GPs about the discomfort but dismissed. I don't think it is a problem that they have any/much experience with. Now have hiatus hernia which is hugely exacerbating problem as adds pressure on already tender xiphoid process. Asked if op available on NHS and told no. Understand it is simple and low risk but cannot afford to go private. Can you let me have any post op follow on info and contact details of NHS surgeon who does do this op? Much appreciate a response as I am desperate to get it resolved and feel I can breathe again, quite apart from less pain. Thanks

[grannotmum]

It's nice to know that I am not the only one and I am not going mad. After6 years of being sent to all departments of my local hospital and checked for just about everything, I am now more or less disabled. I have however-at last- got a consultant appointment at Guy's Hospital next Tuesday. More or less by confronting my GP with this thread and asking "Why not?" Whether I get surgery is another matter, but I will post the results. I am now unable to do anything involving movement of the xiphoid area and have several major muscles on my right abdominal wall that have completely atrophied presumably since my injury 6 years ago when all this started. I can afford a private op due to a legacy but the appointment with the consultant is NHS, so fingers crossed! I will definitely let you know.

[Quetta]

Thank you for posting a reply to my question. Good luck for next Tuesday and would be very interested to hear how you got on. If XP removal op can be done on the NHS, probably worth my coming down from Scotland with referral from my GP.

[Sox123]

Quetta

Did you get anywhere regards referral for your Xyphoid Process.
I'm due to see my Throriac Surgeon and he says he can take mine out in August . I'm hoping it resolves my pain

[Fihar]

Hello! I’m currently having Xiphoid pain (since march) had investigations from Gastro. Just had X-ray today on Xiphoid area ?displacement. Just looking for advice regarding navigating GP / thoracic surgery advice? Thanks

[pollyanna1962]

@Fihar have you made any progress with this issue. I'm presently trying to get help for mine. I'm in Yorkshire.
@sox123 did you have yours removed how did it go? Can I ask what area of UK you are?

[Sox123]

@Fiher. Yes I had mine removed September 2020 . Quick recovery too.

[pollyanna1962]

@Sox123 please please tell me more? I'm going insane trying to find a UK person had this done. Like where you are or who you had, just anything, I've been 4 years trying to find answers and now I'm so near but still so far. Can I message you? Im just a 59 year old lady by the way.

[Sox123]

@pollyanna1962. Yes if you have Facebook messenger. It was at James Cook Hospital Middleborough Joel Dunning cardio thoracic surgeon.

[pollyanna1962]

@Sox123 thank you I have sent you a message in here with my facebook on it.

[Geeman001]

Hi did any of you guys that had Xiphoid process removed have any complications after the op. I'm trying to get mine removed. Are you able to live a normal life again after the operation?
I fractured mine about 18 months ago. Like some of you I'm having a problem getting a doctor and the medical health insurance to believe I have this problem. I had an x-ray done on a very old machine and where the Xiphoid is located there is just a blur. The x-ray report says there are no abnormalities.
I know its fractured, I felt and heard it break but the doctors seem not to believe me, even though it's obvious it's broken because there is lump and daily pain. They're talking about trying to treat the area with steroids. It's like I'm dealing with people that don't know about this problem.

[Fihar]

@pollyanna1962 hi Pollyanna I’ve sent you a msg x

[pollyanna1962]

@Fihar Ive replied to your private message.

[KerryAus]

I had a c section 7 weeks ago and I think they have dislocated my xiphoid. I went for x ray but the X-ray department said they couldn’t do it as it wouldn’t show up.
Can’t seem to get any answers from GP as she has never dealt with it before.
It’s very painful and hard to carry baby xx
Do I ask to see a specialist?