Good day to all, I recently had my left styloid removed a week ago, and it was 8 cm!!
A week later after the surgery, I have been experiencing mild chest discomfort intermittently, along with my left arm sometimes feeling numb or tingly (it does not feel like this all the time). My lungs feel inflamed, like it’s a burning sensation when I breathe. It doesn’t hurt, just burns. (feels like covid lungs or smoking a menthol cigarette for the first time/ OR like when you exercise in freezing weather and you get that lung burning feeling when you finally rest). Sometimes I get a little pain near my heart but not enough to where I would feel like there is something completely wrong.
I’ve researched a lot on this and I’m concerned it could be a possible pulmonary embolism, but I have a follow up with my PCP tomorrow and trying to hold off until then. I refuse to go to the ER due to not wanting to rack up another $1,000 bill which I cannot afford. Urgent care won’t be much help either.
I’ve exercised a bit on the treadmill, nothing too harsh, and the discomfort does not increase. When I do bend over to pick something up off the floor, I do feel there is a little pressure near my heart area. I do have a history of GERD/acid reflux on my chart, and research says that GERD can imitate some symptoms. I’m on day 2 of taking acid reflux medicine OTC.
I’m just concerned if the surgery could have caused more issues, or if my vagus nerve could be the culprit here. It’s been like this since Saturday.
I’m sorry that you’re experiencing this after your surgery…If you get very breathless I definitely wouldn’t put off going to the ER though. It could be the vagus nerve, it is one commonly irritated after surgery… This post might be interesting for you to read as @GrnyAny mentions a tight chest:
I agree with @Jules - sounds like vagus nerve irritation. It’s only been 1 week since surgery. Normal for nerves to be irritated and then dissipate over time! If it is vagus nerve, doctors don’t know squat about it and you wouldn’t get any treatment in ER for vagus nerve irritation. However, if it is something else and my hunch is incorrect, it’s definitely worth investigating.
@B2025 - My first thought was vagus nerve as it affects heart, lungs, & so many other things. Your burning lung sensation could be a throw back to the anesthesia from your surgery, though it’s pretty far past the time you had it.
I’ve had heart pain from my vagus nerve so I know that can be scary. I didn’t go to a doctor about it because like yours, it was very momentary & temporary but it’s happened off & on for years, though much less often now that my styloids are gone. I know my vagus nerve was impacted by my styloids because I had heart & blood pressure issues among my ES symptoms.
Try squatting instead of bending over for a few weeks more. You still have a lot of inflammation in your neck from the surgery & bending over/hanging your head down increases the pressure in there which will put more pressure on your vagus nerve too.
Hello again! I came here just now to update and see your inquiry! Thank you for asking
They said that I may have a virus, which could be the cause of the inflammation. I don’t buy that at all. I’m not too happy with the “could be this or that”- but my XRay came back normal. They said it could be Pleuresy or allergies. I don’t feel like I’m having any allergen responses, but who knows, the older we get the more our bodies change.
No signs of a pulmonary embolism or pneumonia. I basically just have to monitor my oxygen levels on my pulse oximeter (above 90) and keep on keeping on.
I’m starting to wonder since I have some nerve damage from the incision, if it could be causing the random chest pains. I’ve been googling so much I feel like I’m trying to get into medical school, lol. I just hope it’s the vagus nerve acting up if anything.
@B2025 - It’s good news that nothing of significance was found in your x-ray & the virus diagnosis does sound a bit lame - like the doctor felt like he had to tell you something as he couldn’t leave you thinking he didn’t have a clue what’s causing your symptoms.
I will emphasize that you’re in VERY EARLY recovery from your surgery & odd ball nerve pain symptoms will crop up & will come & go for some months to come as your body heals. Knowing that may help you to be able to take other unusual symptoms you may experience in stride, but I will also emphasize there is nothing wrong with seeing your doctor if you feel alarmed by something you’re experiencing just to get checked over to make sure there’s nothing happening at a deeper level.
Oh yes, and this morning I was contemplating taking Benadryl just in case, but I don’t like taking medicines unless I have to, my body is Sens-i-Tive (said this in my Major Payne voice)
I forgot to add that another symptom I told him was, before I had my styloid taken out, for the past few years I have had issues with my breathing, it always felt labored. When I would exhale, it was like I couldn’t get all the air out of my lungs, and it baffled me because I could understand the opposite, but being unable to exhale all the way just didn’t feel normal at all. After the styloid was taken out, I can breathe in and exhale as normal!! He said it could be inflammation from my vagus nerve being compressed in a way since it’s related to the lungs and heart, and maybe my lung intake was pinched a bit? but I will research some more on that myself for peace of mind.
but I will research some more on that myself for peace of mind.