5 weeks post op and I am getting pain in my left shoulder and upper back.

[Nanny72]

IS it normal to now be getting this pain. I had thought things would be getting better but I seem to be going backwards.

The pain is stopping me from sleeping

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Nanny,

possibly the result of the operation itself. The muscles around your chest, your shoulders and back have all been through trauma and are just settling down. Might be an idea to have a word with your GP and see if you can get some physio though it may be considered a little early after the op

good luck Mark

[Fortepiano]

This may be just muscle pain from the op, but if it is getting worse I would see your GP just to check you don't have a pleural effusion/ infection. I had pericarditis, which is worse lying down and stopped me sleeping ( typically with pericarditis the pain gets less if you lean right forward and put your head on your knees).

Go to your GP and get it checked out - you need your sleep!

[Bazmack48]

Hi Nanny72, I had keyhole surgery in Sep 2015 to remove a tumour which was in my thymus gland, they removed the thymus as well. I still cannot wear a bra of any type because of the pain across the scar. The consultant told me it was because a lot of nerves were damaged during surgery and things may improve gradually. I know my op was totally different to yours but if nerves were ‘upset’ during your op they will need time to recover. Give your body time but if you are that uncomfortable go and see your GP. I always have an X-ray form at home so if I have any problems get the X-ray done and phone consultant.

[MKB38]

Hi Nanny, all the advice so far is very valid. I too had neck and shoulder pain on the left. I continued to take my pain killers which helped, and you can keep the parts moving, Maybe very gentle stretching? At 11 weeks I also got a pain in my neck on the left of my neck when I took a deep breath. At the cardiac rehab she suggested that it was possibly scar tissue which had stuck. Well after my first rehab session it seems much better, so I think she was right.

5 weeks is still really early days, do not overdo things. It is very easy to strain the muscles which have been affected. Take care x

[Nanny72]

Thank you for your input. I start cardiac rehab next week. This whole thing has been much worse than I expected.

My granddaughter has had multiple open heart surgery since birth (23 now) and she tells me it is to be expected.

The doctor has now given me codeine but it does not have much of an effect and I am concerned about side effects

[gal4God]

I got a infection and get back and chest pain.