Back pain

[Billyjean123]

Hello everyone

I am new here and wanted to find out if anyone has had similar symptoms. I am 3 weeks post bypass and have been getting intermittent pain mid way down my back on either side at the bottom of my ribs. Is this a familiar problem to anyone? Thanks very much.

Liz

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I have not had this but wonder if it your sleeping position. After OHS we are advised to sleep on our backs as the breast bone heals. Most also like to be propped up slightly. If not done with care you may not be supported properly and suffer the odd ache and pain. I brought an NRS backrest support of Amazon - well worth the £20 it cost.

[Billyjean123 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael. I will have a look, I think I am able to lie on my side but proper back support may help.

[Alison_L in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks, Michael. I only have 1 pillow in bed, and was wondering how I was going to cope after OHS!

[rockie1952]

When they perform the bypass operation they cut through your sternum then pull your ribs out wide to gain access to your heart. So pains around the ribs and back are not unusual. I found a video of a bypass op on YouTube, which was very useful. I am glad I did not watch it before the op but glad I watched it afterwards, as it explains a lot of the aches and pains.

[Billyjean123 in reply to rockie1952]

Thanks for your reply. I’m not sure I’m ready to watch a video as still feeling very scared about the whole experience at the moment. Was an emergency CABG. I’m just keen to make sure it’s not a problem with my lungs.

[wiltsgirl]

Hi Billyjean123, welcome. I am nearly 5 months post bypass and experienced neck and upper shoulder pain about a month after. It is early days for you and as the others have said your whole position changes, sleeping, sitting, moving and this can I think mean that you put pressure on other parts of your body to compensate for not being truly able to use for example, your arms to bare your weight, sneezing and coughing too. If you're like me I was impatient to get back to normal, however you need to listen to your body and rest and adapt. You should have cardio rehab sorted at around 6 weeks so you can always speak to the nurses there. Best of luck xx

[Billyjean123 in reply to wiltsgirl]

Thanks very much for your reply. That’s really helpful. I am probably expecting too much from my body like you, keen to return to normal as soon as possible. Head and body seem disconnected at the moment (not literally of course haha!). Head wants to forget what’s happened and move on but body won’t allow me to!

Hoping this improves with time.

[wiltsgirl in reply to Billyjean123]

You have that right, I was in a complete shock and denial. It does get better, and you are here, you have survived. Remember that. x

[Billyjean123 in reply to wiltsgirl]

Thanks so much for your support. So appreciated x

[wiltsgirl in reply to Billyjean123]

anytime x