FIRST POST

[DavidKeith52]

Hi guys, I've just joined the forum so am pretty new here. I had a triple bypass in January 2018 and, although the operation has gone well, my chest wound is still very tender, and I now have shoulder pain as well. Just thought I'd look in and see if anyone is having similar problems.

[Maxijazz1]

Hi DavidKeith. I had a double bypass in May and am finding that recently I am experiencing tenderness/stinging chest wound. I have been given desensitisation and hypersensitivity info by my Cardiac Rehab nurse and am also wearing silicone strips at present. I was told that it is the nerve endings and in time this will improve. The shoulder pain which I suffered was quite painful but was informed that this was because of the arm positions during surgery. I used a deep heat cream for a few weeks and found gentle shoulder exercises helped. I do feel for you though as sometimes the pain can catch my breath. Hope this helps

[DavidKeith52 in reply to Maxijazz1]

Hi Maxijazz1, Thanks for your reply. I have had several different pieces of advice on dealing with the chest wound. Some say put nothing on it at all, some say use Kelo-Cote gel, hydrocolloid dressings, and finally bio oil. I've tried them all, but nothing seems to help. I've been told that I have keloid scarring and that this is quite common, but it's still quite tender even 8 months down the line.

That's interesting to hear you have suffered shoulder pain as well and that it was down to the arm positions during surgery. I haven't heard of this before. The strange thing is that my shoulder pain didn't start until about 6 months after my surgery.

Thanks for sharing your symptoms, and I hope you make a full recovery!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

One thing that helps with breastbone tenderness/ discomfort is deep breathing although for some reason it seems little mentioned. Breathe in through nose for 5 seconds, hold for 6 and exhale completely through mouth for 7. You should notice an improvement in 10 - 14 days.

[DavidKeith52 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you, I’ll give that a try!

[invictaAlec]

David,

Seems like we may all be a bit different in this respect. My triple bypass was in June and I experienced shoulder pains more or less straightaway and for the first few weeks of recovery. I was told it was probably due to arm positions during surgery too. Rather than a tenderness or stinging I would describe my chest wound as feeling quite numb in places. I believe as nerve endings slowly repair that this might give way to a feeling of itchiness.

I have to agree though, it does seem odd to me that your shoulder pains have only just started now. Keep us informed of any developments.

Alec.

[DavidKeith52 in reply to invictaAlec]

Hi Alec, thanks for that. It would certainly make more sense to be painful immediately after surgery. At first I thought it might be a side effect from the drugs, but I’ve been off them now for 2 months. I’ll let you know if any changes. Thanks again.

David