Painful legs

[Pattylynn]

My partner had a triple bypass in May with veins harvested from one arm and one leg. He has been experiencing pain and heaviness in both legs, not just the one which had the vein removed. He has had a Doppler test and there is no problem with the blood flow. His doctor says she is at a loss to diagnose what the problem is! Can anyone help please?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Until I saw that the Doppler was clear I was going to suggest PAD (peripheral arterial disease that I suffer from). Baby any chance was he on anti-anginals before surgery and not now? I found isosorbide mononitrate eased the leg pain. Also is there any sign of odema?

[Pattylynn in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you for your reply. Not really sure what anti anginals are but he has had previous heart attacks and surgery and was therefore on loads of meds to prevent it happening again. Also, for a couple of days prior to his surgery he was having GTN infusion constantly due to the pain. There is slight swelling on the leg where the vein was harvested but not on both.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Pattylynn]

An anti-anginal drug has an action similar to GTN spray. The most common is isosorbide mononitrate. This is a nitrate (like GTN) although other common ones are CCIs (calcium channel inhibitors). They are taken once or twice daily to prevent angina rather than treating with GTN spray when it occurs. There action also reduces the symptoms of PAD. PM me if you wish.

[Chappychap]

I'm three weeks post a triple bypass and I'm noticing something similar, bruising and some discomfort with the leg that didn't have the vein removed.

It's a bit of a guess but I think it's because I sleep on my side, and the leg that had the vein removed is pressing down on the other leg. I'm going to try cushioning with a pillow or a rolled up towel and see if that reduces the bruising.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Chappychap]

If you had open heart surgery you should still be sleeping on your back!

[Chappychap in reply to MichaelJH]

I specifically checked this out with the hospital staff, and their advice was very clear. Do not sleep on your front, but post discharge it's perfectly okay to sleep on either side or on your back.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Chappychap]

Okey dokey, the guidelines I had were to sleep on my back. This was also given to a friend's wife post triple valve surgery. Apparently lying on your side can strain the breastbone.

[Chappychap in reply to MichaelJH]

Here's a PDF of the discharge recommendations for bypass patients from Guy's Hospital,

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...

They say you're fine sleeping on your side.

[Roamie in reply to MichaelJH]

I still choose to sleep on my back, 3 months post bypass and valve surgery. Much more comfortable for me. I wish you well

[horac]

I had a triple 18 months ago and was extremely irritated with the leg scar itching. Rubbed vitamin E oil on scar once or twice and it seems to have worked. Not sure why or how.Got oil from a herbal shop after recommendation from a chemist

[horac]

PS Is he walking enough?? Exercise is key after a triple but do not overexercise the chest/shoulders; I broke the wires holding my breastbones together