disturbed sleep shooting pains

[caromik]

my sister just 10 days post triple bypass. she does ok during day. very little pain, but at nite when trying to sleep she has stabbing pains, over her heart area. odd ones have been like a fierce spasm and really quite painful. anybody experienced these?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! What painkillers is she on?

[caromik in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you. we will introduce them again at nite. Its so very individual isnt it. still early days. reassuring that others can share tips. x

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to caromik]

I came out of hospital on Tramadol three times daily. After the first week home I just took it morning and evening. Then after another week evening only (not being able to sleep because of pain is draining and you will not get a medal). OHS is massively invasive and affrcts many areas.

[LHDLondon]

This does happen. I was fortunate enough to be able to control my pain with only regular paracetamol. I would recommend calling 111, your GP surgery or mentioning to your health visitor.

[caromik in reply to LHDLondon]

thank you for ur reply. because shes comfortable during day, i think maybe she hasnt thought to take at nite. we will try that, thank you.

[LHDLondon]

One more comment ....apologies.......... the paracetamol regime can/should be continued even if not in pain. The whole point is to sort of surf through on a mild painkiller rather than anything more powerful. Taking them only when in pain means there’s a lead time before they take effect. Remember take 2 every 4hrs at normal doseage and no mire than 8 in any one day (meaning basically that you try to lengthen some of the intervals from 4hrs)

[Hidden]

Very early days for your sister and a lot of healing still going on, I found the Cardio Rehab Nurse to be the best for support and advice (far better than my ex GP)

Best of luck to your sister

[jimmyq]

Be aware that her complete recovery could take months.

[Chappychap]

I came off painkillers at four weeks post bypass. I'd been on paracetamol and codeine up until then, I reduced the codeine down to just before bedtime for about a week before that. With hindsight it's clear the pain was the breastbone healing, but because it's all in the heart area it's easy to become anxious.

Your sister is still very early in the healing process and it sounds like some stronger pain relief is warranted. But she shouldn't be downcast, it's all normal and in a just a couple of weeks she'll almost certainly be feeling much improved.

She should be trying to walk every day, and to stretch the distance she goes that bit further each day. It's a shame the weather's so miserable at the moment, but your lungs take a terrible beating during heart surgery, and fully reflating them via breathing exercises and brisk walking is critical to your sense of recovery and wellbeing.