Pain relief

[canihelpu]

My husband had a quadruple bypass 27/03/19 up until two days ago Paracetamol every 4hrs was keeping the pain under control. This is no longer the case wonder if anyone else has had similar experience. I have contacted GP for advice awaiting phone call

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Where is the pain originating; the breastbone, the donor sites for the graft, within the chest, angina type pains, etc?

He is barely four weeks post bypass - could he have overdone it?

[canihelpu in reply to MichaelJH]

Pain is from breastbone GP has prescribed Co-Codamol 30/500. Hubby has taken 2 about an hour ago and is sleeping soundly at the side of me 💤💤

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to canihelpu]

I was discharged with Tramadol as Paracetamol was ineffective. Over the next three weeks I tailed this down to nothing.

It is also important to keep up the breathing exercises - iy helps the healing process and reduces pain. Those who didn't struggled initially at rehab. He should start this in three or four weeks.

[canihelpu in reply to MichaelJH]

Many thanks for the breathing exercises you have confirmed what I have been saying to hubby. 🤣He has taken more notice of your reply than me so big thanks 🤣

[shopman]

Seeing as it is now turned 7pm on a Bank Holiday weekend did you receive a call back from your GP?

[canihelpu in reply to shopman]

We have an amazing GP and fantastic receptionist. Got a call at 5.10pm asking were the pain was told to await a call back which came at 5.25 told could go pick prescription up before 6pm which I did and had Co-Codamol by 5.55pm As I say GP &. Staff are ⭐️⭐️

[Deanosbeano]

I went on 30/500 cocodamol around week 6 ,for 10 days was prescribed 2 every 4 hours but 1 was plenty

[canihelpu in reply to Deanosbeano]

Hubby prescribed same has taken 2 before bed and now is sleeping soundly. I’m hoping he can manage on 1 which I will suggest and show him your reply. Hope you are doing well

[Chappychap]

Be careful, co-codamol tablets are addictive.

Was your husband prescribed co-codamol when he was discharged from hospital?

[canihelpu in reply to Chappychap]

My husband was discharged from hospital without pain relief but with the advise to take paracetamol which up to a couple of days ago were sufficient. Thanks for your warning regarding addiction we were aware of that. We are very lucky to have a fantastic GP who would not prescribe another prescription without seeing my husband

[Chappychap in reply to canihelpu]

When I was discharged after a bypass the hospital sent me home with about ten days or a fortnight's worth of co-codamol together with a stern lecture regarding how addictive they are. There are many people on the forum who report a similar pattern so i'd assumed that was the standard.

And sure enough, after about two weeks the pain/discomfort definitely dropped a level. Having said that, some days were better than others, and if you overdo things (particularly by lifting or carrying things, the guideline is lift no more than a half filled kettle) then you generally pay a price!

So it seems odd that your husband's pain levels are going up after two weeks rather than going down. Maybe he pushed himself a little too hard?

[canihelpu in reply to Chappychap]

I have taken three weeks off from work to look after my hubby. Believe me he hasn’t overdone it. He hasn’t even made a cup of tea 🤣 He has been walking but not at any speed and is up to about 15mins. I am concerned regarding the increase in pain. Will see how things go with the Co-Codamol over the Easter break. We have had a stressful time as he developed what looked like a blister on the calf of his donor leg which is now ok but I had to be very assertive to get medical attention.

[Janma123]

My husband had a CABG x4 last April and was discharged with both paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. He eventually was prescribed a very low dose of Amitriptyline as his scar was bothering him, and that worked wonders - he only took it for about 6 weeks.

I hope your husband makes a good recovery - everyone’s recovery is different and sometimes bones and nerves become more painful as they heal.