Post bypass pain....

[muddy22]

Morning all, hope every one is doing okay today. Hubby had his triple bypass yesterday, went into high dependency around 6pm. This morning he is in a terrific amount of pain, can someone tell me if this is normal please?

[Gail1967]

I think yes it is normal but he is in best place and should be honest with how he is feeling with the nurses. I found once I was up and moving it all started getting easier and less painful each day

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I came around feeling I had been the victim of a Big Daddy Splash and in quite a bit of discomfort. However, pain at this early stage is usually managed by morphine. It has to be remembered that OHS is massively invasive. If he has mentioned the pain to you mention it to the nursing staff in case he has not. Sometimes people are re-sedated for 24/48 hours to keep them calm and let the healing begin. Good luck!

[Glasgowgirl1947]

He must not be in pain and must tell the nurses, they will ensure the doctor has written him up for pain meds it will be very unusual if they haven't!

[muddy22]

thanks for all replies. Problem hubby has is from cancer in 2011. He is already taking a huge amount of painkillers so think they have morphined him up. He was in less pain at noon as they had removed one of the stomach drains. I am hopeful it will get better each day. Its hateful being the "other" partner left waiting - it was bad enough when he had cancer!! So very VERY grateful for our NHS. Thank God.

[Handel in reply to muddy22]

I'm usually really laid back but I sat by my hubby in ICU and fainted. The pipes and tubes cause pain and distress but like Chaika said, those should be taken out in the next couple of days.

I felt so helpless when I sat with him each day. This was the first time ever he'd been in hospital - so, almost 70 years!! It's really hard but make sure you look after yourself.

He was moved to High Dependency the day after the op. He reacted badly to morphine and codeine so was just on paracetamol from day 2.

We wish you both love and best wishes. xxxxx

[Chaika]

I’m glad that he has had his treatment at last. And it’s good that it’s High Dependency he’s on, rather than ICU. I have been wondering how the two of you were getting on.

It will get better, and he will lose mechanical aids a bit at a time.

I agree. The lot of the partner watching their loved one in pain and having tubes and wires stuck into every available place is really traumatic, and stressful. We relatives need to be there for each other

[santisuk]

I had my triple 9 days ago. My surgeon in Thailand seemed to have a love affair with Tylenol (Tylenon? that's for kids, not heart crash victims!). I think I must have been getting something extra in ICU but when I was in more control of my own destiny in the regular beds it took quite a bit of persuasion for him to include a bit of opioid in the equation. Yes, I know the medical profession is acutely aware of the dangers of opioids but I am a 68 year old man who has lived undrugged thru the LSD and cocaine generations. I'm hardly going to become a junky now

Yes, as others have said make him be honest with the doctor on his daily visit and get him to press for more if he's uncomfortable. Make sure you are there at the relevant time if he's not feeling strong enough to press himself.

The pain is gruelling at times but now 9 days later I'm turning the corner.

[wiltsgirl]

Its such early days and I remember feeling that I had been hit by something hard in my chest, can't move, can't stretch without feeling it. Coughing needs to be managed using a pillow against the sternum. Make sure he is talking to the teams supporting his care, I thought I could take the pain but its best to take all that is on offer. Glad he is through the worst and now each and every day will be easier and I would say by 6-8 weeks I felt 'normal'. Take care xx

[Pooly123]

Give it time, he will get better, I know it's hard going but it will ease