Chest numbness going. Pain returning.

[gibbo66]

I had a triple bypass 8 weeks ago and apart from general rib pain have felt ok. My chest wall from the scar to the nipple has been really numb but over the last few days it feels like the numbness has reduced and I have had a few pains. It’s definitely localised to the outside of the rib cage. Is this just a sign that the nerves are returning to normal?

Cheers

[Fredders]

Hi, yes it’s likely to be the muscle and nerve pain now the numbness has gone. If you think what your rib cage went through during the op, it does take time to recover. I’ve been through it twice for AVR so can appreciate the pain/discomfort. If you are still concerned I suggest you either ring the BHF nurses or the ward where you had your op. Certainly the hospital where I had my op were very helpful if I had any questions.

Hope your recovery continues to go well, but make sure you don’t put ver do it in this lovely weather.

Wendy

[080311]

Hi, I am much further along the road you are now travelling on, they took my artery from my chest for my bypass (also had AVR) and the left hand side of my chest was numb for about 6 months surgeon explained they rip the artery out! So the nerve endings sometimes don’t join back properly and it takes time for them to sort themselves out! I use to get the feeling of someone pulling a Elastoplast off, it was gone as quickly as it came. This again took time to ease off, it’s early days on your journey down the heart mended road, so take it gently.

I wish you a swift recovery stay safe Pauline

[gilreid1]

I had big problems with this. Rehab suggests massage with E45. And tapping the area with your fingers. I also got tablets from GP. amitriptyline. This stops the nerve end signal reaching the brain. But even now five months later I still have to occasional sensation

[Hidden]

Hi Gibbo. I'm 9 weeks on from a double heart bypass and experiencing the same as you so I take that as we're both on the road to recovery. My chest numbness in same place and slowly reducing but still have pain, especially on my collar bone and the top of my sternum.