Chest pains worse

[Haty]

Hi this is my first post. I had triple bypass 7weeks ago after spending 5 weeks in hospital.last week was happy to finally be able to sleep on my side. This week have been back in pain on either side of my breast bone and if I lie on my side feel a real discomfort under my ribs.

I didn't see my consultant for 6wk review (was phone consultation) or had xray or ecg due to lockdown

I was feeling much better pain wise than now. Am stressed out as feel like I'm going backwards. Does anyone know if this is normal please.

[Heythrop51]

I get the impression that although there is significant healing in the first six weeks it really needs three to six months to fully heal. Sleep on your back for the time being and if the pain doesn't settle call your GP.

[Haty in reply to Heythrop51]

Thank you for reply .Was so much better last week and feel like I'm

Going backwards or I've strained myself.

[gibbo66]

I am 8 weeks in and find if I sleep on my side I sleep better but I always wake in pain as the prolonged pressure on the chest can’t be helping. Normally within an hour of waking everything feels fine again. Unless I sneeze. That is the worst pain ever!!!

[Tillymint1971 in reply to gibbo66]

Ditto. Exactly where I am with this. I sleep on my side and hug Edgar the Dragon (from Waitrose). I always wake up in pain (shoulders too) but having slept much better than I do sleeping on my back.

[Haty in reply to gibbo66]

Thank you, was so happy to be able to be on side and am just frustrated as can't again now. Pain seems to be back and isn't going. It's been a few days now.

Hope your recovery goes well

[Hidden]

In my experience things did seem to get worse before they got better, all the healing as begun and nerves and bones are probably in the process of knitting back together. It was months before I could lay on my side. A V pillow helped me. Wishing you well, it does get better ❤️

[Haty in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I use pillow too.

I think maybe in hospital they should prepare you for long haul.i kept getting told 4 to 6 weeks and you'll feel better.

Hope your all good .

[Hidden in reply to Haty]

I was exactly the same, nobody prepares you, it’s like childbirth until you give birth you don’t know what it’s like. Personally I found it took a lot longer than 6 weeks. I also took the pain meds because I needed them. Be kind to yourself and remember you have had a big operation. I’m waiting to hear if I have to have it done again 😬 but if I do at least I know what to expect.

Keep smiling. 😉

[Haty in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Happyme

I just thought I'd be a bit better than I am. Probably just feeling sorry for myself.

Finding my emotions all over place too!

Hope you dont have to go through it again.

But if you do hope all goes well

[Hidden in reply to Haty]

I had forgotten about the emotional side 😭 it’s part and parcel of it all. Feel free to chat to me anytime. 🐣

[Mr_G]

Hi Haty.

After my tripple- this is a normal thing.

I had to sleep with more pillows and a v shape one as it takes time to heal

Regards

Graham

[Haty in reply to Mr_G]

Thank you

[080311]

Hi Haty, everyone as given really good advice, the only thing I would add is I slept with my arms wrapped around a rolled up baby blanket! My family christened it teddy and it was with me for the first 10-12 weeks, if I needed to cough or sneeze my arms would wrapped around teddy!! My surgeon told me that your sternum in 12-18 months after your surgery will be stronger than someone who as hasn’t had surgery as new bone grows over the wire they join us together with. So a lot going on.

If you feel the pain isn’t improving that phone your GP.

Remember you have been through a major op, and it takes time to get your stamina back, your emotions are all over the place so be kind to yourself, it’s baby steps and eventually it will be onwards and upwards.

Good luck and best wishes stay safe Pauline

[Hidden]

Hi Haty,

As several others have said this seems to be normal. I am nearly 10 weeks post a double bypass and I need a wedge pillow and two normal pillows to be able to sleep. Even after all that I can't sleep on my lefthand side due to pain in my chest and collar bone. Plus, as Gibbo said, sneezing is still agony. Thank god my hay fever doesn't kick in for another month!

[Haty]

Thanks for the replies, it's good to speak to people who have been/ going through similar things.

I was expecting to go back to normalish life by now and with the pain and the lockdown feel bit down.

Sneezing is still agony also.

And sitting in one position after a while gets really uncomfortable.

Maybe was expecting too much too soon!

Baby steps definitely.

We will all get there eventually.

It's nice to not feel alone in this .

[Marvin123]

I feel better reading all this. Five weeks in and I’m probably expecting too much.

[Haty]

Have a good recovery.