Some inspiration & advice - after 7 weeks of a quadruple heart by pass

[haciendaplaya]

I'm now into week 7 after discharge from hospital for a quadruple by-pass (58 year old woman0 and looking to see if what I am feeling is normal. Still very little energy, heavy pain in my chest on my left hand side (feels a ittle like a tapped nerve from where I have been restless in the night, so back to taking paracetomol and dyhidrocodene 4 times a day which makes me tired constantly. Still sleeping on my back. Looking for some inspiration from someone xx

[Marnie76]

Hi I had quadruple bypass 8th March so about seven weeks ago .I have exactly same issue you have pain on left side feels like something pulling been told it’s nerve pain and will settle, manage to sleep on my side now.

[haciendaplaya in reply to Marnie76]

Ah Thks. It’s. Bloody hard that’s for sure but reassuring that I am not on my own in my pain and it’s normal. Roll on when it’s over !!

[Frenchbulldogsx]

Ah bless you, my quadruple bypass was in 2017 and is a distant memory (I've made it that way). However I do remember feeling the way you are right now.

I was only 51 years old and diagnosed with hereditary heart disease so I am still coming to terms with it.

On a positive note every day you will get stronger as your body heals. Do go to rehabilitation its a must and will improve your confidence no end. Complete the exercise routine that the hospital gave you daily they really do help. Remember this is just a blip and you will soon return to some normality. Enjoy the simple things like sitting outside if you have a garden and enjoy what is around you. If you want to message me I am happy to be there for you.

[haciendaplaya in reply to Frenchbulldogsx]

Thks for ur response means a lot that I am not on my own and that how I feeling is normal. Will carry on and exercise when I can. Glad ur feeling back to normal 😀 will message you again Thks.

[Ianc2]

take it easy. At 8 weeks your breastbone is still knitting away. In another 14 days you will be feeling much better. Your daily walks will extend by a few more lamp posts, / driveways and you will perhaps be able to get involved in rehab on-line.

If I sleep on my left my heart bangs up against my ribcage, rapidly goes erratic and wakes me up every time. As a result I don't sleep on my left. Most of the time anyway.

There is a massive amount of mending going on under your skin. Short of a major car crash it is a massive effort and most people regard 3 months as a distinct recovery time, after which you start to gather speed. Not quite up and at 'em yet - but working gently towards it.

[haciendaplaya in reply to Ianc2]

Thks for the reassurance it certainly is a major upheaval and hearing from those that have gone through the same pain helps. No walking outside for me other than in the garden due to the virus. Have a follow up with the physio next week so will see what they have to say. 😀

[Marnie76]

Yes keep being told it won’t last but pain is bad tried heat pad but doesn’t really work are you managing to exercise I can only walk short distances because of psin

[haciendaplaya in reply to Marnie76]

Doing a few laps around the garden and that’s about it. Been told can’t go out onto the streets due to the virus. But that’s fine as the garden is a good size Funnily enough putting a heat pad on works for me for a short time 😀

[Elvee2]

Hi there, yes, I think you’re “normal”! Give it time, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you improve, just count in months rather than weeks/days. I’m now 4 months post op and am feeling well, nerves in leg and chest still a bit “weird” but improving. (Massage with bio oil helps I think). I can now sleep on my side, after about a year of sleeping sitting up pre and post op, and it’s lovely - feeling more and more “normal” every day.

[Giant68]

I had a quintuple bypass last July and suffered all the nerve pains and other issues that go with very major surgery. But now, 9 months down the line, I feel better than I have done in years. If you do what they tell you, do the rehab exercises and look after yourself there is no reason why won't return to good health.