Think the pain wld be normal and to be expected so soon after surgery. I think for me it was being unable to get comfortable enough to manage to sleep- rather than pain that medication would numb ! You could contact your surgeon's secretary and she cld ask someone what to try next on yr behalf? Or local GP surgery? Good luck. Early days.
Can I ask are you taking your pain medication on time? I remember when I was in hospital they came with mine and I said I am fine I don’t need anything and the nurse said that’s because we are keeping you topped up.
It really is early days but if you are not getting your rest maybe a phone call to your surgeons secretary tomorrow to get a message to him/her.
I am a side sleeper and found sleeping on my back difficult, had V shaped pillow so I was propped up, but slept with my arms wrapped around my wrapped up baby blanket. This seemed to help me feel more comfortable, but the first time I could sleep on my side was bliss😂
If your getting clicking think your on your side a bit early. I was maybe 6 weeks before I could get on my side. The rehab nurse said I could try then but uncomfortable or pain full to stop and try again in another week.
Hi Pauline, can I ask about the clicking. My chest clicks away whenever I move but settles down . It does click more if on my side. Is this OK for it to be clicking when first laying down on my back ? X
Hi, I never had the clicking though have read on the forum some have. If it’s bothering you I would certainly have a word with surgeon secretary/ GPWe have wires holding the sternum together, funny thing was it was the only thing that made me very nervous! When I went for my 6 week post op check the surgeon was showing me my X-rays one taken that day and one taken before surgery, I asked about the wires as I could see them, he said in 18 months new bone will have grown over the wires and my sternum would be stronger than his.
So, finding out what the clicking is, I would certainly ask just to be sure. Start another thread here and someone will answer who have had the same thing.
We are all different! Because I was in for eight days (electrolyte imbalance) they tried the Paracetamol only route around day 5/6. No relief whatsoever (I have only ever found them effective for headaches). I left the hospital on Paracetamol and Tramadol four tonnes day. The Paracetamol was stopped immediately and after the first week I reduced the Tramadol by one per week.
Two hints I will give you:
i) do the breathing exercises as not doing them wills low your recovery
ii) stick to lifting no more than half a kettle of water for a minimum of 6 - 8 weeks. I have only met one person with an unstable breastbone and you don't want to go there!
Hi MichealI came home with paracetamol and Dr's have prescribed oxycodone. I can have 1 , 4x aday I took one yesterday and felt very much with the fairy's but 6 hours later felt sick
Today's plan is take paracetamol every 6 hours and 11pm take 1 oxycodone for overnight, hopefully , relief.
I was changed from Tramadol to Oxy-codone as a PRN painkiller a few months after my amputation. Cannot say either have ever made me high. When I broke my femur I was on 2xTramadol four times a day. A neighbour said "You cannot be normal"!
Hope one Oxy-codone at night worked with no ill effects.
On discharge from hospital I was given a 2 week supply of dihydrocodeine, ended up taking it for nearly 4 weeks! Then just paracetamol.
I did think after a week or so I could stop and just take paracetamol, I soon realised how much the dihydro tabs where doing their job!!
It will get better, honestly it will. I have just passed 13 weeks since my cabg and now have difficulty remembering just how I felt in the first weeks.
Don't try to sleep on your side it is something to aim for but later, you will find that you're sleep patterns will be all over the place.
And you will also discover that every day activities like answering the door suddenly become a major exertion requiring sleep to recover.
I actually spent the first three weeks sleeping in a arm chair before I started to use the bed again.
Take the meds do the breathing exercises and try to walk a little bit, and bit by bit you will get better.
Get a cushion and keep it with you whenever you are moving around the house, because when you need to cough or sneeze you may not be neer a pillow but your trusty cushion will become your best friend. I made that discovery when I was useing the toilet with nothing in reach to hug.
Don't reach or pick up anything that is heavy that means half a kettle but a quarter is better, you don't want a clicky sternum.
And if in doubt call the cardiac unit they are used to worried hearties calling and know the answers.
12 weeks ago I was convinced that I would never be able to work again (I am a joiner and stone Mason) yesterday I spent four hours useing a chain saw and log splitting maul,you will get better.
That's good to read as in a leaflet the hospital gave me it said day one I should do 2x 5 minute walks. I'm out of breathe just getting up and walking a few steps.
Sorry about the delay answering I was up a mountain. The wife said it would be fun, I think she has a slightly warped sense of humour. It will get much easier, it's taken me 12 weeks, you have given yourself 4 days, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. But don't over do it, baby steps.
It was week 3 before I started to see any real improvement and that was improvement compared to week 1,it was week 5 before I was thinking that the was a light at the end of the tunnel.
Just remember the only yardstick for your recovery is you, not how I did or any other hartie it's just you and your own particular route to health.
Some find it easy I had to work hard and I still have a long way to go yet.
Stay positive and remember we are the lucky ones, factory rebuilt and good as new 😉
Using a quote from Monty Pythons Life of Brian:
"only 4 days, you lucky, lucky bas........." 😀
You have to understand that your body feels like some one has taken a chainsaw or sledgehammer to your chest - your body has undergone pretty much one of the most stressful & painful activities that can be applied to the human body - so you should expect to stil be suffering a tad, or more.
In so far as sleep is concerned, ever since I woke up, the position I woke up in seems to be the only truly comfortable position for me to sleep in. My wife often puts an ear to my face just to make sure I'm still breathing because I look like a corpse in a coffin. I guess I was lucky on that one 👍
In respect of sleep, I am still dependent on my friend Zopiclone for many nights, either that or just plain old fashioned exhaustion. Apparently, this is not an uncommon requirement for people post surgery, so might be worth speaking to your GP - just a few to help you nod off.
I wish you well in finding a suitable solution to your issues, but the fact you were out after only 4 days bodes extremely well for your recovery.
Thank you for your reply. I will see how tonight goes.
Hi Barb,
The first couple of weeks after my bypass I felt like I had been run over by a truck. Was taking co-codamol four times a day and everything hurt and after that I took paracetamol for a long time. It does genuinely does get better though it just takes time as you have had major surgery. I came home after 5 days post-op and spend most of my time propped up on the sofa with loads of cushions and when I slept I found a wedge-shaped pillow worked for me (I still use it to this day).
Hello Barbara, honestly it took me at least 6 weeks before I was comfortable at night. I think they're expecting a lot for you to manage on just paracetamol ! I was told they expected me to be off codeine 4 days post op Ha Ha I was on it the whole time I was in hospital , & then my surgeon gave me 8 weeks supply of codeine to take home with the paracetamol.
Ring your surgeon's secretary, or speak to your GP, and really make it clear how much pain you're in. Hope you get help soon HUGS xx
I think that's awful Barbara only giving you Paracetamol ! See how this new painkiller works & make a fuss if it doesn't. Glad you've had some sleep . Just get some when you can , day or night xx
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