It's about 2 months after my triple bypass operation and every thing is going well- except I have started to get really painful shoulders and it's stopping me from having a good sleep.
I have told my doctor and he has said it's maybe the new blood thinning tablets or the cholesterol tablets I am taking- so they are sending me for more tests.
Just wondering if any other members have had similar problems ?
Good morning and welcome to this wonderful forum. I had painful shoulders, much as you describe, after my bypass in October 2020. My pain was not so bad that it stopped me sleeping but certainly some sleeping positions were uncomfortable and had to be avoided. For me, pain extended from my shoulders into my upper arms and was particularly bad when I lifted my arms above shoulder height. Then the pain could be severe and quite prolonged but a bit of massage helped it subside.
I did not consult my GP on this. I assumed/hoped it was a side effect of the statin that was a new medication for me, and I hoped the pain would gradually go away. And it has! Over the first 6 months post-op my GP and I were adjusting my statin dose to get my cholesterol levels right so I went from 20 to 40 to 80 mg of atorvastatin....but now I'm back to 40mg plus ezetimibe. I don't know whether the improvement in my shoulders is because my statin dose dropped from 80mg to 40mg, or whether this was just my body getting used to it over time.
Anyway, I'm now 13 months post op and have no shoulder pain. So I can offer you some hope.
Just wanted to ask about your statins (if you don't mind) I was diagnosed with diabetes back in 2012 and was prescribed 20 mg of Atorvastatin. After my stroke in 2017 I was upped to 40 mgs and since the stents 6 weeks ago I am now in 80 mgs.
The cardiac nurse said my cholesterol wasn't too bad (4.5 with bad cholesterol of 2.1) but because of the recent procedure they wanted it all lowered which is why I am now on 80 mgs.
The tablets are huge and even when breaking them in half I find them sticking in my throat, any suggestions? I am thinking of asking my GP to prescribe 2 x 40mgs as I could swallow those quite easily.
I agree that the 80mg atorvastatin tablets are rather huge. I too tried splitting them but you end up with some fairly sharp edges that can be tricky to get down. 2 x 40mg sounds like a good answer to me although I think it'll cost the NHS a bit more.
The other thing to say is I think it's important to measure whether the increase from 40 to 80mg has actually changed your cholesterol levels. For me it made no difference at all. I didn't see the point in loading my body with an extra 40mg of statin that did nothing, wheras the combination of 40mg atorvastatin and ezetimibe did a much better job for me. So don't allow them to keep you on 80mg unless you are sure that it's needed.
I also take ezetimibe 10mg, I have to have another cholesterol test in 3 months. They had to drill the artery to be able to fit the stents my artery was furred right up which is why they have upped the statins. I certainly wouldn't want to cost the NHS even MORE money! I find myself gagging when I take the statins even when it is broken in 2. I suppose I'll have to persevere. Thanks for your reply.
It does ease with time. But you can help the process along.
When I was discharged following a bypass operation I was given three "must do" exercises.
1. Five times per day, breathing/coughing exercises
2. Once per day or more, walking exercises, progressively getting longer and brisker, should be up to one mile/20-30 minutes after eight weeks.
3. Once per day or more, shoulder roll exercises, to ease the precise condition that you're in!
Apparently sore shoulders are very common, it can be muscular (your arms are twisted back above your head during the operation) or it can be sleeping in unusual positions, but lots of people get this and shoulder rolls are a good way of easing the discomfort.
Good luck!
I had the same and was told it is fairly common post bypass.
Mine was pretty severe and I couldn’t raise my arms or move them behind my back! I ended up having cortisone injections in both, followed by a few weeks physio. It then started to settle back to normal.
And I’m another one with the sore shoulders post bypass.
Mine eased a lot by doing the shoulder roll exercises that they gave me.
Hope yours ease soon
take care
Hi, sorry to hear about your shoulder pain post bypass, it can be very painful. I had a very painful right shoulder after my bypass that hurt much more than anything else. After a few months trying to do home physio to ease it I got referred to a joint specialist by my GP who diagnosed scapular dyskinesis (most likely it occurred as a consequence of the way I was positioned during my bypass op). After three physio appointments and some specialised home exercises it was much better.
For a long time after my bypass I suffered with aches and pains and when I spoke to the GP he reassured me this was all quite normal. When you think how your body is laid during the bypass it isn't surprising that you will still get some pain. For some months after I was in agony after I drove even a short distance.
It is major surgery that has some effect on many areas of the body so expect recovery to take a long time.
Hopefully the tests will show there is nothing wrong with the meds, it is all operation related.
Thank you every one for your input - it's interesting to hear that I am not the only one going through or have been through this shoulder pain
Hi I had AVR OHS end January 2021
My shoulders and back ached for weeks.
I took paracetamol 4 hourly for the few months.
In some ways it was worse than the sternum pain as it hurt in every position.
I used a wedge to sleep upright as I couldn’t lie flat for a long time
Good news is that it does go away and now I’m fine. I think it depends on what they have to do to you during and after surgery. You are manipulated. I’m only on Bisoprolol, Asprin and Omeprasol so can’t comment on the medications.
Hope it gets better soon.
Maisie ❤️
My back and shoulders hurt for many weeks post op, it does improve in time ☺️ Wishing you a speedy recovery! X
I can only speak for my husband who had a quad bypass 3 years ago this month.The cardiac surgeon explained how the operation would start down to the last detail!!
Hubby's arms were pinned back for hours during the op and his shoulders were painful for weeks and weeks after.
I hope you recover soon.
All the best. Jan xx
I am 6 months post triple bypass too. Like you I had painful shoulders, as someone else said probably from the position they put you in for the op. I’ve started to have a massage each month and am doing shoulder rolls too.
My daughter mentioned recently that I was becoming round shouldered as I hadn’t noticed, but when I looked at myself I was. I think I had been protecting my chest wound and it had become a habit.
Hope your pain soon eases.
I had OHS for AVR and patch and 18 months after surgery went to a local private physio as I was fed up with the discomfort at night. Think I had about 6 visits but it sorted the problem.Good luck.
Andy
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