Sternum pain.

[Bobbymrg]

Hi I had open heart surgery 3 years ago, I still suffer from sternum pain after all this time. I got referred to pain clinic and latterly a surgeon. I read that the wires in your sternum can be removed.

I was prescribed a gel for pain and im on Codrydomal for pain I think 10 percent codeine and the combination of paracetamol.

I like to keep going and have been told not to heavy lifting, I work as a landscape gardener so that's like a typist with finger pain i guess.

I love working outdoors but its rather cold at the moment and im on blood thinners for mechanical valve.

It feels like i can't win no matter what i do and i give heavier work to my workers it seams even a long walk will effect me as I walked far yesterday about 7miles and felt i suffered for that too.

I have to rely on my pain stuff when it gets sore, So I had two surgeries one the initial aortic valve op and partial aortic root replacement then 10 days after they opened me up again to remove an excess fluid build up. I contracted a cannula line infection that keptme in hospital for a month.

So in good style steve needs to write a book about all his health struggles.

Taking pain meds makes me groggy on top of the cocktail of meds im on, Heart meds,

Anti depressants, profalactic penicillin etc etc.

Im tired of the struggling my surgeon said i couldnt have wires removed so i guess im stuffed either way.

Its the Human spirit that keeps us going and im an optomist thinking it will improve.

Im lucky to be alive given a new chance on life , I didnt suffer this pain before my surgery and like ive heard from others its a small price to pay.

Thanks for listening.

[Hoppity1]

I had triple by pass 2013,I had discomfort from day one which I expected, but it never went !!! Over the years it has got worse and now affects my whole rib cage area back and front, from being an active walk leader and tennis player I struggle to do a weekly shop, and was told I’m just one of the unlucky ones they’ve now referred me to pain clinic, but it has seriously affected my mental health as I cannot get any relief wether I sit lay or stand it feels like I am being crushed, if I had been for-warned that this was a potential side affect I would have taken my chances and declined the surgery

[Thongchuay]

Had open heart surgery 2 years ago and still sharp pains in the sternum, not all the time but every day. A specialist told me then it might be a cut nerve and I must be patient, but it does not get better. So I have to live with it and may be one day it will be gone.

[Cyprus12]

Hi Bobby,I still had pain after 2 years after OHS and no one seemed to help? I was told it might be nerve endings, but when I went for a mammogram (as I was concerned about the pain and was worried it could be something else!) the nurse said that it could be my muscles in the chest? I was very active pre op, but couldn't do anything for months pre op as I had deteriorated quickly and had MRSA that took an age to disappear. Then 9 hours under with my sternum muscles pushed apart, and another 12-16 weeks on slow recovery. She told me that my muscle mass would have suffered significant trauma during the parting and non activity for months. The sternum area is used in nearly every movement you make.

I decided to work through the pain a bit and slowly increase my cardio, weights and swimming (all strokes). Slow at first, because the pain prevented me, but I kept pushing a bit at a time. I would use a hot water bottle every night to warm the chest muscles and work them a little more. I'm 3 years post op and my pain has gone and I am fitter than ever?

I have no idea if this was the issue, or it was something else, but nobody had ever mentioned it to me until this nursel?? Might be worth having a chat about muscle trauma in the chest, especially as you were opened up twice?

I hope you get better soon.

BW

Tracey.

[Bobbymrg in reply to Cyprus12]

Thank you for the advice.

[MountainGoat52]

I agree with Cyprus12 in that the pain you are experiencing might be muscular. My problem is definitely down to this. In order to minimise pain I massage my chest everyday and try to avoid sitting still for any length of time - difficult when i want to watch a film. I find getting out for a walk helps. When I am active, even climbing mountains in Scotland with a weighty backpack, I have no issues whatsoever.

[Cyprus12 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Hot water bottle on the chest and stretch the muscle when warm. Good for when watching a film 👍👍

[Bobbymrg in reply to Cyprus12]

Ill try that. Thanks