Hello!
I’m 57 and 7 weeks post bypass operation, recovering well. However my sternum is still very sore, especially at night (I’m a side sleeper) Even if sleeping on my back my sternum hurts. I haven’t been taking any pain relief for the last 3 weeks but the pain wakes me up at night. Have anyone experienced this? Is it something that eventually goes away?
Many Thanks for your comments!
Maria
Dear HeartForever
A warm welcome to you and your first post, I really hope that you will get the support and answers from here as many of us do.
I am so sorry that you are still in pain but to be honest { even though it may not seem it } your operation was not that long ago and that area of the body takes a while to recover .
I am coming up to a year now from the bypass and it still has away of telling me that I have had it done, sure nowhere near as much as it did closer to the op but its still there.
So in answer to you then yes expect some pain still for a little while, talk with your dr or heart nurse as Im sure that you could take some mild pain killers to help you get through the night.
Also discuss with them your feelings and they may be able to suggest something for you, I found a pillow under the arm I was sleeping on helped.
Good luck with it all and please keep us informed of your progress, you are never alone.
Thanks for your reply! I have 2 extra pillows and long body pillow but they’re no match for the pain! At lest a bit of comfort I guess.
Thanks again,
Maria
Dear Maria
hopefully it’s about this stage that your recovery advances a lot. You should be feeling a small improvement every couple of days. I was meticulous about not lifting anything nor raising arms above head. And I slept propped up with numerous pillows. And I followed the simple rehab exercises. The slow walk, whilst chatting, was surprisingly effective and easy to follow. And probably important.
I had no issues at all with the scar. And the stitches came out without any problem.
I was 72 and recovery was steady for a full 3 to 4 months. I can still remember the bliss of the first time I could sleep lieing down.
I wonder if you can refer to the person who removed your stitches.
Best wishes
Sooty
Hello & Welcome 
To me this is perfectly normal and 7 weeks is very early
I am over a year now from having a triple Bypass and can still get pains occasionally
I would take the pain killers while you need them a good night's sleep is important and better than been in discomfort
Also try holding a pillow in front of your chest or a rolled soft towel that might help to
It will get better x
it’s still early in your recovery but it will slowly improve. If you are offered rehab classes in your area then I recommend you go. The rehab nurse teach you many ways to relieve pain and aid your sleeping. At seven weeks you should now be starting rehab. Check with the nurses on this site and they can send you link to good rehab if not offered in your area.
Hi Gilreid!
Thanks for your reply! I did have an appointment today for a cardiac rehab, but it was cancelled last minute 😩! It’s now rescheduled for following week on Thursday (staff shortage…) so frustrating wait continues...
Do I just post here to ask for links with rehab nurses here?
Many Thanks
Maria
I am just approaching thirteen weeks after a triple by pass and aortic valve replacement. I still get what I term twinges of pain and have been told this is perfectly normal. Wound is fully healed on my chest and I have followed post op exercises religiously. I checked in with the cardiac nurses (by phone) at my hospital, the Royal Papworth here in Cambridge, to seek assurance and they told me what I was experiencing was normal at the stage I was then. Just started cardiac rehab exercises at hospital, so making expected progress.
I am just approaching the 7 week mark. I dont have sternum pain anymore just more a discomfort. it feels like a plate pressing down. I assume this is the bone fixing itself and it is getting better over time.
From memory I think I spent the first 2 months trying to sleep sitting up as found like you I couldn't lie down. It will get better but could be little & often with an hour here and there until you can mention a full night. I would suggest never be frightened to have a doze in the chair after lunch for an hour or so.
perfectly normal, I used to sleep cuddling a pillow to my chest for about 10 weeks at least as i am a side sleeper. I would say even post 3 months sleeping on my side caused me some discomfort.
Doctor and consultant all said its normal
Hi,
After my Open heart surgery it took about 18 months to feel back to normal. Around that area was very sensitive and my muscle mass in that area was the main concern. I was under for about 9 hours and with the muscle clamped back for so long, took a long time to recover. My sternum would click and felt like it was moving sometimes, a long while later! It's part of the healing proccess.
As some have said, it's early days and your sturnum and surrounding area has been under huge amounts of trauma than it's used to. I took pain killers for about 16 weeks, and I used vasaline on my scar. Smothered it on every night, everywhere around that region. Keep going, things will ease, but always have a chat with your cardiologist.
Hi HeartForever and welcome to the forum! I'm a 62yr old female and had a triple bypass on the 18th February this year. I'm also a side sleeper and remember how sore it was that first few weeks not being able to turn over and get a good night's rest - talk about grumpy in the morning 😜- just as well I live alone 😀! It felt, at the time, that it'd never get better. It does get better though and probably quicker than you'll realise - it's only seven weeks for you so far after all. Still very early days.
The only advice I can give is to take a couple of paracetamols about half an hour before bedtime, I found them really helpful that first few weeks, not only for pain relief, but also in aiding me to nod off once in bed. My dear old Mum was a great one for advising us to rest if we were ill. She used to say "when you're sleeping, you're healing" - I still remember that and still firmly believe it. If you're anything like me you probably don't like taking medication, but sometimes needs must, and a good quality night's sleep will do you the world of good. Carol x
Thanks Carol! I took paracetamol last night and slept better. Also woke up without the pain (just discomfort)
Thanks for your advice!
That's really good to hear Heart, I definitely found them helpful. I don't know why, but I used to feel guilty somehow when I took painkillers, probably that old stiff upper lip mindset - I don't care now! 😄 Let's face it, our bodies have had a major trauma and every little helps! It really does get better and probably sooner than you'll realise.
One other thing I'd mention is that when I first got home from hospital (five days after my op as I'd recovered well), I was also a bit hesitant about standing in the shower - sort of nipping in and out almost trying to avoid getting water on my front. A community nurse came to my home to remove the wound tape 10 days after the op (I was taped up rather than stitched - these wonderful, amazing surgeons have their own preferred methods I'm glad to say!). Once she'd left, I took the bull by the horns and jumped in the shower and let the water (not too hot) FLOOD down my wound. Honestly Heart, it was wonderful, I felt like a million dollars didn't want to get out again! It also definitely helped with the sternum pain.
Do let us know how you're getting on when you have time, I'm so glad I found this site after my op, everyone's so kind and friendly. (Oh, and a wee nap in the afternoon doesn't do any harm either! 😇)
Hello HeartForever. I can only relate what my GP and the consultant and the surgeon!! said to my husband after his quad bypass. "Don't be hero - take pain killers before bedtime and you'll be fine." Of course he wouldn't - so was in pain during the night (around 6 weeks after the op). Finally he relented and took paracetamol and he was as right as rain.
He didn't take them every night but perhaps every other night until the 10th week after the op.
He didn't need them then. Hope you get on OK. lots of love. Jan xxx
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