Wound pain

[APC65]

Morning all, after triple bypass and 9 days in hospital I am now home and beginning to feel like the worst is behind me. Thankyou for all the words of encouragement - it's quite a journey, isn't it! Can I ask what others experience of managing wound pain .... Until now I have had very little discomfort at all but as I start to move around more I have some ( not inconsiderable) discomfort in my chest wound - trying not to worry about it... Have others had this experience? Thanks

[Bingofox007]

well done, wishing you a speedy recovery. As you’re doing more you are using more muscles and soft tissue that have yet to heal properly and pull on wound layers. Providing there is no swelling, heat, discharge or bleeding from wound and no raised temperature it is unlikely to be infected. Don’t overdo it, keep up with pain relief snd don’t forget a good combination of rest and activity. If in doubt get it seen by gp or practice nurse. Take care 🦊

[Dawn1961]

hi , yes my husband had double bypass in December he felt exactly like that. It’s been consistent for the last twelve weeks but also changes how it feels as the sternum heals .

Good luck with your recovery

[ChoochSiesta]

Definitely remember the wound pain! Like the worst sunburn you've ever had. Mine did get totally better but it took a few weeks. Indeed it was about 2 months before I felt something like normal.

[APC65 in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Hi - any advice on what he was able to do to alleviate some of discomfort. At the moment I am just taking paracetamol?

[ChoochSiesta]

With me it was just any clothing contacting the wound. I didn't bother with any painkillers. It helped enormously just wearing a dressing gown all day.

[MarmiteB]

Hey!

I was suspicious when you said you weren’t in too much pain and were just on paracetamol before…I think when you were in hospital you maybe weren’t doing very much but now you are at home and you are doing more, your naturally in more pain. Even lifting the kettle and getting about is painful for a good couple of weeks.

Paracetamol is good but it must be taken religiously every 4 hours otherwise it’s not as effective. For the first 3 weeks I was also on 60mg of codeine 3 times a day. Did they send you home with any? If you want/need some and you weren’t discharged with it, ring your GP.

There is no need for you to be in pain xxx