Post op chest pains

[Albenol]

It is 7.5 years since I underwent a quadruple coronary bypass operation at the marvellous James Cook hospital. One year after the operation I started with an aching soreness between 3 ribs on the left hand side of my fib cage running towards my shoulder. I was told that this was post operative trauma and it should ease, that was 6 years ago and I still get it, the problem is that it makes me feel very anxious, I've had CBT for it but I still feel anxious, are there others who have experienced the same and if so, is there anything that I can do please.

[devonian186]

I had a quad 18 months ago and still get pain sometimes and fleetingly from the chest scar area and more generally for several inches around it. I believe this is due to nerves being cut. I sometimes get toothache in certain weather conditions which I believe arises from the deep fillings I have in some teeth.

I would suggest therefore that weather conditions can play a large part in our other aches and pains related to surgery. Have you noticed any pattern arising?

Also I think they can be unusual exercise related, for instance walking a dog that pulls, or as in my case using 2 hiking poles when I usually use just one

[Carriefarm in reply to devonian186]

Read up on Micro vascular disease and coronary artery spasms and if you think this relates to your condition, speak with your doctor. I hope you get some relief soon.

[Albenol in reply to Carriefarm]

Thank you for your reply, I'll have a read and I'll mention this to my doctor at my upcoming appointment. Take care of yourself.

[Albenol in reply to devonian186]

Thank you for your reply, what I have noticed is that when it starts aching, if I shrug my shoulders a little, it instantly goes away, which makes me think it is muscular skeletal related? Thank you again and take care.

[MountainGoat52]

I had a triple bypass 5 years ago and still have muscular aches in my chest. I have to use padding on my car seat belt to avoid rubbing, even when wearing several layers of clothing. A daily massage of my chest area when showering helps.

[Albenol in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you for your advice, I'll try that 👍 it's nice to know that it's not just me still having chest pain years after the op. 😊

[reidmar]

had quad bypass 3.5 yrs ago and yes I get the odd pains but mine seem to be in 2 locations where the wire can be felt under the skin and also the bottom section of the scar gets very itchy/tender almost. I let it annoy me for the first year or so but then i managed to get myself into the mindset of "it's a small prices to pay" for what I was able to have done and also a reminder every so often to keep a check on my diet/lifestyle etc. Hope you get the answer you need. Best wishes.

[Albenol in reply to reidmar]

Thank you reidmar for replying, my scar still itches but it appears to be linked with the scar getting flatter. It's a great mindset you've adopted, I'm generally like that, but once in a while it makes me worry about it. Take care.