Sternum discomfort

[Rubyzog]

I had a CABG x 3 in July and am recovering well. My main problem is the discomfort/pain where my sternum was wired up. The main problem is at the bottom of my scar. I have lost weight so not much padding, I wondered if this will get better as time goes on. It is uncomfortable mostly when trying to change positions in bed.

[Chappychap]

The usual advice from the NHS is that most people have a full recovery from CABG after about twelve weeks. But the reality is that for many people there are still some niggling issues for up to a year following surgery. It's not something you need be anxious about, but open heart surgery exerts a huge traumatic toll on the body, and it's therefore no surprise that it can take many months for all the joints, sinews and muscles to settle back down.

Good luck!

[Rubyzog in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you

[CyclingTime]

Get it checked out but I had similar post my quad, time is a great healer post these major operations.

[devonian186]

As others say, it takes time and many still get twinges a year or more after event so more substantial discomfort than that for quite a few months is pretty normal.

[Kimbob11356]

Hi Ruby I'm 65 one and a half years post opp. Still get discomfort when I sneeze or cough but no pain.

[MountainGoat52]

I still get the odd twinge related to my sternum and I had my op 5 years ago. I find light massage helps and I use a pad on my car seat belt otherwise my chest can get sore. You are only just past the 3 month period that it takes for the sternum to heal. It will get better with time. 😀

[gorillaqueen]

Hi Ruby I’m just over a year post CABG X3 and still get discomfort with my sternum no matter what I’m doing. Yours is early days so try not to worry. Take care 😊X.

[DWizza]

Hi Ruby , I’m similar to you , Nstemi heart attack in July and quadruple bypass. I’ve made a fantastic physical recovery so far, working round my small holding has helped , barrowing horse poo 🤦🏼🤣.. did cardiac rehab at hospital (found it way to easy ) , now working with a cardiac physiologist that specialises in resistance training . I’m back lifting weights ( bench press, overhead press etc) and jogging (goal of 5k) . My chest /sternum has passed through the very tender stage ,the nerve endings seem to have knitted back, my sternum sometimes feels a bit “scratchy “ after challenging exercise, strenuous yoga class once a week atm for instance. It’s just a bit uncomfortable, not painful and I was told by one of my surgeons that I wouldn’t be doing much of anything for 6 months ! Shows how it is all down to the individual. I was also advised that it could take a year for everything to settle down. I found that the more I did the stronger/quicker I healed . I definitely didn’t go mad at increasing my activity , just a progressive overload in activity and the weight of things I picked up. There was no way I wanted to slip backwards or hinder/injure myself self. I know my body , I was fit & string prior to heart attack , lifetime of sports and training. Listen to your body , not necessarily the little voice in our heads that often holds us back 👍.

[AH31 in reply to DWizza]

Hey

You sound like you have done so well with your recovery.

I agree and feel so happy that you have quoted “ It is down to the individual” so many people have said to me your doing too much, you shouldn’t be doing that so early into recovery.

But I feel good apart from the discomfort and slight pain in the evening, I will go back to London for my follow up appointment next week.

[DWizza in reply to AH31]

It drove me mad people telling me “ take it easy “ 🤣🤣🤣.. even the physios and nurses said to push myself to get up and move and use increments. Not over do it but do what I could without causing setbacks. I found the Le El 3 rehab way to easy and was disappointed that it wasn’t tailored to the individual. I was fortunate that I was posting my progress on Instagram (Wizza2018 if it’s of interest) and git noticed and picked up by a cardiac rehab coach who gave me 12 weeks free coaching and oversight. He specialised in weights and resistance training and wrote papers on the benefits of resistance training in cardiac rehab . He got me back running and achieving 5&10k goals , bloody awesome. I’ve never used the GNT spray , I know the nerve /muscular pains , I know my degenerative joint pains and I know the funk that my statin brought on. Keep on keeping on 👊🏻💪🏻👊🏻

[Rubyzog in reply to AH31]

Thank you for your comments and I hope you continue to improve. 9 months on now and I feel good. Occasional pain when I cough but overall no problems with my sternum. I am still so grateful for the care I received at Southampton General and my local GP.

[Dyllibobs]

Hi, I also had cabg in July. The left side of my scar is still tender & sometimes feels numb. I presume that's where the artery was taken from. I think we all heal differently but would be worth getting it checked out if it worries you. Good luck with the rest of your recovery xx

[invictaAlec]

Hi Rubyzog,

I'm glad you asked this question, it does crop up from time to time. When I was at the stage that you are now, I was bemused by the number of people who reported tenderness/discomfort in the sternum. How odd thought I since in my case my sternum was as numb as hell!

Chappychap is about right with his twelve months estimate of niggles. I was very relieved when someone else on here reported numbness rather than soreness. Dyllibobs reports both!! Which all goes to prove my theory that we all mend in our different ways. I still change sides frequently to find the most comfortable position. Be patient, it'll get mostly better sooner rather than later, I promise!

All the best.

Alec.

[Rubyzog]

Thank you for your responses.