Pre op done

[Stevie335]

So im in for cabg x 4 on monday, just been to pre op appointment and am a little shocked as the nurse told me ill just be on paracetamol when i come around ? I thought morphine etc would be administered before I wake up. Kind of hoping the anasthesia is still doing its job upon waking ?

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Well done getting your pre op done

I am not sure about others but when you have had it done you will be in ICU and I had morphine hooked up onto me so much so I thought I was in a spaceship

Don't worry about what she said they will make sure that you are as comfortable as you can be and in as very little pain as possible x

[Yumz199725]

Wow only paracetamol that seems a bit strange unless they know you won't be in much pain x?

[Gail1967]

hi- I was hooked up to morphine after my quad but my body didn’t like it so changed to paracetamol & it worked for me! Just remember once home to take it regularly rather than just when you think you need it!!

[DWizza]

I think you’ll be self administrating t your painkiller when you come out of theatre into iCU for the first 24 hours and again into HDU. You just press the button , can’t overdose on it. They take you off the morphine when you go back on the ward then it’s paracetamol.

[mcbane]

Nurse might have confused things and maybe was talking about meds you will go home with rather than what you will need in ICU.

I got my bypass and aorta replacement a year ago in the US. Was in a fentanyl stupor (and still feeling considerable pain) for a couple of days in ICU before they dropped down to weaker opiates. But I was off all pain related meds but gabapentin by day 8.

Everyone’s procedure and pain perception is different, and your actual meds likely won’t be known for sure till post op.

[APC65]

I believe once in ITU they have you on an opiate based pain relief - it didn't suit me so after 24 hours just on paracetamol ever 4 hours. I was really surprised as I had no pain at all.

[devonian186]

I was offered morphine after my 4xcabg but don't remember using it as the paracetamol did a good job.

I was home after 4 days. Everyone is different but i found i was taking the max paracetamol dose for 8 weeks to keep the pain at acceptable levels; that is 2 tablets regularly spaced out 4 times a day. After 8 weeks I suddenly found I had no more need for it.

Be aware that you will likely be very emotional for some weeks after the operation. Make sure you are prepared for the time you get home with a variety of comfortable chairs, entertainment to hand, no heavyweight books, and don't over do it with recovery and try to walk too much at first.

I found it very helpful to sleep by myself as you will likely be restless and keep odd hours at first. Good luck!

[Redsparky]

I had my cabg x4 in November The Royal Papworth were great they looked after me constantly checking if i needed pain relief.I was suprised as i never felt real pain only discomfort just do what ever they say as they know what they are doing.

Good luck.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi before I got wheeled to the theatre for my transplant the nurse said to me to take some paracetamol! and I was left thinking is this the anaesthetist's day off 🤣 I might need something a bit stronger 😱to this day I am not too sure why she gave me them, it might have been to dull pain when getting all the lines in. Thankfully he turned up and all went well, I got home two weeks later and paracetamol was all I needed for pain relief. Wishing you well you are in good hands. Take care char

[Stevie335]

Thanks everyone, been busy prepping stuff today because i want tomorrow off 🤣 nice meal and time with wife and kids, hopefully stress free. Thanks again everyone x

[Chickenlou]

My partner had morphine briefly after his CABG, but asked for it to be stopped.

He then had paracetamol and an occasional tramodol. Didn’t seem to be in too much pain, more discomfort (which amazed me!)

[wilberwoo]

I was on Morphine in ICU, then tramadol which I was sent home with. Reduced it faster than they advised to paracetamol. You will have pain, especially if you cough, for the first few days but remember, the chest pain will not be from your heart. Your heart will have been fixed, the pain is from the fact they break your breastbone. Try not to worry, they will not leave you in pain - all the best!