Easing pain in sternum / breast bone when coughing and sneezing.

[Vegart]

After I had had a Triple CABG Operation done, every time that I coughed, or sneezed, which I tend to do violently my sternum / breastbone / chest hurt a lot. It was not until a physiotherapist friend had told that hugging myself would make coughing and sneezing more comfortable , that it did not hurt so much. You hug yourself by crossing your forearms and placing your hands in your armpits, if expecting to cough or sneeze. The Hospital staff had not given that advice, and before the Operation, a physiotherapist only asked me to demonstrate that I could cough effectively.

[Blackcatsooty]

I was lucky to have marvellous staff who told me to hug the teddy when I coughed. A teddy is simply a towel rolled tightly In fact they gave me the teddy, still in its wrapper, to get me started.

Well done Vegart for finding your own cure.

[Vegart in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks, Blackcatsooty. I am glad that staff gave you something that made coughing less painful.

[Thesnowman51]

Yes, I agree with Blackcatsooty, my Physios also gave me that advice. If you don't have the towel with you when you get caught with a cough/sneeze then improvise - a cushion, pillow or rolled up bit of clothing; just squeeze it into your sternum and it relieves the pressure

[andy110519]

I was also told in hospital about the rolled up towel and given one whilst I was there.Take care.

Andy

[Dyllibobs]

I too was given a 'teddy' to hold for coughing/sneezing following my cabg. Everytime I saw my Surgeon he would tell me to 'protect' my sternum everyday by crossing his arms over his chest. I still do it now even though it doesn't hurt anymore. So sorry you weren't given this advice. Hope you're ok

[JessicaRed]

In the JR Oxford some of the cardiothoracic ward nurses make the "teddies" and in late Nov 9 wks ago when I had valve surgery they decorated them with Xmas designs on the covers to bring us a smileThe pain is much less now but still a bit sore so always have teddy at hand

Good luck

[DWizza]

Coughing with a Teddy is well documented , I can’t understand how you were not informed, it’s essential. When did you have your procedure ? Are you still in hospital?

[Vegart in reply to DWizza]

Thanks, DWizza. I had my Triple CABG Op, in April 2023, at John Radcliffe Hospital. I was transferred to there for the op from Cheltenham General Hospital. At the CGH, one of the staff gave me a taped up disposable inco sheet to use for when I coughed, for once I would have had the op. However, that did not go with me, and I thought no more about it.

[Noodlesalad]

I haven't had OHS but do get pain when coughing or sneezing what works for me is if at home holding a cushion or rolled up soft jumper against my chest like giving yourself a hug as you day works for me.

[Furryears]

I too had a bypass and it was the one of the things they told me after the operation in the hospital to hug myself using a rolled up towel while coughing and yes it did help a lot,

Take care 😊

[FrankWillbe]

I was also told about the rolled up towel, however they also asked if we could do it without the towel, just folding and holding arms. I found it still worked well.The reason is that for some it is better not to have any pressure on the sternum and there is a temptation to squeeze the towel quite hard with the pain.

[Mitchum]

You should have been informed to use a "cough cushion" which is literally a cushion or small pillow you hug whilst coughing. This will ease it greatly!

[CyclingTime]

I used to hug a pillow which really helped as it filled the gap between your arms and body

[Silvertail]

Another thing. My husband found it very painful to get out of bed after his CABG. He found a good solution for himself. He tied a rope to the end of the bed so that he could pull himself up straight, then he was able to turn himself around more easily to get up.

[HeartofLondon]

I think the list of dos and donts after CABG is endless. I had mine done 4 years ago and Im still discovering things Im doing wrong.

[Vegart]

Thanks all for for reports of advice from hospital staff about cushing the sternum when coughing and sneezing. The violence of my sneezes and coughs made it all the more painful, till I learnt to hug myself.