Uncomfortable Chest

[jonterrell]

Thank you, for all of the brilliant responses regarding my CABG x3 that I underwent 3 weeks ago. All of those replies have massively helped.

I just have another quick question regarding my chest wound, if anyone is able to advise please?

My leg wounds are healing up nicely, but I'm really finding that having any clothing on my chest is really uncomfortable. It's actually not so much the wound, but my actual chest area, about a couple of inches either side of the wound.

It actualy feels slightly numb, but also just like really bad sunburn. It's not red or infected, just incredibly sore and tender to touch, which makes it difficult to get dressed properly.

Any idea if this is normal, how long it will last and if there is anything I can take for it??

Jon T

[PadThaiNoodles]

My whole chest was hyper sensitised for about 10 weeks. Then that was replaced by odd pulling sensations when I moved (as if I had packing tape across the top of my chest). Those are also starting to fade (l’m currently at 6 months post op).

[Nelson71 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

you described the sensation perfectly. I’m at +15 months and still have that feeling. Glad it’s not just me. My Dr said it can take up to 18 months to heal properly. Unfortunately my thyroid went tits up after six months so I’ve that to deal with as well

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Nelson71]

Bummer about the thyroid. I hope you get it sorted.

[APC65]

hi,

Yep sunburn is a very good way of describing the discomfort post CABG. I had triple CABG 2 years ago and it took several weeks for sunburn to fade and then months for sensation to return to anything like normal. It’s the nerve damage from the operation. I couldn’t wear a bra for weeks and it’s only in ast 6 months I’ve been able to tolerate a wired bra again! Use lots of bio cream on the would once it’s healed as I really think that helped the scar tissue heal and helped avoid getting keloids ( knobbly raised hard lumps) . My scar barely visible now. Well done on getting probably your worst nightmare behind you, look forward to many strong and healthy years ahead.

[Dag7 in reply to APC65]

Glad to hear you are recovering well..Question what is Bio Cream?

[APC65 in reply to Dag7]

You can buy at pharmacy- it’s an oil that helps to heal and fade scaring.

[jonterrell in reply to APC65]

Thank you

[DWizza]

Yep, chest area was sensitive for months , still feels different to pre surgery . I found I also had a sharp pain in my back:shoulder for months that I felt only when laying down sleeping , apparently due due to the torturous positioning of ribs and arms during the surgery. I found that swimming really helped to break down the scar tissue and help me open up my mobility for my chest . I was reticent to pick up weights and try flys 🤦🏼🤣🤣.

[Redfloyd]

Normal I think, at least I had similar. The stinging went eventually after a few months, I've still got a bit of numbness after 6 months but I don't take much notice of it now.

[BobbyB1962]

3 weeks is very early! The sunburn sensation will go quite quickly but the numbness will stay for a lot longer. I still have a little numbness 4 years after my CABG x 4! Don't worry, it's all quite normal.

[jonterrell in reply to BobbyB1962]

Ok thanks Bobby.

[maggie80]

It is early days. Take your time don't lift anything heavy. Take care.

[Qualipop]

That's the surface nerves that were cut . I had the same from a big abdominal operation. Nerves heal very slowly. It took about 12 weeks for mine to stop burning then that whole surface area of skin either side of the incision was totally numb for years.

[jonterrell in reply to Qualipop]

Ok thankyou. Was there any medication to help with the burning?

[Qualipop in reply to jonterrell]

No, it was just an accepted part of the healing process.

[ChasC]

Hi

Glad to hear you are on the mend.

Had my op mid- November - since then due to not smoking and eating whatever i want I have had to go up a couple of t shirt sizes!

I have had a strange sensation on the right side of my chest when wearing "outdoor" clothes.

Thanks to all the contributors here as i no one has been able to explain it to me, but thanks to you all I am happy to know that this is normal and fades over time.

i am also quite hairy and this seems to aggravate the chest wound (if that is such a thing). i have v little scarring on my leg and what i have has seemed to pretty much to be fading at a terrific rate, although my leg does get a bit achy and tired after a while when walking/exercising.

Keep strong!

[ChoochSiesta]

I had this too, it did seem to last a while. I have memories of doing my daily walk and getting really annoyed at that sunburn sensation. Even now, 3 years later, although the "sunburn" has long gone my wound still feels a bit weird and there is some numbness left.

[Joeypremo]

I’m 7 weeks PO now and the last week the chest discomfort has been more noticeable then it was during week 3 for me. Everyone is different. Tylenol stopped working for me which I think might have something to do with feeling it. Sunburn feeling is a good way to describe it. For me if I take a deep breath sometimes I can feel it too but other times no. The body does and can do wild things.

I too feel like it’s 2 steps forward 3 backwards. Anxiety and stress have a good deal to do with that in my case. Some nights I have trouble sleeping, others I do not. It’s hard to be positive in our situations but having a good support system some days helps a lot. Some days just having appointments and things to do keeps me going. Having more time with my son and daughter even tho I can’t do as much right now as before keeps me going.

What I’ve read and learned from all this is everyone is different but hearing people’s stories and experiences sometimes is the motivation I need to keep positive and believe this was life saving and not a time bomb.

[jonterrell in reply to Joeypremo]

Thanks for taking the time to respond Joey, it really is appreciated. I'm with you, the more I read about other people's experiences, the more I understand that it's not a one size fits all, healing process and everyone is different.That said, there seems to be one common theme, that we will get through this and be better for it, on the other side. Stay strong my friend, better days ahead.

JT

[Mancunian1]

if it’s the same as mine the numbness can be caused by nerve damage/disruption when the LAD is used as the primary bypass artery. I think the act of removing from the chest wall does disrupt nerve sensitivity.

I had it for some time but I am gradually gaining more feeling, although notably it was only on my left side as you might expect.

Hopefully others on here will have similar experiences to share.

[jonterrell in reply to Mancunian1]

Yeah, mine is the left side too. Good to know it's not just me. Thank you.

[Joeypremo in reply to Mancunian1]

I had both my chest arteries used. My right side I believe hurts more because I am right hand so I do more with that arm/hand. Plus where I’ve sat on my couch during recover is the left side so when I put things on the side table like drinks, books I stretch and use my right arm. I’ve been trying not to since the pain has flared up the last 4-5 days. It’s a learning process for sure. At 7 weeks I didn’t think I’d only be this far but with the cardiac rehab consultation on Tuesday I’m hoping these aches and pains subside.

[jonterrell in reply to Joeypremo]

Good luck with the rehab sessions, I'm sure they will help.

[Soundofman20]

I had open heart surgery 7wks ago tomorrow ie aortic valve replacement and a pacemaker was fitted 6wks tomorrow i had 22 nights in broad green due to complications after ,im 63 yr old woman and have quite large boobies so was advised to buy front fastening post op bras to wear after surgery which was difficult so i never wore it for the first week lol but was told this helps to keep the sternum together whilst healing , i dont know if ur a larger chested man or not but maybe a post op band they use in hosi would help u at home . Im same as you quiet tender and bit numb at the sides of the wound which has healed wonderfully but stingy i can feel it knitting together im not using lotion to soften it yet as says 8/10wks but i can now sleep on my side even though some nights its uncomfy i can feel the pacemaker im up throughout the night even now and sleeping on back can be difficult as i ache more im also dreading going back to my normal wired bras i may need to use a padding in the middle to stop any rubbing for few more months. But ask the cardiac nurse about a band for ur chest or ur doctor .

[jonterrell in reply to Soundofman20]

Ok, I certainly will do. Thank you