Sunburn Feeling not improving?

[jonterrell]

So, now 5 weeks post CABGx3 and recovery, whilst not exactly going to plan (chest infection etc), I am making progress and feeling stronger.However, the sunburnt feeling in my chest, either side of my main wound, due to nerve damage during surgery, is just not improving. Can't bare to have clothing touching my chest, which as the weather gets better, is going to cause some issues ( can't walk around the village topless, I'll scare the kids lol)

I've been back to the hospital and they gave me further painkillers, but stated it's just time, as the tablets haven't worked. (Sad times) and it's different for everyone.

Does anyone have any advice or remedies to help me with this?

Thx in advance

Jon T

[Wargame]

hi I still have that feeling nearly 2 years down the line iv started to use scar tape which seems to be making a difference

[jonterrell in reply to Wargame]

Ok thank you and thanks for your time in responding.

[devonian186]

Its still very early days. Hope you are not getting impatient and doing more than you should be. I took maximum dose paracetamol (2x4 a day) for 8 weeks then at that point the pain suddenly stopped.

[jonterrell in reply to devonian186]

Ok thanks. I dropped the paracetemol, due to me taking so many other tablets and it just seemed the easiest one to remove. Maybe I should start them again?

[devonian186 in reply to jonterrell]

After my quad bypass, I was told the only suitable pain killer was paracetamol. Low dose Aspirin was really for blood thinning not pain relief.

I had to ensure i took it regularly not just when i had pain otherwise if i missed a dose believing i was ok, the pain came back and it took hours for a new dose to work which might then conflict with timings, as i liked to take some before going to bed.

As I say, at 8 weeks I realised my pain had stopped and I haven't taken one from that day to this-nearly 3 years.

[jonterrell in reply to devonian186]

Ok thats super advice, thank you. I'll start the paracetamol again.

[Redfloyd]

5 weeks is early days. I think I was 12 weeks before I didn't really notice it although at 6 months Its still there but only if I think about. For me it was a reminder of what I had done and to be careful not to overdo things which is so easy to do. I was 1 step forward 2 steps backwards for quite a while.

[jonterrell in reply to Redfloyd]

Ok thx. Appreciate your time.

[Stanno]

I'm 6 months in and still can't wear polo shirts because of the seams. I could only wear zip tops with the zip open so there was nothing touching either side. Now I'm ok with crew t shirts. It does get better. I found walking helps take my mind off it so try to keep yourself busy with something and try to relax as much as you can.

[jonterrell]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Stanno, really is appreciated.

[OK10]

My cardiologist suggested pregabalin 75mg once daily for muscle pain. I'll take it if my pain gets worse.