Pain relief options after OHS

[MPort]

I had open heart surgery on 23 January to repair mitrial and tricuspad valves plus 2 small bypasses. Graft site above right ankle.I was out for 2 days after op. Couldn't surface. Severe reaction to opiates was reason.

So now I am 18 days post op. I have been on paracetamol only since day 3. I have had multiple night sweats since. So last night as an experiment I took last paracetamol in afternoon at 3pm. No sweats, HURRAY. But pain overnight pretty bad. And this restricted breathing. And I have mild and moderate fluid on each lung!

My question is as I can't take codeine, cocadamal or ibuprofen does anyone know of any other pain relief options?

2md question ankle below graft site has pooled blood/bruising and it and foot are still swollen and painful. Should I worry?

Many thanks

Mairead

[Lopas]

".....ankle below graft site has pooled blood/bruising and it and foot are still swollen and painful. Should I worry?"

Frankly, don't "worry" -----see a doctor! Do you have access to your ward/surgical team/ surgeon's secretary/GP - ask about the fluid too, I'm on diuretics (op 5 weeks ago)

[MPort in reply to Lopas]

Ok thanks. I was on diuretics for week after op. Not now.

[Lopas in reply to MPort]

I was on Furosemide before, during and after the operation. I'm expecting a discussion after 6 weeks when I see the surgical team again. - might stop, might not! When I got home from Hospital I still had swollen ankles so the GP and I agreed at the 2 week point to stay on Furosemide longer

[MPort]

Interesting. I will bear that in mind when I see GP on Friday. Many thanks.

[Daffodilia]

My husband had night sweats for some time after open heart surgery - stopped eventually - never got an explanation. He had blood vessel taken from thigh for bypass and then got swollen leg - was given a diuretic eventually which cleared it and hospital checked for blood clot. Ask your GP or practice nurse? My husband didn’t take much codeine - made him feel bad. Took paracetamol for headaches.

[MPort in reply to Daffodilia]

Very interesting re codeine. I keep resisting it I feel it's not right. But have come off paracetamol after 5pm so get no night sweats. But pain kicks in about 1 and it's difficult to breath and sleep. Thanks for the info. Appreciated

[Daffodilia in reply to MPort]

Husband much better 6 months on - it takes time - more than they tell you - good luck

[MPort in reply to Daffodilia]

Thanks for hope. Long haul then 😊

[bikebabe]

I had an overlong stay in high dependency as well for same reason -hallucinating. Happened before when had 20mg cocodamol after hip op. I have Gilbert’s syndrome so cannot process most painkillers opiates codeine or paracetamol (liver can’t process efficiently due to UDP pathway issues) so they don’t break down efficiently and become toxic ) and ibuprofen was contraindicated with anticoags. I did get intense pain in right side chest (small amt fluid) requiring A&e twice. Mostly just had paracetamol, tried to keep mobile, used a wedge /pillows to sleep semi upright at night and a side bar on my bed To help lever myself up and tried not to get constipated. It will get less and in a few months hopefully you won’t remember the pain. But I don’t have your issue with grafts and it sounds like that needs medical attention.

[MPort in reply to bikebabe]

Most helpful. Many thanks

[bikebabe]

you could ask GP to be tested for Gilbert’s which consistently increases blood bilirubin but has no overt symptoms. Just slows down the breakdown of some meds that use UDP pathway particularly when ill /injured.