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8 weeks after open heart surgery, I am having a constant pulling, painful sensation on the right side of my chest, made much worse by sneezing or coughing. So far physicians tell me just to give it time, but I am taking daily pain meds, having problems getting rest and just want some answers.
I had open heart surgery 6 yrs ago. You may have had a chest tube placed after surgery this area may need time to heal. Your chest muscles, ribs all need time to heal. Gave yourself a break you had major surgery. Do some breathing exercise. Take a walk if you need to. Take Care. cyg
Please insist on x-rays to check the wires in your sternum. Sometimes they can pull loose or move out of place closer to the skin than is comfortable. That said, the sternum does take time to properly fuse. I had continued sternum pain for months after my surgery. I had mine in late December, 2007. In March x-rays were done due to my continued pain. My wires were actually fine. But my pain continued. So, I went back to my surgeon in April and he patted my hand as he ordered a CT scan of my sternum, just for my "peace of mind" he said. Imagine his surprise to see a gap about 1/2" long and about 1/4" wide at the top of my sternum. It had never fused completely in that little section and a callous had formed that was causing friction and pain with my every move. The only option was going back in, reopening my sternum, filing away the callous and both sides of the sternum to promote completely fusion. No thanks. Too risky with no guarantee it wouldn't do it again. I had to wait it out. I was able to get into a legitmate pain management clinic that monitored me on a low dose synthetic narcotic until my sternum finally fused completely, almost a full year post op.
The moral to my story is that if you feel like something is wrong and the pain you are in is affecting your life, insist that that check it out completely. My surgeon was stunned that there had been a real reason for my complaint. He never expected it. He had seen it before, but said it is very, very rare. Well, my pain was very, very real and I didn't have to suffer that long.
Take care and welcome to WomenHeart -
Dianna
Hi and welcome here,
8 weeks is still very soon in the recovery stage of sternum healing, scar tissue formation. Did you get checked for low grade fever? It is important to rule out inflammation, costochodritis and pericardium infection/excess fluid pressure.
Please keep checking in here. Dianna has lots of helpful info to share and other women here may be able to offer something that doctors won't be aware of or have time to investigate.
take good care and hope you get relief very soon,
Jaynie
I am 11 weeks out from triple bypass. I have had pain that sounds very similar. It is on top of my right breast and really HURTS. When I cough or sneeze it is very sharp, sometimes even taking a deep breath hurts. I asked both my surgeon and cariologist and they both said to give my muscles time. I also started rehab around the same time so I think it is just a muscle that is very sore. This all began around 9 weeks and this last week it has been so much better as time is passing. I have been very careful about lifting and pacing myself. I agree that if you feel something is not right don't hesitate to ask your doctors again. Especially if after a few weeks it does not ease at all. I really feel for you and hope you are doing better. This surgery is really hard.
Hannah
Penjudy, Always check with your doctor. However major surgery pain can last for months. My surgeon told me these things take time. Even 6 years later I feel a little pain now and then when the weather changes, its a reminder I suppose. I remember hugging my chest pillow and this helped ease the pain. Hang in there it will get better. Do make sure of there is no fever. If the pain is severe go straight to the emergency room. Don't be afraid to bother anyone -get your questions answered. There is always a chance of a clot in the lung. Take care and God Bless. Chris
It took a long time for my chest pains to subside. They do take a mammary vein from your chest for graft use, as well as out of your leg. The left side of my chest was numb for many months and then you deal with nerve regeneration for years afterward. There are multiple changes. But, for severe pain that requires medication for relief, I think you need to get it checked out and make them take you seriously.
Such great advice from everyone! I am 10 months out and I still have pain - mostly left sided where they took the mammary artery. I am also a musician and it hurts to take a deep breath at times, definitely hurts to press on it ( I know - don't press on it - hee, hee) - but acupuncture has helped and I figure it is just going to take time. According to the literature it can take up to 2 years. yeah,,,,,
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