Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  chest wall pain

    Posted 04-17-2020 17:43
    CABG on 1/17/20, 3 months now.  I've still got a lot of chest wall pain.  Sternum fused properly.  Taking maximum amount of acetaminophen for pain.

    Simple question:

    How long did you experience significant chest wall pain?

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    Anthony Smith
    Lake Elsinore CA
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  • 2.  RE: chest wall pain

    Posted 04-18-2020 12:19
    https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(00)01186-3/pdf

    Above is a PDF that describes a study they did surrounding chest wall pain.  Based on this, I think my pain is typical.

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    Anthony Smith
    Lake Elsinore CA
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  • 3.  RE: chest wall pain

    Posted 04-19-2020 11:27
    Hello Anthony,
    I understand the pain you are feeling. It will vary from person to person as to how long it lasts. It will also vary as to how painful it is. I had what I felt to be severe pain for almost 3 months before it got tolerable. Then over the next three months, the pillow and the Tylenol began to have some effect. 
    This may or may not be what happens in your case but I just wanted you to know it really does get better. It was almost 2 years before I could sleep on my stomach again. The sternum has very little blood supply going to it and it heals at a slower rate than other parts of the body. Just be patient and don't try to rush the healing process too soon. You will get there.
    Take care and know you are not alone.

    Richard Short 
    Chapter395





  • 4.  RE: chest wall pain

    Posted 04-19-2020 13:12

    Anthony, 
    My 3x was on 2/21, 8 weeks ago.   I have moderate to very uncomfortable chest ache.  Again I classify as uncomfortable ache, not severe pain like after surgery. 

    Other day cardiologist said could last 6 months.  I assume tapering off, not like a light switch. 


    Like you Tylenol wasn't helping much, they did suggested  trying some Ibuprofen and if not helpful would arrange Tramadol.

    I still have some Tylonol-4 which I broke into quarters. And took the ibuprofen with one of the quarters and it has helped quite a bit. 

    fitbit says I got the best sleep in weeks last night. 

    it doesn't feel like soreness/pain will be gone soon, but seems it can be managed better. 
     

    check with doctor about ibuprofen or stronger until it does subside. 



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    Thomas Devlin
    Retired Business Technologist
    Boynton Beach FL
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  • 5.  RE: chest wall pain

    Posted 04-19-2020 17:15
    Hi Anthony
    I had nagging pain for months. It wasn't intolerable but it was enough to bother me. I am about 8 months post op and still have some soreness here and there. I have been playing golf and weightlifting since the 3 month mark, and have a 6 month old daughter so my chest is getting used plenty! I am just now able to sleep on my stomach some. I think my soreness kind of related to how active I was as well. Mine has slowly gotten better with time. As I'm writing this I am realizing that it doesn't hurt much anymore, I hadn't really thought about it in a while.

    Hang in there! It gets better

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    Cole Morrison
    772-215-1621
    Saint Simons Island, GA
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