Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  Hello

    Posted 03-19-2018 11:40
    My name is Chuck and I am a 5 weeks post CabgX6 and I hope I'm in the right place. I'm not seeing any discussions about Cabg so I apologize if this isn't the place. I was wondering if there was anyone who experienced sensitivity pains around their incision area and if so how long did it last and what you did to relieve the pains?

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    Chuck Jones
    Roanoke VA
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  • 2.  RE: Hello

    Posted 03-19-2018 14:51
    We're all different and heal at different rates. In my case, the sensitivity around my sternum incision wasn't really bad unless I touched it so I didn't give it a lot of thought. As I recall that lasted about 4 weeks after surgery. There were some other things that lingered longer, like popping sternum and pain when sneezing but again they weren't unbearable. You might check with your Cardiologist about taking some Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease the pain if it's bothersome. 

    Good luck

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    Warren
    TucsonAZ
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Hello

    Posted 03-19-2018 20:01
    Hi Chuck,

    I had CABX4 July 16, 2016 and I still have pain in my incision. I tend to use a warm cloth and or a heating pad on the lowest setting in 10 minute intervals. When it rains or the weather is very cold I tend to ache in my incision area. I believe that it all takes time. The most important thing is that we are survivors.  Good luck with your recovery.  Just know that everyone recovery is different. Some people have bounced back in record time and others like myself are still recovering and learning a new normal.

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    Christine Torain
    Hyattsville MD
    (240)706-2911
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Hello

    Posted 03-27-2018 10:33
    Chuck,
    I’m sorry to be this late responding but I had some issues getting on the site. Anyway, I had 5 way cabg in Jan. 07. I never had what I considered pain but a lot of soreness and discomfort for a while. In all honesty it took about a year before my chest really started to feel normal again. After about 6 - 8 weeks it didn’t hurt but I could move certain ways and it just didn’t feel normal. Think of this...if you break an arm or leg it is put in a cast for 6 - 8 weeks to give it time to heal. They can’t do that with your chest so it takes time for that bone to grow back together. It doesn’t happen overnight but you will be back doing anything you want and feeling much better. In closing, please do Cardiac Rehab. That is the best thing you can do to get your strength and energy back.
    Best wishes,
    Tommy Broughton
    Chapter 28, Richmond, Va.

    Sent from my iPad


    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Hello

    Posted 03-29-2018 14:35
    Hello Chuck, I will agree with everything Tommy just told you. Rehab is the fastest way to heal. The pain varies with each person, but the major pain is gone in a couple of months. You can still have painful moments depending on what you are doing and how much activity you put yourself through. There is very little blood flow to parts of the chest area and sternum. This can delay the healing for some folks depending on our age, health, diet etc. All the normal body stuff that allows us to heal after an injury. Please be assured it does get better.
    Take care,

    Richard Short 
    Chapter 395
    Apple Valley CA



    Original Message