Incision Pain -- 3yrs after Bypass

[delander]

I'm a 53 year old male who had triple bypass surgery 3 years ago.  I've had two issues since:  1st, I suffered SVT while at the end of a neuclear stress test a year ago and two other episodes while playing softball.  I've found as long as I don't compete competetively, I do not have that problem -- just info for anyone interested.  The 2nd issue -- and very bothersome to me, is pain at the incision site that started about 4 months ago (2.5 years after bypass).  The pain can be very intense and worsens with the slightest finger pressure.  The pain is not present all the time but comes and goes throughout the day.  When experiencing the pain just moving either arm, or rotating my upper body can make it worse -- even picking up a gallon of milk.  My cardian surgeon states it is probably scar tissue .... Does Anyone Else Suffer From This Problem ??? Thanks.

[ed34]

hi, it sounds like you are following in my footsteps. I had a triple bypass and it took exactly a year to feel no pains again. I left hospital early, started rehab early and yet the pains stayed with me a long time. There are some patients who don't feel normal for 2 years while some seem to heal after 3 months. I did a lot of exercises and they seemed to work for an hour but the pains came back with a vengeance. You could try what I did before the year was up and seemed to accelerate healing. I slept on the couch for a week, a 2 seater which meant I had to keep turning over in my sleep to get comfortable.

[goeagles69]

I had triple bypass at the end of January 2015. I was attending cardiac rehab and feeling really well. out of no where about the end of April i began having pain along my incision site. I thought it normal for the healing process but it has not gotten any better. I have been back to the surgeon multiple times and see the cardiologist and my family doc monthly. I had a chest xray and everything appeared well with the wiring of my sternum. i had a chest CT and they found nodules which they said would not cause any pain. So now it is July and i have been on about 6 different meds including steroids, celebrex, gabopentin. the pain continues. i have not been able to return to work. the pain is at its worst when i bend over or expand my arms outside the width of my body. i am extremely frustrated at this point and would love some answers at to what may treat my pain and give me back quality of life. - Dave

[arience]

yes.  I am female and 48 now.  I had the bypass in aug 06.  i have had pain on either side of the incision since.  sometimes it's really bad.  it hurts to push on it.  for me, it seems to get worse with monthly cycles.  i have problems with anxiety over this.  it makes me want to run into the cardiologist every time, even though i see them every 3 months without fail.  when i had the heart attack, i had my general doctor tell me to quit whining, it was indigestion.  3 days in a row i went to her because of the pain. The 3rd day, i had the heart attack.  97% blocked and now have permanent damage to the bottom chamber of my heart.  my ef has gone form 27 to 35 with coreg and moderate exercise.  i have good day and bad days.  sometimes, i get very tired, but, thank God, i have more  days of feeling pretty ok.  the cardioolgist says that when they cut your sternum like that, the wire they use rubs on the bones and thats what causes the pain.  hope that answers some stuff for you.