Sternum Pain 2 months after CABG

[bb1199]

I am a 48 year old female that had triple bypass surgery in December 2006. I was not experiencing problems at the time I just went in for diagnostic tests since it had been 3 years since any tests had been done. I have a total of 5 stents (one cleaned out with radiation) and have had 2 heart attacks since 2001.
I am back to work since February 1st and have just started experiencing pain in my sternum and pain (at times) when I raise my right arm. The pain is not "chest pains" it is pain in the breastbone and my chest is now experiencing the "tingling" effect that I was told would happen a lot sooner than this.
Is this pain normal?
I also have what I am assuming is a stitch coming from one of the areas on my leg that they removed a vein from. Is that normal?
Should I be concerned about any of these things? I do not go back to my cardiologist until the end of March and will have an echocardiogram done at that visit.
Thank you for any help.

[khanazem]

i am 55 yr old and had cabg 6 gratfts 4 weeks ago. there wee no symptom and came in routine checkup in ct coronary angio. arteries were taken from left arm n mamary art.

i m a coward and was worried about pain. suprisingly, there was virtually no"painful pain " and it was suprisingly ok. 5 days after surgery  i even stopped the panadiene pain killer. of course discomfort in back and neck area and chest wound area . only problem was second day after surgery whenb they brought me to room from icu as my lungs were congested and i was wheezing a lot. with medication, it was ok next day. thus i like to inform those like me who would be afraid of cabg surgery that pain is no issue.

another thing docs said u will have good days/bad days etc . i didnt experience any bad day till now, ie, 4 weeks after surgery. now i m exercising 1 hour a day , ( brisk walking on minor slope, swimming ( dog puddle only) , cycling etc. raising dumbells 4 kg . ( phsyio warns no pushing by hand, little lifting is ok. rehab exercise going much better as i used to exercise regularly pre -surgery, though i m overweight. since i heard of blockage 3 months ago, lost about 15 kg, by dieting. ( which means stopped overeating and extra eating, still eating good.

would like to share some experiance of sex as couldnt find much on net. 12 days after surgery, sex was back in my mind and on 14th day tried, but there was premature ejeculation in seconds. on 19th day, did it and worked fine. on 21st day, even used viagra 25 mg ( i m only on bp n cholestrol med n aspirin) , was excellent. did again on 23rd dy without viagra and was good.  after discharge, i shiver for about 2-3 minutes. ( some day, i even shiver when lying on bed for sleeping . i m in austarlia and right now its a  cold spring ).

just thought would share some experiance.

all the best to all. azam

[Jupiter66]

Im 48 yr old male had bypassx3 about 25 days ago.  I am getting better day by day. I still have alot of pain on the right side of my sternum left side is still numb. Tues. i take an echo and nuclear stress test, then hopefully start rehab so i can get back to work. I worry every day I ahve previously had 2 heart attacks and 5 stents. I worry that they will find something else wrong. Im doing all I can to make changes quit smoking after 35 years of smoking.  Dont  be afraid to tell the docs whats going on I did i got Welbutrin to help with the non smoking, Darvocetand celebrex for the pain,and lose dose of zanax for my agnxiety. This has been a life changing or shattering experience for all of us and our famillies and vI think its gonna be awhile before we get over our feelings and get back to normal whatever normal is.  Hang in there we'll get thru it and be better afterwards.    Peace  Bill

[jessiedijamco]

I am 39 years old and I had a 3 artery bypass 9 days ago because of back shoulder pain whenever i was walking at least 2 minutes. What I had done since I left the hospital is to feel my heartbeat and absorb what ever pain is their and try to find ways to avoid painful positions specially in sleeping.
But I was totally wrong because the more I be concious of this the more worry and pain it will give, the best advice and experience I can share with you right now is move and talk to friends and relatives personally and the pain and worries would be gone.

[Cindymac]

I am 42 yo female and relate to your info. Went for check up because of high BP. I had bypass surgery 10 days ago. If you have time, I would like to hear more about your recovery. As to when chest soreness improves and when did you stamina start to improve. I know the Doctor goes over all of this with me; but sometimes its better to hear it from someone who has actually experienced the surgery. Thanks in advance for your reply. Cindy

[anacyde]

Your pain two months post op at the sternum area isn't uncommon.  The four bypass survivors in my family still have pain a couple of years out from time to time, usually dependent upon the weather and their level of and type of activity.  I would still mention it.  I would also mention the leg, I don't recall any of them having that happen this much later.  Keep it clean in the mean time and try not to irritate the area.

Sending good thoughts for your upcoming echo :)