Breast pain after bypass surgery

Question

I underwent double bypass surgery on April 17, 2009.  I am having a lot of pain in my breasts. Also popping feelings.  The only thing that will take the pain away is oxycodone (percocet). It has been 3 months and the pain is not getting any better.  From time to time I try to go without the percocet and only take tylenol and have tried hydrocodone but it doesn't do anything to help the pain.  I am afraid of getting addicted to the pain killers, but I can't handle the pain without them.  Will this pain ever go away?  Is there anything I should be concerned about.  Are there any tests to see if something else is causing the pain?  Any help will be appreciated. Thank You

Fholter · Answer

Think so?

Cali59 · Answer

I had triple bypass over 7 months ago and still have sharp, burning pain in my left breast, slightly less in my right breast. I've also been told to "live with it, it's normal," but it's so awful I sometimes just want to die. I've asked about pain medicine to the point of being labeled a "drug-seeker," despite NEVER getting any pain medicine. I have no medical insurance, so I don't have a regular GP. I've tried hot compresses, ice, herbal teas, and nothing helps. I do take ibuprofen on a regular basis for arthritis and peripheral neuropathy. Cardiologists, ER doctors, even my cardiac surgeon, accuse me of exaggerating the pain. If anyone has any suggestions for what to do for this awful pain AT HOME, please tell me!

Sherilyn1958 · Answer

I am NOT happy for anyones pain, however, its good to know I am not just being a BABY about hurting so much 6 months out from a quad bypass.  The pain extremely rarely, isnt there.  I am starting to feel depression sneaking in.  Not certain if it is caused by the intense pain or not.  But, the pain and depression are starting to wear me down.

jcrazy1955 · Answer

Hello ,I had AVR in mid Sept.2015 and being 10 weeks post op I was hoping I would be feeling much less pain..I had a pneumonia crop up within 2 days of being home lasting 2 full weeks of gut wrenching pain,which slowed the healing process immensely.I had popping and cracking feelings and sounds for up to 6 weeks which finally did subside,they were very unnerving.Now I have pain in the Sternum whenever I happen to be raising or lowering my arms above the chest also my left breast area around to my back is painful .If I set my elbow on the table and rest my head in my hand from habit ,when I raise my arm off the table there is whincing pain at the breast bone and at almost 10 weeks in recovery I have personal fears of my breast and chest area never feeling good again.I still take a low dose Oxycodone as needed and Aleve which helps but no matter what I take I still feel different levels of pain and depression as noted every day.

jcrazy1955 · Answer

Hello ,I had AVR in mid Sept.2015 and being 10 weeks post op I was hoping I would be feeling much less pain..I had a pneumonia crop up within 2 days of being home lasting 2 full weeks of gut wrenching pain,which slowed the healing process immensely.I had popping and cracking feelings and sounds for up to 6 weeks which finally did subside,they were very unnerving.Now I have pain in the Sternum whenever I happen to be raising or lowering my arms above the chest also my left breast area around to my back is painful .If I set my elbow on the table and rest my head in my hand from habit ,when I raise my arm off the table there is whincing pain at the breast bone and at almost 10 weeks in recovery I have personal fears of my breast and chest area never feeling good again.I still take a low dose Oxycodone as needed and Aleve which helps but no matter what I take I still feel different levels of pain and depression as noted every day.

Littlelamblost · Answer

Hi Ladies 
I had a bypass in June this year (2015) and have had the same pain etc. I was told by my cardio surgeon I just have to learn to live with it, it's common. 
I went to my GP and he started me on a tablet called Lyrica it is used for many things and one of those is nerve pain/damage post surgery. So I thought why not, give it a try. 
I'm now 4 days in and have to say they are working bloody great

Littlelamblost · Answer

I had a bypass June 2015 and have the same terrible pain. My specialist just tells me I have to learn to live with it, which I found offensive. I don't understand why they still take the graft from there when it creates so much pain and so many problems. If it's simply because it doesn't leave you a scare like the leg or wrists give me a scar any day I say. Also  I am curious how many of us were told this was even a possibility of post pain? 
I know I wasn't because if I were told I would of said no.

meg53 · Answer

Hi All I just had a triple bypass in late June and all is going well excepted for the pain in both breasts it can bring me to tears. I even had a CT scan to see if I have done anything to the incision. Right now the doctor has me on Motrin. It helps some what. I am told this is normal. Has anyone else experienced this??

Debbieroberson · Answer

I had five bypass open heart surgery 6 mons ago and the left breast had started to give me immense pain recently but the took the arteries out of my leg not my breast and I can't figure why I'm having the pain

hellokittymeows · Answer

I am sad you are all feeling the left breast pain from the harvesting of them femoral mammery artery. I am 2 years post double bypass and can attest this is a horrible pain. I have to hold my breast against my body when bending over and sometimes when laughing or walking. Doesn't seem the pain would get worse, but it has. First when the nerves were rerouting coming back to life, it was odd, but this is completely different.  Was hoping I would find someone saying it took their pain so long and then it stopped, but maybe it doesn't. I hurt so bad this morning having a mastectomy sounds goods and desirable.  Let pray for relief for all of us.

Sobe77 · Answer

I just had open heart surgery a valve replaced 2 weeks ago. Yesterday started having sever right breast pain I have implants. Is this normal are should I be worried.the pain is so bad I can't but be worried. Also my thyroids have gotten way out of wak.

Kathy112071 · Answer

My husband just had a triple bypass and is having a lot of pain in his breasts, especially the nipples, any other men experience this?

skydnsr · Answer

The surgeon told you to wear a more structured bra, but he didn't identify the cause of your pain?  I'd want answers.  With the late onset of the pain, I would be concerned about an infection.  I invite you not to stop asking questions until you get both an answer and a solution, no matter what you have to do.  This does not seem trivial to me.  Good luck.

Suriname1 · Answer

I had a quintuple bypass on August 18, 2014, and most things are getting a little better day by day.  But  about a month after surgery, I started to have severe pain in my right breast, all the way through the breast and up to the nipple.  When I roll over or stand up or sit down, the pain is intense enough to make me moan.  Both breasts are swollen.   I checked with my surgeon about a month ago, and he suggested I wear a more structured bra 24 hours a day because I am large breasted, and that I take Aleve or Ibuprofen on a regular basis.  If anything, the pain has gotten worse.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks.

bamaboy1119 · Answer

I also have sore, swollen left breast since triple bypass 9/11/2013. Much larger than right one, and have to wear an ace bandage  if mowing, 4 wheeling or any kind of bouncing. I see I am not alone. Sorry for ya'll, but happy I am not the only one with these symptoms. I am grateful to be able to fuss and feel though. Hope we all get some comfort from this....

BlessedInspired · Answer

I thought I was the only one with the pain on my left breast.  It is somewhat comforting to know that others have pain/tingling/twitching also.  The pain is more in the flesh as opposed to deeper inside like just before I had my five bypasses 16 months ago.  I hope that you as well as others can start to feel better soon.

linda1054 · Answer

I had a single bypass w/minimally invasive CABG (1/11) using LIMA.  I still have pain in left breast, sometimes severe.  I'm still waiting to wake up & have normal sensation but after 20 months post op, not optimistic.  Hope your pain subsides.

Bobopockets · Answer

I had a triple bypass in June 2010 and ever since have experienced pain in the left breast and even into my armpit and up to the neck. I suspected nerve damage had been done when they harvested the artery, and recently began us use Arnica a natural product to rub onto it as it eases bruising. The difference is immense, like from needing pain killers ot needing none. It was not until I went onto this link that I understood more..It is about LIMA, "Left internal Mammary Artery" htp://www.medtronic.com/documents/200901133b_EN.pdf
I hope this helps many others. Bobo Pockets

Michal656 · Answer

Glad to know that I am not alone in having these sharp shooting pains in my left breast.  They just started today, and it has been 11 weeks since my double bypass surgery.  I will be watching to see all of the comments because they have been really helpful in knowing what's going on.   Also glad to know what was said about turning on my side because I still can't without it bothering me.

ed34 · Answer

I was told that I could return to heavy lifting after three months but I was still finding it
difficult to put up with the pain when even turning over in my sleep. It took exactly one
year and the pains suddenly vanished without a trace. I still have a slight numbness 
on my chest, just to the left side of the top of the scar. I had all kinds of strange sensations going on inside my chest also, such as a feeling of cold liquid running down
the inside and sharp painful tingles.

rockcityaudiouk · Answer

Hello,sorry to hear that you are still in pain.You are of course correct in being worried about being"Addicted"to pain killers and its good that your thinking about that.Where there is genuine pain however,patients do not usually get addicted to pain killers.Addiction normally occurs in people that take un-prescribed pain killers for the effects.(not pain relief).
(however expect to be on them for a while yet at least 3 more months).
I know it sounds like "a cop out"but its back to your cardio and his/her care team.

Having this operation is a serious matter,so is getting inside a well protected human body,nature made it very well!.I think if you look more towards the 9 month mark to be in less pain that would be more realistic.However you should pass your concerns and worries on to your cardio,whom should also be inspecting you physically, your scar and tender areas on a regular basis for any possible infections/problems.Your entitled to this important after care and please insist on it!.There should be no reason for you to stay worried or to be in pain.good luck.