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Leg pain after heart bypass
My husband had quintuple heart bypass surgery one year ago today. He is experiencing increasing amount of pain in his left leg where a vein was removed. He describes it as a squeezing pain below the knee; like his leg will be squeezed in half at times. Doctors don't seem to be able to find the cause, indicating that it may be nerve damage. Pain management medications don't always seem to ease the pain either. Anyone else experiencing this or does anyone have any insight?
Thanks!
Thanks!
i had a tripple heart bypass january 2012 , i have to be very honest it never gets better only worse much worse , unless you learn to elevate your leg with pillows for a half hour every two hours, it will just swell like a balloon tied in the middle ,more so when you were socks for two long,2 x asprin every day adjoined with morphine patches and i just get through. my leg gives way to the point of collapse and just a few months ago i collapsed -- fellover onto my right leg and completely snaped my leg and the bone popped out of my leg and so now live with a steel nail holding my leg together , more nerve pain but at least off the zimmer frame , i have asked for my legg to be amputated but they wont ,so now i have both legs dammaged with no relapps of pain ,and sternum pain musculer skellital , i have as much chance of getting better than my spelling , my best advice stay calm at all times enjoy your family because you will loose all friends , because you calnt get about as you used to, god bless
Every body is suffering from the same thing. It is the vein removal that cause this. It is NERVE damage and over the counter pain meds will not help over the counter pain meds will not help for NERVE DAMAGE. You need gabapentin it block the transfer of the pain signal in the brain therefore you may stop the pain in the brain through blocking the transfer signal in the brain.
what all of you are suffering from is NERVE damage caused by the vein harvesting for the BYPASS surgery It is called Saphenous Neuralgia Complex it is cause by the harvesting of the grafts in the legs for the BYPASS surgery I am just someone that found out by doing my on research for my on leg pain after I had Quadruple bypass surgery and then 4 month later had to have 3 stents put in I have only been out of the Hospital for ONE week on 9/16/17 this week
My dad, who is 74 years old, had a triple bypass recently ( 19 Feb 2017) and now he suffers from this excruciating pain in his lower leg/ankle where they took the vein and arteries. We live in different countries and I have contact with him only through the phone. The pain seems to be intolerable and way above the threshold of bearing pain. My old man is diabetics type 2 as well. Medications appear not to be helpful. After reading your comments, it seems that there is no one go solution for the pain. Nerve damage, muscle damage or any kind of damage could be the cause, but an agreeable way of assuaging the pain seems to be beyond everyone's ken. I don't know how to help him, his suffering seems to be increasing day by day and I am so desperate now to find any actual solution as I have read your comments. Any further information welcome! I'll appreciate it if there could possible be any professional or experimental help available.
1 Comments
Have you checked his magnesium levels both serum and RBC red blood cell. Most pain is from low Mag levels. Also B-12 sublingual and a b-complex. Alpha lipoic acid- milk thistle-chromium picolinate will help with diabetes check blood sugar more often Have your dad's Vitamin D3 checked should be at least 50. I'll wager he is in the single digits or low teens which cause more pain.
My dad, who is 74 years old, had a triple bypass recently ( 19 Feb 2017) and now he suffers from this excruciating pain in his lower leg/ankle where they took the vein and arteries. We live in different countries and I have contact with him only through the phone. The pain seems to be intolerable and way above the threshold of bearing pain. My old man is diabetics type 2 as well. Medications appear not to be helpful. After reading your comments, it seems that there is no one go solution for the pain. Nerve damage, muscle damage or any kind of damage could be the cause, but an agreeable way of assuaging the pain seems to be beyond everyone's ken. I don't know how to help him, his suffering seems to be increasing day by day and I am so desperate now to find any actual solution as I have read your comments. Any further information welcome! thank you.
3 Comments
My 69 yr olld brother had quadruple bypass in late Dec 2016 and the burning pain in his thighs are unbearable for him. He has found that soaking in a completely warm bath helps, but he's having to do this several times a day. He's suffering daily. Would love an answer to this problem. You would think with the frequency of this occurring after veins are removed for heart surgery, the medical community would be able to help.
My 69 yr olld brother had quadruple bypass in late Dec 2016 and the burning pain in his thighs are unbearable for him. He has found that soaking in a completely warm bath helps, but he is having to do this several times a day. He is suffering daily. Would love an answer to this problem. You would think with the frequency of this occurring after veins are removed for heart surgery, the medical community would be able to help.
Try to get him a prescription for gabapentin from 300 mg up to 1200 mg I will bet it will help him I had the same problem after Quadruple bypass surgery I did my on research to find this out read all my posting they all point to the same thing.
I had a quintile bypass June 2016. They took veins from my left leg from ankle to just above my knee on the inside of my leg. I have to them about the leg pain they took me off the statin drugs. I believe the cramping and both legs got better. But the left leg where they took the veins is becoming increasingly painful. I can only describe the pain is like a burning sensation. I have the Gabapentin. I have the hydrocodone. None of it really seems to help. It;s waking me up at night. It seems to be getting worse. I will talk to them again tomorrow to see what they have to recommend. I had an old knee brace in my drawer and I got that out and wrapped my left leg. I have it on now it actually feels a little better. Part of my leg pain seems to be linked to the position my leg is in. Although what that position exactly is I can;t tell you, I just know lifting it to the side from the knee will set it off. If this is such a common problem which it seems to be, why isn't there some more practical help to get some relief from this.? It would be wonderful to get a good nights sleep.
I am a 50 year old male. I had sextuple CABG in July. Veins were grafted from both legs, ankle to knee. Post surgery, I was experiencing a lot of pain in my legs between the incisions. After consulting with my cardiologist, he stated that this sometimes occurs, and that it will get better, but may never go away completely. He offered but I refused any pain medication, and began a cardiac rehab program, which consisted mainly of walking on a treadmill. I kept pushing myself to get stronger and at the end of rehab, I could jog for several miles. I had to have my upper limit heart rate adjusted twice, as I would always push up against the ceiling during the workouts. It has been 8 months, and the pain has pretty much gone away. I will only get the pain if I put pressure on certain parts of the leg, but it is not nearly as painful as right after surgery. I have continued running, at least 3 times a week, but usually 5 times a week. My medication, has been reduced to minimal levels, and I have started upper body strength training, including pull ups. I have lost 25 pounds, and am back to a 34 waist jean. The cure for the pain for me, was to keep the legs moving. My advice, is to push yourself, to work through the familiar leg pain, and you will heal. I say familiar pain, because if you feel a different pain, anywhere else, you should consult your doctor to ensure all is ok. Good luck!!
Hello,
Early days for me yet because I had the triple heart bypass on Sept 1st 2015.
They took the vein from my left leg from ankle to just above the knee.
It is now Oct 23rd 2015 and although I have been suffering with the because I had an infection and hurt like hell.
The leg now after 3 courses of antibiotics (allergic to penicillin) is doing well but still a little painful and stings a lot.
Since the operation I have had awful lower back pains and upper buttock numbness. This I was told was caused by the operating table and I am wondering of this has anything to do with the leg pains.
When you think about the operation and how major it was there are bound to be pains and some pains some time after too but from what I have read here some of you have had severe pains and I am fortunate enough as not to have had them (YET) but it is early days for me. I have had pains yes from the infection but only for weeks and not years as some of you have.
Also the vein from the leg is the main vein that feeds the leg and foot with blood. When the vein is cut out it is deep and the cut then is stitched in layers from he inside ( I was told it has 4 or 5 layers of dissolving stitches. After the layers of stitches the final layer on the outside is stapled (like mine) or stitched depending what hospital and who does he operation.
My operation was done at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester UK.
I would like to know where some of you had your operations??
I suppose I was lucky because Glenfield Hospital has some of the best heart surgeons in the world and one of them is very famous (he did mine).
My heart bypass was an emergency operation and nearly 8 weeks on I am feeling fine although the numbness in base of spine is still there and I struggle to get comfortable in bed and sitting but also seems to be getting better by the day.
For some of you people who are still suffering I think do have a case and do need to do some research into why on earth you are suffering like you are.
I know the chest closure is a 3 to 6 months healing process but I can lay down in bed now and sleep pretty well on my back on on both sides.
As I say it has been 7 weeks for me now and I am not suffering like some of you who have suffered for many years.
Early days for me yet because I had the triple heart bypass on Sept 1st 2015.
They took the vein from my left leg from ankle to just above the knee.
It is now Oct 23rd 2015 and although I have been suffering with the because I had an infection and hurt like hell.
The leg now after 3 courses of antibiotics (allergic to penicillin) is doing well but still a little painful and stings a lot.
Since the operation I have had awful lower back pains and upper buttock numbness. This I was told was caused by the operating table and I am wondering of this has anything to do with the leg pains.
When you think about the operation and how major it was there are bound to be pains and some pains some time after too but from what I have read here some of you have had severe pains and I am fortunate enough as not to have had them (YET) but it is early days for me. I have had pains yes from the infection but only for weeks and not years as some of you have.
Also the vein from the leg is the main vein that feeds the leg and foot with blood. When the vein is cut out it is deep and the cut then is stitched in layers from he inside ( I was told it has 4 or 5 layers of dissolving stitches. After the layers of stitches the final layer on the outside is stapled (like mine) or stitched depending what hospital and who does he operation.
My operation was done at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester UK.
I would like to know where some of you had your operations??
I suppose I was lucky because Glenfield Hospital has some of the best heart surgeons in the world and one of them is very famous (he did mine).
My heart bypass was an emergency operation and nearly 8 weeks on I am feeling fine although the numbness in base of spine is still there and I struggle to get comfortable in bed and sitting but also seems to be getting better by the day.
For some of you people who are still suffering I think do have a case and do need to do some research into why on earth you are suffering like you are.
I know the chest closure is a 3 to 6 months healing process but I can lay down in bed now and sleep pretty well on my back on on both sides.
As I say it has been 7 weeks for me now and I am not suffering like some of you who have suffered for many years.
2 Comments
I had quadruple bypass 28 April 2018 in university hospital Coventry uk, I am now getting severe night time pains in my lower leg and feet like growing pains I'm diabetic 2, but didn't have this pain until now
I had quadruple bypass 28 April 2018 in university hospital Coventry uk, I am now getting severe night time pains in my lower leg and feet like growing pains I'm diabetic 2, but didn't have this pain until now
Update:- Discussed with my family Doctor ( called a General Practitioner) in UK who was firmly of the view that the symptoms were indicative of muscle injury rather than anything seriously wrong.
Will arrange an appointment if pain continues
Will arrange an appointment if pain continues
2 Comments
The pain I had was like I had worms in my legs with heat and when the SUN goes down it really starts hurting like a really bad sun burn does after dark is when a bad sun burn really hurts the most. get a prescription for Gabapentin It will help a lot with the pain you will all ways need it for the rest of your life.
That Dr. is full of it he is dead wrong it is nerve damage cause by the vein removal for the bypass surgery. there is a lot of quack Dr's out there that could not find there a$$ and the only reason they can is because they have they head stuck up it.
Thanks for posting the information about you Dad. It was very helpful to me - especially concerning the fears about the blood clot were unfounded. As a newbie not sure if this thankyou will show beneath your message or underneath my more detailed comments
WORRIED UNTIL I READ THIS DISCUSSION!
Was thinking of going to casualty with the suspected equivalent of deep vein thrombosis! However my main vein in the affected left leg was removed for quad bypass operation!
Here's the full story - it might provide some suggested answers to other questions raised in this discussion.
Arrived here after numerous Google searches associated with recent onset of worsening cramps in leg from which vein was removed nearly two years ago for quad bypass operation.
Feared it could be something like threatening like deep vein thrombosis and was thinking of going to hospital casualty!
Less dramatic approach was to think it was associated with muscle strain following gym session as I had done leg lift 10 x 80 plus 10 x 90 and 10 x 100 kilograms but I have being doing these numbers and figures regularly without previous problem.
Cramps came on several days after gym session and whilst I had been sitting (with leg extended and supported) watching a long concert on television.
Reassuring posts in this forum suggesting it is a frequent problem but no explanations given.
Seems logical to me there might be the equivalent of traffic problems after removing a motorway (the main vein) but why should this be OK immediately after the closure?
Hmmm maybe need to talk to someone about whether to reduce beta blocker dose of 2.5 mg daily as resting pulse rate is 59 bpm and even 15 minutes on gym bike and then rowing machine did not increase rate much over 100 bpm and maximum was 110 after leg lifts.
OTH when I started swimming regularly I was out of breath before one length of crawl and now can do several but then boredom becomes the issue!
So perhaps the problem for myself and others is linked to long term medication?
I am also on STATIN (simvastin) 20 mg daily. Initially started on 40 mg several years ago but there seemed to be side effects and Doctor reduced to 20 mg and this resolved things and is achieving good results from cholesterol follow up tests.
Perhaps I should mention I am a 75 year old male from the UK
Was thinking of going to casualty with the suspected equivalent of deep vein thrombosis! However my main vein in the affected left leg was removed for quad bypass operation!
Here's the full story - it might provide some suggested answers to other questions raised in this discussion.
Arrived here after numerous Google searches associated with recent onset of worsening cramps in leg from which vein was removed nearly two years ago for quad bypass operation.
Feared it could be something like threatening like deep vein thrombosis and was thinking of going to hospital casualty!
Less dramatic approach was to think it was associated with muscle strain following gym session as I had done leg lift 10 x 80 plus 10 x 90 and 10 x 100 kilograms but I have being doing these numbers and figures regularly without previous problem.
Cramps came on several days after gym session and whilst I had been sitting (with leg extended and supported) watching a long concert on television.
Reassuring posts in this forum suggesting it is a frequent problem but no explanations given.
Seems logical to me there might be the equivalent of traffic problems after removing a motorway (the main vein) but why should this be OK immediately after the closure?
Hmmm maybe need to talk to someone about whether to reduce beta blocker dose of 2.5 mg daily as resting pulse rate is 59 bpm and even 15 minutes on gym bike and then rowing machine did not increase rate much over 100 bpm and maximum was 110 after leg lifts.
OTH when I started swimming regularly I was out of breath before one length of crawl and now can do several but then boredom becomes the issue!
So perhaps the problem for myself and others is linked to long term medication?
I am also on STATIN (simvastin) 20 mg daily. Initially started on 40 mg several years ago but there seemed to be side effects and Doctor reduced to 20 mg and this resolved things and is achieving good results from cholesterol follow up tests.
Perhaps I should mention I am a 75 year old male from the UK
on june 20 2014 i had 5 bypass and 1 graft they took the vein out of my right leg and i have had 5 knee surgery i have had wires in my chest but the doctor didn,t tell me that he was going to put wires in me he had to go back in and take them out so that 2 surgery i have had on my chest in a year i am 56 years old i still have trouble with my leg and my chest at times i also have heart failure i am disable and don,t sleep anymore i also have a abdominal aortic aneurysm 3.6 ceometers so i live day to day please pray for me
must it be a a strong or a mild mustard, my husband is having the same pains after a quad by pass and we don't know what to do, thanks
Believe it or not.. 2-3 tablespoons of Frenches yellow mustard will stop the cramps in 60 seconds! It contains magnesium and is like a miracle! I had triple bypass 4 yrs ago and started having leg cramps in the leg where they removed my vein. No meds helped but now I keep pkgs of mustard from fast food restaurants in my purse at all times. It works!!!
My Husband is 45 and 2 years ago he had a triple bypass and is experiencing the same as you as of now he is scheduled to see a vascular doctor because he has taken Gabapentin at a high dose and it has done nothing for him ; his pain has become so intense it has come to the point that he will have to leave his job because of the type of work he does if nothing can be done for him; and his dr. told him too that if the nerve hasn't healed by now it will never heal ( that it is an angry nerve)
I had a triple bypass 3 years ago and was cut from ankle to groin on both legs. Nobody I have seen in the medical profession will confirm it is nerve damage caused through the harvesting of the veins, because as soon as they do, I would probably have a case to sue them. The pain is excrutiating at times and I've been given many different pain killers. But of course, they only hide the pain and don't get rid of it. None of the medication I have been given has worked so I'm having to just live with it.
I to have had a quadruple Bypass a year ago and have suffered with leg pain where the veins had been used . It is the most horrible pains and the strongest of pain killers do not work at times.My legs swell also . I cannot stand my husband rubbing them im in tears. This is so hard to try and get through I wish at times That I had no legs :(
I had bypass in 2010 they took veins from both legs from ankle to groin on left leg and from ankle to knee on right leg, I get most of the leg pain at night it wakes me up several times a night, have to massage them or walk, then can go back to sleep,But this happens several times a night, so never get a night that I can sleep without pain,
Also they start hurting if I sit to long. I don't want to take pain medication every night as it looks like this is a permanent thing.Does anyone have any suggestions?
.
Also they start hurting if I sit to long. I don't want to take pain medication every night as it looks like this is a permanent thing.Does anyone have any suggestions?
.
Hello
My dad just had a triple bypass and is suffering from the same excrutiating pain at the area you have described. He had to go to the ER and they thought it was a blod clot, they did an ultrasound and did not find anything, Thank God! but, the pain still there. They gave him meds for pain, told him to elevate, walk and ice it. None of it seems to be helping.
Were you able to find out why this happens?
My dad just had a triple bypass and is suffering from the same excrutiating pain at the area you have described. He had to go to the ER and they thought it was a blod clot, they did an ultrasound and did not find anything, Thank God! but, the pain still there. They gave him meds for pain, told him to elevate, walk and ice it. None of it seems to be helping.
Were you able to find out why this happens?
Have you tried Lyrica or Gabapentin? They are good meds to take for the pain of nerve damage. I'm type 2 diabetic and after a triple bypass I developed diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage on the soles of my feet, then shooting pains in both my feet & legs. Gabapentin helps somewhat but the dosage needs to be increased.
Some doctors don't know how to diagnose some things so they blame it on back problems or .... ? Keep searching for a cause. It could be nerve damage.
I'm suffering pain in both my legs & feet right now, not just the leg they took the veins from. I had a triple bypass six months ago. I'm type 11 diabetic. I have since developed diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) in the soles of my feet. I also have horrendous stabbing pain in my feet & legs. I take morphine and Gabapentin (similar to Lyrica) but nothing relieves the pain. I'm on a quest to find the cause of the pain ... where it be nerve damage (which is my guess) or anything else.
If anyone knows the cause can you please post here? Thanks ... from all of us.
If anyone knows the cause can you please post here? Thanks ... from all of us.
Im 76 and have a similar problem with the leg they took the vein from and it's been 6 years since my triple bypass. The heart doctor just said my circulation was less than it should be in my legs but offered no solution or medication for the pain. I think the pain comes from my lower back. I never had back problems or leg pain before this surgery. I did find that a muscle relaxant like valium worked to stop the nerve pain at night and allowed me to sleep. But like anything else simple that works, after 9 months my primary doctor refused to refill my prescription.
I only took one-half of a 5 mg tablet a night so I don't know why he kept trying to prescribe meds that were stronger and had bad side effects but he did and I refuse to take a med that once I start it I can't stop taking it. Now I just live with the pain. If you find a doctor that will treat your pain you will be very lucky and very blessed.
I only took one-half of a 5 mg tablet a night so I don't know why he kept trying to prescribe meds that were stronger and had bad side effects but he did and I refuse to take a med that once I start it I can't stop taking it. Now I just live with the pain. If you find a doctor that will treat your pain you will be very lucky and very blessed.
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