Frustrated and confused

[Bryan B]

My pain is back. About 5 days ago I woke up with intense pain at the very top and about 2-3 inches to the right of my sternum/incision. When moving my torso it feels like a deep pain. It is very tender to the touch and also stings when touched (almost like a bee sting). Two days ago I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and the pain was completely gone...just like that. When I woke up in the morning the pain was back...just like that. Since then the pain has been there most of the time, but occasionally it just disappears. I feel like there is something in there that is slipping in and out of place, but I can't seem to manipulate it back into place myself. When the pain is there it feels like I have been stabbed with a knife (I know...that sounds exaggerated but that is how intense the pain is at times). When the pain disappears it's mearly a bit sore but almost undetectable.

I guess I'm bringing this back up in hopes that someone might throw something out there that may explain what this could be. My best guess is that I have loose cartilage that is moving around and/or possible nerve damage. When it moves out of place I am basically unable to focus on anything but the pain. I have also had some spasms in my right arm and hand at times and have noticed that my right hand is colder to the touch than my left hand at times. My surgeon has already said that if my pain continues he would recommend I go to a pain clinic. I'm wondering if it is loose cartilage would an orthopedic doctor be able to pinpoint the cause and correct it somehow. I'm at my wits end. I had just finished weaning off my pain medicine...again...and now the pain is back with a vengeance. I need to find a job, but now I have renewed doubts if I can handle a traveling job.

Sorry for the extended vent. I'm just so tired of being in pain. Going on and off the pain meds is taking it's toll on me physically and mentally. I have the added stress of moving at the end of this month and looking for a job. My doctors seem to be just as tired of dealing with this issue as I am. I don't know what to do at this point. And to top it off I am still waking up every morning with a drainage spot on my t-shirt from where the internal stitch that popped out was. The spot is still raw looking compared to the rest of my incision. The weird thing is that I don't see any obvious drainage while I'm awake, it just seems to happen while I'm sleeping.

I plan on calling my surgeon tomorrow and see if I can get an appointment to the pain clinic next week since I'm going back to NC on Saturday for an initial appointment on the 9th with a GI doc before getting my first colonoscopy. Gosh, I feel like I could just keep venting...but I'll stop for now.

 

[gijanet]

I am so sorry..........

I am so sorry..........

that I have absolutely no input for you, and I am even sorrier that you are still in pain. Do please follow up with your surgeon and the pain folks; hopefully, they will have some ideas. We will keep you in our prayers.

 

[geebee]

Bryan,
I am so sorry that your pain is back. I know you were so pleased with the results of your wire removal that I can't even imagine how frustrated you must be. Just remember that venting is one of the things these forums are about so VENTVENTVENTVENTVENT all you need to. Someone will be here to listen.
I agree with your doctor that a pain clinic may be beneficial. I would also see an orthopedic doctor just to cover all your bases - it couldn't hurt.
I think a pinced nerve is a possible problem. I have had pinced nerves in my back that were "knife" stabbing pains that had no reasonable patterns other than disrupting my life. There is so much trauma with OHS and nerves can be irritated for a very long time.
I think you are on the right path and I feel you will find your answers just keep looking for them and don't let anyone make you feel like you are crazy.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[bvdr]

Bryan, I am so sorry you are still suffering with this sternum pain. I think a pain clinic just might be in order. I don't know what is causing your pain to continue like it has. There is something called RSD that may need to be considered.

 

[Bryan B]

Betty,

Just did a google on RSD. I know it's easy to say..."that sounds like what I have". But...that sounds like what I have. Especially the spasms and tremors I've had recently. It's definitely something I'll keep in mind if I continue to run into dead ends in seeking relief. I think the pain clinic will be my first stop and I'll go from there.

I had a problem years ago (when I was playing a lot of golf) where my hip would get out of alignment and I couldn't get out of bed, then it would pop back in and it was as if it never happened. That's what I'm experiencing with this pain. I can move a certain way and I'm in agony, and just as quickly I can move a certain way and the pain vanishes. It's hard not to think I'm going crazy when that happens.

 

[Sherry]

Man, Bryan, I really feel for you. You've just been through the ringer and really deserve some relief. Let's hope you get it sooner than later...

 

[Granbonny]

Bryan

Bryan

I'm sorry to hear you are still in pain...Are you going to try and drive back to N.C...an 8 hour trip? Can you fly to help not aggravate anything?I hope you will have family and friends to help you pack up and move..Are you planning on moving back to N.C.?I think you should..You need to be with your family..this may take a long time to resolve..(pain)Plus, you will have doggies kisses everyday.. Bonnie

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Bryan....

Hi Bryan....

I wanted to jot you a little note and tell you that I am also in chronic pain all the time. Although mine is from Diabetic Neurpathy and Arthritis brought on from multiple car accidents, I know your pain and hope that you get to feeling better soon. I have to admit that it's hard for me to deal with the pain as well. I am wondering though, could it be possible for arthritis to develop in the sternum due to having it cut open? I don't know if this will help, but I wanted to at least ask to see if this might be a possibility. Hope you get to feeling better. Harrybaby666

 

[Glenda]

Bryan, your "aunt Glenda" is so sorry to hear that you are still in pain. You have been through way too much. You will be at the top of my prayer list. Hugs are coming your way.

 

[Abbanabba]

Hey Bryan, sorry you're still in pain - that really is the pits It was interesting you mentioned the difference in temp between your right and left hand.... I have an aunt with back problems and one of the key symptoms the doctor was waiting to hear was that her right big toe was colder than the rest - something to do with the nerve being pinched. You may be suffering something completely different, but if it comes and goes it could well be the nerve being pinched somewhere.

I hope they can find out what the problem is. There's nothing worse than trying to function through constant pain - especially when you have things you need to get done.

Sending positive thoughts your way,
Anna : )

 

[Nan]

Bryan, just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and sending you positive energy! On-going pain like that is a terrible thing to deal with. Sounds like Betty's RSD idea is giving you some leads.

Just wanted to encourage you to follow up with it....there has got to be some doc out there that can figure it out.

Please post and let us know how you are doing.

And vent, vent away!!!

 

[Bryan B]

Thanks for the encouragement Nan.

Well here's my update. I decided to cancel my trip home (I was going to drive home today) because I didn't feel like driving 8 hours was doable right now. And I'm considering not moving back to NC at the end of the month. I just don't feel up to it physically or mentally. I'll probably sign another 6 month lease and look for something here. I've also pretty much decided that I'm not up to taking another traveling job right now. I guess all this adds up to a mindset of giving myself at least 6 more months to see if my pain issues improve before making any major decisions. I'm kinda bummed out about it, but at the same time I feel a sense of relief too. Right now I've got to put my health above making money. I feel fortunate that I was able to save some money while I was traveling extensively with my last job (hard to spend a lot of money when you're never home ). I'm not thrilled about the prospect of spending it on bills, but at least I know I can get by for awhile if I have to take a job that doesn't pay what I'm used to making.

 

[bvdr]

That might be a wise choice, Bryan. Give yourself some time and if you use up some of what you saved for a contingency like this then so be it. Maybe you will find something very suitable that you actually enjoy far more than anything you worked at before.

 

[Nan]

Hi Bryan,

I agree 10% with Betty. Sounds like you are making a good decision for yourself. Hang in there!

 

[Candy]

Dear Bryan-
Oh, friend, this is way too much. I do think that looking for a non-traveling job will help. Packing up and moving might be more stressful than staying put! I will pm you, ok?
Candy

 

[Bryan B]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the kind words. As you can see, the "pain alarm" woke me up around 2:30AM. It's been pretty reliable, but not too good for getting a normal night's sleep. I did end up signing another 6 month lease this weekend, so I will be staying put until the end of May. I'm trying to keep the faith that everything happens for a reason...I'll let you know when I figure out what it is.

 

[Karlynn]

Stay strong Bryan. I try to remember that Life is what happens when you've made other plans. I'm praying that something good is waiting for you to discover it, during all this.

 

[labguides]

Bryan,
So sorry to hear that your pain continues. Pain definitely can get in the way of life. Hope your doctors are able to find the cause and a cure ASAP.

 

[Gail in Ca]

I am sorry to read that your pain is back. Have they ruled out a fractured rib or inflamed cartilege?
To put a positive spin on what you've been thru, at least your wires are out, now.
Also, I would think that a spot that is still draining should be dealt with.
It wakes you up, has it anything to do with what side you are sleeping on?
I had horrible pain in my rib after having a very bad cough, about 4 mos after my AVR. ( plus the metroprolol I was taking caused me to cough from the get go) My doc said it was either a fractured rib or a cartilege issue causing the pain.
Keep at it, as there must be something causing your pain.
Gail

 

[Bryan B]

Gail,

Yes I'm a side sleeper. It doesn't seem to matter too much which side I sleep on, but sleeping on my right side causes more pain than the left side. Of course my sinuses prefer I sleep on my right side . I usually start off trying to sleep on my back but I'm usually not successful. I personally think it's either cartilage damage or nerve damage (or both) caused by the sternotomy and/or the "other" things they do to you in order to gain access to your heart. My PCP diagnosed it as costochondritis back in May, and in hindsight he was probably right. Unfortunately it's gotten to the point that "chronic" probably needs to be attached to it.

The good news is that my drainage has finally dried up. Hey, some good news is better than none.