My Chest

[cinda575]

I hope maybe I could get some info...When I first came home I was fine and sleeping on the lay-z-boy, well, my chest and right arm was killing me. That was until a week ago, then i slept a few nights on the fold out couch bed which was hurting me with the bar in my back. The pain in my chest got better though for those couple nights out of the recliner, so then I moved to my brothers twin bed the last 3 nights and I am in such severe pain I can barely walk or breathe or move, my pillows are all bunched up when I wake up in the night and i am found flat on my back...but for the last couple days every way i move i feel what feels like bones moving.Is this normal? It feels like my whole chest is in a vice...Am I over reacting?Am I supposed to feel this way or have I not been resting enough? What should I do about my sleeping situation, its to the point I try to stay up all night to avoid going to bed...HELP please...

P.S. I have been out of the hospital 2 weeks today...

 

[artifx]

Cinda -

I am not a doctor, so I can't tell give you medical advice, but can share my experience ...

Sleeping was (and sometimes still is after 7 weeks) very difficult. I found that the more "propped up" I was in the early days of recovery, the less discomfort I felt. I could not sleep lying flat for a long, long time. If you are finding yourself lying flat by morning (and are in pain most of the time), it sounds like you still need to sleep more upright. Don't ask me why ... seems the pressure on the rib cage and ajoining bones get put through so much trama in these surguries that the recovery is long. Try staying propped up with pillows (and stick with the lazy boy if it was helping you sleep better). Eventually, you will be able to lie flat again! For me, I can't wait to sleep on my side again!

 

[Nancy]

Hi Cinda-

I think if it were Joe, I'd have him at the surgeon's office. It sounds as if this is something that developed suddenly and the pain is severe. Have it looked at. If it's nothing, no harm done, if it's something, then you will be where you can get advice.

Good luck.

 

[Bob]

Are you taking your pain meds? If so and you have this kind of pain go see your doc ASAP. Sleep problems are common as is back and rib pain. During surgery they really spread you out so what you may be feeling is your muscles and joints reminding you that they are not used to being treated like that.

 

[hensylee]

write it down - call your doctor's office - insist on some advice or an appointment.

 

[fisher6476]

You are concerned enough that you shoul call and have it checked out. Hopefully it is nothing except what a lot of us have found. The healing process for the sternum takes a while it it is bone that is knitting back together. Some pain is just a part of that progress. I am 6 weeks out and just in the last two nights have I been able to stretch out on a couch or a bed on my side or stomach, and even though my surgeon said it was OK to sleep any way i wanted to my chest has told me "I am not ready Yet"
After being on my stomach or side for a while I become very sore, although I can tell it is getting better all the time. So get it checked out and if your doctors tell you it is just part of the healing process keep in mind it will get better soon.
Steve

 

[Lorraine]

Hi Cinda,

My philosophy post-surgery was "When in doubt, get it checked out"

I do know from my own experience that it took me a few weeks before I could sleep in a bed. Even longer to sleep on my side! I would try occasionally to sleep in the bed but would always end back up in the recliner sleeping somewhat up-right! If you're in too much pain and are taking pain meds then I would definitely be in the surgeons office! Good Luck!

 

[Tom F.]

I had no post op pain at all, ever. But then I always took my meds. I was sleeping in bed at about a week post op, it was just funny feeling if I slept on my left side.

With the pain you describe you should call your doctor ASAP. If you are taking your meds this is a sign that something has changed, maybe an infection. Are you running a temp. at all?

See the doc, that is the best thing to do.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Cinda,

If you are not sleeping, you are NOT HEALING.
Get on the Telephone and talk with whoever is
'on call' for your surgeon ASAP.

After getting checked out, you may want to buy
a 'foam wedge' or body pillow (Walmat etc).

Hope you are able to sort this out soon!

'AL'

 

[medtronic of borg]

chest pain

chest pain

Ditto Al.

Your post is very different then the other one...Given my experience this one I would check out.

Med

 

[cinda575]

I go the the cardiologist wed. I will bring this to their attention... thanks everyone.

 

[Granbonny]

I'm with Al on the foam wedge pillow..Keeps you up right and comfy..Take your pain meds..Bonnie