Ironman,
Regarding the pain issue. As you read through all the forums you'll quickly notice the whole range of views on pain. Some have virtually none, or claim they didn't
and others have pain for quite some time. A LOT of the pain issue depends on the procedure done, whether this is first or multiple cut through of the sternum and of course tolerance for pain.
I've always felt that I have a high tolerance for pain but keep finding myself taking a long time to recover and quit experiencing pain with each of my major surgeries (this last OHS was #12 total surgeries, not all heart.) So, as you can see, I speak from waaaayyyy too much experience.
Key points with dealing with pain.
...Keep on top of it, don't try to brave it out. If you hurt, take something, even if just Tylenol.
...make sure to take some sort of pain med about 45 min (can be less if IV meds, see next point) BEFORE a procedure such as removing chest tubes, pacing wires, central lines. Check with nurse what time they're planning things and ask her to help you arrange pain meds accordingly. BTW chest tube didn't hurt me at all, but those pacing wires were HELL!
...if you have a PCA or Narcotic Pump (one of those IV pain med lines where the patient controls the dosing) use it just before procedures. These are fast acting, so don't need so long to get into blood system.
...if you have problems with one kind of pain med, ask to try another. I can't tolerate ANY of the Codeine derivative drugs (like someone else here, Percocet causes me hallucinations among other things.) Ironically I CAN tolerate plain old fashioned Codiene, just not the new derivatives that were developed to deal with codeine's side-effects. Ask about traMadol, it works pretty well for me with relatively few side effects.
...if you find narcotic pain med is wearing off in effectiveness, try switching to timed, regular Tylenol and using the narcotic as a bridge for those times the Tylenol isn't cutting it. BE CAREFUL OF HOW MUCH TYLENOL YOU TAKE, AND CONSULT DR. FIRST!!! Anyway, This switching around was recommended to me by the Pharmacist when she asked about the Tramadol and my pain control. I'd reported to her that even with Tramadol at max dosing I was still in at least a level 3-4 on 1-10 scale of pain ALL the time, 4 weeks after surgery and was using the Tylenol to bridge waiting for my next Tramadol. That's when she suggested reversing the two and not just using the Tylenol as needed but on the clock. It made a world of difference. (Although I'm 6! Weeks post op and STILL in significant pain {car rides -especially killer Prius-, sneezing, talking are sheer torture} I can tell a BIG difference on pain control levels since switching the two meds.)
... Don't take what you see on here as the bible for whether or not you're a tough guy or whimp! Everyone has different circumstances and healing issues. Some lucky ones seem to breeze through, others not so fortunate. I mentioned to my daughter that I was feeling like a whimp for still hurting this long after surgery and she quickly said NEVER WOULD SHE HAVE THOUGHT AS ME AS A WHIMP! Nice validation, just wish I wasn't still hurting (also tired of having to coordinate someone driving me anytime I want to go somewhere!)
...for me, I'm sleeping in the guest room other than on weekends. My hubby gets up quite early in the morning and I didn't want to disturb the little sleep he gets and I didn't want him disturbing me if I happened to be asleep. Weekends is when we reconnect. At first, I had quite the nest of pillows, experimenting with what worked for comfort. I'm now down to two pillows but still experimenting with finding that comfortable position to sleep in. My biggest problem is not being able to move from one position to another easily and that then wakes me up and I notice the pain.
Finally, about the valve clicking. I hear mine quite clearly when it's quiet around me and at night. My Dr. said, it because it's very anterior (near front of chest wall) and for my size, fairly large. Apparently the sound can also diminish as healing proceeds and it "settles in". I likened it to the crocodile in Peter Pan and nearly gave my GP stitches! I'm one who CANT STAND white noise so was really worried about this. But....yes I notice it, but other than for a couple beats when it's gotten my attention, I quickly tune it back out. No one else has casually noticed it and my husband has to be in just the right position when we are snuggling to hear it. Even with his ear on my back, he doesn't hear it. Only when we are lying next to each other and I'm on my back.
I think this has been long enough. Sorry for length, had more to contribute than I thought. Hope some helped.
GOOD LUCK!
Linda
