2 Months post surgery update

[mamanordy]

Hello everyone. I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season! Well it has been 2 months now and I have to say it has been like a roller coaster for me. Some days I felt good, really good, and then others reallly bad. Since coming out of the hospital I have gotten sick with 2 stomach flus, and about 5 colds, one of which I still have. It is frustrating. My husband was beginning to wonder if I would ever feel better, as was I. The fatigue was the one thing that was really getting to me the most. It was quite debilitating. I am finally to the point now where I can actually get up and do some stuff.

However, I have done too much I think. Today my chest hurts pretty badly. This is after playing with my grandson on Sunday, getting pumped up about an NFL game, cleaning up the kitchen a bit on Monday, and finally pumped up again last night about another NFL game. I am sore, really sore. I didnt get any sleep last night at all. So today another take it easy day for me.

Also my biggest complaint that will not go away is night sweats. I wake up several times a night with my hair soaking wet, and of course my pillows.
Can anyone shed any light on why I am doing this? I never had this before surgery. Dr of course says it is normal after surgery, but two months after?
And it being cold out, I am freezing during the night with my wet head. I hate to have to turn the blow dryer on during the night and possibly wake the family. UGH> Hate it.

Hope everyone is doing well.

 

[ottagal]

Mamanordy,
I hope you are now over all those cold/flu bugs!
I, too am about 2 months post op and if it is any consolation, I have had a number of roller coaster days. I am still having trouble sleeping at night (toss and turn and wake up due to ongoing sternal pain and probably from doing too much during the day). I recall members saying to not 'overdue it as we will pay for it. I hope your pain goes away.

Unfortunately, I can't help you with the night sweats. I had it for the first 10 days or so. Have you checked your temperature? Also, If you are concerned, I would contact your doctor to ensure that something else isn't causing this i.e. medications, thyroid etc.

Hope your get this resolved soon! Yup...absolutely no fun waking up drenched in sweat and being cold from it.

 

[Bina]

At 2 mths post op I was still unable to do much of anything.....very tired and weak all the time.
Some of the pain pills may be contributing to your night sweats, or a hormone imbalance, or all the viruses you have been bombarded with. I make sure to take 500mg of Vitamin C daily and nobody is allowed near me if they are coughing or sneezing.
Pace yourself and spread out your activities, recovery is sometimes a slow process, but baby steps won't leave you so wiped out.
Reward yourself with rest.

 

[hall]

I can not imagine having the flu after OHS. All the coughing and sneezing. Bless You! I agree, the meds may be causing you night sweats. Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[Lynlw]

OK THIS IS MY 3RD TRY SO GOING TO BE VERY SHORT. i'M SORRY YOU STILL ARE HAVING SO MANY ISSUES, SINCE YOU ARE STILL HAVING BAD NIGHT SWEATS, HAVE YOU BEEN CHECKING YOUR TEMP TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE A FEVER, EVEN LOW GRADE FOR A WHILE? oops Also since you've had a few colds, did you go to a doctor and get checked? the only reasn I'm asking is, it is probably nothing, but Justin tends to get pericardial fluid and one of his symptons, is he feels like he is getting a cold or flu and gets hot cold flashes, sweating, low grade fevers off and on. Are your colds mainly in your head/sinuses or chest? IF they are mainly runny nose type things, then probably it really is a cold and nothing else. I hope you start feeling bettr soon and can get on with enjoying life with your new valve and mproved heart.

 

[olefin]

I can understand how you feel. I ran a low grade temperature for so long my cardiologist told me to throw away the thermometer. It was three months before I felt like driving a car but at 6 months we went back on the road in a motorhome.
So it should start to getting better soon, wish you the very best.

 

[DebbyA]

I was plowed under by two end-on-end colds a YEAR after my surgery, so can't imagine how you must feel now. I hope you can get the night sweats resolved. Or just turn up the heat, get a sleeping pill and sleep through them. You need sleep.
It sounds like overall you're on the mend. Try not to overdo it with the sports and grandkids...