5 weeks post op and overdoing it?

[Barbara Stewart]

I started cardiac rehab last week and so far have been twice. I've been feeling so good, compared to after my first surgery, that I"ve just been so active. The last two nights I've felt my heart pounding when I lie down to go to sleep. I'm also unable to get a good night's sleep as well. I attribute that to stopping the Ultracet I've been taking for months. Since I'm not in pain I figured it was time to stop and go to Tylenol.
Anyway, should I be concerned about the heart pounding at night? Today, Saturday, 2-18, I'm exhausted and am trying to rest, but I still am dying to get back in the saddle.
This is the first time I've really looked at this thread and it is good to see so many familiar faces and other people here.
Barbara

 

[MikeHeim]

My heart still pounds whenever I lie down. Not so much when I lay on my back, but on either side or my stomach is really bad. I brought it up with my cardiologist a couple times, and he wasn't concerned. I've "overdone" it several times (including today, I'm afraid), and haven't noticed any residual effects except for the tiredness.

 

[DavidS]

I am familar as to not sleeping well

I am familar as to not sleeping well

I can relate to the not sleeping well during the night. A couple of days ago I really over exerted myself. I was feeling really good that day and I really did not feel it until the next day. I'm just wondering if the physical activity plays a roll with the quality of sleep. Before I went wild with my exercise I was sleeping 5 to 6 hours. It's been 5 weeks since my surgery and I am ready to get back to cycling again.

On another topic, I'm taking med to control my heart rate & blood pressure, (Pacerone & Toprol XL). I don't know what to expect taking these drugs and exercising, how it limits me as for exertion, how hard to push it, etc..

By the way, I'm a 51 yrs old male and very active, cycling events, 24 hrs mountain bike races, running.

This is my first post so I hope I'm not off the subject line.

 

[MikeHeim]

I've blamed some of my exercise intolerance on my 75mg of Atenolol that I take twice daily. I just can't get my heart rate up much past the 110 or 120 mark, which I think contributes to my fatigue. Anyways, hopefully someone else will come along with more knowledge in the area.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Cardiac rehab

Cardiac rehab

I wrote the original post two weeks ago and I am now 7 weeks post op. I've been going to cardiac rehab and at first it was great, but now that I'm pushing a little I'm starting to have trouble with fatigue and achey joints. When I'm there it's great. I'm not aware of pushing myself and get enormous satisfaction out of the accomplishment. However the next day I am just a basket case. I should mention that I still have some issues with my intestines left over from my first surgery and the nasty infection I had. I don't know which one is the problem.
My CR has a 3 absence limit (just like college) and then you get dropped so I'm beginning to think about dropping out before I get kicked out. I've already missed two because of the exhaustion. This frustrates me so much because I want to work out hard and I thought that after this surgery I'd be able to keep up a rigorous workout schedule, but no such luck. Life is just not fair!
Sorry about the whining, but this is a long haul for and some of you seem to be able to exercise so soon without any negative consequences and good for you! I envy you.
Thanks for "listening".
Barbara

 

[Praline]

Barbara

Barbara

Did you speak to the people at the Rehab center about your problem with being so tired. They may have some suggestions. Did you have to take a test before beginning rehab? I had to have complete blood work and also a cardiopulmonary stress test.
I am 7 weeks post-op today. I start Cardiac Rehab this coming Manday. It willl be interesting to see how tired I am the next day. For the last couple of weeks, I have been walking one mile around the neighborhood twice a day. I am 64 years old and was not very active before.