First day back at work and worried about how I'm feeling

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

tigerlily

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2006
Messages
149
Location
Pittsboro, NC
Hi all. Today was my first day back on the job. My valve replacement surgery was 8 weeks ago. Boy, was I spaced out this morning. Going back to work was a bigger shock than I expected it to be.

I'm worried about how my heart reacted to all this. First let me say this is an office job and not very physical. I kept feeling the need to breath deeply. Occasionally, I was aware of a feeling that's very hard to describe. My heart or my chest just felt tired and stressed. Sort of like having a mild case of the flu in my chest. The feeling seemed to be coming from my heart but I'm not sure. I felt a little breathless at times too. Not like I was gasping for air but just more like I needed those deep breaths. I'm not having any trouble breathing when I'm laying down on my back which I know can be a bad sign. Does any of this sound familiar?

One more thing, (sorry I'm being such a worry wart) About a week and a half ago I was feeling so normal, that I decided to hammer a few short stakes in the flower garden. I know how completely dumb that was but I honestly forgot that I was in recovery. When I stood up I knew I had made a mistake. This may sound stupid but could I have possibly hurt my healing heart or aorta which had a minor repair done to the root?

I just need a little reassurance unless you all see red flags here. It's been a very long day. In some ways it was fun but it was also stressful. Thanks so much for your feed back.
 
tigerlily said:
Going back to work was a bigger shock than I expected it to be.
...
It's been a very long day. In some ways it was fun but it was also stressful.

I know _exactly_ what you mean. The first day back for me in 2003 was shocking ... people wanting to talk to me all day ... plus having to wade through a bunch of Emails ... start to reorganize files ... etc. It was, like you've noted, a long day ... fun and stressful.


As for your symptoms, you should probably mention them to either your cardiologist or your surgeon ... and see what they're directions/thoughts are....



Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html
"You better not try to stand in my way" ... J Paycheck ... 'Take This Job & Shove It'
 
You are in the same boat as many of us. I went back to work after ten weeks and I thought I was completely fine. I absolutely couldn't believe how bad I started to feel within the first couple hours. I got exhausted simply by talking to everyone. Nobody told me how bad I initially looked until a couple weeks later when I apparently started to look a little better.

Now to your question about hurting your healing heart. I worried many times about the same thing when I had a day when I completely overdid things. The next several days I would have palpitations, strange pains, fatigue, and pretty much everything you listed below (especially the breathing). I later found out that it was just my body's way of showing me who's boss. There was nothing my surgeon said that led me to believe you could actually injure your heart more than a couple days after discharge. I also haven't seen anything mentioned on this website. I remember (being a person prone to worry as well) getting almost panicked about once per week about strange pains and feelings as I thought that something had gone wrong with my repair. Looking back, the moral of the story would be that anything you feel for three months after surgery is probably normal. (I also know that the previous statement won't stop you from worrying - it sure wouldn't have stopped me.) Anyways, best wishes, and be assured that you will soon be feeling much better. :)
 
I think what you are feeling is pretty normal but sometimes some reassurance from your doctor makes you feel better. It's been 3 months for me now and I still feel fatigued around mid afternoon. I am in outside sales and I drive around all day starting at 6:30 AM and by the time 3pm arrives I am whooped somedays. All the driving I do makes my chest ache also. I am hoping this fatigue goes away as time goes on.
 
Back to Work

Back to Work

Tigerlilly,

Glad you've made it back to work after 8 weeks, I think it's an important step to resuming 'normal' life (unless you hate your job!!). I resumed work this week 4 weeks after my surgery, basically for 3 reasons, UK daytime TV is simply awful and I found the inactivity at home more stressful that being at work!

Plus, I'm a contract project manager, so if I don't work, I don't get paid! No income protection insurance as my previous hobby as a pilot was deemed 'too dangerous'! I would have probably waited 5 weeks if not for this factor, as I've been quite tired this week and have a bit of discomfort from my healing chest.

However, on the plus side is my brain is now active, I'm amongst my colleagues and enjoying their banter which has lifted my spirits and they're letting me work reduced hours! I'm sure you'll soon find your feet again, just take it easy!

All the best

Steve
 
I went back to work on Monday for the first time since OHS on 03/02/2006, almost exactly two months after surgery. I have a one way commute of 31 miles, so what I have worked out with my employer is starting out with six hour days and working my way back into full time. Monday was kind of tiring and kind of exciting at the same time. Everyone wanted to talk to me, but unlike one respondent to this thread, they all told me how much better I looked as compared to the last time they saw me on 02/27/2006. That was kind of invigorating in itself. As for how I felt physically when I arrived back home, I was totally wiped out. Chest muscles were complaining about the work of driving, arm muscles were similarly aggrevated. Neck and back muscles weren't too happy either. Breathing was fine and my heart didn't seem to be complaining at all. Just take your time and ease back into the daily grind if your employer will allow it. I also have the opprotunity to work from home if I don't feel up to snuff. The key is to just ease back in.
 
I went back after 8 weeks and noticed the emotional and stressful fatigue immediately. Plus, I was still on the post surgery meds so I would tend to get tired mid-afternoon especially.

Add the commute and the other daily issues I used to brush off and I quickly realized how my heart plays into everything. It is the barometer of our overall health and very simply an amazing part of our body. If you break an arm, it's immobilized and put in a cast. If you break your heart, it keeps working through the repair and rehab.

Shortly after returning to work, I attended a wedding out of town. The reception was in the same hotel we stayed at and I happened to drink more than I should have. Nothing like a college-frat party, but more than what I had consumed in a long time. Looking back, I was probably subconsciously celebrating me being alive in addition to the wedding. The next day, in addition to a killer hangover, I experienced palps for the first time post-surgery. Proof that when any part of our body gets worn down, the heart is also experiencing additional stress.
 
RandyL said:
I am in outside sales and I drive around all day starting at 6:30 AM and by the time 3pm arrives I am whooped somedays.

I can imagine....

What type of outside sales do you do, Randy?
 
knightfan2691 said:
I can imagine....

What type of outside sales do you do, Randy?

I sell Golf Course Maintenance Equipment ie. all the high dollar mowers to cut grass at an 1/8 of an inch. I also demonstrate these machines and haul them on a trailer but till I feel better I have somebody else doing that for me.

http://www.jacobsengolf.com/products/
 
Tigerlily - 8 weeks isn't very long for going back to work. And an office is stressful; the conversation alone can wear you out. Further, you'll have some trouble with your memory for a while.

Please be sure to take a couple of exercise breaks every day - get out and walk. You're still in recovery - the walking is essential for your health, and ain't bad for your mental health, either.

Your heart is still remodeling and won't feel "normal" all the time just yet. But do call your cardio if anything worries you. Your cardio's PA will probably be able to tell you if your worries are something to follow up on.

This is a tough time for you; good luck.
 
Your story does sound fairly typical. Naturally if you have concerns that something is wrong you should talk with your doctor, but I suspect part of what is going on is a bit of anxiety. That can cause the need for the deep breathing. Many of us have gone through anxiety, panic attacks, and depression as part of the healing process. If this is the case with you, don't be shy about talking with your doctor. Mine gave me a prescription for anti-anxiety med - I still carry it as an insurance policy. Haven't taken one since August of last year, but every now & then I feel like it's creeping up on me again. Just reminding myself that I've got help calms me down!

Congratulations, though, on getting back to work... it will get better!
 
RandyL said:
I sell Golf Course Maintenance Equipment ie. all the high dollar mowers to cut grass at an 1/8 of an inch. I also demonstrate these machines and haul them on a trailer but till I feel better I have somebody else doing that for me.

http://www.jacobsengolf.com/products/

Cool! I suspect you're on commission, right? I've often been told I'd be a good salesperson ... but, I don't like the idea of Commission only pay :(.
 
As everyone has said, it is normal to tire easily during recovery. MANY people start back to work with half days for a week or two.

OTOH, one possible contributor to your Shortness of Breath symptom is FLUID RETENTION. To ease your mind, it would be wise to have this checked out (and then learn how to check your ankles yourself). The first test is to press your lower shin bone and observe how long it takes the impression to smooth out. If you are retaining fluid, the impression may last for some length of time (I don't remember the number but after a while you just 'know' by looking). The second test is usually a Chest X-Ray.

Are you exercising or in Cardiac Rehab? That is a GREAT way to get back into shape and build your stamina. Not all insurance companies cover Cardiac Rehab so Check FIRST. If not, regular stretching and walking will give you most of the benefit. A heart rate monitor, stechoscope, and cell phone are useful for monitoring / reassurance.

'AL Capshaw'
 
knightfan2691 said:
Cool! I suspect you're on commission, right? I've often been told I'd be a good salesperson ... but, I don't like the idea of Commission only pay :(.

No I get a salary and a year end bonus if I do well.
 
An office job is frequently far more stressful than you would imagine.

I came back half days initially, and was so glad I did, as I was wiped out. Meanwhile, I had been walking all over the county until the day before. Work is a heavier burden than we realize.

Some thoughts...

I now have to get up every 45-60 minutes or so and walk briskly around the hallways for a bit. Everyone thinks I have a mission, so they don't bother me about it. I just can't sit that long anymore. It's unhealthy and it feels wrong.

Sit up straight (posture!) and take those deep breaths. Your body got used to them and wants you to keep it up. Use all the lungs capacity to do it, too.

You won't have damaged yourself. If there's one thing a good surgeon can do, it's sew. Your new parts are not going to go their separate ways.

Every once in a while, I'll still feel some odd sensations when I lie at a certain angle on my left side. So, I move a little. It goes away. The point is, we get incredibly tuned in to our heart's every nuance. Everything is not exactly the same as it was before surgery. However, your heart can be just as strong as it ever was, and the ways in which things have changed are not in any ways that make a difference in your life.

And hearts are like two-year-olds when you give them too much attention. They'll whine at every opportunity.

Best wishes,
 
RandyL said:
No I get a salary and a year end bonus if I do well.

*raises eyebrow*

THAT is the kind of sales job I could do ... Hmmm.....





tobagotwo said:
And hearts are like two-year-olds when you give them too much attention. They'll whine at every opportunity.

Ya know ... I laughed at this at first. But, sadly, it IS very true. I know I struggle with "Should I mention this pain/twinge/you-name-it to my cardiologist?" too many times than I'd like to admit. Sometimes, those pain/twinges/whathaveyou leave me wondering if I'm about to take my last breath on this earth. Yet, I quickly realize that if I let those pains/twinges/etc. "run" my life ... I won't have much of a life.

So, bottom line ... I _still_ struggle with what to tell the cardiologist ... and what to "work off". Do NOT let that discourage you in the recovery phase ... the cardiologist (well, at least mine) understands that you're "getting used to" the situation and would rather you confide in/share with them ... than keep it all inside ... and wonder/worry....

Hmm...not sure if that helped or not.....
 
Back
Top